Grasp the pattern, read the trend

No. 41, October/2022, 2

Brought to you by CPG

Dear Readers, 

Welcome to this week’s issue of the Asia in Review providing you the latest events and developments in domestic politics, international relations and geopolitics in East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Wishing you an informative read, I extend special greetings to everyone who celebrates Cuba’s, Equatorial Guinea’s and Fiji’s Independence Day as well as Spain’s and Taiwan’s National Day in this week.

With best regards,

Henning Glaser

Editor in Chief

Webpage: www.cpg-online.de, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CPGTU

Main Sections

• Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in East Asia

• Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in South Asia

• Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in Southeast Asia

• International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia

• Announcements

Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in East Asia

China: Seventh plenary session of the 19th CCP Central Committee

(ms) On October 9, the seventh and final plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) kicked off, shortly before the start of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Parry on October 16. The Congress is widely seen as landmark meeting as President Xi Jinping is expected to obtain an unprecedented third term as party leader.

At the Central Committee meeting, attended by about 370 full and alternate members and chaired by Xi, final preparations were made for the National Congress. Specifically, the meeting will discuss reports dealing with the achievements of the last five or, in Xi's case, the last ten years, from which a report will be drafted or has already been drafted to be presented at the National Congress.

However, the main content will be important political decisions as well as decisions on new party leadership personnel, which will then be approved and carried out in the course of the National Congress. Also, led by Wang Huning, a member of the CCP's Politburo, the party's top decision-making body since 2012, the planned adjustments to the CCP's constitution, which will presumably further centralize the party's power to Xi, will be discussed and confirmed.

Also discussed during the meeting was a report by the Central Commission for Discipline and Inspection (CCDI), the body primarily responsible for carrying out the anti-corruption campaign launched by Xi Jinping in 2012, which was already reviewed and approved at a CCDI meeting on October 7. [Global Times] [South China Morning Post]

China: Internet censorship expands before 20th National Congress of CCP

(ms) Just before the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), there are increasing reports that the CCP is beginning to block popular internet tools used to circumvent Chinese internet censorship and the Great Firewall.

According to reports from Great Firewall Report, an organization that monitors and reports on China's censorship efforts, the Chinese government began blocking various transport layer security (TLS)-based circumvention servers on October 3. The TLS servers previously allowed circumvention of the Great Firewall and secure secret communications. [Twitter]

The tightening of censorship comes just days before the National Congress, which will start on October 16 and will see President Xi Jinping seeking an unprecedented third term as party leader. It follows a familiar pattern as China approaches politically relevant periods, such as June 4, the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, usually serving to quell rising unrest or the organizing of protest or criticism it enables. [South China Morning Post 1]

In addition, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) almost simultaneously announced a crackdown on alleged misinformation and rumors related to COVID-19 and China’s containment efforts. The move comes after Alphabet, the parent company of Google, announced early last week that it would close its last Google service, Google Translate, in China, a move it said was due to low user numbers and further isolates China's internet users from abroad and supports the labeling of the Chinese network as an intranet rather than an internet. [CNBC] [South China Morning Post 2]

China: Alipay no longer on Shanghai’s high-tech list

(ms) Chinese online payment service Alipay.com Co is no longer part of Shanghai's high-tech list, which means it will likely have to forgo tax breaks in what is another setback for parent company Ant Group, which is currently in the process of state-directed rectification and restructuring.

According to a statement from Ant Group, Alipay reportedly did not apply for the 2022 list of high-tech companies after the original qualification expired. The Shanghai High Tech List was introduced in 2008 and was intended to strengthen China’s national technology sector and its innovation and infrastructure, by tax benefits and other support for qualified firms which Alipay has now forfeited. While no official reason for not reapplying has been disclosed, Alipay reportedly failed to meet the required percentage of investment in research and development (R&D). [Bloomberg] [South China Morning Post]

Ant Group, whose first attempt at an initial public offering (IPO) in October 2020 was stopped short before launch by Chinese government intervention and which has been in a state-directed rectification and restructuring process since the middle of last year, is rumored to be interested in reviving its IPO plans. This speculation came after an entity owned by the Alibaba-backed fintech giant and Chinese conglomerate Fosun bought an area of land in Shanghai on which office space is to be built, giving Ant Group a renewed presence in the city. [TechInAsia]

China: Plans to Implement a pro-Chinese successor to the Dalai Lama

(ms) A new report by the International Tibet Network (ITN) [see ITN], an NGO that advocates for the rights of Tibetan people worldwide, claims to possess documents from the Chinese government showing that China plans to implement its own candidate for succession after the passing of the current Dalai Lama and to undermine Tibet's international support.

As early as 1995, China already was accused of interfering in the election of the new Dalai Lama, the head of Tibetan Buddhism and the spiritual leader of Tibet, by detaining Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, then a 6-year-old boy who had been chosen as the 11th Panchen Lama, the reincarnation of his predecessor, the 10th Panchen Lama, and declaring another boy, also 6 years old, as the 11th Panchen Lama. The Panchen Lama is Tibet's second-highest spiritual leader who is jointly responsible for the appointment of the new and then 15th Dalai Lama.

In response to China's longstanding efforts to appoint a government-designated spiritual leader, the U.S. has already answered with the U.S. Tibet Policy and Support Act of December 2020, which states that, due to the religious nature of the endeavor, the Buddhist community of Tibet and the Dalai Lama are solely responsible for the appointment of a spiritual leader, and any intervention by the Chinese government would result in U.S. sanctions.

Although the alleged Chinese documents also acknowledge that China's interference may face strong opposition from abroad, the Chinese government is said to be hoping to isolate Tibet from foreign support and thus gain better control over the region. [Radio Free Asia]

China: Hong Kong radio host sentenced to 32 months in prison, first minors sentenced under national security law

(ms) Hong Kong radio host Edmund Wan, also known as "Giggs," was sentenced on October 7 to 2 years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty in early September to crimes of money laundering and sedition [see AiR No. 36, September/2022, 1].

Giggs was accused of broadcasting messages on his radio show in late 2020 that allegedly incited listeners to overthrow the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), including through the use of violence. In addition to the jail sentence, Giggs was also ordered by the court to hand over the equivalent of USD 600,000 of his assets to the court. [South China Morning Post]

Just one day later on October 8, the first minors, or minors at the time of arrest, were convicted under the National Security Law introduced in the wake of the 2019 anti-government protests. The judge in charge waived jail time at sentencing and instead ordered the five minors to time in a training center.

The youths already pleaded guilty in August this year, they were part of the Hong Kong group Returning Valiant and were charged with conspiring to incite subversion [see AiR No. 34, August/2022, 4]. The length of the sentenced time as well as the prison sentences of the co-defendants who are of legal age will be announced at the end of October and in November. [Hong Kong Free Press 1]

On October 10, eight people were found guilty of the crime of rioting by a Hong Kong court. The defendants were also arrested in connection with the anti-government protests. All the defendants were arrested on Nov. 19, 2019, near Polytechnic University, which was occupied by pro-democracy protesters at the time. Due to a police-imposed lockdown of the area, the location, as well as the items carried by the defendants, were sufficient for the court to find them guilty. [Hong Kong Free Press 2]

Also, two women were sentenced to jail for eleven months each for unlawful assembly during the 2019 anti-government protests, one of whom is already serving a five-year sentence for rioting at the institution's campus in 2019 [see Hong Kong Free Press 3]. The two now convicted are among eight others arrested in the course of this unlawful assembly, who have now been awaiting trial for more than a year. The trial of three more of the ten arrested was postponed until October 19 due to a COVID-19 quarantine. Also, one of those now convicted has applied for a review of her conviction, with a hearing scheduled for November 4. [Hong Kong Free Press 4]

In addition to the convictions, a Moroccan man who was arrested on October 2, the day after China's National Day, for allegedly throwing several Chinese flags as well as Hong Kong flags into the street, causing cars to drive over them, was released on bail and his trial was postponed until December 1. After a law introduced last year criminalizing disrespect of the national and regional flags and emblems, the Moroccan now could face a fine of about USD 6500 or imprisonment for up to three years. [Hong Kong Free Press 5]

China: Launch of first solar probe

(ms) China launched its first Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S) on October 9.

The Kuafu-1 satellite was developed within the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) and is equipped with the Lyman-alpha telescope (LST), Hard X-ray telescope (HXT) and Full-disk solar vector MagnetoGraph (FMG). The equipment allows the satellite to be the first of its kind to simultaneously observe the Sun’s magnetic field, solar flares, and Titanic blasts. China is also the first country to provide a near-Earth satellite platform to detect the all-solar vector magnetic field and the non-thermal radiation of solar flares, as well as to simultaneously observe images, heliostat formation, coronal propagation of coronal mass ejections the full heliosphere and the corona of the Sun.

The satellite will now undergo tests for about half a year after launch and will then observe the sun for about four years until its lifetime ends. The data obtained will be made available to scientists worldwide. [Global Times]

In addition, the China Manned Space Agency announced Oct. 10 that the Mengtian Lab module, the second lab component of China's own space station, the Tiangong, has been fueled and completed its pre-launch operation. Joint check of system functions with the rocket responsible for transporting the lab into space will follow, after which all pre-launch actions would be completed. [Xinhua]

China: Reinforcing safeguard of China Sea

(ms) The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is increasing its efforts to safeguard its territorial claims in the South and East China Seas, according to official PLA statements and government documents released recently.

The Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea unveiled by China in 2013 includes among other areas the Diaoyu Islands claimed by both China and Japan (where they are called Senkaku Islands) as well as the Nine-Dash Line in the South China Sea.

A documentary aired on Chinese state television during the weekend around China's National Day on October 1 focused on specific incidents, one of which allegedly showed a Chinese J-10 Yet approaching a Japanese EP-3C surveillance plane located in China's declared ADIZ in November of last year and, at least according to the documentary, firing shots to jam the Japanese plane's radar. The pilot in the documentary subsequently stressed that China "will never allow any reckless actions" in the East China Sea by foreign actors. The second case shown in the documentary is from 2016 and shows a Chinese pilot taking the first picture of a Chinese aircraft over Scarborough Shoal, a collection of islands in the South China Sea claimed by both China and the Philippines. [South China Morning Post 1] [South China Morning Post 2]

In a statement issued by the PLA Eastern Theater Command on Oct. 4, the Chinese Navy is said to have held a 48-hour anti-submarine exercise. Images of several Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft likely deployed during the exercise were shared through official channels. The Y-8s, however, which Japan and Taiwan say are also patrolling areas near Taiwan, are considered outdated. [South China Morning Post 3]

The documentation as well as the anti-submarine exercises are representative of China's entrenched claims over the territory they have defined and are meant to represent both the willingness and the capacity to defend those claims.

China: Anti-missile interception test

(ms) On October 7, a short video showing a test to intercept an anti-ballistic missile was posted on social media accounts affiliated with the military. The video did not provide detailed information about the type of missile or the timing of the test. According to a representative of the Chinese military, the video is intended to demonstrate the military's performance and capabilities and takes place just under a week before the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).[South China Morning Post]

Japan: CDP questions Kishida administration in Diet amid increasing disapproval rate

(sra) The extraordinary Diet session series began with a three-day parliamentary session on October 3, giving opposition parties the chance to openly targeting Prime Minister Fumio Kishida about concerns within the government. Key issues such as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) ties to the religious group formerly known as the Unification Church, the state funeral scandal for late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the current economic crisis have been major concerns for Japanese citizens as Kishida’s support continues to plummet.

The session was the first parliamentary meeting since June, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Abe. The scandal surrounding LDP members and their ties to the religious group has continued to evolve as more links are exposed, impacting the credibility of the ruling party even after the reshuffling of the Cabinet in August. The scandal also affected the dialogue regarding the state funeral during economic tension as prices continue to rise in the country [see AiR No. 39, September/2022, 4].

