Grasp the pattern, read the trend
No. 8, February/2021, 4
Brought to you by CPG
Dear Readers,
With greetings from the Asia in Review team I wish you a pleasant read and a very good day.
Please let me extend special greetings also to those readers who are celebrating in this week the National Day of Brunei and the Independence Day of the Dominican Republic, Estonia, and Saint Lucia.
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
Announcements
Law and Politics in East Asia
China: New regulation on internet publishing enters into force
(dql) A new regulation of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), China’s top internet regulator, has entered into force this week which expands the range of topics for which bloggers and influencers are required to obtain government-approved credential to produce and post content. Besides the traditional sensitive topics such as politics and the military, the new regulation now also includes health, economic, education and judicial matters.
While according to the CAC the aim of the new regulation is “to standardize and steer public accounts and information service platforms to be more self-aware in keeping the correct direction of public opinion,” critics view it as the latest move of the Chinese government to tighten its control over the internet, in line with other measures and campaigns of censorship and surveillance accelerated over the past years under President Xi Jinping’s concept of ‘digital sovereignty’. [AP] [TechTheLead]
Earlier this month, Clubhouse, an on-invitation only US social media app offering virtual rooms for non-recorded discussions has been made inaccessible in China after it saw a sudden rise in Chinese users discussing politically sensitive topics such as human rights in Xinjiang and Hongkong and Taiwan’s political status. [AiR No. 6, February/2021, 2]
Freedom House’s ‘Freedom in the World 2020’ report concluded for China that “[i]nternet censorship and surveillance reached new extremes during the year,” in 2019, with restriction “placed on apolitical social media platforms,” while “more ordinary users faced account closures and criminal prosecutions for political, social, religious, and humorous speech.” [Freedom House]
China: Chinese clergy ordered active promotion of “Sinicization” of religion
(dql) Codifying rules already in place as supervisory guidelines as national regulations, China’s State Administration for Religious Affairs released the “Measures for the Administration of Religious Personnel” new national regulations.
Among others, the “Measures”, which will enter into force in May, require religious leaders, clergy and religious teachers to actively promote the Party’s “Sinicization” policy to bring religions under party control and to adopt them to Chinese traditions and culture. Furthermore, clergy are not allowed to accept overseas appointments or engage in religious activities that would pose a threat to the country’s national security. They must comply with a detailed registration process and can only serve one congregation at any one time.
As national regulations with more political weight and legitimacy, the “Measures” signal the CCP’s unabated determination to bring religions under its control though “Sinicisation,” in defiance of growing international criticism of a crackdown on religions in China. [South China Morning Post] [China Digital Times]
China to step up technology-driven transformation of manufacturing
(dql) China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology revealed an action plan for the years 2021 to 2023 to advance and expand the internet of things in traditional manufacturing in an attempt to modernize the sector and boost the global competitiveness of “Made-in-China” products. The three-year plan provides for strengthening infrastructure by deep technology penetration and by establishing 30 factories fully connected by 5G technology in ten major industries. It also will set up more IoT platforms, aiming at three to five internationally-known providers by 2023.
Under the previous 2018-2020 plan, four national pilot projects along with more than 250 smaller demonstration projects with investments totaling nearly 11 billion USD were selected. [South China Morning Post]
The action plan comes at a time when Chinese manufacturers are confronted with rising labor costs and preferential tax treatment cancellations leading to companies moving to cheaper Asian countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia.
China/Hong Kong: Change of the top of Radio Television Hong Kong raise concerns over media freedom
(dql) Hong Kong’s government announced a change at the helm of the city’s public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), with current editor-in-chief Leung Ka-wing’s to be replaced om March 1 by Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs and career bureaucrat Patrick Li Pak-chuen.
Since assuming the post in 2015, Leung has been facing pressure to reign in RTHK which increased during and after the protest movement when RTHK was accused of being anti-government biased in its coverage.
The announcement along with the government’s demand for a reform of the broadcaster’s management and editorial operations following a government investigation that found deficiencies in RTHK’s editorial management and a lack of transparency in handling complaints, have raised concerns among journalist groups over further eroding media freedom in the city. [Reuters] [Radio Free Asia]
In a separate development, echoing President Xi Jinping’s remark that “Hong Kong must be governed by patriots,” during his virtual meeting with Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam, Chinese Communist Party top advisers reaffirmed the need of reforming the electoral system to ensure governance by patriots in the city. [South China Morning Post]
Japan: Court rules post-divorce single-parent custody system constitutional
(dql) A Tokyo court ruled that Japan’s single-parent custody system for divorced couples is constitutional rejecting a suit of a man who lost custody of his children after divorce. The father claimed violation of equality guaranteed by the Constitution and sought 15,600 USD in damages, citing mental suffering from losing custody of his two sons following his divorce in 2019.
Different from many developed countries, Japan’s Civil Law does not provide for a shared child custody system for divorced couples, but grants full custody of children to only one parent after divorce. [Mainichi]
Japan: Government approves bill to end long-term detention of violators of immigration rules
(dql) Japan’s government approved a bill aimed to end the long-term detentions of foreigners who violated immigration rules and are awaiting deportation. The bill introduces a mechanism called "supervisory measures" which provides for a release of the detainee upon paying a deposit of up to nearly 30.000 USD. The supervisory measures would apply to people not falling under a fleeing risk and would allow them to take part in societal activities while a family member, associate, support worker or other individual are designated by the immigration authorities as their custodian, required to provide reports on the concerned individual’s living conditions.
The current law in place allows people to leave detention only for a set period of time due to health issues and other reasons. [Mainichi]
Japan: Two top bureaucrats sacked over dinner with Prime Minister’s son
(dql) The Director General of the Information and Communications Bureau and his deputy – were sacked and are facing disciplinary measures. The move, announced by Communications minister Ryota Takeda, comes after media revelations that they were invited to costly dinners by a son of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in possible violation of ethics code. Takeda, however, denied any connection between the ousting of the two top bureaucrats and the dinners, saying that the decision was made "light of various situations". Suga, meanwhile, insists that he was not aware of the dinners. [Kyodo News]
In another case, a Lower House member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) quit the party following a report about his visit of a luxurious Tokyo nightlife venue in defiance of government calls to avoid unnecessary outings under a state of emergency. Earlier this month, three fellow party members left the LDP in the wake of public anger over visits to hostess bars.
The scandals add pressure to Suga who is facing widespread criticism over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Japan. [Mainichi]
South Korea: Chief intelligence agency mulling briefing in parliament on alleged illegal surveillance
(dql) Pressured by accusations of illegally surveilling in 2009 as part of a background vetting some 1.000 politicians and other social figures, including all the then-incumbent lawmakers as well as journalists, civic activists, legal professionals and TV celebrities, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), South Korea’s chief intelligence agency, announced that it is considering providing the parliament a briefing on condition of non-disclosure of the data to the public. The NIS, however, made clear that it would not agree to the requested release of the collected information.
The ruling Democratic Party (DP), which has been zeroing in on the allegations, also demands that Park Hyung-jun, who during 2009 and 2010 served as then President Lee Myung-bak’s chief secretary for political, held accountable for the alleged surveillance. Park is currently campaigning and leading in the race for the mayor of Busan, set for April 7, as a preliminary candidate for the main opposition People Power Party which accusing the DP of abusing the accusations against the NIS to this election. [Korea Herald]
South Korea: Senior Presidential Secretary for civil affairs to remain in office
(nm) Shin Hyun-soo, top aide to President Moon Jae-in and secretary for civil affairs and justice, has withdrawn his resignation after offering to leave Cheong Wa Dae after a feud with the new justice minister. Moon had turned down the resignation last week.
The former prosecutor offered his resignation only two months after being appointed to the post where he is tasked with mediating between the Justice Ministry and the prosecution as they are in ongoing disagreement over prosecution reform. Shin initially offered to resign in protest against newly appointed Justice Minister Park Beom-kye unexpectedly announcing a prosecution reshuffle.
The opposition criticized the events showed a lack in management of state affairs and Cheong Wa Dae’s weakened control. Deputy floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party, Kim Sung-won, reacted to reports suggesting Shin insisted on resigning in spite of Moon’s disapproval, stating “Moon’s lame-duck presidency is deepening as he nears his final days in office.” Moon’s tenure will end in May next year. After three controversial tenures, Shin is the fourth presidential secretary for civil affairs under the Moon administration and the first former prosecutor to hold the office. It remains to be seen if Shin will stay in office, as Moon is said to be working on a modest reshuffle in Cabinet positions in the coming weeks. [Korean Herald] [The Korean Times]
North Korea: Kim Jong-un to be referred to as “president”, reduction of mandatory military service
(nm) North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un is starting to be referred to as “president” instead of as his former official English title of “chairman,” a move that is seen by experts as an attempt to step up the country’s image of a “normal state” in the international community. The North Korean state news agency as well as the United Nations have started to use the new title, the latter apparently at the request of Pyongyang. The change comes after the Ministry of People’s Armed Forces had been renamed defence ministry last month. [Korea Herald 1] [Korea Herald 2]
In a different development, North Korea has reportedly shortened its mandatory military service in a bid to free up labourers amidst harsh economic realities. According to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, the term has been reduced from ten years to eight for men, and from seven to five years for women. At North Korea’s Eighth Party Congress last month, Kim Jong-un admitted that his five-year economic plan has “immensely underachieved in almost all sectors,” failing to meet targets. [Chosun] [BBC]
For a recent evaluation of North Korea’s economic prospects after the Party Congress, please view [38 North].
