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Asia in Review

No. 30, July/2020, 4

Brought to you by CPG

Dear Readers,

Welcome to another comprehensive brief on the latest events and developments in constitutional politics and international relations in Asia. In the name of the Asia in Review team I wish you an enjoyable read!

With best regards,

Henning Glaser

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

• Law and Politics in South Asia

• Law and Politics in Southeast Asia

• International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia

• Upcoming Online Events

Law and Politics in East Asia 

China: Hong Kong opposition candidates for LegCo election vetted

(dql) Opposition candidates were facing a vetting procedure testing their eligibility to run in the Legislative Council (LegCo) election in September and requiring them to answer questions about their political stance related to recent and current domestic and international politics on Hong Kong. The questions covered – among other issues – whether they recognize Beijing’s overall constitutional responsibility for Hong Kong and the new national security law for Hong Kong as well as whether they had lobbied and would further support actions and sanctions against Hong Kong imposed by foreign countries. [South China Morning Post]

Among them was prominent pro-democracy activist and founder of the now-disbanded political party Demosisto Joshua Wong who in a tweet called the vetting an “ideology scrutiny” and “large-scale witch hunt,” in which “electoral officers are cooking up #nationalsecurity charges against all pro-democracy runners, not solely vetting our candidacy.” [Hong Kong Free Press]

Wong’s statement expresses a widespread fear among the opposition candidates that the vetting is part of a deliberate move to disqualify the candidates, especially on grounds of collusion with foreign countries and forces to endanger national security, one of the four crimes targeted by the new Hong Kong national security law. [Bloomberg Quint] [Japan Times]

Meanwhile, rising numbers of Covid-19 cases have triggered a discussion on whether or not to postpone the election in which the opposition is hoping to win for the first time the majority based on the landslide victory in the district elections last November when in won 17 of the 18 districts. While the pro-Beijing camp supports a postponement citing public health concerns, the pro-democracy camp rejected such an attempt to undermine the opposition’s current political momentum. [Asia Times] [The Straits Time]

China: Political heavyweight to face trial

(dql) Ren Zhiqiang, an influential former Chinese property executive, known for his open critic of President Xi Jinping and holder of a social media account which had 37 million followers before it was shut down, was expelled from the Chinese Communist Party for violations of party discipline and law and is expected to face criminal charges soon. [Reuters]  

In his latest criticism of Xi, before he went missing in March, he slammed China’s leadership for concealing its mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic, adding that he “saw not an emperor standing there exhibiting his new clothes, but a clown who was stripped naked and insisted on continuing being emperor.” [AiR No. 11, March/2020, 3]

Ren Zhiqiang’s case draw’s attention to the ongoing crackdown on political dissent in China.

China: Chinese are satisfied with work of government

(dql) According to data presented by the Centre for Democratic Governance and Innovation of Harvard University, the Chinese government enjoys a high degree of approval in the country’s population. A long-term survey, titled “Understanding CCP Resilience: Surveying Chinese Public Opinion Through Time” revealed that the approval rate increased from 86% in 2003 to 93% in 2016. [South China Morning Post] [Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, for the report on the survey]

South Korea: Infamous military detention system to be abolished

(dql) Ending a history of 124 years, South Korea’s Defense Ministry announced that the notorious guardhouse detention system, under which rank-and-file soldiers can be detained in confinement facilities up to 15 days without warrants for breaking rules, will be abolished by 5 August when the revised Military Personnel Management Act will come into force. Instead, educational programs and other penalties, such as salary reduction, will be introduced. [Korea Herald]

The guardhouse system has been long criticized for violating of the rights of the detained soldiers.

South Korea: Ruling party pushes for relocation of administrative capital

(dql) The ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Tuesday established a task force in charge of preparing the relocation of the country’s administrative capital. The move comes after the party leadership last week and on Monday reiterated its determination to push for the long-standing plan. [Hankyoreh]

While the DP argued that the relocation was necessary to cope with overpopulation in Seoul and nearby cities, the main opposition United Future Party (UFP) rejects the move accusing DP of using the capital relocation issue to distract from criticism and declining approval ratings the party and President Moon Jae-in are facing over soaring house prices. [Korea Herald]

Taiwan: National airline to be rebranded

(ef) The Taiwanese Legislature has voted to rebrand the Taiwanese airline “China Airlines” in order to strengthen national identity. In a first step, Taiwanese symbols will be monitored on the airplanes. In a second step, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications will be asked to come up with new name ideas that do not offend China but also represent the Taiwanese origin of China Airlines.

Additionally, the Legislature unanimously passed a resolution that the country’s passports should emphasize the reference to “Taiwan” in order to clearly distinguish Taiwanese citizens from Chinese citizens. The DPP, the ruling party, contended that the move should ensure the travel convenience and safety of Taiwanese citizens after the Chinese handling of COVID-19 raised a global uproar. To pursue this goal, the size or position of the word “Taiwan” should be changed on passports. [Focus Taiwan]

The legislative moves came after pro-Taiwan independence activists urged legislators to take action to ensure a clearer differentiation between Taiwan and China. [AiR No. 29, July/2020, 3]

Taiwan: Ordinary citizens to participate in criminal trials

(ef) Last week, the Legislative Yuan passed the Citizen Judges Act that mandates the participation of ordinary citizens in those criminal trials that involve offenses with a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. The panel will be made up of three professional judges and six citizen judges. At least two-thirds of the nine judges will need to find the defendant guilty. The act requires the citizen judge to participate in the proceedings, unless they have a sufficient reason to not show up. Approximately 500 criminal cases will involve citizen judges each year. Despite the disagreement of the opposition, the DPP, the ruling party, pushed through this act that was proposed by President Tsai Ing-wen in her inaugural address. A survey showed that more than 70% of the citizens favored the act. [Focus Taiwan] [Focus Taiwan 2]

Mongolia: Ex-prime minister sentenced to five years in prison

(dql) Mongolia’s former Prime Minister Sanjaagiin Bayar (2007-2009) was sentenced to five years in jail for power abuse in the context of signing a fuel and lubricants supply agreement favoring a friend’s a company and allowing it to illegally gain a profit of 147 million USD. [Aki Press]

Law and Politics in South Asia 

India: Continued political tensions in Rajasthan

(lf) On Monday, the High Court of India’s province Rajasthan heard and dismissed the petition of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker against the merger of six lawmaker of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) with the ruling Congress party as well as against the Assembly Speaker’s “inaction” in not deciding on his plea seeking disqualification of the BSP legislators for their merger with the Congress. [Hindustan Times]