The culmination of ongoing scandals that have come to light under the Kishida administration has been detrimental to his public support, with the Cabinet’s approval rating meeting its ultimate low at 35 percent in an October 9 Kyodo News survey, since his term began in October 2021. [The Japan Times 1]

Regardless of the strong opposition from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), Kishida rejected the call to remove Economic Revitalization Minister Daishiro Yamagiwa from his position for associating with the Unification Church. Lower House Speaker Hiroyuki Hosoda was also questioned, and on October 7 announced his involvement in four additional events held by the organization between 2018 and 2019, bringing the total to eight along with three exchanged messages. [Kyodo News].

Instead of removing the ministers, Kishida declared ties between members and the religious group will be cut and has pushed for the review of laws and regulations to terminate consumer contracts early based on the services provided by the Consumer Affairs Agency panel. The group was responsible for conducting legal counseling via telephone for citizens impacted financially by the church. Adequate measures will be put in place in order to regain trust in the LDP according to the Prime Minister, as ongoing investigations have sparked questions about the ruling party’s credibility due to its relations. [Japan Today] [The Asahi Shimbun] [The Mainichi 1]

In the meeting, Kishida was further questioned by the CDP about the state funeral, acknowledging the division it caused in the country. The questionable legal basis for the ceremony coupled with the funds derived from taxpayer money during a period of high inflation and economic uncertainty as the yen weakens remains a controversial issue. The Kishida administration vowed the Diet will undergo a revision of clear procedures for future state funerals to ensure its public support. [NHK World-Japan]

Kishida’s appointment of his son as a senior political aide also drew criticism from the opposition with claims of nepotism and plans for eventual succession. The oldest of his sons, Shotaro Kishida was named executive secretary on the premise of his knowledge in the field as an experienced member of Kishida’s staff since 2020. Although family members in positions of government are common in Japan, opposition parties questioned the intention of the decision. [The Japan Times 2] [The Mainichi 2]

The session also discussed the economic measures addressed by the government to counter the rising cost of living in Japan. Opposition parties criticized Kishida’s administration for failing to act earlier amid stunted wage growth, as CDP motioned for the increase in government handouts currently at USD 346 for lower-income families. [The Japan Times 3] The government did, however, approve a revision of the gas business law to set in place a city gas usage restriction to minimize the impact on citizens and the economy. The system aims to prevent the high demand for city gas during the period of instability of acquiring overseas resources. [The Japan Times 4]

Japan: Unification Church claims reform

(sra) The Unification Church stated its efforts to regulate monthly donations on October 4. The religious group is under scrutiny for causing financial pressure on its members made public by the telephone counselling services provided by the Consumer Affairs Agency.

The Unification Church, now officially the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, has been under scrutiny after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The act was executed by the son of a member who alleged the religious group’s controversial strategies of manipulation in order to acquire large sums of its member’s salaries as a form of special donation had brought his mother to become bankrupt. Under further investigation of Abe’s support of the group, controversial ties to a large number of Japanese lawmakers, many of which are part of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party continue to emerge [see AiR No. 34, August/2022, 4].

The group announced it will maintain records of any donations above 30 percent of a person’s monthly salary. They will also facilitate returns if needed, as a result of the 1,000 cases against the church announced on September 30. [The Mainichi]

Another case of financial distress caused by the church was publicly exposed by a Japanese woman on October 7 during a news conference held in Tokyo at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan. The church attempted to undermine the former member’s agency as she spoke out against her family’s donation of USD 68,800 to the organization along with the sexual harassment she experienced by a highly-ranked church official. [The Asahi Shimbun]

A panel created by the Consumer Affairs Agency, established by the Cabinet Office in 2009 to ensure the protection of consumers, will write up a proposal for legislation under the Consumer Contract Law to impose restrictions on religious corporations and their donations. It will also look at placing a cap on contributions being made to prevent unnecessary financial exploitation of its members and their families in the future. [The Asahi Shimbun]

Japan: Olympic bribery scandal sees Kadokawa chairman resign

(sra) The Tokyo Olympic committee continues under investigation in the evolving bribery scandal as chairman of major publishing company Kadokawa Corp. Tsuguhiko Kadokawa was charged on October 4 for spending USD 477,000 in bribery money to the committee in order to ensure the company’s sponsorship of the Olympic Summer Games held in 2021. Kadokawa resigned from his role as chairman on the same day, maintaining his denial of all allegations since his arrest on September 14. [The Asahi Shimbun]

The committee has been the center of a series of corruption allegations following the fraudulent bribes paid by major advertising companies in Japan such as Aoki Holdings Inc. and Dentsu Inc. to secure the sponsorship of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. The money was received by former Olympic Committee executive Haruyuki Takahashi, arrested for numerous counts of corruption during his role as executive [see AiR No. 40, October/2022, 1].

Investigations have also revealed that Kadokawa Corp adviser Toshiyuki Yoshihara and his employee Kyoji Maniwa worked in collaboration with the chairman towards the bribery from September 2019 until January 2021. The pair deposited the money to Kazumasa Fukami’s (business partner to Takahashi) consulting company using the Kadokawa publishing name. Subsequently, the publisher became an official supporter of the games. Aoki Holdings Inc. and Daiko Advertising Inc. are also being investigated for giving large amounts of money to the consulting firm. [Kyodo News] [The Mainichi]

Japan: Same-sex marriage celebrate partial win in residency ruling, Tokyo court

(sra) American national Andrew High, married to a Japanese man, was officially denied full residential status by the Tokyo District Court on September 30. While the court denied that rejecting full residential status was constituting inequality under the Japanese constitution, it offered a partial win to High as the judges recognized his eligibility for the “designated activities status” as a short-term alternative.

The couple, High and Kohei, have been together for 18 years and legally married for seven of those. They originally lived in California together before seeking to live in Japan. High developed a business in Japan which facilitated his visa until the company struggled, impacting the renewal of the visa. He has applied and been rejected for his long-term residency five times since then. Together, they filed a lawsuit against the Japanese government in 2019 for the infringement on their fundamental human right to have a family as per Article 14 of the Constitution which assures equality to all regardless of race or gender.

The court ruled High ineligible for long-term residency but stated his eligibility for the “designated activities status” which may become a new path for other foreign same-sex couples to attain residency in the country as same-sex marriage is still not recognized in Japan. The visa is typically for specific occupations and may restrict employment opportunities at the discretion of the Justice Ministry. [The Asahi Shimbun]

Although it is a step forward, the visa only grants a five-year guarantee before its renewal, proving the legal protection minor for other foreign same-sex couples in their position and society as a whole. The injustice comes as heterosexual marriages in Japan allow for a spousal visa for a foreign partner, while even two foreign nationals are eligible to be granted long-term residential status, both in the case of having a stable relationship. [The Japan Times]

The court’s decision asserts discrimination in Japan is still prevalent against the LGBTQ community, even an Aichi Prefectural Assembly member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has been criticized for his derogatory remarks about same-sex marriage on social media on September 27. The LDP member Noboru Watanabe took to Facebook where he displayed disapproval towards the Cuban same-sex marriage referendum's success. The post has since been deleted and apologized after receiving backlash for deliberately causing offence to sexual minorities and their personal rights. [The Mainichi]

Japan: North Korea missile launch, government apologizes for J-alert malfunctions

(sra) The Japanese government has apologized for the malfunction of the J-Alert early warning system in six municipalities in response to the North Korean ballistic missile launch. The missile flew the furthest distance ever sent by the country at a total of 4,600 kilometers at a peak height of 1,000 km. [The Mainichi]

In response to the launch of the missile on the morning of October 4, the government stated it will proceed to strengthen its defense capabilities [see AiR No. 40, October/2022, 1], stating it has not ruled out the possibility of counterattack reinforcements amid national security risks displayed by North Korea. [Reuters]

The J-Alert system did not automatically send out warning notifications through community emergency radio and other systems in Eniwa, Teshio, Rishiri, Shinhidaka, Aomori, Hirakawa and all cities of Hokkaido. An investigation by the mobile network operator, Rakuten Mobile, together with the Fire and Disaster Management Agency under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, revealed an issue in the J-Alert settings in which a previous evacuation drill had not been deleted from the system. [The Asahi Shimbun]

Messages did not reach residents until they were manually sent an hour after the information had arrived. The system also sent false messages to citizens that the missile did not fly over. Other false messages were sent out via a community wireless system, not related to the J-alert system. [The Japan Times]

Japan: Nuclear power plants – disarmament or expansion?

(sra) The Japanese government is at the center of opposing views in response to Prime Minister Kishida’s announcement of an energy shift toward nuclear power earlier in August. NGOs, activists and atomic bomb survivors have urged the officials to abolish nuclear energy and weapons in a petition on October 6. Meanwhile, Kishida’s goal to extend the lifespan of pre-existing nuclear reactors is being considered.

The shift toward a more renewable energy source such as nuclear energy is seen by the Kishida administration as a possible aid in maximizing the output of domestic resources and reducing the dependence on foreign energy during the crisis caused by Russia’s war on Ukraine. Plans to stabilize the Japanese power grid over the colder months and alleviate the cost in a sustainable way are adamant, although they oppose a large part of society’s concerns following the Fukushima disaster of 2011 [see AiR No. 35, August/2022, 5].

Constructing new nuclear power plants will take over a decade if it is to be considered a rapid shift toward clean and sustainable energy, placing more energy in extending the service of nuclear reactors by 20 years if necessary developments are made in line with the Nuclear Regulation Authority’s screening process. [Kyodo News]

The head of the International Renewable Energy Agency stated that the plan will not completely counter climate change, however, the transition to more renewable energy will alleviate the demand for crude oil, coal and gas minimizing the impact of the global energy crisis. It will also provide stable employment and benefit the economy. [Nikkei Asia]

Mongolia: Minimum wage demanded

(dql) The Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions (CMTU) has demanded a raise of wages by at least 50 percent.

The demand was made by CMTU President S. Erdenebat during a discussion on the 2023 State Budget Law proposed the parliament where he stressed that due to inflation the citizens’ purchasing power has dropped by more than 30 percent over the past two years, as it had fallen by 13 percent in 2021 and by 17.5 percent this year, warning that next year will see an even higher figure. [Montsame]

South Korea: Ruling party suspends former leader’s membership for additional year

(my) The internal clash over the leadership system of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) has been settled for the time being.

Former party leader Lee Jun-seok, who was ousted from his post after the launch of the emergency committee to lead the party, filed an injunction asking for the suspension of the committee twice. A court rejected the last injunction on October 6 and approved the interim committee’s validity, whereas it had adopted the first injunction in September. Additionally, the PPP’s ethics committee has decided to impose an additional one-year suspension of party membership citing that Lee damaged the party’s unity by using acrimonious vocabulary toward the party and President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Lee was accused of sexual favors and attempted cover-ups in July, and the party’s ethics committee suspended his party membership and position as a party leader for six months. He was deprived of his post when the first interim committee was launched following the acting leader’s resignation. Lee filed an injunction against the emergency committee; the court accepted it saying there is no ground that the party was in an emergency. Following the ruling, the PPP revised the party constitution to specify “emergency situations” at a national committee. The second emergency committee was established based on the revision, and Lee filed another injunction [see also AiR No. 36, September/2022, 1]. The court ruled in favor of the PPP this time judging the revision of the party constitution has clarified the concept of an emergency situation. [Yonhap News Agency 1]

In the process, Lee publicly lashed out at the party, Yoon, and Yoon’s key aides accusing them of trying to drive him out systematically. The PPP’s ethics committee pointed out that Lee’s insulting expressions undermined the party’s unity and prestige without objective grounds. The ethics committee decided on October 7 to suspend his party membership for another year. [Yonhap News Agency 2]

South Korea: Rival parties propose bill to reform national assembly

(my) A revision of the Public Official Election Act was proposed in the National Assembly of South Korea. The proposed amendment includes revising the electoral district system, adjusting the composition of the national assembly seats, and easing the requirements for establishing political parties. 19 lawmakers across the aisles were named as proposers. Lee Sang-min of the main opposition Democratic Party, the primary sponsor of the bill, explained that the revision aims to break the current de facto two-party system and allow various representatives of political interests to enter the National Assembly.