Taiwan: KMT gathers enough signatures for referendum on government’s ractopamine pork policy
(dql) Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang (KMT) announced collected around 600.000 signatures for each of its proposed referendum on the government’s lift of the ban of imports of ractopamine-fed pork, meeting the thresholds to continue the referendum motion, with the review of the signatures by the Central Election Commission as next step. The next possible date for the referendum is August 28 this year. [Taiwan News]
Law and Politics in South Asia
Bangladesh: Court sentences to death five members of Islamist militant group for killing US blogger
(lm) A special tribunal sentenced to death five members of an Islamist militant group on February 16 for killing a Bangladeshi-American blogger critical of religious fundamentalism six years ago. The court also jailed one man for life in the attack, which was part of a string of deadly attacks between 2013 and 2016 targeting secular activists, bloggers and atheist writers, claimed by Islamic State or al Qaeda-aligned groups. [The Straits Times]
All men convicted on February 16 belong to the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), an Islamic Jihadi organization in Bangladesh, which the police say was behind the murders of more than a dozen atheist bloggers. Earlier this month Bangladesh’s Special Anti-Terrorism Tribunal sentenced to death eight Islamist militants, two of whom are at large, in the 2015 killing of a publisher of books on secularism and atheism [see AiR No. 7, February/2021, 3]. [Jurist]
Bangladesh: Court upholds death penalty for ten militants
(lm) A Bangladeshi High Court upheld on February 18 the death sentence of 10 militants, and acquitted one, in a two-decade-old case related to an attempted assassination of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. [The Daily Star]
The convicts are members of Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI), an Islamic fundamentalist organization that was banned in Bangladesh in 2005. In the case dating back to 2000, security officials recovered a time bomb near the stage where the prime minister was scheduled to speak. Among those accused in the case, 13 are in prison, while 11 have absconded. [Anadolu Agency]
Bangladesh: Lawyer files sedition case over Al Jazeera investigative report
(lm) A government-linked Bangladeshi lawyer filed a sedition case on February 17 over an Al Jazeera investigative report that had revealed disturbing facts about the family of Bangladesh’s Chief of Army Staff (CAS), General Aziz Ahmed [see AiR No. 7, February/2021, 3]. [Al Jazeera]
The lawyer behind the case is the founder and president of the Bangabandhu Foundation, a government-owned and supported welfare foundation for athletes in Bangladesh. The accused in the lawsuit are Al Jazeera Media Network’s acting Director General and several other people featured in the documentary.
Furthermore, the country’s High Court later the same day ordered the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to remove all content of the report from social media and other online platforms. The BTRC had earlier approached YouTube to remove the investigation from the video platform – a request that was rejected as the content did not violate the company’s community guidelines. In addition, Bangladesh’s telco regulator had also called on US social media giants Facebook and Twitter to pull down the documentary. [The Straits Times]
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's foreign ministry has slammed the documentary as a "smear campaign" by Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest political party, which since 2013 is banned from contesting national elections. Its predecessor, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, strongly opposed the independence of Bangladesh and break-up of Pakistan. During the War of Liberation that transformed East Pakistan into Bangladesh in 1971, the group collaborated with the Pakistan Army in its operations against Bengali nationalists and pro-liberation intellectuals. Under Hasina's government, which has been in power since 2009, five of Jamaat's senior leaders have been executed over war crimes committed during the war [also see AiR No. 48, December/2020, 1].
Bhutan: Top general, two judges held for plot to overthrow military, judiciary leaders
(lm) Police in Bhutan have detained a top general and two judges accused of plotting to overthrow the country's top military officer by implicating him in a corruption scandal. All three were denied bail and will remain in custody until a first formal hearing scheduled for February 27. According to Bhutanese media, the plot was revealed to authorities by a woman detained a few months ago. [The Straits Times] [Kuensel]
India: Authorities prepare to execute first woman since India’s independence from the UK
(lm) Prison authorities in the state of Uttar Pradesh are reportedly preparing to execute a female death row inmate in what would be the first hanging of a female convict since India’s independence in 1947. The woman was found guilty of murdering seven members of her own family in 2008 after her lover was not accepted by her family. [South China Morning Post]
A lower court first issued the death penalty to the pair in 2010, with Uttar Pradesh’s High Court later upholding the sentence. The High Court refused to consider as a mitigating factor the fact that while in jail, the woman had given birth to a child who would be orphaned if his parents are executed. An appeal to India’s Supreme Court (SC) failed in 2015, and in 2016 then-President Pranab Mukherjee rejected the woman’s mercy plea. Last January, the top court also dismissed her review petition and uphold the death penalty. [Bar and Bench]
The pair’s son has made a last-ditch attempt, appealing to President Ram Nath Kovind, and to the Governor of Uttar Pradesh on February 18 to review the mercy petition and pardon his mother. Moreover, observers say the woman still has still not exhausted her constitutional remedies. These include the right to challenge the rejection of her mercy petition before the High Court and the SC on various grounds, as well as the right to file a curative petition in the SC against the decision on the review petition. The curative petition can challenge the SC’s January 2020 decision, which upheld her death sentence. [The Indian Express]
India: State government of Puducherry loses trust vote
(lm) The union territory of Puducherry appears to be headed for being put under President’s rule as the opposition parties in the Legislative Assembly are not keen on forming a government with the election just two months away. Earlier the Congress-led government had lost a confidence motion in the House on Friday 22. [The Indian Express]
Formed out four territories of former French India, Puducherry is one of three Indian union territories that is entitled to have an elected Legislative Assembly and a Cabinet, thereby conveying partial statehood. The Puducherry assembly has 30 elected members, with the central government nominating an additional three. Prior to the floor test, Puducherry’s government, an alliance of the Congress Party (INC) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Dravidian Progressive Federation, DMK), found itself on the verge of collapse after six Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) had resigned over the past month, causing its strength to plummet to 12 members. [The Straits Times]
Unable to prove a majority on the assembly floor, the chief minister delivered an agitated resignation speech, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led federal government for “plotting” with Puducherry’s opposition leaders to topple a democratically elected government. To be sure, three of the MLA’s that had resigned from the legislative body last month have already joined the BJP. Moreover, Puducherry’s Lieutenant Governor, who was appointed on February 16 and asked the chief minister to prove a majority, has previously been serving as the BJP’s state unit president in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu. [The Hindustan Times] [The Hindu]
India: Government liberalizes restrictions on geospatial data for map-making
(lm) The Indian government has liberalized the regulatory framework governing geospatial data, including maps through guidelines released by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) on February 15. Coming at a time when advances in mapping technology are giving a lift to innovation in eCommerce and urban transportation sectors, among other, the new guidelines are considered by many a path breaking reform. [The Hindu] [DST]
Individuals and companies were hitherto required to seek approvals, security clearances, licenses for acquisition and production of geospatial data and geospatial data services, including maps.
Under the new policy, geospatial data from government agencies such as the Survey of India and the Indian Space Research Organization – i.e. data collected by security and law enforcement agencies - will also be made available to public and private companies.
However, the new policy restricts the terrestrial mapping and surveying to only Indian entities - both public and private. Furthermore, the data generated needs to be owned and stored in India, with foreign entities being allowed to license it. High resolution data - finer than 1m horizontally and 3m vertically - will remain restricted. [Hindustan Times]
Law and Politics in Southeast Asia
Laos: Two Critics of the Lao Government disqualified for reelection
(py) Shortly ahead of Sunday’s general elections in Laos, two government critics known for openly denouncing corruption among the country’s leaders have been removed from the list of eligible candidates for reelection. Both had held seats in the country's eight parliament and were to run again in general elections. The National Election Committee spokesperson stated that the two had been removed only due to the fact that both candidates have reached retirement age.
Even though the spillover effect of the Thai democracy movement in Laos was evident when Laotians came up with the hashtag “if Lao politics was good on Twitter last year,” and pointed out the shortcomings in their country, there is no widespread political dissent due to the government’s close surveillance and the chilling effects of harsh punishments against dissenters. [Radio Free Asia] [South China Morning Post]
Laos: Chinese company sets to begin studies for iron mining
(py) A Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Laotian province Xaysomboun and China’s Tai Xan Meng Sion-Lao Minerals Corporation earlier this month allows the Chinese company now to begin feasibility studies in the area, while local residents and environmentalists worry about polluted rivers and fields.
Though on paper, residents are often ensured safety from pollution and side-effects of the construction, infrastructure projects in Laos have been notorious for not keeping their promise with Laotians displaced and unheard.
The backlashes of mega-projects, especially dam constructions, also go beyond the border. Lately, a Thai NGO, Fair Finance Thailand, has called on several Thai financial institutions to withhold loans for the Luang Prabang dam project until a risk-mitigation study is done. Laos's recent economic growth has been mainly due to concessions to China, Thailand and Vietnam for natural resources. Not long ago, Laos had asked China to restructure its debt and rejected the IMF's loan, China could pressure Laos to make more concessions of its natural resources. [Radio Free Asia] [South China Morning Post 1] [South China Morning Post 2]
Malaysia: Wife of Najib faces corruption charges
(nd) The wife of ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak, Rosmah Mansor, is charged with corruption linked to a 1.25 billion ringgit ($310 million) solar energy project. She will have to defend against three charges of soliciting bribes and receiving $6.5 million ($1.6 million) between 2016 and 2017 in a project to provide solar energy panels to schools on Borneo island. In the first of several corruption trials, Najib was found guilty in July 2019 for his involvement in the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund scandal and sentenced to 12 years in prison, with the appeal currently pending. Rosmah will also be charged with respect to 1MDB in a future trial. [The Diplomat]
Malaysia: News portal fined over user comment
(nd) The news portal Malaysiakini, one of the few independent news outlets in Malaysia providing a platform for the opposition, was found guilty of contempt of court due to comments posted by readers, deemed offensive to the judiciary. The Court panel found Malaysiakini was fully responsible for publishing the readers’ comments that “undermined the system of justice in the country” and fined the portal 500,000 ringgit ($123,762). Malaysiakini argued they cannot be held responsible for user comments, and they removed the post immediately. The case was heard by the highest court, making an appeal unlikely.
The US and other missions in a joint statement raised concerns over the decision, stating that media freedom is a “fundamental importance to the security, prosperity and wellbeing of all societies”. Rights groups joined the criticism. According to them, freedom of speech and freedom of the press meet further pressure after Prime Minister Yassin Muhyiddin took power last march.
The case was viewed as a test of state of media freedom in Malaysia. Media in Malaysia is highly regulated and dominated by state-controlled groups, rendering Malaysiakini a platform for opposition and government criticism. The decision might have broader consequences for social media platforms Facebook and Twitter. [Reuters]
Myanmar: Ongoing protests
(nd) Nationwide protests continued despite gathering bans, internet shutdowns and an intensifying crackdown on protesters. Internet connectivity dropped to only 21%. On Monday, Facebook blocked the main news site run by the military. Facebook is the primary source of information and news, with an estimated 22 million of 54 million people using the social media platform.