The case comes at a time when the Congress faces an internal crisis sparked by an internal split, which left the party under the leadership of Ashok Gehlot with 101 seats. The BJP, on the other hand, holds 75 seats, while the rebel faction under the leadership of former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot holds 22 seats. A tilt of six seats could tilt the political division in Rajasthan parliament. [last week’s report on the political crisis in Rajasthan AiR No. 29, July /2020, 3]

The BSP, which was founded 1984 represents people of the lower casts, as well as religious and social minorities. While the party doesn’t follow a specific political ideology it strongly opposes the cast system and voices outspoken criticism against the injustices created by the cast system. Core supporters of the BSP are mostly Dalits, people belonging to castes in India who have been subjected to untouchability. [Britannica]

Pakistan: Abduction and release of government critical journalist

(lf/lm) Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan, who has been a vocal critic of the military`s involvement in government affairs, was released from a brief abduction on Tuesday night in Islamabad, hours after the government had confirmed the abduction. The incident occurred one day before Mr. Jan was supposed to appear in court over a contempt case in which he had criticized the top Pakistani court over a verdict concerning a top judge. The case led to a wide spread outcry on social media, with some of the posts accusing the Pakistani secret service of the abduction. [Reuters] [DW]

Jan is not the first journalist to disappear and appear in a similar fashion. Many suspect the Pakistani secret service to be behind the crackdown on independent journalism in Pakistan. [BBC]

Sri Lanka: President Rajapaksa requests support for strong Parliament amidst faltering economy

(cm) On Sunday, the President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, speaking at a public gathering,  requested the citizens’ support in fulfilling the presidential election manifesto’s pledges and voting for a strong parliament, reassuring that in the upcoming years pledges made in his National Policy Framework will be implemented. Rajapaksa’s request is unsurprising due to his political party, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, being in the minority in parliament. This poses a challenge to reach the president’s goal of a two-thirds majority in parliament in the upcoming election in order to reverse the 19th amendment to the constitution which limits his presidential power.  [AiR No. 29, July/2020, 3] [Daily Mirror] [Nikkei Asian Review]

Law and Politics in Southeast Asia 

Malaysia: Former PM Najib found guilty

(ls/cm) Former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, was found guilty of seven charges of money laundering, abuse of power and criminal breach of trust connected to the 1 Malaysia Development Berhad fund (1MDB) scandal this Tuesday. Each charge carries a prison sentence of up to 15 to 20 years. The judge considered it proven beyond reasonable doubt that Najib had received illegal transfers of 9.8 million dollars to his personal account from an investment fund established under 1MDB. It is just the first of five trials against Najib relating to the 1MDB scandal. Najib announced that he will appeal the judgment. [Straits Times] [The Star]

The verdict was awaited since 2018, when Najib’s governing Barisan Nasional coalition lost the elections for the first time in Malaysian history and investigations were started. Also involved in the 1MDB scandal is the U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs. The bank had claimed to raise money for a sovereign wealth fund, but the money was later found in personal bank accounts. Goldman Sachs denied any wrongdoings, while the respective criminal charges were dismissed according to a settlement of 3.9 billion dollars. [BBC]

Last week, a Malaysian High Court also ordered Najib to settle about $397 million in unpaid taxes over seven years while he was in office. Tax authorities filed the suit in June to recover unpaid taxes accumulated by Najib between 2011 and 2017, plus penalties and interest. [Reuters]

Malaysia: Missing Rohingya boat people have survived

(cm) Malaysian authorities have safely spotted 26 Rohingya refugees on Rebak Besar island on the country’s Andaman coast. Coastguards were concerned the refugees had drowned from attempting to enter Langkawi island before. The initial fear of migrants drowning was due to Malaysian authorities prohibiting Rohingya refugees from disembarking their boats onto their shores. [Reuters] [Amnesty International]

Malaysia does not recognize Rohingya people’s refugee status under international law. Furthermore, the government recently considered sending migrants back to sea. Last month, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin voiced concerns with regard to the influx of migrants fleeing the conflict in Myanmar and demanded shared assistance from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). [AiR No. 26, June/2020, 5] [AiR No. 28, July/2020, 2] 

Indonesia: Majority of the public wants regional elections delayed

(yo) According to a poll, many Indonesians believe the government should postpone the 2020 regional elections that are scheduled for December. The survey demonstrated 63.1% of respondents do not support the elections being held then, while only 34.3% said they should. Policy makers and experts believe it will be difficult to encourage public participation in voting. The General Elections Commission says postponing elections is not part of the plan at the moment, but that they will focus on arranging health protocols and procuring protective equipment. [The Jakarta Post]

Aung San Suu Kyi to seek another term as State Counsellor, facing several challenges 

(jn) Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi will run in the parliamentary elections on 8 November, her party the National League for Democracy (NLD) announced last Tuesday. Despite being barred from becoming president after having won the 2015 election in a landslide, her party in parliament created the post of State Counsellor for her, an office akin to those of a Prime Minister. 

Aung San Suu Kyi is widely expected to win the mandate for another term in government, even though her standing and popularity have suffered over her failure to solve armed conflicts and the refugee crisis plaguing the country as well as to curb the military's political influence [see AiR No. 27, July/2020, 1]. Minority and ethnic groups who had been oppressed by the preceding military junta are disappointed with her, making them more likely to back their own parties in the election. 

As a sign of the State Counsellor’s – if only partially – diminished clout, some former NLD-lawmakers have united under new, smaller parties that will compete with the NLD in the general election.

More than 37 million people are eligible to vote, facing a choice of 97 competing parties. More than 1170 seats are at stake at national, state and regional levels. [The Diplomat] [Asian Nikkei Review] [The Irrawaddy]

The elections will take place amid a tense security environment, given almost weekly reports of clashes between government forces and insurgent ethnic militants that trigger ever new refugee movements. Last Wednesday, more than 200 residents were forced to flee their village in northern Shan State due to skirmishes between the military and the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N). Fighting between armed groups also takes its toll; only last week it was reported that the Arakan Army (AA) killed three captive members of the competing Arakan Liberation Army (ALP). [The Irrawaddy 2] [The Irrawaddy 3]

Following the November election, a new administration – in all likelihood similar to the current one and headed by Aung San Suu Kyi – will have to navigate between China's ever-growing influence in the region and a US determined to counter these ambitions. National security calculations will remain critical for the country’s leadership when deciding on its participation in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), especially whether to go forward with large-scale infrastructure projects. [The Diplomat 2]

Philippines: Tax evasion charges against Maria Ressa

(mp) Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, executive editor and CEO of the news website “Rappler” who was previously convicted for cyber libel [AiR No. 24, June/ 2020, 3], has pleaded not guilty to tax evasion, describing the charges as harassment. The case is about the provision of incorrect information for Rappler’s tax returns. Human rights activists see the allegations as part of a campaign to silence opponents of President Rodrigo Duterte. Earlier this month, the broadcasting network ABS-CBN had been denied renewing its license [AiR No. 19, May/2020, 2].