Contrary to the current system - a winner-take-all structure, the proposed reform of the electoral district system enables multiple local lawmakers to represent a wider district, allowing candidates from various parties to be elected. The revision also proposes to reduce the number of local constituency seats from 253 out of 300 to 127 and fill the rest with proportional representatives. It was also proposed that the party establishment requirements be greatly eased, making it easier for anyone to establish a political party. [Yonhap News Agency, in Korean]

South Korea: Government to abolish Gender Equality Ministry

(my) The government plans to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, according to a government reorganization plan announced on October 6. Related tasks will be distributed to other ministries and agencies, including a new agency within the Health Ministry which is in charge of population, family, and gender equality issues. Gender Equality Minister Kim Hyun-sook advocated the abolition, saying that the form of the organization can be altered depending on the needs. The ruling People Power Party added that the government is seeking to guarantee to maintain the policies and roles of the ministry even after the abolition. [Yonhap News Agency 1]

The opposition Democratic Party (DP), which commands 169 seats out of 299 seats in the parliament, expressed concerns that the replacement of the ministry with a lower-level agency would mean the exclusion of related policies from the Cabinet meeting, which could weaken negotiating power in discussions [Yonhap News Agency 2]

The abolition of the Gender Equality Ministry was one of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s major pledges during his campaign, which has been supported primarily by young men and opposed by feminists and women. Yoon on October 7 defended the abolition of the ministry saying it would better protect women and other vulnerable groups. [Korea Herald]

South Korea: Opposition party to file complaint against state auditor

(my) The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) announced it will file a complaint against the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI)’s chairman and secretary-general, accusing them of having joined with the presidential office to initiate “politically motivated inspections” in the case of a killed official in 2020.

Prosecutors have been investigating former senior officials of the previous government and raided the presidential archives over its alleged mishandling of the killing case. In September 2020, an official from the Fisheries Ministry was shot dead by two North Korean soldiers after drifting in the West Sea. The former Moon Jae-in government announced he had attempted to defect. However, the Maritime Police and the Defense Ministry reversed the claim in June 2022, saying it could not be proved whether he attempted to defect [see AiR No. 36, September/2022, 1]. The BAI demanded a written investigation against Moon in connection with the case, to which Moon expressed his displeasure [see AiR No. 40, October/2022, 1].

The DP has accused the presidential office of instructing the auditor to launch an investigation into the previous administration, including the former president. In contrast to the denial of the BAI and presidential office, a media press captured a text message shared between the secretary-general of the BAI and a senior presidential secretary; they discussed in advance how the auditor is going to deal with the media against the claim. The DP called for the chairman and secretary-general’s dismissal and an official apology from President Yoon Suk-yeol. [Korea Times]

South Korea: Culture Ministry warns a contents agency for exhibiting satirical cartoon

(my) The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a warning to an agency over an exhibition of a satirical painting drawn by a high school student.

Korea Manhwa Contents Agency exhibited the prizewinning works at a competition they hosted, including a teenager’s cartoon that satirized the political situation. It depicts a train with President Yoon Suk-yeol’s face in front of it, skulls in prosecutor’s gowns holding swords in its compartments, and people fleeing in fear from the train.

The ministry subsequently explained the validity of the warning, saying that the agency is supported by the government budget of KRW 10.2 billion (USD 7.3 million). The ruling Power People Party also further pointed out the problem of the painting that the painting was plagiarizing another cartoon with a similar structure. [Korea Times]

In contrast, the opposition Democratic Party submitted a petition to the National Human Rights Commission urging the ministry to punish officials involved in issuing the warning, saying, “[t]he warning violated the Constitution’s guaranteed creativity and freedom of expression.” [Yonhap News Agency]

South Korea: Number of teenage drug offenders doubles

(my) The number of teenagers charged with drug offenses nearly doubled over the past years. Lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties emphasized education on drug addiction prevention, strengthening follow-up management, and preemptive measures against illegal drugs.

According to data from the Justice Ministry and the Korean Association Against Drug Abuse, the total number of drug offenders increased from 14,000 in 2017 to 16,000 in 2021. However, the number of young drug offenders under the age of 20 surged from 164 in 2019 to 309 in 2021. From January to August 2022, 227 teenagers were arrested on suspicion of taking illegal drugs.

Kang Hoon-sik of the main opposition Democratic Party reported that only 3.4 percent of the total students were given anti-drug education in the period from 2019 to 2021. He urged the government to set the scope of compulsory education which raises awareness about the harmfulness of drugs to prevent drug abuse. [Korea Times]

Choi Young-hee, a lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party, also pointed out the recent surge in illegal prescriptions and drug abuse in young generations, insisting that preemptive measures are urgently needed to block illegal drugs along with strengthening follow-up management. [Chosun Ilbo, in Korean]

South Korea reevaluates its security situation after repeated North Korean missile launches

(sm) On October 5, the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) strongly criticized South Korea’s defense system following the failed launching of a missile in retaliation to North Korea’s missile firings since September 25.

The failure of the launch called into question the quality of the country’s defense system. It represented only one example of numerous military deficiencies cited by ruling People’s Power Party (PPP) lawmaker Shin Won-sik.

In response to North Korea’s firing of an intermediate range ballistic missile, the South Korean military had fired a short-range ballistic missile from its base in the eastern city of Gangneung on October 4. It was originally destined for the East Sea but crashed on the base grounds. While the missile did not explode, it caused fire to break out alerting residents and the local fire brigade. DP lawmaker Kim Byung-joo criticized the army’s attempt to cover up the blunder by allegedly blocking the local authorities from extinguishing the fire and called for a thorough investigation of the incident. [Chosun Ilbo] [Yonhap News Agency_1]

In addition, Shin criticized military malfunctions more generally, referring to Air Force data according to which South Korean F-35A fighter jets were operationally unready due to malfunctions 234 times in the last one and a half years. While the army had been purchasing cutting edge military equipment, it has been significantly less used than older jets due to incomplete know-how on how to operate newer jets. The Air Force has admitted its troubles in replacing defect parts of new models due to a lack in supply. [Yonhap News Agency_2]

The criticisms come amid frequent high-level trilateral consultations between the US, Japan, and South Korea this week on North Korea’s ongoing missile launches. During a phone conversation on October 7, Special Representative for the Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Kim Gunn and his Japanese and US counterparts Takehiro Funakoshi and Sung Kim agreed to strengthen their defense cooperation in the virtual realm as North Korea has been able to earn approximately USD 400 million through cryptocurrency theft this year alone. [Yonhap News Agency_3]

While discussing security cooperation from a new virtual angle, plans to move the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command from Seoul to a US military base in Pyeontaek, south of the capital next month have been confirmed on October 4 amid a decade-long relocation project. The goal of the relocation is to further strengthen the combined defense system by boosting interoperability and strategic efficiency and building a stronger spirit of alliance. The new base is located twice as far away from the North Korean border, rendering it out of range for most conventional North Korean artillery infrastructures. [Yonhap News Agency_4] [KBS World]

Taiwan: Secondary satellite network to be promoted

(dql) Taiwan is set to promote a secondary satellite network with a budget of USD 18 million in a bid to maintain communication and information security and resilience in case of a military attack or natural disaster.

According the Taiwan’s Digital Development Minister Audrey Tang who revealed this plan in an interview with The Washington Post, the Taiwanese government has learned lessons from Ukraine and its usage of SpaceX’s Starlink to retain internet connectivity in the face of Russia’s invasion and is ready to enter into negotiations with “any qualified service provider.” [Taiwan News]

Taiwan: New patrol vessels launched amid opposition’s criticism of navy budget change

(dql) Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) has launched two new Anping-class offshore patrol vessels on October 5. Named “Bali” and “Chi An”, the two new vessels are the fifth and sixth ships of their class, equipped with a high-pressure water cannon with a range of 120 meters, along witrh a ship-based version of the coastal defense rocket launcher, as well as a remote-controlled T-75 20 mm machine gun. They have a top speed of 81.5 kilometers per hour. [Taiwan News 1]

Meanwhile, lawmakers from the opposition have criticized the government for the latest military budget that alters an original plan of an order by the Navy for one 4,500-ton guided missile frigate into a plan for two 2,000-ton ships. The questioned the legality of the change.

Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng defended the budget reasoning that “the nature of China’s threat had both changed and grown more serious” to respond to lighter frigates would be more efficient. [Taiwan News 2]

Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in South Asia 

Bangladesh: National grid failure leads to blackouts across large parts of country

(az/lm) Large swathes of Bangladesh were left without electricity on October 4 after a partial power grid failure. Despite the authorities' attempts to bring back electricity within three hours, the blackout lasted more than seven hours, affecting 75-80 percent of the country. [Al Jazeera] [CNN]

As three-quarters of the electricity production in the country comes from natural gas, it has been facing frequent power cuts over the past few months following a crunch in fuel supply amid a global crisis. Over a third of the country's 77 gas-powered units are facing a gas shortage. [bdnews24]

Bangladesh: Recent labor rules mostly curtail worker rights, ignore recommendations from worker bodies

(az) According to Bangladeshi labor leaders and representatives, the recent amendments to the country’s Labour Rules have curtailed worker rights, ignoring the recommendations from the worker bodies. Out of 56 proposals for the amendment to the legislation, the government has allegedly ignored most of them, including rules of maternity leaves.

The new rules have given companies the right to retrench the workers during factory takeovers, which was not the case in the past. In the new rules, the workers employed for less than nine months won’t also be covered by group insurance schemes in case of workplace accidents. Thus, a worker will be held responsible for his/her accident during the nine monthly contracts, not the company.

In the past, the workers on maternity leave used to get two months before and two months after the baby's delivery. But the new rules say that if the birth is delayed by a certain number of days, those would be deducted from the two months following delivery, giving the new mother less time with the baby.

The platform of workers' bodies also recommended that workers being investigated or dismissed for misconduct be allowed to utilize external counsel. Still, the recommendation was ignored, and instead, investigations into misconduct are done by a six-member committee, and the worker representative has to be from the factory. [The Daily Star]

Bangladesh: Prisoners lead inhumane life in prison with physical and mental problems, report says

(az) According to a report, there are only four doctors in the Bangladeshi prison for 83 thousand prisoners. Although the VIP inmates have access to hospitals outside the prison, the general inmates are deprived of the facility. Among 141 posts for doctors inside the prisons, 137 are vacant because the doctors do not want to stay there for the non-promotional job. [Prothom Alo]

Due to the absence of psychiatrists, there are also cases of suicide besides deaths. There are no doctors for about three thousand female prisoners for gynecological and other diseases. There are also no doctors for disabled prisoners. In this situation, compromising security, the sick prisoners must be transferred to local or specialized hospitals. Due to the doctor crisis, rape convicts are being taken to outside hospitals almost every day at risk.

The doctors informed that they would be deprived of higher education if they served in prison. Apart from this, the ill prisoners are decided by the 'Non-Medical Person' of the jail whether he/she may stay in the hospital or not.

India: Election Commission proposes one-person-one-seat rule to law ministry

(vv) India’s Election Commission has proposed to the law ministry to limit one person to contest only from one constituency at a time. The Commission also suggested capping cash donations at 20 percent or nearly USD 2.5 million (INR 20,000), besides bringing anonymous political donations down to approx. USD 240.000,00 (INR 2,000).

The proposal was made after a recent delisting of 284 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPP) by the Election Commission as defaulters, of which 253 were notified about the same. 86 of the RUPP were allegedly non-existent for physical verification by the Chief Electoral Officer and other parties never responded to official notices or letters sent to fulfill verification requirements. [Mint]

The current electoral regulations allow one person to contest from up to two seats or constituencies. Given the large list of RUPP, eligibility of two constituencies allows unmonitored political donations and unethical advantage over other legitimately verified political parties that follow the stipulations of the Registered Parties Act. [Jagran English]

Ms. Sitha Komatineni contributed research to this entry.