On Wednesday, shots were fired but it was unclear if live ammunition was used. Following a campaign on social media, protesters in Yangon blocked major roads to prevent civil servants from going to work and hinder security forces. UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, already last Tuesday warned of "potential for violence on a greater scale". More troops were deployed to big cities. [BBC]
Andrews also highlighted his impression for the risk young demonstrators are taking, who “had a taste of freedom” and will not give up. In a similar defiance, many signs last week read “You have messed with the wrong generation.” [Voice of America 1]
The release of detained leader Aung Sun Suu Kyi was further delayed and she is charged with violating Covid-19 restrictions. Her lawyer could not see her personally. Her lawyer also commented the 2008 constitution prohibits to charge the President with criminal offenses, rendering charges and detention of President U Win Myint unlawful and invalid. [Voice of America 2]
Meanwhile six celebrities, including film directors, actors and a singer, were targeted for encouraging and promoting civil servants to join the protests. The charges carry a prison sentence of 2 years. On Thursday, hackers attacked multiple government-run websites. In Mandalay, train services were disrupted heavily on Wednesday by striking workers, who were shot at with rubber bullets by the police, causing injuries. [Channel News Asia 1]
Following US-President Joe Biden’s executive orders, sanctions were imposed on individuals and three military-connected companies. The move was understood by analysts to be a first step to give the military junta room to find a political compromise with Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD) party.
Meanwhile, the military has been active in seeking reconciliation with ethnic groups, excluding Rohingyas in an effort to demonstrate a more effecting governing of the country than NLD. [Nikkei Asia]
More than 500 people have been arrested since the coup, with security forces attacking and beating reporters. Some reported being followed by police in plainclothes. Government workers were arrested for their participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), with the whereabouts of some unknown. [Radio Free Asia] At large protests this Tuesday, almost 200 people who joined the general strike, were beaten and arrested. [Irrawaddy]
The 20-year-old protester who was shot in the head last week by live ammunition has died. [BBC 1] Large crowds attended her funeral over the weekend. Reportedly, a policeman died as well. In another round of live ammunition used, three more protesters died, which prompted UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to condemn violence and lethal force and urged the military to stop the repression. [BBC 2] The junta earlier said protesters are inciting the people and warned protesters might die, following the announcement of a general strike by the CDM. [Asia Times 1] The CDM’s work stoppage sees first results, with many critical functions being at least delayed, such as the banking sector and businesses running short on cash.
Seemingly, the military is determined to wait the protests out. Support from Russia, a reluctant reaction from ASEAN and Western fear of pushing Myanmar closer to China have created a rather favorable international floor for the coup. Different from historic brutal crackdowns on protesters, this time there are no active conflicts with the ethnic states. In November, the military surprisingly agreed to an ad hoc ceasefire with the Arakan Army (AA) in western Rakhine state, which in hindsight according to observers was already setting the stage for a possible coup. This is highlighted by the military further pushing the peace process within the context of the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) after the coup. The closing of a second frontier made possible the significant deployment of troops to major cities. According to analysts, the late-night internet shutdowns are likely to be followed by a more strategic crackdown on protest leaders to disperse the movement. [Asia Times 2]
Britain and Canada joined the US in imposing sanctions on Myanmar, the Quad group (Japan, Australia, India, US) agreed that democracy must be restored quickly. [South China Morning Post] The US extended their sanctions to two more generals and the EU also joined with the imposition of sanctions on military leaders. [Channel News Asia 2]
Philippines: Duterte approves amnesty for Muslim and communist rebels
(nd) To counter ongoing insurgencies, President Rodrigo Duterte approved an amnesty program, enabling Muslim and communist rebels to return to normal life, if they surrender their weapons. The program still has to be approved by Congress. Duterte’s predecessors signed peace deals with three rebel groups, which have not been fully enforced. The largest armed group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, is temporarily administering an autonomous region in the south while disarming its fighters. Former insurgents of the communist New People’s Army are included in the program. Excluded however, are Abu Sayyaf and groups linked to the Islamic State, and the program will not cover kidnappings for ransom, massacres, rape, terrorism, drug trafficking and certain atrocities never covered by amnesties, such as genocide, crimes against humanity and torture. Resolving Muslim and communist insurgencies within his term, which ends mid-2022, was Duterte’s promise. [South China Morning Post]
Philippines: Duterte critic de Lima acquitted of one charge of three
(nd) A notorious critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, former chairwoman of the Commission on Human Rights Sen. Leila de Lima was acquitted on one of three drug charges she has been in prison for four years but will remain incarcerated. Allegedly, de Lima accepted protection money from jailed drug dealers while serving as justice minister in 2017. De Lima always denied the charges as baseless.
Already when he served as mayor in Davao, de Lima investigated in extrajudicial killings by a death squad allegedly set up by Duterte. After Duterte became President in 2016, de Lima pushed for a Senate inquiry into killings linked to his administration’s drug war, for which Duterte publicly excoriated her. National and international human rights organization followed de Lima’s fate and called for her release since. [Benar News]
Philippines: Police raid in indigenous school
(nd) Following a police raid in a school for displaced indigenous children in Cebu, Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized the move as part of a string of “violent incidents” in recent years targeting indigenous communities. The police arrested seven people for allegedly training students, among them minors, to become guerrillas for the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). NPA has been waging insurgencies for more than fifty years and is Asia’s longest-running armed rebellion. HRW commented since Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016, the military has alleged that tribal schools have links with the NPA, with Duterte threatening to bomb these schools.
Allegedly, six parents asked the police for help to recover their children. Police was further criticized for enforcing custody of the children in a non-child-friendly way. The Save Our Schools Network said 178 tribal schools have been closed since 2016, forcing children to go to cities like Manila or Cebu to seek education. [Benar News]
Anti-Singapore sentiment and Singapore's latest move towards anti-coup in Myanmar
(py) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently denounced the use of lethal weapons of the junta against unarmed civilians in Myanmar after a report of two deaths in the city of Mandalay. Singapore is now under tremendous pressure as there have been anti-Singapore sentiments over the internet, urging citizens to boycott Singaporean products and business chains. Protesters urge Singapore to use its economic clout to support the movement. However, ASEAN’s principle in non-interference and respect for member’s national sovereignty might block the way for possible collective and individual actions against the junta. Nevertheless, Singapore could still exert its power by publicizing the military’s financial activities in Singapore, suspend or slow dealings with junta-linked bodies. Experts doubt such actions would be taken. [South China Morning Post] [Channel News Asia]
Thailand: PM survives no-confidence motion
(nd) Following a second non-successful no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and nine ministers, hundreds of protesters gathered outside parliament. The first such motion was in February 2020. The lawmakers took the expected vote after a four-day censure debate. Prayuth’s coalition holds a majority in the lower house. The opposition brought the motion over the government’s mishandling of the vaccine roll-out and economic policies. Over 1.000 protesters, led by United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, a student group under the umbrella of the broader Ratsadon or People’s Movement, gathered in the evening in front of the parliament, while earlier in the afternoon a group calling itself the “Progressive Red” gathered near the Democracy Monument. [Reuters] [Bangkok Post 1]
In Khon Kaen, about 300 anti-government protesters gathered to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his cabinet, a new constitution, an overhaul of the royal institution as well as the release on bail of four leaders of the People's Movement now being detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison. Among the protesters were members of the Kong-Chi-Mun and Dao Din groups as well as students from various educational institutes, joined by red-shirts from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). [Bangkok Post 2]
ASEAN member states tighten grip on cyberspace
(nd) The Thai government issued a warning not to break the law using the audio social media app Clubhouse. The Digital Minister said authorities were watching Clubhouse users and political groups if information was distorted and laws potentially violated. The app quickly developed into a discussion platform about the monarchy, despite the topic raised by student protesters still a fierce taboo, and whose criticism is punished harshly. Many Thai users registered following Japan-based critic of the Thai palace, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, and joined the app. He gained more than 70,000 followers in his first five days on the app. His Facebook group, Royalist Marketplace, was shutdown in August 2020, only to reopen and attract 300,000 followers the next day. The government’s crackdown on protesters has regularly included charges under cybercrime laws, mostly on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
The app gathered popularity quickly and was blocked earlier this month in China after thousands of mainland users joined discussions often censored in China, including about Xinjiang detention camps and Hong Kong’s national security law.
Last Wednesday, Indonesian authorities announced the app had to register as an Electronic System Operator (PSE) to seek permission to operate, and could be banned if it fails to comply with local laws. Indonesia has previously banned Reddit, Vimeo, and many pornography sites. [South China Morning Post] [Reuters]
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen last week signed a sub-decree to enable the creation of the country’s long-planned National Internet Gateway (NIG), a Chinese-style firewall, which possibly gives authorities even more powers to crackdown on online free-speech. All internet traffic will be routed through a single portal managed by a government-appointed regulator. All internet traffic metadata shall be stored for 12 months and can be assessed by the authorities.
A telecommunications law from 2015 already gave significant powers to request user traffic data from internet service providers to the authorities, and the criminal code and the “fake news” legislation were used to crack down on government critics. All these efforts, however were reactive and put in after a post, despite blockages of websites, that could be circumvented via VPNs. The NIG enables a preventive action, mounting up to censorship.
Since Cambodia is unlikely to provide a national alternative to the popular social media platform Facebook, the authorities will have to force the platforms to abide by its rules. By having a single gateway for all traffic, Cambodia might have significant leverage over the social media website, being able to threat to shut them off. Such a tactic worked well for Vietnam.
Indeed, the timing is suspect. The NIG is expected to be launched next year, which in mid-2022 will see local elections, and general elections in 2023. The ruling party dissolved its only opponent, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), in 2017. Leaders are in exile and mostly hindered from returning to the country, not even to face charges in ongoing court proceedings. [Asia Times]
In Thailand, analysts commented that the Thai cyberspace has become highly politicized after the coup, with the addition of legal tools to enable a broad and deep surveillance.
The Computer Crimes Act was enacted in 2007. Already in 2015, a “cyber warfare” unit was founded with the military, and the Technology Crime Suppression Division with the Royal Thai Police. The Ministry of the Digital Economy and Society was established in 2016. According a WikiLeaks documents, the military unit was setup with the help of an online surveillance firm and installed broad tools to collect data. The military was accused in 2016 of buying decryption technology to monitor private communication on social media. A 2017 report claimed hackers worked for the government between 2016 and 2017 to block media sites, WikiLeaks and websites that provide tools for censorship circumvention. A new cybersecurity agency and hacker training center were setup in 2018, further enabling control of online content. In 2019, a “anti-fake news center” was opened in Bangkok, employing 40 full-time staff to monitor and forward discussion in possible violation of the Computer Crimes Act to the Technology Crime Suppression Division. Officers working for the Digital Economy and Society Ministry can request computer data from service providers without a warrant. According to a Comparitech survey on privacy protection published by the end of 2019, Thailand was ranked among the lowest in the world.