The government stated that President Duterte supported free speech and that the legal cases were initiated not for media reports but for breaking the law. [Straits Times]

Philippines: Protests ahead of Duterte’s State of the Philippines Address

(mp) Shortly before President Duterte´s annual state of the Philippines speech on Monday, hundreds of demonstrators protested against the new anti-terrorism law, the closure of the ABS-CBN network and other issues. Despite arrest threats by the police, the protesters waved flags, held up posters and staged motorcades in the capital. As public gatherings of more than ten people have been banned due to the coronavirus outbreak, four protesters, although wearing face masks, were taken into custody by police. [Time]

Singapore: Post-election Cabinet reshuffle

(ls) After a modest election victory for the ruling People’s Action Party’s (PAP) on 10 July, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has moved to reshuffling his Cabinet. Lee’s probable successor, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, has retained his post, remains the only Deputy Prime Minister and has assumed additional responsibilities as coordinating minister for economic affairs. Several other senior heavyweights remain part of the Cabinet, among them Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam. [South China Morning Post]

While some ministers changed portfolios, two junior ministers were promoted to full ministers. Of the overall 20 full ministers, two belong to the Malay and five to the Indian communities of Singapore. Only three are women. [Prime Minister’s Office] [Straits Times]

New additions to the sub-Cabinet ministerial administration illustrate the government’s intention to improve its public communication. Among them is the former head of the Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA),Tan Kiat How, who will head the government’s feedback unit “Reach”, and the former Facebook and LinkedIn executive Alvin Tan who joins the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth in order to facilitate engagement with young Singaporeans. [Channel News Asia]

Will Thailand enter stormy waters again?

(ls) With six ministers having resigned from the cabinet, with serious tensions within almost all significant political parties, with student protests continuing and having received stern warnings from the military, Thai politics seem to be under some stress again.

Most notably, Thai school and university students continuing their protests against the government in Bangkok and several provinces, have demanded the dissolution of the parliament, the drafting of a new constitution and an end to harassing dissenters – demands as formulated by the main group “Free Youth”. Representatives of the government and the military urged the young people not to touch upon the monarchy in their protests. [Bangkok Post 1] [Khaosod English 1]

The protests are organized via social media and claim to lack any affiliations with political parties although members of the dissolved Future Forward Party are among those showing support for the students on the street. [South China Morning Post]

Despite the government’s decision not to use the coronavirus-related Emergency Decree against public assemblies any more after its extension until the end of August, the police said it will continue to gather evidence and press charges against those who were involved with anti-government protests until the end of July. [Khaosod English 2]

The House of Representatives voted on Thursday with 260-178 votes to set up a panel to hear the students’ concerns about the constitution. Opposition MPs criticized the move, one saying that the government only tried to buy time and temporarily appease the students. [Bangkok Post 2]

Further fuelling not only the protests but also a general frustration with perceived double standards was the news that the Public Prosecutor’s office had decided to drop criminal charges for negligent manslaughter against the grandson of billionaire Red Bull co-founder Chaleo Yoovidhya for killing a police officer with his Ferrari. After a public outcry, Prime Minister General (ret.) Prayuth Chan-o-cha and the Office of the Attorney-General announced an investigation. Meanwhile, 31 law professors of Thammasat University’s Faculty of Law demanded a public explanation of the decision to release charges. [Bangkok Post 3] [Matichon (Thai)]

In a separate development, Thailand’s former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and two other former officials are likely to face new criminal charges over corruption and abuse of power after the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) said it found relevant evidence in a case related to governmental spending for a roadshow campaign to publicize infrastructure development projects in 2013. Yingluck, who denied the charges, is currently in exile after fleeing the country following a guilty verdict over separate corruption charges in 2017. [Bangkok Post 4]

Against the backdrop of these developments, an Asia in Review Online Panel Discussion last Friday featured a major debate on the future of Thai politics after the lockdown among political heavyweights. Facilitated by Michael Vatikiotis, former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, former Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, oppositional Pheu Thai Party strategist and former Deputy Prime Minister Bhokin Bhalakula, Move Forward Party Leader Pita Limjaroenrat, and Prof. Panitan Wattanayagorn debated issues such as the ongoing student demonstrations, demands for constitutional reform, the COVID-19 factor and the general outlook for the country and the possibility of inter-party cooperation with a surprising unity among the four top politicians.

On the general outlook for the country, views were rather bleak with Abhisit describing the current political crisis as a deep structural problem with a generational edge, Kasit hinting at the student protests as a potential boiling point, Pita seeing the country at crossroads, and Bhokin even warning that “the war is at the door” and the “country will collapse if we don’t work together.”

Talking about the ongoing student demonstrations, which Pita described as a direct confrontation between the youth and the establishment, he saw the solution not in parliament but as a matter between the people and the Prime Minister himself. This complemented Kasit’s observation that the three former top generals in the government – Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, and Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda, all of them former Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army – would feel „quite comfortable” about their positions and would not take the youth demands too serious. This notwithstanding, Kasit rated the risk of a strong intervention still relatively low due to the fact that many representatives of the establishment took an accommodating stance towards the students. Describing the protests not left but radical Kasit saw, however, the possibility of looming republican notions within the protest movement, an absolute no-go in Thailand. This corresponded with Panitan warning that “on the ground you see a lot of provocative activities.”

The most crucial area of such cooperation would arguably be demands for constitutional reform, described by Abhisit as the only way out of the structural crisis the country would face, a view shared not only by Kasit but also Bhokin. Such a crucial change of the rules of the game would, however, be dependent on the government’s initiative having ensured total control about the amenability of the present constitution. This, however, makes a constitutional reform, one of the core demands of the students as well, highly unlikely at the moment as the government would have “to give up its self-granted privileges” (Abhisit). Therefore, as Panitan hinted, especially the appointed Senate would rather “put a premium on stability” than to change the rules of the game. Besides doubting a move of the government to agree in a new constitution, Panitan, however, also questioned if a new constitution could solve the country’s problems. While he saw the need to have better politicians, he also admitted to see not how this could be ensured. Dismissing also rumors about the possibility of early general elections with reference to the COVID-19 situation, Panitan also noted a dual role of military including the military taking a part in politics would be a part of Thai history while he also added a geopolitical edge to the future role of military urging the need of reliable military leadership in the present geopolitical competition between China and the US.