India: Opposition leader calls president a ‘sycophant’, sparks outrage

(vv) Outrage was sparked in India after Udit Raj, a top leader of the main opposition Indian National Congress (INC) party made distasteful remarks against the country’s new president, Droupadi Murmu, through social media on October 6.

President Murmu was sworn in as the newest head of state on July 21, as a candidate from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In what is called a landmark win, President Murmu is the first from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) caste – often considered an oppressed community - the youngest and first official born after independence to occupy the top position [see AiR No. 30, July/2022, 4]. Raj, who is also the national chairman of the All India Confederate of Scheduled Castes (SC)/ST Organizations, is known to often champion the voices of the community considered disadvantaged but his recent remarks against President Murmu was considered insensitive to SC/ST as a whole.

Raj, on October 6 through Twitter, called the head of state a “sycophant” claiming that no country should get a leader like President Murmu and that she favors the BJP deliberately. Raj’s comments came after President Murmu, addressing a crowd in Prime Minister Modi’s home state – Gujarat - on a lighter note claimed that the majority of Indians consume salt supplied by the state. Raj was miffed with President Murphy's alleged display of bias, adding that the President had forgotten her own SC/ST community after occupying the top post. The Congress minister’s remark was considered personal and “anti-tribal” in nature. The National Commission for Women (NCW) took particular offense and was quick to issue a summons to the Congress leader seeking a response before the committee. BJP leaders lashed out at Raj, with party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla asking if the Congress endorsed Raj’s disrespect to the tribal community, while also reminding the INC that this was the third insult from its ministers directed at the president. [Daily Pioneer] [Newsroom Post] [Times of India]

Previously, national spokesperson of INC Ajoy Kumar - prior to the presidential elections - called President Murmu “evil”, while Congress leader from the state West Bengal, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, upon the appointment of the President made sexist remarks towards the President. Raj, soon after, clarified that his views are not that of the Congress but a personal opinion that he is entitled to express. Following the summons given by NCW, Raj - on October 10 - refused to apologize for his remarks, while adding that the NCW has no jurisdiction to interfere in the matter. Raj maintained that his tweet in no way seeked to undermine women but was only a display of personal anger towards the President alone who he allegedly believes to have misused her authority. The BJP continued protesting against Raj’s remarks, as several party workers agitated outside Congress party office and hurled eggs at the Congress leader when he arrived to participate in an INC party program. Close to 32 BJP lawmakers have been detained in connection to the said incident. [Hindustan Times] [MSN] [The Indian Express] [Tribune India] [Pragativadi]

India: Police offers of Kerala state accused of links with banned Muslim outfit, probes continue

(vv) Several media reports on October 4 surfaced alleging that the National Investigating Agency (NIA) – India’s counter-terrorism force – submitted a chargesheet on at least 873 police officers in southern Kerala state for potential links to the now-banned Muslim outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates. The reports, however, have now been refuted by both the NIA and Kerala police force, as further probe continues.

The PFI, and its multiple associate groups, were banned on September 28 for a period of five years after being found guilty of terrorist activities, links to terrorist organizations and aiding in funding, and arming of terrorists through incriminating evidences collected from several raids conducted by the NIA [see AiR No. 39, September/2022, 4]. The PFI was also accused of terror links to extremist elements in Turkey and Qatar, and for supporting ISIS activities. The PFI members have firmly denied accusations, maintaining that they stand for an egalitarian regime that respects the minority Muslims [see AiR No. 40, October/2022, 1].

Recent media reports suggesting that the NIA claimed the involvement of 873 Kerala police officers in assisting PFI in previous instances of violence and terror activities, and more recently in tipping of PFI members of the counter-terrorism raids have been refuted by NIA and the Kerala Police. While the counter-terrorism agency doesn’t deny the involvement of state police officers, the numbers being cited are exaggerated and the same has been communicated to the Kerala Police, stated NIA officials. Several police officers in the past have been dismissed in the state for allegedly leaking key security information to the popular Muslim group. [Op India] [On Manorama] [News Nine Live]

In another news, the official website of the – now banned – PFI has been blocked by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under IT Act, 2000, as a subsequent move to the ban imposed under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities Preventions Act (UAPA) [see AiR No. 34, August/2019, 3]. Investigations claim that the website didn’t hint at a single instance of promoting extremist activities, which made it difficult to monitor PFI’s activities. The government is also working on other necessary procedures to expedite the ban officially, which includes forming a tribunal to assess the legitimacy of the ban by adjudication. Against this backdrop, the Law Ministry has issued a memorandum appointing Delhi High Court (HC) justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma as the head of the UAPA tribunal relative to the ban. [Times of India 1] [Times of India 2]

India: Kashmir separatist leader Altaf Ahmad Shah dies in police custody

(lm) Altaf Ahmad Shah, a prominent politician from Indian-administered Kashmir who challenged New Delhi’s rule over the disputed territory for decades and had been jailed by authorities for the past five years, has died while in police custody, his family said on October 11. [Al Jazeera]

Shah and six other prominent Kashmiri pro-freedom leaders were arrested in 2017 by India’s National Investigation Agency for alleged money laundering. Two years later, New Delhi unilaterally scrapped the special status of the disputed region and put more Kashmiri politicians and activists behind bars.

Since then, Shah’s family had made several appeals for release on bail or access to better medical care for Shah, who also suffered from hypertension and diabetes for years, putting him in a high-risk category during India’s coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

Shah is the fourth separatist leader from India-administered Kashmir to have died in police custody in the last three years. Last year, his father-in-law and the region’s staunchest anti-India leader, Syed Ali Geelani, died at his residence in Srinagar after nearly 10 years of house arrest [see AiR No. 36, September/2021, 1]. Earlier in 2021, separatist leader Mohammed Ashraf Sehrai,died due to multiple ailments while in jail. [Associated Press]

India: Close aide of Delhi chief minister arrested for irregularities in state excise policy

(vv) Making the first arrest relative to the alleged excise policy of Delhi, former CEO of an event management company, Vijay Nair, was taken into custody by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) – premier investigating agency in India.

Amid tensions between the central government run by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Delhi state government run by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the state’s excise policy has been under fire for long. Previously, Delhi governor Lieutenant Governor (LG), Vinai Kumar Saxena, had accused Delhi chief minister, and leader of AAP, Arvind Kejriwal and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia of corruption in the 2021-2022 excise policy that amended government-owned liquor businesses to run private retail companies in Delhi. The policy, within 10 months of its introduction, has been withdrawn and the old version of the excise policy is back in effect. Against this backdrop, Sisodia’s residence was raided by the CBI, following which Kejriwal accused Saxena and Prime Minister Modi of deliberately targeting AAP, while the Delhi governor filed a defamation suit against AAP ministers. [see AiR No. 40, October/2022, 1] [see AiR No. 35, August/2022, 5] [see AiR No. 36, September/2022, 1]

The CBI, after questioning the accused on September 27 at its headquarters, arrested Nair on allegations of hatching a criminal conspiracy, potential cartelization of liquor in the capital and favoring selective retail licenses. The accused was in the custodial remand of the CBI for questioning, and on October 6 he was sent to judicial custody by the Delhi High Court (HC) until October 20. [Times of India] [Lokmat Times]

Nair is a known face in the AAP circles, acting as the main communication strategist for the party and one of the most trusted advisors, and aide, to chief minister Kejriwal. Many also claim Nair to be an undeclared boss of the AAP, and that he holds major decision-making authority in the party. Nair is often credited for significantly contributing to AAP’s landmark victory in northern state Punjab elections, a major turning point in the country’s national politics. [Firstpost]

India: Delhi governor demands probe into Delhi power policy, as tensions with state government continues

(vv) The Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena, among the many other allegations, has asked the chief secretary of Delhi to probe the power policy amended by the state government run by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

For months now, the governor Saxena and chief minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, have engaged in tense exchange following the governor’s repeated allegations of corruption in the AAP government. The latest in the dispute is Saxena accusing financial thefts in the power subsidy introduced in the capital. The power policy amends that power consumption of less than 200 units per month offers electricity free of charge, while power consumption upto 400 units per month gets a 50% subsidy. Saxena accuses Kejriwal of transferring subsidies to beneficiaries and bureaucrats, seeking a detailed report from Delhi’s chief secretary Naresh Kumar, on the matter, in seven days. [Hindustan Times 1] [India Today]

Kejriwal responded by tweeting, in a lighter note, that not even his wife reprimands him as much or writes as many letters as Saxena does relative to AAP’s governance. The AAP leader asked the Delhi governor to “chill” and allow the state government to function smoothly. Sisodia called the repeated accusations of Saxena unconstitutional, claiming that the governor is accused of serious corruption allegations himself but refuses to address them, demanding a probe and clarification on the same. [Mint] [Hindustan Times 2]

India: Air Force to increase equip more Sukhoi Su-30MKI with supersonic BrahMos missile

(vv/lm) India’s Air Force (IAF) is set to increase the number of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircrafts equipped with the BrahMos supersonic missile, which now has a range of over 500 kilometers, ThePrint has reported, citing anonymous sources in the defense and security establishment. [ThePrint] [Times of India]

The IAF had commissioned the 222 ‘Tiger Sharks’ squadron of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets equipped with the BrahMos in southern Tamil Nadu state in August 2020. It was the first time the Russian-developed multirole fighters were based outside of the Southern Air Command. In light of the fighter jet’s maritime strike capability, there is reason to believe that the move was done against the backdrop of an increasing Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region.

Pakistan: Second wave of disaster has begun in flood-hit parts of country

(fm) The World Health Organization (WHO)'s representative in Pakistan, Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala, has warned that the "2nd wave of disaster" has started in the form of disease outbreaks in the flood-affected areas and urged the international community to "do a lot more" to save lives. He predicted that by January of next year, there will be 2.7 million malaria cases in 32 of the country's flood-hit districts.

As the WHO director general had warned earlier, the second disaster in the form of outbreaks of water and vector borne diseases has begun in the flood-hit areas of Pakistan. Acute Watery Diarrhea outbreaks are reported in 46 flood-affected districts; malaria outbreaks are reported in 32 districts; and there are outbreaks of cholera, measles, and dengue, among others, which can result in significant loss of life if immediate attention is not given, according to Dr. Mahipala.

He insisted that the WHO had classified the floods in Pakistan as a Grade 3 Emergency, the highest level, meaning that all three levels of the organization — the country and regional offices, as well as headquarters — were actively involved in the response. He also said that the WHO had made an appeal for USD 81.5 million to deal with disease outbreaks and to provide basic healthcare to those who were most in need. [DAWN]

Sri Lanka: Supreme Court allows proceedings against former President Rajapaksa, others

(lm) Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court granted permission on October 7 for proceedings against former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, according to Transparency International, the rights group which filed the case against him. The top court also agreed to allow proceedings against the country's former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, its former finance minister and two of its former central bank governors. [Reuters]

The court also ordered the Auditor General to submit a report by November 30 on the Sri Lankan monetary board’s decision earlier this year to sharply depreciate the currency, as well as the reasons for delaying seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund, and the repayment of sovereign dollar bonds. [Bloomberg]

Ex-President Rajapaksa fled Sri Lanka in mid-July for the Maldives after angry protesters stormed his official residence and office [see AiR No. 33, August/2022, 3]. He tendered his resignation from Singapore, while public anger grew over his alleged mismanagement of the economy and later traveled to Thailand, from where he returned home on September 2 [see AiR No. 36, September/2022, 1].

Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in Southeast Asia 

Cambodia: Mergers formed as opposition seeks to create unification

(th) After the opposition Khmer Will Party (KWP) announced its merger with the opposition Candlelight Party (CP), the CP has called on other opposition parties to join the merger.

The founder of the opposition Cambodian Reform Party (CRP) has stated that expanding the merger will be difficult. He stated that the CRP should be willing to compromise on its programme and not simply ask other parties to join its platform [Phnom Penh Post Phnom Penh Post].