In the Malay-Muslim-majority southern provinces the state’s system of surveillance is even more sophisticated, collecting DNA-samples for a DNA databank to fight insurgencies. In 2020, phone numbers were registered using a facial recognition system, and failure to register cut the individual off service. Phones have been used to set off bombs. Later, it was announced that the 8,200 security cameras in the southern provinces could be fitted with a facial recognition system and be run with artificial intelligence (AI) in the future, similar to the system in China. The UN criticized this development in 2020. [The Diplomat]
Vietnam: Military general appointed country’s new propaganda chief
(lm) Vietnam has named Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Trong Nghia to head the Commission for Propaganda and Education of the ruling Communist Party’s (VCP) Central Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the country’s tightly controlled media. [Radio Free Asia]
Prior to his appointment, the senior military officer had overseen the creation of Force 47, a 10,000-strong cyber unit established in 2017 to trawl the web and rebut any “wrongful opinions” about the VCP. Thus, observers believe that Nguyen’s appointment may mark the beginning of a tighter control of articles about the politically sensitive relationship between Vietnam and China. Nguyen may also more tightly manage the use by Party members of Vietnam’s media to expose other Party members’ violations of the law or Party regulations. [The Diplomat]
Vietnam: Jailed Vietnamese blogger held in isolation, denied visits in mental hospital
(lm) A Vietnamese journalist held in a mental hospital while awaiting trial for criticizing Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party (VCP) was denied visits from supporters on February 17, with authorities saying he is being kept in isolation as a “political case.” [The 88 Project]
A member of an online advocacy group, the blogger had been arrested in 2018 on charges of “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state” under Article 331 of Vietnam’s criminal code. In 2019, he was transferred to a mental hospital. If convicted, he could serve up to seven years in prison. [Radio Free Asia]
Vietnam: State media bloggers held on defamation charges for criticizing provincial leaders
(lm) Two journalists employed by official media are being held by police on charges of “abusing press freedoms” after they shared articles online accusing provincial leaders of corruption. The arrest came five weeks after the sentencing by a court of three independent journalists - all prominent members of the Vietnam Independent Journalists Association (IJAVN) - on charges of spreading propaganda against the state [see AiR No. 1, January/2021, 1]. [Radio Free Asia]
International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia
Munich Security Conference brings together leaders from the US, Germany, France and the UK
(lm) US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson were among the leaders participating in this year’s Munich Security Conference (MSC), an annual conference on international security policy. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the multi-day was reduced to an online forum that was scheduled to wrap up after just about three others on February 19. [Munich Security Conference 1]
In his welcome remarks, MSC Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger, a seasoned German diplomat and former ambassador to the US, said that the conference would continue to strive to ”provide a global platform for informal critical dialogue, dialogue on how to preserve peace, how to promote cooperation." [Munich Security Conference 2]
The first hour was set aside for top global issues, most notably the current coronavirus pandemic, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Bill Gates and World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus each delivering a speech. [Anadolu Agency]
Meanwhile, the MSC presented the first opportunity for US President Joe Biden to set out his foreign policy agenda to European and other leaders since he took office in January and to signal the return to multilateralism after years of US “America First” unilateralism. Biden declared that “America is back” and that the “transatlantic alliance is back,” while acknowledging that Washington’s foreign policy had been left in diplomatic disarray by his predecessor, Donald Trump. He announced that the US “will work closely with our European Union partners and the capitals across the continent – from Rome to Riga – to meet the range of shared challenges.” [Nikkei Asia] [White House, USA]
Although Biden’s speech was well-received, there was also pushback, notably from French President Emmanuel Macron who in his address highlighted his concept of “European strategic autonomy” in the defense sector, emphasizing that it would re-balance trans-Atlantic ties and strengthen NATO. [Reuters]
And even German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is leaving office within the year, tempered her praise for President Biden’s announcement to not follow through with his predecessor’s decision to withdraw 12,000 US troops from the country with a warning that “our interests will not always converge.” Asked about her efforts to salvage the strained 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the German chancellor stressed that it is important to avoid a deadlock where neither the US nor Iran makes the necessary moves — because each side waits for the other. [New York Times]
Nevertheless, recognizing that the MSC provided an opportunity to celebrate the end of the era of “America First,” the three leaders also reaffirmed their mutual commitment to an alliance that European Council President Charles Michel, speaking later from Brussel, called "the backbone of the rules-based international order." Speaking after Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen put the regulation of internet platforms front and center — together with fighting climate change — of a new transatlantic agenda. [European Commission 1] [European Commission 2]
Starting his well-crafted closing speech with a swipe at the “industry of pessimism” about the decline of the West, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson went beyond ritual repetitions of ‘Global Britain’ slogans. In particular, he highlighted London’s role in standing up to China on human rights, as he was the only national leader to mention Xinjiang and Hong Kong during the event.
In a clear message to Washington, Johnson also played up Downing Street’s commitment to NATO, highlighting how his recent defense spending increase would make the UK the second-biggest NATO contributor after the United States. The British prime minister also put emphasis on the E3, (Germany, France and the UK) plus the US, in what he called a ‘transatlantic quad’, as a forum for London to work with its closest allies on the most pressing security issues including Iran. [UK Government] [Royal United Services Institute]
Sino-US strategic relations: Biden calls for close ranks among allies to face China
(dql) Speaking at the virtually held Munich Security Conference last Friday and addressing for the first European leaders as US President, Joe Biden reassured his administration’s determination to reset relations between the US and Europe to build a common front against China. He vowed that after years of “strained and tested […] transatlantic relationship”, the US is now “determined to reengage with Europe” to “prepare together for a long-term strategic competition with China” and to counter “the Chinese government’s economic abuses and coercion that undercut the foundations of the international economic system.” [White House, USA]
In response to Biden’s remarks, China’s Foreign Ministry warned against “practicing group politics or forming cliques against specific countries based on ideology.” [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China]
Signaling that Biden’s envisioned common front against China will be an uphill struggle, the joint statement of the leaders of the G7 who met before Biden’s speech at the conference was much less confrontational. It stated that, aiming at “supporting a fair and mutually beneficial global economic system for all people,” the G7 countries “will engage with others, especially G20 countries including large economies such as China,” and “consult with each other on collective approaches to address non-market oriented policies and practices.” [European External Action Service, European Union]
China-US trade relations: Tariffs posed by Trump to be kept in place
(zh) The US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced that tariffs imposed on China by the former Trump administration will remain the same “for the moment”, adding that the White House is evaluating its approach toward China, including how to further deal “with a range of issues where we see unfair practices,” including property rights, and subsidies to high-technology industries. [South China Morning Post 1]
In response, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the US to remove “unreasonable tariffs, unilateral sanctions, and unreasonable suppression”, adding that the two countries should bridge differences through high-level dialogue, adding that confrontation would be “a disaster”. [South China Morning Post 2]
Meanwhile, lawmakers of the US House of Representatives have reintroduced a bill which provides for a ban on the import of all goods sourced in Xinjiang, unless it is certified they are not produced with forced labour. The legislative move comes five months after the House’s approval of a previous version wiped from the docket after it failed to move through the Senate before that congressional session ended in January. [Aljazeera]
For a discussion on a possible shift from Trump’s ‘decoupling’ of the world’s two largest economies to ‘competitive re-coupling’ under the Biden administration, see Yan Liang in [East Asia Forum] who suggest that both countries “carefully manage their differences, coordinate and collaborate on areas of common interest,” while “compet[ing] on equal footing in areas such as technology and trade.
For numbers and data on the costs the US economy would suffer in case of a sharp de-coupling see the report released by the US Chamber of Commerce and Rhodium Group which predicts the US would lose over 1 trillion USD worth of production and long-term global competitiveness is such a case. [Chamber of Commerce, USA] [CNBC]
China-US discord over Covid-19 flares up again
(zh) China-US tensions over Beijing’s information policy on the Covid-19 pandemic flared up after a statement of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made in response to UN Secretary General Guiterres’ call on countries to work together to secure global access to Covid-19 vaccination at a UN Security Council meeting last week. Blinken confirmed the US commitment to multilateralism, the UN and the World Health Organization (WHO). He also urged all countries to “make available all data from the earliest days of any outbreak” to advance understanding the pandemic and prepare for the next one, demanding “[t]ransparency, information sharing, access for international experts” as “hallmarks of our common approach to what is truly a global challenge.”
While Sullivan did not mention China in his statement, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was quick to hit back, warning all “to resist prejudice, respect science, and reject disinformation and the attempts to politicise the pandemic.” [South China Morning Post]
The verbal exchange between the two Foreign Ministers comes shortly after White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan claimed that finding of the WHO investigation expert team were not free “from intervention or alteration by the Chinese government,” in response to which China’s embassy in Washington accused the US of “gravely damage[ing] international cooperation on COVID-19” and of “pointing fingers at other countries who have been faithfully supporting the WHO and at the WHO itself.” [AiR No. 7, February/2021, 3]
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab called for a UN resolution for ceasefires across the globe to allow those living in war zones to get COVID vaccines at the Security Council meeting. [Sky News][See AiR No.6, February/ 2021,2]
China-Canada relations: Further deterioration over actions against Muslim Uighurs
(zh) Adding to already strained China-Canada relations, Canadian lawmakers approved an opposition-initiated non-binding motion to designate China’s actions against Muslim Uighurs Xinjiang province as a genocide. The vote was not attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and senior members of cabinet. [The Guardian]
The move comes shortly after Canada launched the “Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations” calling on “all States to refrain from arbitrary arrest, detention, or sentencing to exercise leverage over foreign governments in the context of State-to-State relations.” While the declaration does not specifically name any country, it is widely seen as targeting especially China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. 59 countries thus far have signed the declaration, including besides Canada, the US, the UK, the vast majority of the member states of the European Union, Japan and Australia. However, only a few countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America countries are participating in the initiative. [AiR No. 7, February/2021, 3]
China has strongly criticized Canada’s declaration describing the initiative as a “hypocritical and despicable act” and as part of Canada’s “megaphone diplomacy,” ganging up on China with other countries. [South China Morning Post]
China-Russia relations: MoU on international lunar research station
(zh) China and Russia are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a moon base that is expected to provide a base for long-term robotic and potentially short-term crewed missions by the early 2030s.