On the issue of the COVID-19 pandemic, different perspectives were taken. Abhisit underlined that the government’s handling of the COVID-19 had „absolutely no impact” on the way how people would see the government, indicating the conflict goes far deeper than the pandemic. Addressing the economic fallout of the pandemic, Bhokin proposed to liberalize entrepreneurs from some bureaucratic regulations for the coming time and to ease the red tape for business, with the state operating as a facilitator instead of a controller, while Kasit suggested – among other proposals – that Thailand must rely more on its own domestic market, its development in human resources and industry and less on export. Pita, picking up another one another, sees the fight against the pandemic used as a tool to control the political process while at the same time stressing that the COVID-crisis exposed the fact that “social safety net is totally broken”.

Reinforcing the surprising impression of leading political figures with quite diverse ideological backgrounds finding common ground in the present situation, both Abhisit and Bhokin reacted stunning friendly when asked about the chances of a cooperation between Pheu Thai Party and Democrat Party. Bhokin said that such a cooperation would be basically possible, while Abhisit said that “there is a lot of common ground among the parties.

What seems to emerge in Thai politics is a situation in which the military leaders of the government are out of touch with the youth on the one hand and increasingly distanced also from the bureaucratic elite they co-opted and large parts of the political class irrespective of ideological leanings.

Vietnam: New local Covid-19 cases, triggering evacuations and border control

(jn) After four infections with the Coronavirus were confirmed in the Vietnamese city of Danang over the weekend, authorities imposed stay-at-home-orders, mass-evacuations and tighter border controls. The government under Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc reacted quickly to the news of the – still minor – outbreak and revived a directive first imposed in March only allowing residents to leave their homes for essential needs, banning public gatherings of more than two people and ordering them to socially distance.

The first cases after more than three months and a remarkably successful infection control [see AiR No. 17, April/2020, 4] rattled the country and caused the government to evacuate 80,000 people of mostly domestic tourists from Danang and start testing of 10,000 residents. [Bangkok Post] [Straits Times]

Phuc also asked local authorities to tighten border controls echoing concerns in both mainstream and social media about Chinese immigrants who are reportedly entering Vietnam illegally through its northern border on a regular basis in search of work.

Vietnam had about 431 Covid-19 infections with zero deaths as of Sunday. [Nikkei Asian Review]

International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia

China-USA tensions further heightened: Tit-for-tat consulate closures

(dql) Diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Washington reached new heights when China on Monday took over the US consulate in the southwestern city Chengdu justifying the move as an inevitable response to the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston last week ordered by the US on grounds of hiding intellectual property theft in the Chinese consulate. [South China Morning Post 1] [BBC]

The tit-for-tat consulate closures marks a new low in already highly strained Sino-US relations over a number of issues including trade, Covid-19, national security, human rights, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the South China Sea reflected by several further events and developments over the course of last week. 

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced earlier last week that two Chinese hackers have been indicted over charges of being involved in a “global computer intrusion campaign” backed by the Chinese government and aimed at stealing – among others – research on coronavirus treatment and vaccine. [CNN] [Supchina]

In another development, a Chinese researcher at the University of California was arrested, suspected to be a Chinese military and accused of visa fraud and hiding the true nature of her work, as well as a Singaporean national who confessed in a trial in New York to be a Chinese agent charged with recruiting military and government employees with high-level security clearances. [Financial Times]

Furthermore, the USA announced that it has halted its Fulbright program in mainland China and Hong Kong for the exchange year 2020-2021. The Fulbright program, established in 1946 and currently covering over 160 countries, provides scholarships to American and foreign academics to teach, research and study in each other’s countries. [South China Morning Post 2] For an inner-American critical assessment of this move of the Trump administration calling it shortsighted and “likely to damage bilateral ties further down the road by politicizing nuanced vehicles of exchange between China and the United States,” see Eleanor Albert at [The Diplomat].

Meanwhile, US warplanes conducted provocative reconnaissance flights approaching the Chinese mainland near the coast of Zhejiang and Fujian including one flight which came less than 100km close to Shanghai. The flights raised the number of sorties to a record of 50 over the South China Sea in the first three weeks of July, confirming a new phase of US aerial reconnaissance in this disputed region in the first half of 2020. [Livemint]

Summarizing the heightened atmosphere of distrust and hostility between China and the USA, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week delivered one of his most aggressive China-speeches in which he accused the Communist government of tyrannically ruling its people under a “totalitarian” ideology, adding: “Communists almost always lie. The biggest lie that they tell is to think that they speak for 1.4 billion people who are surveilled, oppressed and scared to speak out.” He called on other nations to follow Washington’s example and to “insist on reciprocity, to insist on transparency, and accountability from the Chinese Communist Party.”[New York Post]

China-Russia relations: S-400 delivery to Beijing postponed?

(dql) Indian news outlets report that Russia has announced to postpone the delivery of the S-400 missile system to China, calling it a major setback for China-Russia relations and coming amid border tensions between China and India with whom Russia also signed a deal on the S-400 systems in  2018 wort 5.5 billion USD. 

China and Russia in 2014 signed a government-to-government contract, worth 3 billion USD. Beijing received its first S-400 batch in May 2018. [WION] [Economic Times]

TASS, however, reports that Russia has completed delivery of a second S-400 missile system regimental set to China. [TASS]

China-UK relations: Beijing’s threatens to stop recognizing BNO passports

(dql) In a latest development of Chinese-British tensions over Hong Kong, Beijing threatened to stop recognizing British National Overseas (BNO) passports. The move is a response to London’s efforts to advance its plans to offer BNO passport-holders residency and citizenship in the UK, including dropping income threshold requirements for moving to the United Kingdom and staying for up to five years, at which point full citizenship could be applied. [Reuters]

The generosity of the British offer took China at surprise prompting a fiercely worded rejection accusing London of “deliberately resorting to political manipulation on the issue of BN(O), openly defying its pledges and violating international law and fundamental principles.” [South China Morning Post]

London’s visa policy adds up to tensions between the two countries which have risen over London’s announcement to ban of Huawei from its 5G networks, requiring British telecoms operators to remove all of Huawei’s components from their 5G mobile infrastructure by 2027, and prohibiting them to purchase Huawei’s products from January 2021. [AiR No. 29, July/2020, 3]

China: New Zealand suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong  

(dql) In response to Bejing’s passage of the national security law for Hong Kong, New Zealand has suspended its extradition treaty with the former British colony. 

The move prompted Beijing’s strong opposition, calling it “serious violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations.” 