On the other hand, the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CCP) has claimed that they are confident of winning the upcoming general election by a landslide, even if opposition parties join forces [Khmer Times].

Cambodia: Chhay loses defamation cases against NEC and CPP

(th) The deputy chairman of the opposition Candlelight Party (CLP) has been fined a total of more than USD 750,000, most of which he must pay to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), but also to the National Election Committee (NEC).

Deputy Chairman Son Chhay was sued by the NEC and CPP for public defamation after he complained of irregularities during the June 5 commune elections. A CPP spokesman said the verdict should serve as a reminder to Chhay and others to draw the line between their freedom of expression and other people's rights. [Phnom Penh Post].

Chhay's defense lawyer has called the court's decision unjust and said he would talk to Son Chhay about filing an appeal. He also argued that the defamation case against Chhay was an unfair and politically motivated case [abc news].

Cambodia: Accusations against the police made amidst human trafficking pushbacks

(th) Thousands of Taiwanese, Vietnamese and Thai citizens who had allegedly been forced into slavery in Cambodia are speaking out, causing a growing international backlash [The Guardian].

In this context, accusations are being made about the behavior of the police, as many victims allege mistreatment. One victim claims that the police demanded money to accommodate him and let him return home. Observers state that such reports undermine trust in the Cambodian authorities and explains why victims are not willing to fully cooperate with the police. [Vice].

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur (SR) on human rights in Cambodia

(th) An interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur (SR) on the situation of human rights in Cambodia was held at the UN office in Geneva [Khmer Times].

Of the 39 delegates who participated in the dialogue, 30 spoke in favor of Cambodia's human rights achievements [Phnom Penh Post].

Beijing’s permanent representative to the United Nations stressed that the lives of Cambodians had improved in recent years and that human rights in Cambodia were being protected. However, these claims are debated by certain rights groups. According to the NGO Human Rights Watch, human rights are under attack in Cambodia, especially in the run-up to the national elections in 2023. [Human Rights Watch] [South China Morning Post]

Indonesia: New human rights commissioners confirmed

(os) The House of Representatives has approved nine new members of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

The candidates were previously selected and interviewed by the House Commission III which is responsible for the areas of law, human rights, and security. The new commissioners of Komnas HAM have been appointed for a term of five years beginning in November 2022. Chair of the commission will be held by a woman for the first time, namely scholar and women’s rights defender Atnike Nova Sigiro.

The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), an Indonesian human rights group, labeled three of the new commissioners as “competent”, three as “competent with a caveat” and the remaining candidates were red flagged. Atnike, the new chair of Komnas HAM, was among the people categorized as competent. Red-flagged were General Elections Commission (KPU) commissioner Pramono Ubaid Tanthowi, Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) commissioner Putu Elvina and Prabianto Mukti Wibowo, who works in the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister.

The new commissioners will face a plethora of challenges in approaching human rights issues, particularly concerning allegations of human rights violations in Papua. Observers call for the new commissioners to remain independent and not merely back up the government. [The Jakarta Post]

Indonesia: Continuous increase in inflation rate causes socio-economic concern

(ai) Inflation in Indonesia rose to 1.17 percent in September. It is currently the highest percentage in 94 months since December 2014. This continuous increase has brought the annual inflation rate to 5.95 percent, according to the Indonesian Statistics Center (BPS) calculations.

The increase in inflation in September is linked to the increase in fuel, rice, and public transport rates. According to the director of the Politics and Economics Department of the Indonesian Central Bank, the increase in fuel and public transport prices could have caused an inflation rate of 0.08% per month, which could increase in the coming months. [TempoEnglish]

Indonesia: Six charged in relation to last week’s soccer stampede

(os) The National Police announced charges against six suspects after last week’s stampede at a soccer stadium in Malang, East Java [AiR No. 40, October/2022, 1].

They are charged under articles 359 and 360 of the Criminal Code for negligence causing death and bodily harm and under Article 103 of Law No. 11/2022 on sports, for failing to fulfill safety requirements for holding a sporting competition. The charges could lead to a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The suspects include Akhmad Hadian Lukita who is president director of PT Liga Indonesia Baru, the Indonesian soccer league operator. According to police, he was responsible for ensuring that every stadium boasts a building-worthiness certificate. Kanjuruhan stadium, the scene of the tragedy, lacked this certificate.

Also, the head of the organizing committee of soccer club Arema FC, Abdul Haris, was named as one of the suspects. He allegedly failed to prepare a safety document and allowed the sale of more tickets than the capacity of the stadium could support. The four other suspects are security and police officers, including Malang Police head of operations who allegedly did not hinder the use of tear gas during the event. [The Jakarta Post 1]

Despite the charges made, many people have expressed the opinion that the steps taken have not been sufficient. They call for more accountability of the police and claim that higher-ranking officers have not been named in the context of the announcement by the police, were involved in the incident. [The Jakarta Post 2]

Laos: An estimated 700 trafficking victims throughout the country

(th) In addition to people from Myanmar and Vietnam, human rights groups have claimed that about 700 Malaysians are believed to have been trafficked in Laos, being held at a casino and hotel resort.

Reports state that the Malaysians are being held against their will in Laos and the traffickers are demanding ransoms of around USD 20,000 for their release. The Malaysian embassy has contacted the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs for support in securing their release, as well as engaging with Interpol. [Lao Times].

Laos: Kip continues downward trend against US Dollar and Thai Baht, fueling inflation concerns

(th) The depreciation of the Lao kip against the US dollar and the Thai baht, which exceeded 30 per cent between January and August, continues.

Observers state that reasons lie in the insufficient supply of foreign currencies. The devaluation of the kip is fueling inflation and damaging the Laotian economy, causing concerns around the wellbeing of the Laotian people. In an effort to combat the supply-side problem, the Laotian government has launched a program to increase the availability of foreign currency [Vientiane Times Laotian Times].

Malaysia: Early election announced after parliament dissolved

(pe) Malaysia’s Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced that the elections, due in September next year, will be held earlier than planned. Ismail Sabri said the date is to be announced shortly.

The ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) was toppled in May 2018, with three different Prime Ministers taking the helm since then. Ismail Sabri has been leading UMNO in an alliance with other parties since August 2021 but has faced constant political challenges and pressure to hold an election.

While some welcome the prospect of an early election, others have questioned whether holding polls during monsoon season may endanger lives and skew results due to people being unable to attend. [Aljazeera]

With permission, all state governments under the UMNO-led control are now due to seek a dissolution to synchronize the state and national elections, according to observers the full dissolution of parliament is due to be announced on Monday. It is reported that the Malaysian King has stated that he has no choice but to approve the dissolution of parliament, lamenting the recent political instability in the country. [Malay Mail] [CNBC] [Channel News Asia]

Malaysia: Breakdown of the 2023 budget

(gc) The 2023 budget, as announced last week, has been promoted by the government as hitting three key themes (3R’s): Responsive, Responsible and Reformist.

Within the budget, there are several points which have been identified as significant by observers. These include an overall increase in spend and a reduction in individual income tax levels. Additionally, there are provisions made to bolster the country’s Covid-19 recovery plans and boost tourism.

An additional area of interest is the move to encourage women to rejoin the workforce after a career pause, with the new budget offering skill enhancement programs and tax breaks for women, with the aim to elevate their positions and improve the number of women who are eligible for board positions. [Malay Mail 1] [Malay Mail 2]

Myanmar: Major jet fuel supplier withdraws

(tp) Puma Energy, a major jet fuel supplier has agreed to completely withdraw all business from Myanmar, after being urged to consider the human rights implications of the decision.

Puma Energy and the Myanmar Petrochemical Enterprise which belongs to Myanmar’s government, have been operating in a joint venture. The Ministry of Energy of the military for Myanmar plays a vital role in the import and distribution of aviation fuel. Since it began operations in 2015 and opened a multimillion-dollar petroleum product terminal at Thilawa Port in Yangon, Puma Energy has been Myanmar's primary supplier of aviation fuel through these ventures.

After the announcement of the original deal, the rights organizations urged companies to stop jet fuel supply and also expressed deep concern over leaving any stakes to the military or any state-owned business. According to reports, the military's airstrikes against innocent people around Myanmar have forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes and killed several civilian and resistance fighters since the coup in February 2021. [Amnesty International]

Myanmar: Japanese documentary filmmaker jailed for promoting unrest, breaching communications rules

(tp) A Japanese filmmaker has been arrested and detained in Yangon while documenting Myanmar protests against the government, accused of breaking visa rules.

According to reports, he has been sentenced to 3 years in jail for incitement and 7 years for violating electronic communications laws when the next hearing is scheduled for October 12.

The military also claims that he spread misleading information related to Rohingya Muslim minority group as he made several films about refugees’ issues in Myanmar. In recent years, around hundred thousand Rohingya people were uprooted and forced to escape to Bangladesh, the neighboring country, due to persecution in the predominantly Buddhist nation.

After the coup, Toru Kubota is the fifth foreign journalist to be imprisoned in Myanmar; the others were all released and expelled, Japan is one of the top countries that has a long-running relationship with the Myanmar military, however, Japan’s government announced that it will suspend a training program for Myanmar military officers over junta’s execution of activists. [Aljazeera]

Philippines: Jailed Leila de Lima briefly taken hostage

(pe) Philippine ex-politician Leila de Lima was briefly taken hostage during an attempted breakout, as the prisoners seeking escape saw her as an ideal cover for their plans. She is unhurt and the prison authorities have issued a statement to say all is under control.

De Lima is a former senator currently imprisoned on drug charges since 2017, her trial is due to begin next week. She was an outspoken critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte and rights groups and diplomats have long called for her release, as they claim her imprisonment is politically motivated.

The three militants accused of taking De Lima hostage were killed by police during the incident. [ABC News]

Philippines: Philippines’ justice secretary vows “real justice” during UN Human Rights Council meeting

(jd) On October 5, during the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Philippines stated that it is pursuing reforms to provide “real justice”.

Justice Secretary Remulla expressed the government’s intention to undertake initiatives that include the instruction of law enforcers to only use force when necessary, and the implementation of an internal disciplinary program for abusive policemen, and the reorientation of the anti-drug efforts to target drug suppliers instead of users.

Remulla stated that the Philippines is adopting a transformational reform of its justice and law enforcement sectors, and that the country will continue to work with the UN and the international community.

After presenting the Philippine government’s initiatives for the protection of human rights he expressed that the government knows what’s best for Filipinos.

The Philippines’ justice secretary made his statements before the UNHRC days after International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan insisted on the resumption of the probe into the drug war killings during the Duterte administration.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) also reported that extrajudicial killings related to the war on drugs continue under the current president’s administration and urged the UNHRC to adopt a strong resolution.
Both HRW and Amnesty International warned the council that its inaction could affect its credibility. [CNN Philippines] [Rappler]

Philippines: Journalist fatally shot, probe launched by National Police, Commission on Human Rights

(jd) Journalist and radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid, was killed on the evening of October 3 while in his vehicle in Las Piñas City, after receiving several death threats.

Following his death, the government and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) launched probes to investigate the killing. Lapid was a critic of the current administration and of the former one under President Rodrigo Duterte. He hosted a radio news commentary program where he expressed his criticism towards the abuses and irregularities carried by the government.

The family stated that he received several death threats because of his commentaries and, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Secretary General Ronalyn Olea the killing is probably related to his work and the investigations will be challenging. The NUJP also stated that Lapid was the second journalist to be killed during the administration of President Marcos Jr, following the one of broadcaster Rey Blanco last month.

The Philippine National Police launched the investigations and vowed to hold the culprits accountable; at the same time, the CHR denounced the killing of Lapid expressing how any attack to press freedom is an attack to people’s right to truth and information as journalist have a role in upholding democracy and demanding accountability in any society. The CHR stated that is has started its own investigation,

Lapid's last broadcast aired on Sept. 30 during which he talked about political issues and the dangers of red tagging which is the blacklisting of individuals who criticize the government. [CNN Philippines]

Philippines: Nobel Laureate appeals to Supreme Court in libel case

(pe) Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa has taken her fight to appeal a libel conviction to the Supreme Court.