The MoU follows Russia’s decision last year not to join Artemis Accords, a set of principles governing behavior for members of the NASA-led Artemis lunar exploration program, marking another move to deepen Sino-Russian relations.
Signatories of the Accords besides the US include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Luxembourg, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates, and Ukraine. [Space News 1] [Space News 2]
Lithuanian government blocks Chinese scanning equipment amid growing wariness of Chinese influence in 17+1 countries
(dql/zh) Lithuania has banned Nuctech, a Chinese tech firm providing inspection and security software, describing the companies as “a threat to national security”.
The ban is the latest sign of Lithuania and other Baltic states becoming increasingly wary of China’s influence, with the Lithuanian government drafting a bill to bar companies posing a security risk in the transportation, energy, and telecommunication sectors and Estonia’s intelligence service warning in its 2021 report of “growing pressure from China” and “Chinese influence operations mov[ing] to the West.” Earlier this month, leaders of all three Baltic countries refused to attend the Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (17+1) summit, and sent lower-level ministers instead. [EU Observer] [Foreign Intelligence Service, Estonia] [Politico]
China has been trying to strengthen ties with the Baltic region, the frontline of the North Atlantic Organization (NATO), by massive foreign investment. However, with Chinese investment being non-profitable, interference in domestic politics, and concerns over Chinese cyber espionage rising, Baltic states are waking up to the country’s ambition to influence the region, Jessica Larsen argues in [DIIS].
For another critical assessment of China’s achievements in Central and Eastern Europe, see Andreea Brinza in [The Diplomat] who suggests that 17+1 has become a “Zombie Mechanism” and that the countries in this region, once expected to be China’s “gateway to Europe”, have turned into its “biggest headache.”
For a similar account of Balkan countries see [South China Morning Post].
China-UK relations: UK seeks to trade with China despite human rights concerns
(zh) London is reaching out to China to boost bilateral trade notwithstanding the deterioration of relations between the two countries following the introduction of the National Security Law in Hong Kong and the British subsequent offer of citizenship for Hong Kong BN(O) passport holders.
Speaking at a roundtable with Chinese businesses in the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that he seeks to resume the China-UK Joint Trade and Economic Commission (Jecto) and the Economic and Financial Dialogue, the annual discussion between the two countries. Both had been suspended in response to China’s repression of civil rights in the former UK colony of Hong Kong.
British Foreign Secretary Domonic Raab, meanwhile, said he had offered to “go to Beijing” and speak to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi over the Hong Kong issue, which has not been accepted by China. Concerning human rights, he reiterated that Britain views Hong Kong’s National Security Law as a breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, expressing concerns on “very worrying” human right condition in Xinjiang. [Guardian] [South China Morning Post]
Japan-US relations: Joint navy exercises kicks off amid intrusions of Chinese coast guard vessels into Japanese waters
(dql) Japan and the US have begun Resilient Shield 2021 exercises, computer-based naval drills focusing on ballistic missiles defense and involving nearly 80 American and Japanese command centers. They aimed to test joint tactics used to face regional threats. [Newsweek]
The exercises come a day after two Chinese Coast Guard vessels have repeatedly entered and left Japan’s territorial waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands on Sunday, marking the ninth intrusion this year and the latest since China’s new coast guard law entered into force on February 1. The new law allows its coast guard to use weapons against foreign ships viewed by Beijing as illegally entering its waters. [Japan Times]
North Korea-US relations: NK intelligence officers charged in 1.3 billion USD hacking scheme
(nm) The United States Justice Department last week unsealed charges against three North Korean intelligence officials accused of participating in cyberattacks aimed at various companies and financial institutions to circumvent sanctions, fund the North Korean government, and control American companies considered enemies of the North Korean state. The alleged attacks include the 2014 assault on Sony Pictures Entertainment and the WannaCry ransomware cyberattack on Britain’s National Health Service.
The three – Jon Chang Hyok, Kim Il, and Park Jin Hyok – allegedly worked for the hacking-focussed Reconnaissance General Bureau of the North Korean military intelligence which is better known as the Lazarus Group within the cybersecurity community. The now-revealed indictment builds on earlier investigations against Park for his alleged participation in the 2014 and 2017 attacks, adding accusations of robbing digital currency exchanges, extortion against a New York exchange, and targeting banks and cryptocurrency companies in Bangladesh, Britain, Mexico, Pakistan, the US, and other countries. US prosecutors declined to disclose how much money the hackers obtained. [The New York Times, $] [Politico]
The indictment is the first effort by the Biden administration to combat “a global campaign of criminality” being waged by North Korea. It stands in line with findings of a recent report by the cybersecurity research group Recorded Future which concludes that North Korea has successfully improved its ability to use the internet to generate revenue, gain access to prohibited technologies and knowledge, and operational coordination, thereby thwarting sanctions and financial controls. Last week, the US State Department also issued a statement, saying that as the US policy toward North Korea undergoes review, it will take cyberthreats into account. [Recorded Future] [DW] [Korea Herald]
The South Korean intelligence service additionally accused North Korean hackers of targeting pharma company Pfizer in order to obtain information on its Covid-19 vaccine and treatment. [Yonhap]
South Korea, Japanese and US diplomats agree to cooperate on peninsula denuclearization and peace
(nm) Japanese, South Korean, and US-American diplomats have agreed to closely cooperate to achieve complete denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean peninsula after South Korea’s top nuclear envoy, Noh Kyu-duk, met with US and Japanese representatives in video talks last Friday to discuss North Korea-related issues. They also agreed to hold follow-up consultations. The talks come as the US Biden administration is conducting a review of its entire policy toward North Korea. [The Korea Times]
The agreement comes at a time when South Korea and Japan are caught in dire bilateral relations over long-running issues concerning wartime forced labour. Last month, a Seoul court had ordered Japan to make reparations to 12 former sexual slavery victims called “comfort women,” with one of them now demanding that Seoul brings the issue to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, as Japan refuses to accept the court’s ruling, citing sovereign immunity. [Korea Herald]
Meanwhile, South Korea Defense Ministry released a report which concludes that North Korea has expanded its missile development facilities and beefed up its missile and other conventional weapons. They includesSeveral new types of ballistic missiles have such as its version of Russia’s Iskander, and the US’ Army Tactical Missile System, but also advanced submarine-launched ballistic missiles. [Yonhap]
South Korea-Japan relations: Japanese diplomat called in over Dokdo conflict
(nm) South Korea’s Foreign Ministry called in a Japanese diplomat to lodge protest against Japan’s conduct of the ‘Takeshima Day’ event to renew Tokyo’s claim over the islet Takeshima, called Dokdo in South Korea.
The uninhabited islet has been effectively controlled by South Korea since the 1950s and has become a recurring source of conflict between Japan and South Korea as Tokyo continues to claim them as part of its sovereign territory in policy papers, public statements, and school textbooks. The conflict adds to strained bilateral relations between the two nations over wartime history and trade issues. [Korea Herald]
Cross-Strait relations: Appointment of new Mainland Affairs Council chairman to signal Taiwan’s less confrontational China policy
(dql/zh) In a move widely seen among analysts as signaling an adjustment of Taiwan’s confrontational China policy towards more pragmatism, President Tsai Ing-wen has appointed former Taiwanese Justice Minister Chiu Tai-san as new head of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC).
During the swearing-in ceremony, Chiu, who had been the Council’s vice chairman from 2004 to 2005, expressed hope that both sides overcome the current diplomatic impasse and move towards “exchanges based on pragmatism”, adding that if “political exchanges are too sensitive … and there is not enough mutual trust, we can always start with non-political, economic, social and cultural exchanges to build up mutual trust before taking on higher-level issues.”
Analysts also believe that Tsai’s decision to shift to a more pragmatic approach in cross-strait relations follows concerns of the Biden administration that Taiwan as a potential flashpoint of Sino-US tensions will disrupt its foreign policy. In a statement in December US Indo-Pacific coordinator chief Kurt Campbell stated that a degree of “productive and quiet dialogue” between Beijing and Taipei was “in everyone’s best strategic interests”. [South China Morning Post] [Focus Taiwan]
In another – more provocative – move towards China, Tsai ordered all of Taiwan’s coast guard vessels to be emblazoned the word ‘Taiwan’ above the original designation “ROC Coast guard.” According to the Presidential Office, the move – coming shortly after China’s new launched coast guard law, which permits coast guard vessels to use military weapons in the waters China claims – aims at better distinguishing Taiwan’s law enforcement vessels from China’s. [Focus Taiwan] [AiR No. 4, January/2021, 4]
Meanwhile, Taiwan's air force scrambled after nine Chinese air force aircraft on Friday and another 11 aircraft on Saturday, including eight fighter jets, two nuclear-capable H-6 bombers and an anti-submarine aircraft, flew near the Pratas Islands in the top part of the South China Sea, also claimed by Beijing. At the same time, four retired Taiwanese military intelligence officers have been indicted for developing a spying network and collecting confidential information for Beijing. [VoA] [Channel News Asia]
Taiwan-Germany relations: BNT promises its vaccines after the deal called off
(zh) Germanybiotech firm, BioNTech SE(BNT), promises to provide 5 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccines to Taiwan after Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Welfare, Chen Shih-chung, announced the deal was called off at the last minute by potential Chinese interference. While details on what happened were not provided, Chen implied there was a political dimension to the decision, saying “someone did not want Taiwan to be too happy.”