New Zealand is the latest member of the "Five Eyes" intelligence-sharing alliance to suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong. Australia, Canada, and the UK also took this step, while the USA has signaled to do the same. [South China Morning Post] [Al Jazeera]

Japan: Chinese ships near Senkaku islands for one hundred days

(mp) On Wednesday, ships of the Chinese Coast Guard were spotted close to the Japan-administered Senkaku islands for the 100th day, marking the longest period since Japan put them under state control in 2012. According to the Japan Coast Guard, one of the four spotted vessels, weighing over 3,000 tons, carried a machine gun; some further attempted to track Japanese fishing boats operating in the area.

While Beijing claimed the islands as their own territory, called Diaoyu, Tokyo condemned China´s action as an “extremely serious” issue, conducted formal protest, and urged increasing the activity of patrol ships of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force to defend its territory. The China Coast Guard has command over about twice as many 1,000-tons-vessels as their Japanese counterpart.

The event comes at a time when the United States put pressure upon an increasingly confident China in the South China Sea, and the Japanese-American partnership gains strategic importance after the COVID-19 pandemic had put a power vacuum on the Asia Pacific region. [Kyodo] [Nikkei Asian Review]

Japan: Quad joint military exercise

(mp) The so-called “Quad” alliance of the United States, Japan, India, and Australia, unofficially founded 2007 to deal with trade and culture issues, conducted a military drill in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. At a time when all four countries´ relations with China deteriorate, the exercise presumably aims to grab China´s attention by showing allied sea power, and to mark an answer to Beijing’s recent expansion not only in the South China Sea but also after border clashes with India, a beginning trade war with Australia and the already heightening tensions with the US. The drill, which started on Sunday, included a US aircraft carrier, several warships, and air support. [Nikkei Asian Review]

South Korea set to launch first surveillance satellites

(dql) South Korea announced that it has obtained consent from the USA to use solid fuel for space launch vehicles. Washington’s agreement to a revision of the joint missile guidelines is believed to enable Seoul’s first surveillance satellites launch and the acquisition of technology to build more powerful missiles.

Solid fuel provides greater mobility for missiles and rockets, while at the same time reducing launch preparation time.  Washington, however, had so far restricted Seoul’s use of solid propellant for space launch rockets out of concern that it could be used to build bigger missiles and lead to a regional arms race. [Reuters] [AP]

The agreement comes shortly after South Korea launched its first military communications satellite into space. [AiR No. 29, July/2020, 3]

North Korea: Bleak prospects for de-nuclearization? 

(yo) In a provocative speech, held on the occasion of the 67th anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stated that he believes North Korea will not need to engage in wars as Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons will deter external threats and allow the country to defend itself "against any high pressure and military threats of imperialists and hostile forces,” adding that  future negotiations should shift the focus to halting US hostility rather than using sanctions relief to bargain denuclearization.

While North Korea has been constantly justifying the pursuit of nuclear weapons for defensive objectives in the past, Kim’s aggressive statement and posture reflects the current impasse in denuclearization talks and indicates how difficult it will be to overcome it. [CNN]

Meanwhile, South Korea’s Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo expressed gratitude to the United Nations Command (UNC) for its decades-long commitment to peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the unified command for the multinational military forces, established in 1950 to support South Korea during and after the Korean War. [Korea Herald]

Taiwan-USA relations: Defense Secretary Esper reassures US support 

(dql) US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper in a public speech last week reassured that the US will remain steadfast in its support of Taiwan, continue to sell weapons to Taiwan and conduct exercises in the region as Taiwan is facing an increasingly assertive China and “hundreds, if not over a thousand, missiles aimed at Taiwan.” At the same time, he confirmed that Washington would uphold its commitment to “a constructive and results-oriented relationship with China and within our defense relationship to open lines of communication and risk reduction.” [Focus Taiwan] [Military Times]

India, Bangladesh tighten trade relations

(lf) India will hand over 10 railway locomotives to Bangladesh, as part of their neighbors first policy. This policy comes into place amidst the border standoff between China and India in Kashmir. Strengthen economic ties are supposed to work as a sort of bolster against China. The locomotives come after 50 containers containing fabric and food crossed to border to Bangladesh on Sunday. The railway initiative has a vital part in improving regional connectivity. [Hindustan Times]

India-China relations: No more thinning out of troops in Eastern Ladakh region

(lf/lm) After last month's clash in the Ladakh region's Galwan Valley killed 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troops [see e.g. AiR No. 27, July/2020, 1; AiR No. 23, June/2020, 2], the two countries are seemingly preparing for the long-haul on their disputed Himalayan frontier, despite reports of a disengagement at the site of their recent clash. After satellite images had captured the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) deploying close to 50,000 troops in Aksai Chin, the Indian military on Monday responded in kind by also deploying additional weapons and troops to Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) to prevent any possible Chinese aggression from the north. [Hindustan Times]

After reviewing the situation in the border areas and the disengagement process in the Western sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), on Friday, China and India had originally agreed on an “early and complete disengagement” of troops to ensure the restoration of peace and smooth bilateral relations, according to the Indian government. Moreover, India said the two countries’ top military commanders were to meet again soon under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) to “ensure expeditiously complete disengagement”. On Saturday, then, India`s northern army commander indicated that the situation along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh hasn`t returned to the status quo ante, saying that disengagement between Indian and Chinese soldiers deployed in forward positions at flashpoints along the de-facto border was a complex and intricate process that required diligent execution. [Reuters] [Hindustan Times]

In related news, the first five of 36 French Rafale fighter jets purchased by New Delhi in a controversial multibillion-dollar deal are expected to arrive in India this Wednesday, and are likely be deployed in the Ladakh sector by the second half of the next month. Contracted from France under a $9.4 billion Inter-Governmental Agreement signed in 2016, the deal has been shadowed by corruption allegations levelled by the opposition Congress party, though Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rejected the claims. Citing “critical operational requirements” along the country’s northern border, India earlier this month had announced the purchase of defence weapons and equipment worth around $40 million, in addition to the purchase of thirty-three Russian fighter jets. [AiR No. 26, June/2020, 5] [Al Jazeera] [The Hindu]

Pakistan, India relations further deteriorate over Kashmir

(lf/lm) With the first anniversary of India`s decision to revoke Article 370 of its Constitution, and to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories with a legislature looming [AiR No. 32, August/2019, 1], tension between the India and Pakistan continue to rise. The Indian army on Monday reportedly killed at least one Pakistani soldier and injured another eight in retaliatory fire along the Line of Control (LoC) that separates Pakistani and Indian-controlled Kashmir, after Pakistan allegedly resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation in several areas of Jammu and Kashmir. [The Hindu]