Her decision follows the Court of Appeals rejecting a motion by Ressa to reconsider its upholding of a 2020 conviction against her and a former colleague. Both accused worked at Rappler news agency, a body that had published numerous pieces criticizing former President Rodrigo Duterte and his “war on drugs”.

Journalists in the Philippines face continued danger and harassment, according to rights groups who support Messa and others convicted of such accusations. [Aljazeera]

Singapore: Wong outlines projections for future developments

(th) Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong outlined his projections for the challenges and opportunities ahead at the FutureChina Global Forum 2022.

With an eye on growing geopolitical uncertainty, Wong emphasized the importance of regional integration in Southeast Asia, the growing importance of India and his government's support for Chinese engagement in Southeast Asia [The Strait Times].

Thailand: Deputy House Speaker facing ethics probe over encroachment allegations

(fj) The House Committee on Ethics of Members of Parliament has admitted for investigation allegations of land encroachment brought against Deputy House Speaker Supachai Phosu.

The allegations go back to Supachai’s time in office as deputy agriculture minister and concern 37 hectares of forest reserve in Nakohn Phanom province in Thailand’s Northeast. A complaint concerning the same charges had already been filed against him with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) ten years ago. However, the NACC did not pursue the case back then. The matter was also brought up in a no-confidence motion filed by the main opposition party in 2021 but has not been pursued further since.

Now that the Committee on Ethics is looking into the matter, Supachai, who is an MP for the Bhumjaithai Party, will have to appear before the committee to defend himself. Depending on the findings, the Ethics Committee might later take the case to the NACC for further investigation. Referring to the long history of these allegations against him and the fact that they never led to any guilt being found on his side, Supachai has voiced his confidence that the investigations will peter out once more. [Bangkok Post 1]

Even though investigations into the landholdings of MPs and other politicians have been a recurring feature of Thai politics, they have regularly ended without political consequences for the perpetrators. Against this long-standing pattern, the Supreme Court’s decision from April 2022 to ban Palang Pracharath Party MP Pareena Kraikupt from politics for life for her family’s encroachment of state land was received as potentially setting a precedent for stricter control of politicians’ landholdings. This perception was enforced by Pareena urging the NACC to speed up its ongoing investigations into the landholdings of another 60 MPs after being handed her own ban. Four months later, in August 2022, a further encroachment case involving Deputy Education Minister Kanokwan Vilawan was brought before the Supreme Court by the NACC. The Supreme Court ordered the Bhumjaithai politician to stop work immediately and tentatively banned her from office pending the ruling. [Bangkok Post 2] [Bangkok Post 3]

Thailand: Royal Thai Army concedes to soldier firing at civilian after high-profile lawyer takes up case

(fj) The Army has set up a committee for disciplinary punishment of an officer who had allegedly threatened a foreign civilian by firing a gun at him in a case which the local police initially refused to investigate. Only following the involvement of a high-profile lawyer did the police and the army begin to pursue the two-month-old case.

The incident in question concerns a 51-year-old Lieutenant of the Third Engineering Battalion who is accused of firing shots at an Israeli man at his coffee shop on August 6. When the Israeli went to the local police station following the attack, the officers there refused to act, reportedly giving the reason that the military was more powerful than the police in the area. Furthermore, the Israeli was reportedly conned by an interpreter into signing a document on the following day, declaring that he would refuse to take legal action against the lieutenant.

Following the refusal of local police to investigate, the café owner approached Bangkok-based lawyer Sittra Biebangkerd, who has a track-record of fighting for his clients’ access to justice in cases involving powerful actors and institutions. On October 6, the same day that Sittra brought the case to the attention of the media, the accused lieutenant was taken to the police, who have started compiling evidence relating to the accusations of carrying and firing a weapon in public. An army committee is also considering disciplinary punishment against the soldier. [Bangkok Post]

Thailand: Mass killing that left 37 dead brings forth latent issues of drug abuse and gun control

(fj) An ex-policeman went on a rampage in Uthai Sawang in Thailand’s Northeast on October 6. He killed 36 people, including 24 children, before committing suicide.

The 34-year-old man killed most of his victims in his son’s daycare center, which he stormed armed with a handgun and a large knife. He murdered all but two of the children that he found asleep at the center, as well as staff and bystanders. After the rampage, he drove to his family’s home where he killed his wife and son, before ending his own life. [CNN] [Reuters 1]

The mass killing marks one of the worst child death tolls of such single person killing sprees in recent history. It was met with shock and offers of condolences from leaders and organizations around the world, including the Prime Ministers of Australia, Great Britain, and Singapore, as well as Pope Francis and UNICEF. Besides expressing sympathies for the mourning families, UNICEF urged the media to exercise restraint in their coverage of the incident considering the negative impact that graphic reporting might have on the affected and society at large. [Bangkok Post 1] [Reuters 2] [UNICEF]

This admonishment by the UN organization proved prescient as a substantial part of the Thai media debate quickly turned to the question of whether a team of CNN reporters acted unethically and unlawfully in filming at the daycare center while it was still under police investigation as a crime scene. The two journalists of Australian and British nationality, who claim to have entered the compound in good faith after seeking permission with local health volunteers, are now facing fines and deportation. Videos in which they apologize for any grief caused to the Thai public through their behavior and their graphic reporting have been released. [The Nation Thailand 1] [The Nation Thailand 2]

The police have offered insights into the perpetrator’s background and the factors that likely contributed to the motives behind the deed. He started his career with the police in Bangkok, where he quickly rose through the ranks before he was transferred to the country’s Northeast, apparently to take care of his aging mother. He developed a drug habit involving the abuse of amphetamines for which he was suspended from service in January 2022. Resulting financial and marital problems have also been reported. It appears likely that these stressors were further compounded by the fact that the ex-policeman had to appear in court for drug related charges on the morning of the rampage. [Bangkok Post 2] [Reuters 2]

The case brings forth several latent issues within Thai society, most prominently the prevalence of drug abuse, the ready availability of deadly firearms and the lack of mental health services. It has also brought an observer to draw parallels to the country’s last major mass shooting, where a soldier killed 29 people and wounded another 58. The incidents share the sudden use of armed violence on a big scale by a person affiliated with the country’s security services. [Bangkok Post 2] [CNN]

Domestically, the mass killing was naturally met with grief, as the King and the Royal Family sent their condolences and His Majesty visited survivors of the attack at a local hospital. It has also been announced that financial support will be made available to the bereaved by the government. [The Nation Thailand 3] [The Nation Thailand 4]

In the political sphere, the massacre has led the Pheu Thai Party leader Cholnan Srikaew to call for a return to the so-called war on drugs. This was a policy under former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra that sought to fight drug use and trade with the large-scale application of force. It led to the killing of an estimated 2,500 suspects of drug-related crimes amidst substantial criticism from human rights organizations. In his call to action, Cholnan acknowledged the need for bigger prevention efforts, as well as the necessity of providing rehabilitation and mental health programs. [Bangkok Post 3]

Following a similar line of thinking, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the police force to step up their work to fight drug trafficking and has instructed the Public Health Ministry to set up rehabilitation facilities to offer drug users a way out of their addiction. [The Nation Thailand 5]

Vietnam: The sixth plenum's final session of the 13th Party Central Committee comes to an end

(fe) The final session of the 6th plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee for Vietnam has come to a close.

Nguyen Phu Trong, the party's general secretary, emphasized the need to maintain vigilance against COVID-19 shortly, maintain macroeconomic stability, manage inflation, and ensure major economic balances, particularly in finance and budget, as the global economy and situation are anticipated to develop in a difficult and unanticipated manner.

He mandated accelerating economic reform with the renewal of the growth model, enhancing the nation's economic independence, adaptability, and resilience, and encouraging and generating new development impulses for both the short and long term and pushed for increased efforts in administrative reforms, socio economic development, and national goal program execution.

The Party leader claimed that it is essential to enhance the quality of the workforce, advance science and technology, digital transformation, green transformation, and innovation, ensure social security, step up communication efforts, strengthen the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena, consolidate national defense and security, and integrate more deeply and broadly into the global community.

The group, which viewed this as a crucial political responsibility, concluded that the country needed to release and implement its 2021–2023 national master plan with a focus on 2050. The Party head stated that the planning effort should concentrate on creating a national infrastructure framework, notably infrastructure in transit, urban areas, energy, digital transformation, environmental protection, irrigation, and reaction to climate change.

The committee also came to a strong agreement on the need to continue constructing and improving the socialist state with rule of law in the new era. The participants agreed to release a resolution about the continuation of the Party's leadership reform in the current circumstance, which, according to the General Secretary, must be carried out prudently, with a strong resolve and tremendous efforts.

The Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences President, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Central Agencies' Bloc, and Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission were all removed from their positions as members of the 13th Party Central Committee at the sixth plenum. The head of the provincial People's Council and secretary of the Hai Duong provincial Party Committee was also expelled from the Party. [vovworld.vn] [Nhandan.vn]

Vietnam: Government claims macroeconomic stability most important for expansion in upcoming months

(fe) As crucial steps to bolster growth in the upcoming months of the year, the government is steadfast in upholding macroeconomic stability and controlling inflation. The words were noted in the government's most recent resolution on measures to ensure socio-economic development goals in 2022.

The government stated that due to its small size, high level of openness, and low level of resilience, Vietnam's economy is particularly susceptible to external shocks, such as high inflation, rising production costs, and declining demand from important export markets. Maintaining macro-fundamentals and managing inflation are the government's top goals.

The State Bank of Vietnam is in charge of administering flexible monetary and fiscal policies to promote growth and to ensure the successful execution of the 2% interest rate subsidy plan for firms and individuals impacted by the epidemic.

The government requested that departments and communities maintain readiness against both internal and external hazards to safeguard national security in terms of money, financial, and public debts, food, energy, and information. The government would concentrate on fixing problems with the legislative framework for the expansion of business and production activities, promoting development in the agricultural, industrial, construction, and services sectors. Priority is also given to national security, public order, administrative reform, socio-political stability, environmental preservation, social and cultural development, digital transformation, and climate change mitigation. [Hanoitimes.vn]

Vietnam: Demands made for an end to all kinds of bias against women and girls

(fe) On October 4, during a debate at the UN General Assembly's 77th Session's Third Committee on Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Issues in Vietnam, it has been emphasized how crucial it is to stop and eradicate all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls.

Assuring women's roles, participation, and contributions in the economic, political, and social life is not just a commitment but also a norm in Vietnam, according to the Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN.

The representative argued that in order to ensure that women and girls have equal and full participation in and enjoyment of the development process, the international community must define the role of women as goals, motivations, subjects, and beneficiaries of sustainable growth.

Gender issues and women's empowerment must also be included in national planning and policymaking, according to the deputy permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN. The UN member state representative for Vietnam urged other nations to continue assisting UN member states in upholding their international responsibilities and duties to defend the rights of women and girls. [Vietnamnews.vn] [Vietnamplus.vn]

International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia

UN Human Rights Council resolution upholds the need to maintain international scrutiny on Sri Lanka

(lm) The United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC) in a resolution passed on October 6 renewed its mandate to collect and preserve evidence of alleged wartime human rights crimes in Sri Lanka during the civil war that ended in 2009, despite opposition from Colombo and its allies, including China.

The 19-point resolution mandates the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a comprehensive report for release in 2024, essentially giving Sri Lanka two more years to meet its obligations. It also calls for the government to investigate and prosecute former and current public officials who triggered the country’s worst financial crisis in more than seven decades.