BNT signed a deal with the Chinese firm Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd to exclusively develop and commercialize Covid-19 vaccine products with BNT’s technology in China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, which gives China the power to intervene in the deal. Hearing the island’s complaint, BNT later said that the discussion continues and it plans to provide vaccines to Taiwan. [Focus Taiwan][Reuters 1][Reuters 2]
Quad diplomats hold virtual meeting
(lm) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met virtually on February 18 with his counterparts from Australia, India and Japan under the informal Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a loose strategic coalition seen as a potential bulwark against China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. The meeting was the grouping’s first under the new Biden-Harris Administration, although it has discussed its future role in bilateral calls with members since then [see e.g. AiR No. 4, January/2021, 4]. [Reuters] [South China Morning Post]
During the meeting, Blinken and his counterparts – Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar – discussed their cooperation on various global and regional issues, including tensions in the South China Sea, climate change, North Korea and the recent coup d'état in Myanmar [see AiR No. 5, February/2021, 1]. [The Hindu]
In a separate call, The US Secretary of State also met virtually the same day with his counterparts from France, Germany and the United Kingdom – a group known as the “E3”.
India, China complete pull-back of forces along Pangong Tso lake
(lm) India and China have completed the pull-back of troops from the southern and northern shores of Pangong Tso, a glacial lake at 4,242m, according to a joint statement issued by the Indian defense ministry on February 21. Further, the statement acknowledged that other parts of the border remained tense and looked forward to continuing talks. [South China Morning Post]
Footage supplied by the Indian government last week showed tanks from both sides leaving the north bank of the lake and returning to their base camps. Satellite images also showed that China had withdrawn troops, dismantled infrastructure and moved vehicles to empty out entire camps. [The Straits Times] [CNN] [BBC]
After nine months of fitful progress to resolve the high-altitude border stand-off, China announced on February 10 that both countries had agreed to withdraw frontline troops along the lake that became a flashpoint in the prolonged border dispute [see AiR No. 7, February/2021, 3]. Commanders from both sides held their tenth round of border talks on February 20 to assess how the operation was going.
FATF meets to assess Pakistan’s actions on countering terror financing
(lm) The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an inter-governmental organization that monitors global money laundering and terrorist financing, on February 22 started its three-day virtual meeting. During the meeting, the FATF’s Plenary will review Pakistan’s measures against money laundering and terror financing to decide whether to keep the country on its list of Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring - often externally referred to as the ‘grey list’. [Dawn] [FATF]
Since it was first placed on the list in June 2018, Islamabad has been facing possible blacklisting, which could lead to economic sanctions from institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. During the FATF’s last review last October, Pakistan was urged to complete the remaining six of the 27 parameters included in the internationally agreed action plan by February 2021 and to demonstrate that terrorism financing probes resulted in effective sanctions. [AiR No. 43, October/2020, 4].
In the run-up to the meeting, Pakistan has reached out to the FATF’s member states hoping to garner their support for exiting the rating list of countries tagged as prone to illicit financial activity. The challenge in this regard comes from India, which had mounted a determined effort to hold Pakistan responsible for its role in supporting terrorism and terrorist infrastructure ahead of the previous session [see AiR No. 43, October/2020, 4]. According to a report published on February 21, however, Pakistan’s efforts are met with additional resistance from some European countries – especially France and the United States – which hold that Islamabad has failed to fully implement the remaining six parameters.
In this context, two recent events assume added significance, as they may be shaping Paris’ and Washington’s opinion on Pakistan. To begin with, Pakistan’s Supreme Court (SC) ordered the release from prison of a British-born Islamist who had been convicted in 2002 on charges of kidnapping and murder of an American journalist earlier this month. [AiR No. 6, February/2021, 2]
Moreover, Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi recently urged Paris "not to entrench the discriminatory attitudes against Muslims into laws", warning that such steps would lead to serious repercussions in the shape of hatred and conflict. The president’s statement came after lawmakers in the French parliament’s lower house on February 16 overwhelmingly approved a bill that would strengthen oversight of mosques, schools and sport clubs to safeguard France from radical Islamists and to promote respect for French values. [Anadolu Agency] [New York Times]
The relations between France and Pakistan had deteriorated last year after Pakistani leadership attacked the French government and President Emmanuel Macron for not condemning caricatures showing the Prophet Muhammed [see AiR No. 44, November/2020, 1].
India takes delegation of international diplomats to tour Jammu and Kashmir region
(lm) India on February 17 and 18 hosted a delegation of 24 international diplomats in its Jammu and Kashmir union territory to showcase efforts to restore normalcy more than a year after it stripped the region's special status. During their visit, the foreign envoys were allowed to speak with local residents to discuss their responses to recent local elections and economic opportunities [see AiR No. 52, December/2020, 5]. The trip also included meetings with officials from Indian Army and government, as well as journalists and civil society groups selected by the security services. [U.S. News] [The Straits Times]
This was the third group of dignitaries to visit the Indian-administered region since August 2019, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government unilaterally abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution, breaking the state of Kashmir into two union territories – one comprising the Hindu-dominated Jammu region and the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, known as Jammu and Kashmir, and the second being the Buddhist enclave of Ladakh [see AiR No. 32, August/2019, 1].
The president of the Pakistan-administered state of Azad Kashmir termed the tour an attempt by New Delhi to "project a false image of normalcy" in the disputed territory. [Anadolu Agency]
India set to clear some new investment proposals from China in coming weeks
(lm) India reportedly plans to ease restrictions on investment from China in the coming weeks as relations between the two neighboring countries thaw amid an easing in border tensions. However, only sectors that are not sensitive to national security will be cleared, with investment proposals from Chinese smartphone makers and new-energy companies likely to be the first, according to experts. [The Straits Times] [Global Times]
Last week, India and China began disengagement along the southern and northern shores of Pangong Tso - a glacial lake at 4,242m - after nine months of fitful progress to resolve the border stand-off in the Himalayas [see AiR No. 7, February/2021, 3].
Tension between the two countries had escalated after more than 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a military clash in June [see AiR No. 24, June/2020, 3]. Ever since, anti-China sentiment has been soaring in India and sparked calls for a boycott of goods from the neighboring country. Against this backdrop, New Delhi framed various policies targeting China, including blocking the nation from participating in government tenders, compelling any Chinese company investing in India to seek approvals [see AiR No. 16, April/2020, 3], and banning dozens of Chinese apps [see e.g. AiR No. 48, December/2020, 1]
In addition, India also added extra scrutiny for visas for Chinese businessmen, academics, industry experts, and advocacy groups – with the consequence of unintentionally hurting Taiwanese companies that were in the process of setting up factories in India to diversify their supply chains [see AiR No. 34, August/2020, 4. [The Straits Times]
International Monetary Fund to resume stalled $6 billion loan program to Pakistan
(lm) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Pakistan on February 16 reached a staff-level agreement that Islamabad had completed reforms required for the release of around $500 million in funds. The funds are part of the IMF’s bailout program, the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which should eventually bring Pakistan $6 billion. In exchange, Islamabad agreed on measures – e.g. rationalize expenditure, increase electricity prices, increase its tax revenue, among others - which are required to complete further reviews of the reform program. [International Monetary Fund] [Reuters]
Pakistan entered the EFF in 2019, but the program was had been suspended last April after Islamabad had failed to meet all requirements [see AiR No. 14, April/2020, 1]. Later the same month, the IMF approved an additional $1.4 billion loan for Pakistan to meet the balance of payment needs following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. [Dawn]
Resumption of the stalled bailout package has raised expectations that the South Asian nation will return to global bond markets, at a time when the government is sailing through choppy waters. [Financial Times]
Pakistan softens terms to get Chinese loans for crucial rail project
(lm) In the dispute over the parameters of a Chinese loan to upgrade Pakistan’s railway lines, Islamabad has softened its position on both interest rate and loan currency. In a revised loam term sheet Pakistan shared with Beijing earlier this month, Islamabad agreed to borrow $6 billion in both Chinese and US currencies. [The Express Tribune]
Last August, Pakistan`s top economic body had approved Mainline-1 (ML-1), a $6.8 billion project to upgrade railway infrastructure in the Peshawar – Lahore – Karachi corridor[see AiR No. 32, August/2020, 2]. Work on the first phase of the project was scheduled to commence in January and be completed in 2024. However, as of yet, no contractors have been selected for the project. Eager to finalize the deal, Islamabad is reportedly planning to table the issue during the next meeting of CPEC’s principal decision-making body, the Joint Cooperation Committee. However, China continues to be reluctant to schedule the meeting, causing some observers to believe that the agreement was derailing [see AiR No. 6, February/2021, 2].
Due to the strategic importance of the project, Islamabad had initially been hoping that Beijing would provide up to 90 percent of the financing and would further agree to a 1 percent interest for the loan. In November, then, Islamabad requested an initial $2.7 billion loan from Beijing for the construction of package-I of the project [see AiR No. 46, November/2020, 3]. Citing Pakistan’s weakened financial position, however China in December offered to finance only 85 percent of the costs, and rejected the proposed interest rate. As to the payback period, Beijing suggested 15 to 20 years in biannual tranches, including a five-year grace period. Pakistan, however, has asked for a 20-year repayment period, including a 10-year grace period. [AiR No. 52, December/2020, 5].
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan visits Sri Lanka as Colombo balances ties with India
(lm) Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan concluded a working visit to Sri Lanka on February 23, after holding separate meetings with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, and attending an investors’ conference. [Hindustan Times]
Close partners in trade and defense, both sides developed strong bilateral ties during the Sri Lankan Civil War, when Islamabad supplied high-tech military equipment to Colombo’s military. Shortly before Prime Minister Khan’s arrival, however, Sri Lanka cancelled a scheduled speech of the Pakistani prime minister in Parliament, apparently over fears it could further harm ties with India. [The EurAsian Times]
Observers suggest that Prime Minister Khan may have suggested that Sri Lankan officials accept Pakistani support in the upcoming 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UN HRC), which will feature a resolution on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka [see AiR No. 6, February/2021, 2]. Further, in return for giving its explicit support Islamabad might ask Colombo to adopt Pakistan’s position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. [Foreign Brief]
However, the two parties are unlikely to agree on such arrangements, considering that these would only heighten tensions between Sri Lanka and India. Colombo currently finds itself in a tight spot since it earlier this month pulled out of a three-party agreement with India and Japan for operating the strategic Colombo Port’s Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) [see AiR No. 6, February/2021, 2]. Prior to the decision, India had shipped free consignments of Covishield (the local name for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine developed in the United Kingdom) to Sri Lanka.
Moreover, the island nation is witnessing a rising islamophobia. Until recently [see AiR No. 7, February/2021, 3], the government had made cremations of COVID-19 victims mandatory, arguing that burials in accordance with Islamic tradition would pose a public health risk. Human and religious rights groups, as well as local Muslim associations had resented the policy, saying authorities used it to purposely hurt the country’s religious minorities.