Last week, Pakistan`s military had blamed India for an escalation in firing and shelling along the de facto border, accusing New Delhi of trying to distract from the unrest in the Indian administrated area of Kashmir. According to the commander of Pakistani troops in Kashmir, India has hitherto violated the ceasefire on almost 1,800 occasions in 2020, comparing to 3,500 incidents in 2019, when violations hit a more than decade-high peak. Fending off the allegations, New Delhi in response said that Pakistan’s military has violated the ceasefire on more than 2,500 occasions this year. [Reuters]

On Sunday, the Pakistani army said it had shot down another "spying quadcopter" after it had "intruded 200 meters inside Pakistan’s territory" along the LoC. This was the 10th quadcopter shot down by Pakistan's army this year, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the armed forces’ media wing. [Anadolu Agency]

On Monday, Pakistan`s Senate unanimously passed a resolution lauding the “relentless” struggle of and conferring the country`s highest civilian award to Syed Ali Geelani, a veteran Kashmiri separatist, who has been under house arrest since August last year. Geelani also stepped down from the leadership of All Parties Hurriyat Conference last month, a conglomerate of several separatist parties in Jammu and Kashmir. The resolution, jointly moved by both the government and opposition benches, commended the ailing leader's "unwavering commitment, dedication, perseverance and leadership," and acknowledged his role in "exposing Indian atrocities, suppressive measures and human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir." [Anadolu Agency] [Times of India]

The same day, India said it had lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over reports of attempts being made to convert a historic gurdwara - a place of assembly and worship for Sikhs - into a mosque. Pakistan was also called on to look after the safety, security and well-being of its minorities, including the protection of their religious rights and cultural heritage. Located in the eastern city of Lahore, Gurdwara Shahidi Asthan is a historical shrine built at the spot where prominent Sikh martyr Bhai Taru Singh sustained fatal injuries in 1745. [Hindustan Times] [The Indian Express]

Pakistan-India tension over case against Indian naval officer

(lf/lm) Last week, Asia in Review reported that Indian diplomats on July 16 had left an arranged meeting with former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who currently sits on death row in Pakistan, claiming that they had not been provided “unimpeded, unhindered and unconditional” consular access to Mr. Jadhav [see AiR No. 29, July /2020, 3]. In order to fulfill the 2019 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that ordered Islamabad to conduct an “effective review and reconsideration” of Mr. Jadhav’s conviction by “means of its own choosing”, Pakistan on Friday then offered third consular access to India. A day later, then, Islamabad unilaterally petitioned the Islamabad High Court, seeking appointment of a “legal representative” for Mr. Jadhav. [Times of India 1] [The Times of India]

Responding to Islamabad’s move, New Delhi on Thursday (July 23) accused Pakistan of being “non-serious in its approach”, adding that India was exploring available options in the matter. While New Delhi said it had appointed a Pakistani lawyer for Mr. Jadhav and approached the Islamabad High Court on July 18 to file a review petition challenging the death sentence, it still couldn’t file a petition “in the absence of power of attorney and supporting documents related to the case”. Pakistan last month had first announced that Mr. Jadhav had refused to lodge an appeal against his death sentence. In an immediate response, New Delhi had stated that Mr. Jadhav had been “obviously coerced” to forego his right to seek a “review and reconsideration” of his death sentence [see AiR No. 28, July/2020, 2] [Tribune], [Times of India]

The Pakistan government on Monday (July 27) tabled in Parliament the “International Court of Justice Review and Reconsideration Ordinance 2020”. Under the ordinance, which was enacted on May 20, a petition for the review of a military’s court decision can be made to the Islamabad High Court through an application within 60 days of its promulgation. Last week, a similar effort had been foiled by two major opposition parties – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) – which had staged a walkout from the assembly to protest against the government for “facilitating” the conviction of Mr. Jadhav. Speaking in the National Assembly on Friday, Pakistani Law Minister Farogh Naseem had then asked the opposition parties to “avoid politics” on the issue, saying that India would take the matter to the UN Security Council if the ICJ’s decision was not implemented. [Economic Times 2] [The Hindu]

Sri Lanka-India currency swap agreement signed

(cm) Last Friday, Rajapaksa sought monetary assistance from India through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The president’s agreement was for the Reserve Bank of India to extend a 400-million-dollar currency swap to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) until November 2022. This would ultimately assist with CBSL balancing the country’s payment requirements. However, the agreement is a temporary ease to Sri Lanka’s public finances.  [Colombo Page]

Chinese influence on Vietnam’s economy amid South China Sea tensions

(jn) Tensions between Vietnam and China over the South China Sea dispute notwithstanding, the Beijing-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a loan of $100 million to Hanoi-based commercial VP Bank last week. According to the AIIB, the money is meant to help the Vietnamese economy recover from pandemic-related woes, especially propping up small and medium-sized businesses.

Experts see the loan as part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the large-scale development strategy that it is pursuing worldwide to expand its economic reach and gain geopolitical clout. Given the relatively frosty relationship between both countries, the loan was not so much a breakthrough for the BRI in Vietnam than an “olive branch” extended to Hanoi as it weighs new steps in countering China’s ambitions in the South China Sea. [Nikkei Asian Review]

In another instance, it has now become public that the government-owned energy company PetroVietnam is liable to pay compensation of around one billion dollars to international oil companies, the Spanish company Repsol and UAE-based Mubadala. The financial obligations are a result of the Vietnamese leadership ordering the cancellation of drilling contracts on oil fields in the South China Sea in reaction to intense pressure from China. PetroVietnam had ordered Repsol to stop drilling operations in 2017 and 2018 in two blocks of seabed after China had flexed its naval muscles in a large-scale exercise off Hainan island [see AiR No. 13, April/2018, 1]. 

This month, Chinese pressure led to the cancellation of another contract for a new oil rig for the Russian company Rosneft that had waited in a Vietnamese port until now. A Chinese coast guard ship was spotted circling the predecessor platform at the Russian site, which surprised observers who expected China to be more reluctant to antagonize Moscow. [The Diplomat]

Analysts assess Vietnam’s options in the South China Sea dispute to be rather limited, especially in the case of armed conflict. China’s military capabilities seriously dwarf Vietnam’s, even giving Beijing the opportunity of a mere “warm-up fight” in the South China Sea, the real adversary for China being the US. Vietnam would, according to experts, stick to diplomacy as long as possible to uphold the status quo. 