Among the seven countries that voted against the resolution were China and Pakistan, which called it an example of “politicisation” of human rights issues and “intrusive”. Sri Lanka’s neighbor India, which has extended the most financial support during the island’s financial crisis this year, abstained. [Al Jazeera]

The Sri Lankan foreign minister accused the Core Group of nations that had tabled the resolution of going beyond its mandate by including economic issues. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s largest Tamil grouping in the country’s parliament, the Tamil National Alliance, thanked the Core Group for keeping Sri Lanka’s rights record on the UN HRC’s agenda for a decade. [The Hindu]

The vote follows a report by the UN High Commissioner released in September, addressing the underlying causes of the financial crisis, “including impunity for human rights violations and economic crimes” by officials.

UN Human Rights Council rejects debate on human rights in Xinjiang

(yv) Marking a diplomatic victory for China, the UN Human Rights Council decided not to discuss the situation of the Uighurs and other primarily Muslim minorities in China's northwest region of Xinjiang, voting down a related proposal submitted by the UK, Türkiye, the United States and other mostly Western countries.

Out of the 47 members, 19 voted against and 17 for the proposal, while 11 nations abstained. Muslim-majority nations like Indonesia, Somalia, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar made up a large portion of the "no" voters. India, Malaysia, and Ukraine were three of the 11 nations that didn't vote.

The vote comes after former UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet’s report was released on August 31, which – despite not using the word “genocide” – confirmed that “serious human rights violations” had been committed, adding that “the extent of arbitrary and discriminatory detention of members of Uyghur and other predominantly Muslim groups … may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.” [South China Morning Post] [Al Jazeera] [OHCHR]

UN investigation into cargo ship supposedly sold to North Korea

(sm) On October 11, the UN launched an investigation into a Niuean cargo ship which is suspected to have been sold to North Korea earlier this year, in violation of sanctions imposed by a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution in 2016.

The laden vessel An Hai 6 had entered South Korea’s Busan Port on May 16 with plans to arrive in Yokohama, Japan two days later. It was reported that the ship had been the object of crew change during its stay in Busan, with half of the former crew remaining on board. While the ship did set off for Yokohama, it was later located near Nampo Port, North Korea, thanks to an automatic ship identification system signal. On June 16, the cargo ship was seen in Nampo Port, sporting a North Korean flag and having changed its name from An Hai 6 to Rak Won 1. It also been sighted travelling between China and North Korea.

While An Hai 6 had first been believed to be a South Korean vessel, the South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries later reported the cargo ship had been registered as Niuean before its deregistration on May 23, five days after it went off course. Niue is a small democratically governed island located about 2,400 km to the Northeast of New Zealand in Polynesia.

While investigations are ongoing, if the ship were in fact sold to North Korea, this would have been done in violation with UNSC resolutions. North Korea is suspected to already have acquired 14 other vessels this year alone, according to a UN report. [The Korea Herald]

Japan and UNEP to cooperate on maritime plastic pollution reduction

(sm) On October 4, Japanese Environment Minister Akihiro Nishimura met with the United Nations Executive Director Inger Andersen in Tokyo to discuss a global plan to reduce plastic pollution in the oceans.

They agreed on the importance of multinational participation in such a framework, which should be devised during the first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee this November in Uruguay. Nishimura stressed the inclusion of major plastic consumer and producer countries as vital for the success of the plan.

The goal of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee is to create a legally binding instrument on maritime plastic pollution until 2024. About eight million new tons of plastic are estimated to be floating in the oceans every year, constituting significant risks for oceanic biodiversity and subsequently human health and wellbeing. [NHK News]

India, four-nation EFTA bloc eye resumption of talks on free trade deal after five-year hiatus

(lm) India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), a regional trade organization and free trade area comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, are eyeing the resumption of negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) after a gap of more than five years. [Hindustan Times]

Negotiations for a trade pact between India and the EFTA were launched in January 2008 and 13 rounds of talks were held until late 2013 before negotiations were paused. Four more rounds were held after talks resumed in October 2016. The two sides held their last round of negotiations in New Delhi in January 2017, and the issue of resuming talks figured in all recent political-level meetings between India and EFTA member states.

Heads of delegations from both sides met virtually on September 15 to discuss the state of play and open issues in the negotiations. It was also reported that a high-level delegation from Switzerland will visit New Delhi later this month as part of efforts to take forward bilateral ties.

UN General Assembly adopts resolution to support reconstruction of flood-ravaged Pakistan

(msk/fm) The United Nations General Assembly on October 7 unanimously adopted a resolution, co-sponsored by 159 countries, to provide full support to rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in flood-hit Pakistan. It urged the international community, “in particular donor countries, international financial institutions and relevant international organisations, as well as the private sector and civil society, to extend full support and assistance to Pakistan in its efforts to mitigate the adverse impacts of the floods and to meet the medium- and long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction needs”. [Dawn 1] [Tribune]

While concluding a debate on the devastation caused by the recent floods, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who saw some of the damage for himself during a visit last month, called help for Pakistan a “moral responsibility” of industrialized nations. [Dawn 2]

Between six and nine million Pakistanis are set to be dragged into poverty as a result of cataclysmic monsoon flooding linked to climate change, said a World Bank report released on October 7. [The Straits Times]

Roadside blast kills three Bangladesh peacekeepers in the Central African Republic

(az) Three Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers were killed and another injured after their patrol car hit a roadside landmine in the Central African Republic. Since 2012, there has been a civil tripartite war between the government, the mainly Muslim Séléka coalition rebels, and the mainly Christian anti-Balaka movement. The UN Security Council authorized the deployment of peacekeeping operations in 2014. [bdnews24]

Chinese delegation visits Teesta River barrage in Bangladesh

(az/lm) A three-member team led by China’s envoy to Bangladesh has visited the Teesta Barrage area in the country’s Lalmonirhat district and proposed an excavation project of the river. [The Daily Star]

Dhaka is desperate to seal a deal on sharing the waters of the Teesta, a tributary of the Brahmaputra that originates in the Teesta Kangse glacier and flows through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh. Dhaka claims that about 60 percent of an estimated 90,000 hectares on the river’s banks remain unused in the dry season because of the lack of water in the river.

Although Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Hasina has several times said in public that she is confident that India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would conclude the deal at the earliest, Bangladesh has also been exploring alternative options to tackle the problem of water scarcity in its northwest.

Two years ago, Dhaka proposed implementing a USD 1-billion project under Chinese funding as the water-sharing treaty on the Teesta river with India had not materialized despite a decade-long wait.

Against this backdrop, the Chinese envoy’s visit to the area along with a technical team can be viewed as reflecting Dhaka’s renewed interest in the project after New Delhi’s failure to offer anything concrete on the Teesta waters during Hasina’s visit to India last month [see AiR No. 36, September/2022, 1].

Overflowing prisons force India to send prisoners with clean records back to Bangladesh

(az) With overcrowded prisons, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) is handing over many illegal border crossing people to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), recent data has shown.

Data from the South Bengal Frontier of the BSF reveals that in 2021, the BSF’s South Bengal Frontier arrested 2,036 Bangladeshi nationals and 860 Indian nationals for illegally crossing the border. In 2022, till October 5, the Frontier had handed over 287 persons to BGB. The returned persons are the ones who are not involved in the smuggling of narcotics, cough syrup, fake currency, gold, and other prohibited articles.

A recent report on Prison Statistics of India-2021 shows that West Bengal state has reported the highest number of foreign convicts lodged in its jails (30.5 percent or 329 persons) and the highest number of foreign undertrials lodged in its jails (28.4 percent or 1,179 persons). Among all the foreign inmates, Bangladeshi who crossed the border illegally comprise the majority of 40.5 percent. Many Bangladeshi inmates are still in prison after the term because of the longer deportation process between both countries. The prison occupancy rate in West Bengal, according to Prison Statistics of India-2021, stands at 120, which means the number of inmates staying in jails is 120 against the authorized capacity for 100 inmates. [The Hindu]

Bangladeshi farmer loses a leg in mine explosion at Bangladesh-Myanmar border

(az) While crossing the border to bring back his cattle home, a Bangladeshi farmer lost his leg in a mine explosion at the country’s border with Myanmar. Due to the ongoing clash between the rebels and Myanmar Army, the mines were put underground, which also injured another Bangladeshi in a similar way near the border last month. While Bangladesh summoned Myanmar authorities for an answer and mitigation to all these cross-border shillings and gunfires, the rebel and Myanmar Army are blaming each other for the killings and injuries of Bangladeshi civilians and Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. [bdnews24]

Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina condemns US sanctions on elite RAB force

(az) Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has questioned the motive behind imposing sanctions on the elite paramilitary Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) by the United States, just days after Washington’s ambassador to Dhaka had announced that the sanctions against the force will remain in place “until there is both accountability and reform” [see AiR No. 40, October/2022, 1].

Hasina said that some people inside Bangladesh are providing false information to the US authorities about RAB and misleading everyone after committing crimes and leaving the country. She also informed that the US trained and provided arms and ammunition, helicopter, digital, and ICT system, among other equipment, to the elite force, which has been credited for dealing with militancy and terrorism.

The premier also pointed to the US law enforcement’s unlawful killing in their own country, where the men from law enforcement forces are not even prosecuted after committing the crimes. Referring to the killing of George Floyd, she said there would have been no justice if people hadn't engaged in protests. [The Daily Star] [The Business Standard]

China most militarily self-reliant country in Indo-Pacific region, report says

(ms) Ninety-two percent of all new weapons procured by the Chinese military between 2016 and 2020 were manufactured nationally by China’s arms industry, making China the undisputed leader in military self-sufficiency in the Indo-Pacific, according to a report released in October.

The report “Arms-Production Capabilities in the Indo-Pacific Region: Measuring Self-reliance” by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), compared 12 countries in the region, namely Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, with regards to the volume and quality of domestically produced military goods compared to imported ones, and takes a closer look at national arms industry companies.

According to the report, at least 92 percent of all weapons purchased by the Chinese military between 2016 and 2020 were produced in China itself, and the researchers see an even stronger upward trend, as imports of fighter aircraft or air defense systems from Russia, which accounted for a significant share of total imports, were based on contracts that ended in 2019, while there is no sign of the contracts being reissued.

The report highlights that China’s national production covers all categories of major arms, confirming that the U.S. and China are the only countries that has fifth-generation fighter jets in serial production in the form of the J-20 fighter jet, while China itself is a pioneer in the production and development of armed unmanned aerial vehicles.

The progress of the Chinese arms industry is also reflected in the individual companies resulting in the first seven places of the largest arms producing companies in the Indo-Pacific being occupied by Chinese state-owned companies, four of which are even among the top ten producers globally.

The ranking behind China, see Japan at second place and South Korea at third place, followed by Taiwan, Australia, Singapore, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Vietnam has not been ranked due to lack of data. [SIPRI] [South China Morning Post]

Cuban Prime Minister Cruz on state visit to Cambodia

(th) Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz visited Cambodia for three days following Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s state visit to Cuba [Phnom Penh Post].

During his visit, Cruz signed two agreements on enhanced cooperation between Cambodia and Cuba in the fields of sports and culture. Both sides praised their good relationship and indicated a desire to work together more closely in the future. [Khmer Times]

China faces fresh US measures in tech conflict, approves Sino-South Korea mutual chipmaker fund

(yv/dql) On October 7, the US Commerce Department unveiled new measures to advance the US and hold China back in the production of advanced semiconductors, in the latest move in the ongoing US-Sino tech competition.

The administration of US President Joe Biden has announced limitations on 31 Chinese businesses, research institutions, and affiliated organizations to acquire key US technology. The targeted entities considered as using of Western technologies linked to AI and supercomputing for military purposes.

The restrictions, which also prevent companies globally from exporting products made with US software, machinery or technology, to those entities, will take effect on October 21. [South China Morning Post]

Meanwhile, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the country’s securities regulator, has approved China’s first mutual fund targeting top Chinese and South Korean chipmakers and investing in semiconductor giants including Samsung Electronics Co and SK Hynix Inc from South Korea as well as China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp and Montage Technology Co. [Reuters]

Pentagon drops ban Chinese alloy used in a component on the fighter jet

(dql) The US pentagon has issued a national security waiver related to a ban on a Chinese alloy that is used in one component in Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jets, allowing resumption of the deliveries of the jets that were halted in September.