To oust Chinese firm, India offers grant for power project in northern Sri Lanka
(lm) In an effort to undo the presence of a Chinese company in its immediate backyard, India has reportedly offered Sri Lanka $12 million in grants to set up hybrid wind and solar energy projects on three Sri Lankan islands only 45 kilometers off the coast of Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India. [The Hindu]
The Cabinet of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in mid-January had selected a Chinese company to develop the projects – just weeks before Colombo also pulled out of three-party agreement with India and Japan for operating the strategic Colombo Port’s Eastern Container Terminal (ECT). Back then, New Delhi had lodged a strong protest with the Sri Lankan government, citing the project site’s proximity to the Indian coastline. [AiR No. 6, February/2021, 2]
Meanwhile, a group of political parties representing Sri Lankan Tamils – an ethno-linguistic group whose people live both in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in Sri Lanka - have voiced opposition to Chinese involvement in the project, citing “security threats” to Tamil people and India.
India continues engagement with Maldives, signs $50 million Line of Credit
(lm) Indicating deepening security cooperation, India and the Maldives have signed a $50 million Line of Credit agreement and agreed to develop and maintain a key naval facility for the Maldivian Coast Guard. Both documents were signed on February 21, the second and final day of India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visit to the Maldives. Five other agreements, including one for a $25-million Line of Credit for the development of roads, were signed the previous day. [mint] [The Hindu] [Hindustan Times]
During his visit, Jaishankar also promised that India would strongly support the candidature of Maldives’ Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid for President of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly next year.
Jaishankar also said that India would like to work with the Maldives during its membership of the United Nations Security Council for 2021-22.
To counter China ’s growing financial footprint in South Asia, New Delhi has provided a host of support measures to the Maldives since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, injecting more than $2 billion trough loans, grants, credit lines and currency swaps [see e.g. AiR No. 33, August/2020, 3, AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4]. What is more, the archipelagic state was the first country to receive free consignments of Covishield (the local name for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine developed in the United Kingdom), when India first utilized its vast manufacturing capacity to bolster bilateral ties in January. [see AiR No. 5, February/2021, 1]
Pakistan, Egypt to boost security, economic cooperation
(lm) Pakistan and Egypt have agreed to boost bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of economics. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi visited Cairo from February 16 to 18, and met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi in Cairo, expressing Islamabad’s desire to further strengthen and diversify bilateral ties. The president, in turn, accepted the invitation to visit Pakistan at the earliest opportunity. [Gulf News]
Qureshi’s visit followed an invitation from his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukri, and came after meetings between President Al-Sisi and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Mecca in 2019 and at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly in New York the same year. In the most recent call between Shoukri and Qureshi in December the two ministers expressed a desire for continuous coordination.
For a start, Egypt is in a position to open doors for Pakistan in Africa. In 2019, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi assumed the one-year rotating chair of the African Union. Keen on making a difference, during that year the president noticeably improved Egypt’s relations with other African countries. In light of the ongoing rivalry between India and Pakistan, there is a good case to believe that Islamabad will seek to open up its relations across the African continent, not least in response to the India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS), the official platform for the African-Indian relations held once in every three years. [Ahram]
Importantly, Qureshi also met with Ahmed Aboul Gheit, incumbent Secretary-General of the Arab League, at the organization’s headquarters in Cairo. There is a good case to believe that the meeting was a continuation of Islamabad’s wider efforts to further mend ties with the Arab world that frayed last year when Qureshi had expressed frustration over the inaction of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and Saudi Arabia with regard to the Kashmir issue [see AiR No. 32, August/2020, 2]. [Nikkei Asia]
Pakistani female aid workers killed by assailants
(lm) Gunmen on motorcycles killed at least four aid workers in an ambush in the northwestern district of North Waziristan on February 22, an attack which observers say could portend a resurgence of militant violence in the area, a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban. [New York Times] [The Guardian]
Moreover, at least five Pakistani soldiers were killed and two more injured when suspected terrorists carried out attacks in two separate areas in the country’s restive Balochistan province. Both attacks targeted members of the Frontier Corps, one of two paramilitary units involved in combating various militant groups across the province. [Dawn] [Kashmir Observer]
While no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks, there is a good case to believe that they were masterminded by the Baluch Raji Ajohi Sangar (Alliance for Baluch National Freedom, BRAS), the first alliance ever formed by Baluch terrorist organizations. The terrorist alliance’s ideology revolves around establishing a separate Baluch state and not allowing outside powers (including both China and Pakistan) to extract resources from Baluchistan’s territory. [The Jamestown Foundation]
In January, at least four soldiers belonging to the Frontier Corps were killed and five more injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near their vehicle in the province of Balochistan [see AiR No. 4, January/2021, 4]. The incident came just a week after the provincial government had launched a large-scale offensive following the killing of 11 coalminers belonging to the Shi’ite Hazara community [see AiR No. 3, January/2021, 3, AiR No. 1, January/2021, 1].
India carries out trial launch of anti-tank missiles
(lm) India on February 19 carried out trial launches of the anti-tank guided missile systems (ATGM) Helina and Dhruvastra, paving the way for their induction into Army and Indian Air Force, respectively. Developed by the Defense Research and Development organization (DRDO), both missiles are improved and advanced air-launched variants of the indigenously developed Nag missile. [Frontline]
Last September, India had successfully carried out the final trials of the Nag ATGM with a warhead.
Philippines furthers attack the US over Visiting Forces Agreement
(nd) Following last week’s demand for the US to pay the Philippines to keep the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), President Rodrigo Duterte accused the US of keeping arms depots in the country and turning Subic Bay into an American military base. The US vacated Clark Air Base and Subic Bay Naval Base after the end of the Cold War in 1991 and 1992, respectively. They were transformed into freeports and investment zones. Duterte did not present evidence for his claims, alleging he heard it from the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The US did not directly comment on the issue, but responded with the same statement as last week, emphasizing their alliance and security cooperation.
On Monday, Duterte defended his past comments and reinforced that the Philippines would be dragged into a war between China and the US.
The VFA was first signed in 1999 and provides large-scale joint military exercises, and governs the US military presence in the Philippines. Last year, Duterte already threatened to terminate the agreement. The decision was suspended twice already. [Benar News] [See also AiR No. 7, February/2021, 3]
Indonesia to rally among ASEAN for a joint stance on coup in Myanma
(nd) In an effort to promote among ASEAN member states a common stance on the coup in Myanmar, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi travelled to Brunei last week. Brunei currently holds the ASEAN chair. She already discussed the issue with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and is expected to meet China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi Wednesday.
Retno commented, Indonesia “prioritised” efforts to ensure a democratic transition in Myanmar, and has held talks with regional foreign ministers and counterparts in India, Australia, Japan and Britain, and the UN special envoy to Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener. Last week, Indonesia and Malaysia called for a special ASEAN meeting on the coup. The member states responses were mixed, but mostly in adherence to their principle of non-interference, calling it an internal affair.
According to analysts, Indonesia is looking for a better response to the military coup both regionally and internationally, underlining its regional role as peacekeeper and communicator. [South China Morning Post]
Meanwhile, Indonesia is reportedly pushing Southeast Asian countries to agree on an action plan over Myanmar’s coup that would keep the junta to its promise of holding elections, involving also monitors to ensure they are fair and inclusive. [Reuters]
Indonesia to finalize jet purchase
(nd) Seemingly, Indonesia has settled to buy fighter jets from France and the US, as well as an early-warning radar system from Italy, while ultimately not risking US sanctions by adding the Russian jets it already operates. Delivery is expected over the next three years. If materialized, it will be one of the biggest defense purchases made, raising questions whether Indonesia’s Covid-ridden economy can afford it. Indonesia’s defense budget for 2021 is at US$9.2 billion, including $3 billion for military modernization. Also, Indonesia would be the first Southeast Asian country to operate the French Rafale jet, currently in service in France, Egypt, Qatar and India. Additionally, Indonesia also purchased six unmanned aerial combat vehicles (UACVs), adding to Chinese-, Israeli-, and French-made drones Indonesia has been operating for three years.
Most likely, the new equipment will be used in the South China Sea, where a recent Chinese law which allows its coastguard to use force against intruders has caused yet another rise in tensions. [Asia Times]
Meanwhile, the French navy announced that an amphibious assault ship and a frigate are travelling to the Pacific for a three-month mission, involving two transits through the South China Sea and joint drills with US and Japanese militaries, scheduled for May.
Signaling France’s growing presented in the disputed waters, the travel comes shortly after a French nuclear attack submarine and a naval vessel sailed through the South China Sea. [South China Morning Post]
Malaysia: Burmese ships to deport Burmese migrants
(nd) Despite UN-voiced and international concerns, three Burmese military ships over the weekend arrived in Malaysia to pick up 1,200 asylum seekers and others from Myanmar. Nearly 100 of them are from the Myanmar Muslim, Kachin and Chin communities, traditionally coming to Malaysia fleeing from persecution. Rights groups therefore urged not to deport the asylum seekers. Malaysia does not formally recognize refugees. With regards to the Rohingyas, Malaysia vowed not to deport those registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). So far, UNHCR has not been allowed to interview the detainees for their status. Malaysia was also criticized to be cooperating with the junta leaders and thereby legitimizing them. The ships were scheduled to leave for Myanmar on Tuesday. [Nikkei Asia] Before their departure, a Malaysian court has ordered their temporary stay until Wednesday 10 am to hear Amnesty International and Asylum Access’s application for judicial review of the deportation. [Rappler]
Announcements
Upcoming Online Events
24 February 2021 @ 11:00 am CET, Egmont Institute, Belgium
Burden-Sharing in Peacekeeping: A Challenge and a Promise
In this webinar, Dr. Meiske, post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Oxford, will discuss in particular (1) the peacekeeping partnership between the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union; (2) the role of the interrelationships between EU member states in the context of troop contributions to CSDP operations; and (3) public interest in and influence on national peacekeeping policy and troop contributions.
Please visit [Egmont Institute] for more information.
24 February 2021 @ 3:00 pm IST, Association for Democratic Reforms, India
Electoral Bonds: A case of collective institutional complicity?
This webinar will try to assess electoral bonds, focusing on its interplay with institutional paralysis and judicial intervention, if the Indian opposition parties really are opposed to the Electoral Bonds Scheme, and the role of RTI in obtaining information on Electoral Bonds.