It is still unclear whether Vietnam’s strategic deck of cards has really been improved by the newly outspoken and hardened US position on China’s encroachment in the South China Sea: The US has still to prove that it would live up to its commitments to international law and the sovereignty of states in the region when push comes to shove, and the superpower is not the military ally (yet) that Vietnam could rely on for plotting its future course. [Asia Times]

Philippines: President Duterte warns the US of returning to naval base in South China Sea

(mp) During his state of the union speech, President Duterte on Monday said that Beijing was “in possession” of the disputed South China Sea while he had no chance to change the status quo. Duterte admitted that his country´s military power could by far not cope with China´s army, which has continuously been ramped up. Moreover, he expressed his concern that Washington’s return to the former naval base at Subic Bay would put all involved countries at risk of a new war. [Nikkei Asian Review]

Singaporean pleads guilty to spying for China in the US

(ls) A Singaporean citizen pleaded guilty last week in Washington to charges of operating illegally as a foreign agent for the Chinese government and obtaining non-public information from the United States. The man with the name Jun Wei Yeo, also known as Dickson Yeo, studied at the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. According to court documents, he had worked under the direction and control of Chinese intelligence over the past four to five years. [South China Morning Post]

India and Indonesia agree on expanded security cooperation

(ls) India and Indonesia on Monday agreed to expand their strategic security cooperation in several areas, including the sharing of technology, on the occasion of a meeting of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Indonesian counterpart General Prabowo Subianto in New Delhi. The two countries had signed a new defence cooperation agreement in 2018 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Indonesia. The pact was aimed at reflecting the elevation of the relationship between the two countries to a comprehensive strategic partnership. [The Print]

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) launched the Indonesian Maritime Information Center (IMIC) last week as part of efforts to support law enforcement at sea through exchanges of information to better fight smuggling, illegal fishing and other crimes at sea. The center is also meant to complement international maritime agencies operating in neighboring countries, such as the Information Fusion Center (IFC) in Singapore and the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in Malaysia. [Benar News]

Upcoming Online Events

4-7 August 2020, German-Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance/Lorenz & Partners, Thailand

International Online Academy

on

“International Economic Law”

This academy is a certificate course with six online lectures on fundamentals and current developments of international economic law, with a focus put on the question of what they mean for Thailand and how the country is dealing with them. Given by lecturers from Thammasat University and lawyers from international business law firms, the lectures cover a wide range of topics. The academy addresses Thai law students and students of related fields who are interested in obtaining and expanding their knowledge in these subjects.

Interested students can apply for participation by filling the online registration form and sending a CV to events@cpg-online.de by Saturday, 1 August 2020.

Further information is available at CPG.

29 July 2020 @ 11:00 am ET, Asia Society Policy Institute, USA

Discussion of U.S.-China Relations and Trade with Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL)

This webinar will discuss the future of U.S.-China relations and trade with Congressman Darin LaHood.

For further details, visit [Asia Society].

29 July 2020 @ 12:30 pm AEST, Australia China Relations Institute, Australia

THE AUSTRALIA-CHINA SCIENCE BOOM – REPORT LAUNCH

This event will document the latest state of play in Australia’s partnership with China in the creation of scientific knowledge and discuss some of the most recent challenges.

To access the discussion, please visit [ACRI].

29 July 2020 @ 11:00 am GMT+2, Institute for Security Studies, South Africa

Future trends in human smuggling and trafficking in Africa

This seminar examines the problem of human smuggling and trafficking in Africa, the response of criminal justice, how mobile money aggravates human smuggling, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Details are available at [ISSA].

29 July 2020 @ 11:00 am EDT, The German Marshall Fund of The United States, USA

The Promise and Pitfalls of Contact Tracing Apps

This webinar will debate on the benefits of contact tracing apps in times of pandemic and especially challenges related to privacy, equity, and efficacy.

Event information is accessible at [GMFUS].

29 July 2020 @ 9:00 am IST, Brookings, USA

Global China Webinar: Assessing China’s growing regional influence and strategy

This discussion covers China’s efforts to advance its objectives abroad and the responses of the U.S. and local actors in various geographic regions of the world. A range of policy recommendations for Washington, concerning their relations with China, will be presented.

See [Brookings] for additional information.

29 July 2020 @ 10:00 am CET, Chatham House, U.K.

Weekly COVID-19 Pandemic Briefing – Following the Science?

This weekly briefing event will update you with the latest developments concerning the coronavirus crisis.

Please see [Chatham House] for further information.

29 July 2020 @ 2:30 pm IST, Brookings, USA

Reorienting national security for the A.I. era

This event will discuss the current state of artificial intelligence in the domestic security environment, and the commission’s latest recommendations to spur progress on the responsible development and deployment of A.I. technologies.

Additional information is accessible at [Brookings].

29 July 2020 @ 10:30 am EDT, Wilson Center, USA

Report Launch and Conversation on U.S.-Mexico Relations with Current and Former Ambassadors

This report launch will discuss challenges for the bilateral US-Mexico relations, considering trade and competitiveness, security, and the rule of law as well as migration.

Follow [Wilson Center] for further details.

29 July 2020 @ 10:00 am PT, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, USA

Exploring Potential “Solutions” to Online Disinformation

This panel discussion will share potential approaches to solve online disinformation.

Please check [FSI] for details.

29 July 2020 @ 10:30 am EDT, Wilson Center, USA

The Putin Profile: A Conversation with Dr. Fiona Hill

This event will discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin, his regime, and how her thinking on Putin has evolved over the years.

Follow [Wilson Center] for further details.

30 July 2020 @ 12:00 pm ET, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, USA

The Korean War at 70: Revisiting the Role of Intelligence

This panel of senior practitioners and scholars will revisit the role of intelligence during the Korean War period and examine the long-term impact of this conflict on the U.S. intelligence community.

For further details, visit [Belfer Center].

30 July 2020 @ 9:00 am EDT, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, USA

The Next Global Trade System

This event will discuss the Next Global Trade System and the rules, institutions, and connections necessary to reboot the global economy and revitalize the multilateral order.

To access the discussion, please visit [Carnegie].

30 July 2020 @ 11:30 am EDT, Wilson Center, USA

The European Union and the Arctic

This event will provide an overview of the E.U.’s current position on the Arctic and insights as to the critical issues the E.U. is considering in the upcoming years.

Follow [Wilson Center] for further details.

30 July 2020 @ 11:00 am PDT, Pacific Council on International Policy, USA

The Militarization of Law Enforcement

This webcast on the national debate around law enforcement will answer questions such as: What impact has the growing militarization of American policing had on public safety and public trust? How does it fit into the present debate about law enforcement? What can be learned from our experiences abroad?

Details are accessible under [Pacific Council].

30 July 2020 @ 9:30 am EDT, Atlantic Council, USA

Khabarovsk rising: Protests in Russia’s Far East

This event will give an insight into the recent protests against the Russian government and whether President Putin’s grip on power could be weakening.

A detailed description is available at [Atlantic Council].

30 July 2020 @ 12:30 pm EDT, Atlantic Council, USA

The future of trust and sensemaking

This event discusses the changing information dynamics of the modern era and its implications for trust and sensemaking.

For a detailed description, visit [Atlantic Council].

30 July 2020 @ 5:00 pm AEST, Australian Institute of International Affairs, Australia

Russia’s Greater Eurasia Initiative

This webinar will discuss both Russian responses and adaptations to the current power transition, and how the economic initiatives promoted by Moscow in its project for a ‘Greater Eurasia’ reflect the entrepreneurial foreign policy strategy of the country.

Follow [AIIA] for further details.

30 July 2020 @ 1:00 pm EDT, CATO Institute, USA

Hegemon: American Territorial Expansion and the Creation of the Liberal International Order

This book presentation explores Washington’s approach to the world, why the U.S. avoided building a traditional colonial empire, and how America’s domestic politics shaped its foreign policy choices.

Please find registration details here: [CATO].

30 July 2020 @ 9:00 am EST, Center for Strategic & International Studies, USA

Korea Chair “The Capital Cable” #7 with Cho Taeyong

This event will examine events on the Korean peninsula, including topics such as the U.S.-ROK alliance, inter-Korean relations, and the transition from the foreign ministry to the National Assembly.

Please visit [CSIS] for details about the event.

30 July 2020 @ 2:00 pm EST, Center for Strategic & International Studies, USA

Standard-Setting from a European Perspective

This event will explore the critical role that standards-setting plays in the prosperity of the United States and other countries.

Please visit [CSIS] for details about the event.

30 July 2020 @ 3:00 pm BST, Royal United Services Institute, U.K.

CTF Online Symposium No. 2: New Technologies but Old Methods in Terrorism Financing

This webinar will present solutions to the private and public sectors to counter illicit financing and terrorism

To access the discussion, please visit [RUSI].

31 July 2020 @ 10:00 am CDT, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, USA

World Review with DeYoung, Giacomo, and Stephens

This event analyses global trends that have shaped the world in recent years and other crucial developments 

If you are interested in joining the webinar, please find further details at [Chicago Council].

31 July 2020 @ 9:30 am EDT, United States Institute of Peace, USA

From Dissent to Democracy

This event discusses how to support democratization efforts around the world and explores new insights into the intersection of democratization and nonviolent resistance, as well as actionable recommendations for activists and policymakers working toward democratic transitions.

A live chat will be available. Please find the details here: [USIP]

31 July 2020 @ 11:00 am EST, Center for Strategic & International Studies, USA

The Indo-Pacific and the U.S. Army: A Conversation with the Chief of Staff

This conversation will discuss with General James C. McConville about the Indo-Pacific and the U.S. Army.

Please visit [CSIS] for details about the event.

3 August 2020 @ 11:00 am EST, Center for Strategic & International Studies, USA

Understanding the Role of the United Nations in Venezuela

This event will explore the role of the United Nations (U.N.) in Venezuela and its worsening humanitarian situation.

Please visit [CSIS] for details about the event.

3 August 2020 @ 12:00 pm EDT, CATO Institute, USA

The Vanishing Trial

This webinar, based on the movie “The Vanishing Trial,” examines why America’s criminal justice system has moved alarmingly close to a “point and convict” process of adjudication as trials have been replaced by plea bargaining.

Please find registration details here: [CATO].

3 August 2020 @ 11:00 am EDT, The Heritage Foundation, USA

Is the President Trumping Constitutional Norms?

This event will discuss presidential power and constitutional norms in the U.S. during the era of President Donald Trump.

Please find further details here: [Heritage].

3 August 2020 @ 5:30 pm IST, Observer Research Foundation, India

Tech wars, the liberal order and the rise of China

This webinar will explore the rise of China, its impact on the liberal world order, and the role of tech wars.

Details are available at [ORF].

4 August 2020 @ 11:15 am EDT, The Heritage Foundation, USA

The Plot to Change America: How Identity Politics Divides America

This event will be a conversation about the roots of identity politics and how this pernicious way of thinking divides America.

Please find further details at [Heritage].

4 August 2020 @ 11:00 am EDT, Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, USA

Report Release Webinar—Uncovering China’s Influence in Europe: How Friendship Groups Coopt European Elites

This webinar examines how some European civic organizations, established ostensibly to foster ties with China, have helped to enhance the communist party’s power and how an appropriate reaction of European authorities would look.

For further details, visit [CSBA].

4 August 2020 @ 1:00 pm ET, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, USA

Belfer Policy Chat | An Ethical Approach to A.I. & Governance

This roundtable discussion will discuss Artificial Intelligence and how to ensure that the use of A.I. technology in public policy does not perpetuate historical inequities.

To obtain detailed information, visit [Belfer Center].

4 August 2020 @ 2:00 pm ET, Hoover Institution, USA

Andrew Roberts: Leadership in War

This virtual briefing is part of a series on pressing policy issues, including health care, the economy, democratic governance, and national security.

Please find details here: [Hoover].

5 August 2020 @ 5:00 pm PDT, World Affairs, USA

How Big Tech is transforming our world

This webinar discusses how tech giants like Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, armed with wealth and power rivaling that of nation-states, are transforming the world.

Please find registration details here: [World Affairs].

5 August 2020 @ 9:00 am EST, Center for Strategic & International Studies, USA

The New China Rules

This event will explore the pervasive espionage, intimidation, intellectual property theft, and self-isolation pursued by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Please visit [CSIS] for details about the event.

5 August 2020 @ 5:00 pm AEST, Australian Institute of International Affairs, Australia

The Decline of the West: What is it and why might it Matter?

This webinar analyses the “rise of the West” and explains what the relative decline of American influence means to it. Key questions include: What is at stake in the possible deterioration of the West? Does the rise of China presage the emergence of a different sort of international order than the current one?

Follow [AIIA] for further details.

5 August 2020 @ 2:00 pm ET, Hoover Institution, USA

From Huawei to Hong Kong: How the U.S. and China Are Clashing Around the World

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn and Michael Auslin will discuss how the U.S. and China are clashing around the world.

Please find registration details here: [Hoover].

5 August 2020 @ 10:00 am CDT, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, USA

Twitter, Tear Gas, and the New Global Protest Movements

This expert panel will discuss the new global age of mass protests and street politics.

If you are interested in joining the webinar, please find further details at [Chicago Council].

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