Please follow [ADR] for more information.
24 February 2021 @ 11:00 am IST, The Institute for National Security Studies, Israel
Special Discussion: China-Europe-US Triangle
Ambassador Dr. Oded Eran and Mr. Noah Markin, expert on EU relations with China at the Rhodium Group, will discuss the triangle between China, Europe, and the United States.
Visit [INSS] if you wish to register for this event.
24 February 2021 @ 12:00 pm CET, Queen’s University, Canada
Speaker Series: David Lyon – Disease Driven Surveillance
As health data has become a vital part in containing and calming the pandemic while affecting everyone regardless of personal vulnerability and infection, David Lyon asks: Disease Driven Surveillance: No escaping data’s eye?
If you are interested in this webinar, please visit [QU].
24 February 2021 @ 4:00 pm CET, The Swedish Institute of International Affairs, Sweden
Human Rights in Occupied Donbas
This webinar will discuss the major human rights issues in the territories of the Donbas as there have been grave abuses of political and civil rights in the occupied territories of eastern Ukraine since 2014, taking into account Russia’s political control.
For registration and more information, please visit [UI].
24 February 2021 @ 4:00 - 5:15 pm SGT, Institute of Water Policy, Singapore
Water as translocal reputation: Seoul and the tap water Arisu
Join this online talk to drives international entrepreneurship of city governments.
For more information, see [IWP].
25 February 2021 @ 12:15 - 2:00 pm EST, Harvard Kennedy School, USA
The Bull Moose and the Bear: Theodore Roosevelt and the Deep Origins of Russian Disinformation
This seminar explores this little-known episode in U.S. history and considers its implications for Russian-American relations today.
More event details avaiable at [Havard Kennedy School].
25 February 2021 @ 2:30 pm CET, The Swedish Institute of International Affairs, Sweden
The war in Libya, actors, agency and solutions
Although the NATO intervention in Libya in 2011 after a UN Security Council authorization helped defeat Ghaddafi, Libya gas not managed to form a stable successor government. Against this backdrop, this webinar will assess: how badly scarred is Libyan society, and can the foreign actors and the Libyan factions they support be enticed to negotiate an inclusive political settlement?
Please see [UI] for more information and registration.
25 February 2021 @ 6:00 pm AEDT, Australia-China Relations Institute, Australia
Australia-China: Reflections and Projections
In this hybrid event, a panel will reflect on the impact that developments in the bilateral relationship between Australia and China had in 2020, including on Australia’s own Chinese communities, and discuss the challenges that lie ahead.
For more details and information on how to register, please visit [UTS].
25 February 2021 @ 10:00 am ET, Hudson Institute, USA
Life in China’s Surveillance State: A Book Talk with Kai Strittmatter
Kai Strittmatter, German book author and journalist, will look closely at the rise of “digital Leninism”, explain how the PRC’s rulers use techno-tyranny to maintain their grip on power, and explore the global impact of these practices.
Please visit [Hudson Institute] for more information.
25 February 2021 @ 12:00 pm ET, Center for a New American Security, USA
Virtual Panel Discussion: Confronting the Domestic Terrorism Threat
As extremist groups have become more visible and emboldened over the past several years, this expert panel will explore the security challenges posed by domestic terrorism in the US, including how the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Homeland Security are authorized, organized, and prepared to address this modern threat.
If you are interested in this webinar, please follow [CNAS] for more information and registration.
25-26 February 2021 @ 2:00 - 5:00 pm GMT+8, South China Morning Post, China
China Conference: Southeast Asia Beyond the Pandemic: From Crisis to Opportunity
This event will discuss digital health, post covid-19 long-term resilience for businesses, how fintech is accelerating despite pandemic headwinds, and more.
For more information, see [SCMP].
26 February 2021 @ 10:00 - 11:00 CET, Global Ideas Shaping the World
A Unifying Presidency Amid an Unprecedented Crisis: Evaluating the German Council Presidency
Council presidencies often fail to generate great attention; however, the German presidency came in a time of extraordinary circumstances with the COVID-19 pandemic, the new EU budget and recovery fund negotiations, and Brexit to name a few. The pressures on this presidency were significant. This online discussion will explore the following questions:
- What was achieved and what opportunities were missed during the presidency?
- How did the German Council presidency perform through the Central and Eastern European lenses?
- Passing the baton to Portugal. What is next for Germany, CEE and Europe?
For more information, see [GLOBSEC].
1 March 2021 @ 10:00 - 12:00 pm GMT+ 9, Asia Development Bank Institute, Japan
ADBI Featured Speaker Webinar: Anjali Adukia on Sanitation, Education, and Development
This event will discuss the policy implications of these dynamics for education and sanitation development, investment in school infrastructure, and gender equality.
Please register here: [ADB]
1 March 2021 @ 6:00 pm ET, Asia Society, United States
The Fukushima Disaster 10 Years On: Lessons to Never Forget
As March 11th marks the ten-year anniversary of the devasting earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in 2011 and led to the meltdown at the nuclear plant in Fukushima, this discussion will consider: What lessons were learned - from both the disaster and the reconstruction policies that followed? How prepared is Japan should natural disaster strike again?
Visit [Asia Society] for more information.
2 March 2021 @ 2:00 pm CET, European Council on Foreign Relations, France
China un Europe’s periphery. How China became a power in the Western Balkans
This virtual roundtable will bring a small group of experts, officials, NGO and media representatives together in a discussion on China’s embedding in the region. It builds on a recent policy report that explores how China is slowly transforming its interactions with Western Balkans countries in sectors such as culture, media, and politics into long-term and institutionalised relationships.
Please visit [ECFR] for more information.
3 March 2021 @ 4:00 pm JST, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan
Labour, Poverty and Social Activism under Covid-19
The first of two webinars in this new series will give an overview on challenges that Japan faces in employment and social welfare and discuss foresight for social movements together with the frontrunners of social work, especially in the areas of urban poverty and labour issues. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in Japanese and Indonesian only. Please register by March 1st, 2021, 5pm JST.
More details are accessible under [SPF].
3 March 2021 @ 10:00 - 12:30 pm GMT+ 9, Institute of Policy Studies, Singapore
IPS-NGS-SAM Spotlight on Cultural Policy Series Twelve: Roundtable Discussion on A Year of Living Precariously: Artists on Surviving the Pandemic
A difficult, even disastrous, year for many under the shadow of COVID-19 has been one no less so for artists. Join this online discussion to learn about how the arts community has struggled financially, artistically and emotionally, with the looming prospect of the pandemic stretching for a few more years.
For more information, see [IPS].
3-5 March 2021, Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, Switzerland
Cyber Resilience and Cybersecurity Capacity Building in the Western Balkans
The conference will gather key cybersecurity policymakers in the Western Balkans, the institutions in charge of cybersecurity incident response and prevention, representatives of EU institutions, international and regional organisations, experts, academics, and private sector representatives to present achievements of Western Balkan economies in enhancing their cybersecurity governance, discuss the challenges and opportunities, and how to address them with EU, UK, and other donors’ support.
If you are interested in this conference, please visit [DCAF].
4 March 2021 @ 3:00 pm JST, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan
The Quad and ASEAN: The Way Forward
This is part 3 of a joint webinar series between the SPF, NUS and ISAS. The panel discussion will focus on the interaction between the Quad and ASEAN as two regional institutions in the Indo-Pacific and how their interaction can provide a meaningful way forward to address some of the pressing questions of economic interdependence, maritime stability, and rule of law in the region.
Please follow [SPF] for more information and registration.
4 March 2021 @ 3:00 pm CET, Clingendael, The Netherlands
Adapt to defend: The security dimension of climate change
This webinar co-organized with the Planetary Security Initiative and the British Embassy in the Netherlands will discuss how the military can contribute more to reducing security risks related to climate change. Topics include climate change as a security risk and in the Caribbean, implications for the defence sector, and possibilities of the COP26.
For more information, please visit [Clingendael].
4 March 2021 @ 10:00 - 11:30 am SGT , Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
US-China Rivalry: A ‘Decoupling’ World?
This webinar will discuss US-China contestations on technology and trade, and the geopolitical and strategic implications arising out of a “decoupling” world. It will additionally examine the implications such contestations will have on small states like Singapore.
For more information, see [RSIS].
5 March 2021 @ 15:00 - 16:00 pm GMT+1, Danish Institute for International Studies, Denmark
The Tigray armed conflict: the state of play and dilemmas of international intervention
This webinar sets out to discuss the latest developments in Tigray as well as the international community’s options for intervention
Please register here: [DIIS]
8-9 March, 2021, South China Morning Post, China
Woman of our time: Beyond Empowerment & Equality
This event will discuss how today’s emerging female leaders are redefining their industries, the conference will magnify how women in Asia have been and will continue to be crucial in piloting substantial change and spawning opportunities for a new generation in the face of mounting challenges and relentless uncertainties.
Please register here: [SCMP]
Recent book releases
Zuraidah Ibrahim, and Jeffie Lam (eds.), Rebel City Hong Kong's Year of Water and Fire, World Scientific Publishing Co and South China Morning Post Publishers Limited, 512 pages, June 9, 2020, reviewed in [Asian Review of Books].
Au Loong- Yu, Hong Kong in Revolt: The Protest Movement and the Future of China, Pluto Press, 216 pages, August, 20, 2020, reviewed in [Dissent].
Calls
The University of the Free State has opened the call for papers for its conference "The Making, Unmaking and Remaking of Africa’s Independence and Post-Independence Constitutions", tentatively scheduled for June 23-26, 2021. The deadline of submissions is June 15, 2021. More information available at [H- Announce].
The University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE), the German Historical Institute in Washington (GHI) and the National History Center of the American Historical Association (NHC), invites young scholars to submit papers for their International Seminar in Historical Refugee Studies, to be held in Essen, October 12–15, 202. The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2021. For more details, see [GCR].
Jobs & positions
The Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement is offering a position of Researcher in the field of crime and law enforcement. The closing date for applications is March 7, 2021. For more information, see [NSCR].
The Harvard Kennedy School invites applications for a tenured faculty appointment as a full professor in the field of China in the World. The committee will begin reviewing candidates from April 1, 2021 and continue until the position is filled. More details available at [Higher Jobs].
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