The magnet was made with a rare cobalt and samarium alloy imported from China. The use of special metals and alloys from China (and Iran, North Korea or Russia) is prohibited, under both US law and Pentagon regulations. The violation was detected in August.

Defense Undersecretary for Acquisitions William LaPlante cited for the waiver national security interests that made acceptance of the aircraft “necessary”. The waiver applies to 126 aircraft that are under existing production contracts through October 2023.

Lockheed, for its part, has reportedly found an “alternative US source” for the alloy to be used in the production of future aircraft from November on. [Aviation Pros] [South China Morning Post]

Chinese Communist Party-run newspaper Global Times cited experts in whose view the waiver exposes the US dependence of Chinese rare earths and China should consider “applying more strict export controls on rare-earth products, which are resources of strategic value.” [Global Times]

China to invest in Malaysia's digital economy

(yv) The fast-expanding USD 21 billion Malaysian digital economy is poised to receive a capital influx from China, in a sign that Beijing’s Belt and Road initiative swings increasingly toward new technology.

Chinese enterprises collaborate with their Malaysian e-commerce counterparts, according to Ouyang Yujing, China’s Ambassador to Malaysia, who made the statement last week at a symposium in Kuala Lumpur.

A Google study on Southeast Asia found that a 68 percent increase in e-commerce contributed to Malaysia’s digital economy expanding last year. According to the survey, the gross merchandise value of e-commerce might reach USD 35 billion by 2025 as more people in the middle-income nation utilize digital services. [South China Morning Post]

China expands investment in resource-rich Russia Far East

(yv) With many collaborative infrastructure projects aimed at easing trade recently completed, China is rapidly improving transit connections with Russia’s Far East.

The Quanzhou-Fast East maritime line’s inaugural voyage departed in the middle of September, and the 2,200-meter Tongjiang-Nizhneleninskoye railway bridge is anticipated to be inaugurated in the following months. The Heihe-Blagoveshchensk bridge over the Amur River was opened in June.

No game-changing projects or significant financial inflows are on the horizon in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to analysts who claim that recent Chinese investment in the Far East is intended to facilitate imports of Russian oil, natural gas, and agricultural products. [South China Morning Post]

China opposes EU parliament’s call to stop oil pipeline across Africa

(yv) China has blamed the European Union (EU) over attempts to delay the development of Uganda’s oilfields and the building of a 1,443 km (897 mi) crude oil pipeline from Hoima in western Uganda to a port in Tanzania.

This comes after the EU adopted a resolution European Parliament that demanded a halt to the construction the USD 5 billion oil pipeline citing environmental concerns and human rights violations.

China (along with France) is heavily involved in the exploration of Ugandan oil, with state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), the country’s largest offshore oil and gas producer, owning a nearly 30 percent share in the oilfields and the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) that would carry oil to Tanga, Tanzania. [South China Morning Post 1]

For a discussion of China’s efforts to increase also its security footprint in Africa, see [South China Morning Post 2]

China, Japan clash over fresh tensions over disputed territories

(sm) Tensions over the Japan-administered and China-claimed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands show no respite, as Tokyo issued protests over a newfound Chinese gas extraction structure in the contested waters around the islets.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry officially complained about the alleged activity of a Chinese drilling rig located on the Chinese side of the median line cutting through the two countries’ overlapping exclusive economic zones (EZZ) last May. On October 3, the ministry expressed its strong regret over China’s unilateral actions as no agreement has been reached yet on the overlapping EEZs. The activity of the structure was recently noticed by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and is suspected to extract offshore natural gas.

This is not the first gas extraction structure found in the contested zone. In fact, Japan has currently located 18 similar Chinese structures on their side of the median line. While negotiations on a bilateral agreement for joint gas development had been underway since 2008, negotiations were stalled after the 2010 collision of a Chinese and Japanese vessel near the territorially contested Senkaku/Diaoyu islands and have not resumed since. [The Mainichi_1]

Reciprocally, China criticized the presence of Japanese patrol vessels in international waters near the Taiwan Strait as a national security threat on the same day. To avoid the typhoon Hinnamnor, the ships set to patrol the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands evacuated towards a calmer zone in international waters near the Taiwan Strait. Japan dismissed the Chinese accusations, pointing out the legal freedom of navigation in international waters. While complaints over the Japanese presence near the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands have been numerous, it is the first time China protests such a presence in the international waters near Taiwan, which Beijing claims to own. [The Mainichi_2]

Japan and China have long been in a dispute over the ownership of the islets in the East China sea. While negligeable in size and inhospitable, the rights to the EEZ around the islands represent significant geopolitical stakes for both countries. As Japan is poor in natural resources, the potential natural gas fields located in the EEZ are an asset to lessen energetic dependence on other countries such as Russia. For China, the valuable potential energy resources and the strategic position in the East China sea are an important steppingstone to achieve regional leadership in the Asia Pacific.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force conducted a joint drill with the U.S. Marine Corps on October 10 during which the defense of remote islands was simulated to enhance deterrent and response capabilities. The exercise was part of current joint drills that run until October, involving some 150 Hokkaido-based Japanese ground force personnel and 40 Marines from Okinawa and a total of 24 rockets fired at a target about 13 kilometers away.

The ongoing joint exercises, held across Hokkaido, are said to bring together more than 2,000 GSDF personnel and some 1,400 Marines. They also involve six MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft of the Marines and two similar aircraft of the U.S. Air Force. [Kyodo News]

For a discussion about what Japan needs to do militarily as the National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will most likely give Chinese President Xi Jinping a third term as party leader, see Grant Newsham in [Japan Forward] who argues that as “this CCP Congress is putting China on the path to war,” Japanese and American forces must make sure that they “can fight together. This too requires little money or hardware. Indeed, emulate and expand what the JMSDF and the US Navy have quietly achieved over a number of decades. For Japanese and US leaders, a changed mindset is the main thing, and then getting down to business, and fast.”

Indian foreign minister’s visit to New Zealand, Australia, signals growing ties

(vv/lm) India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar completed a week-long visit to New Zealand and Australia on October 11, an important trip that highlights growing ties between New Delhi and the two Oceanian countries. [Tribune India] [The Strategist]

Jaishankar made his way to New Zealand first, starting his diplomatic trip with a welcome event addressing the India diaspora of New Zealand co-attended by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, to honor the achievements and contributions of the Indian community in New Zealand. Visa-related issues of Indian students seeking education in New Zealand was also discussed, with Jaishankar demanding an expeditious visa processing for previous students’ who’s stay was disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and for newer aspirants. Other key bilateral discussions were held concerning security, mutual defense agreements and trade among other areas of shared significance to both nations. The growth of the Indo-Pacific region was also tabled as an important shared value for both countries, as Jaishankar added that India and New Zealand have a responsibility to forge a post-colonial development path given their history, struggles, and bilateral cultural values. [News On Air] [Times of India]

Notably, the two countries jointly issued an official statement announcing an end to their free trade (FTA) talks. New Zealand foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta stated that an FTA deal with India isn’t among the priorities of her government, and that an industry-specific business relationship is sought with New Delhi. [Indian News Link]

After concluding his official trip in New Zealand, Jaishankar arrived in Canberra on October 10, marking the first time an Indian foreign minister has visited Australia twice a year - following a visit in February centered on the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue foreign ministers’ meeting. During his visit, Jaishankar met with his Australian counterperpart Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles. The two sides agreed to expand their diplomatic footprints, with Australia recommitting to open a Consulate-General in Bengaluru, and India planning an additional consulate in Australia. [Asian News International]

While in Australia, Jaishankar afresh pushed back against criticism of his country’s "longstanding" ties with Moscow, with pointed remarks defending New Delhi's purchasing of Russian arms. While defending India’s friendship with Russia at a time when the West choses to avoid diplomatic engagement with Moscow, Jaishankar took a jibe at neighboring Pakistan claiming that the West chose to support a military dictatorship for decades that allegedly waged proxy war on India. He also maintained that engaging with Russia was strictly business, in continued efforts to manage its own population and inflation. [Associated Press] [Hindustan Times] [News Drum] [The Express Tribune]

India criticizes Germany, United States over recent Kashmir-related moves

(vv/lm/tj) India has sharply criticized the United States and Germany for recent, but rare, back-to-back moves related to a long-running territorial dispute with neighbor and archrival Pakistan. [Voice of America]

The controversy erupted when Donald Blome, Washington’s ambassador to Islamabad, made a three-day visit to the Pakistan-administered part of the disputed Kashmir territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), last week. The US diplomat held meetings with senior AJK officials, as well as academic, business, cultural, and civil society representatives. [Anadolu Agency] [Reuters]

Later on October 4, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, in a rare backing for Islamabad’s stance on the territorial rivalry, said that Berlin had a “role and responsibility” with regard to the tension over Kashmir. Speaking at a joint news conference with visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the German top diplomat hailed a February 2021 Kashmir cease-fire agreement between the nuclear-armed rival nations, urging both sides to build on it. She stressed that Germany supports “intensively the engagement of the United Nations” to find a peaceful solution to the dispute. [The Hindu]

Against this backdrop, on October 8, the Indian government strongly objected to Baerbock’s Kashmir-related remarks because it vehemently opposes any third-party intervention in what India considers a bilateral issue with Pakistan.

Islamabad, for its part, has welcomed the U.S. diplomat’s visit and the German foreign minister’s statement.

Ms. Sitha Komatineni contributed research to this entry.

India’s home minister says no to talks with Pakistan over disputed Kashmir territory

(vv/lm) India’s Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) union territory has rejected the possibility of dialogue with neighboring Pakistan over the disputed Kashmir territory.

The union territory has witnessed much controversy following the abrogation of Article 370, which had previously granted a special autonomous status to Kashmir under a presidential order issued in 1954 that allowed J&K to set up independent constituents. Following the revocation of the article by present ruling government Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – often accused of practicing Hindu nationalism and oppressing the muslim voices in J&K – the former state was amended as a union territory and merged into the constitution of India rather than hold a separate constitution. The move by the central government was unwelcomed, and Shah is accused of human rights violation for amending the abrogation. [AiR No. 32, August/2019, 1]

During his visit - his second since Kashmir’s autonomy was scrapped in 2019 - Shah said that Prime Minister Modi’s aim was to promote more tourism and business in the region. Taking pot shots at political rivals Mehbooba Mufti - former chief minister of J&K and leader of regional party People’s Democratic Party (PDP) a former ally of the BJP - and Farooq Abdullah - former chief minister of J&K and leader of regional party National Conference (NC) an ally of the opposition party Indian National Congress (INC) - Shah alleged that the regional leaders had stalled development and encouraged radicalization of the youth. Continuing his attack, Shah accused Mufti and Abdullah for advocating talks with Pakistan - often accused by Indian authorities of infiltrating terrorists into J&K – adding that he refuses to engage with Pakistan and wanted to speak to Kashmiris alone. [The Dispatch] [United News of India] [The Siasat Daily] [Al Jazeera]

Following the speech, Mufti was quick to criticize the Home Minister, tweeting that while Shah claims normalcy in J&K, the former chief minister was placed under house-arrest for simply wanting to travel to Pattan – a sub-district in J&K. The local police force denied the allegations, clarifying that there was no such restriction imposed and Mufti is free to travel. Abdullah, too, launched sharp attacks on Shah, rejecting the home minister’s claims of NC having links with separatists – often accused of supporting pro-Pakistan views. The NC leader claimed that regional parties have sacrificed their lives in fighting terrorism and ensuring development in the region, and that their plight ought to be acknowledged. [India Today] [The Hindu] [Outlook]

India’s Prime Minister Modi offers Ukraine help with peace efforts

(vv) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 4 over a phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky assured that his country is ready to contribute to any peace efforts as there is no military solution to the conflict.

A little more than two weeks after Prime Minister Modi’s comments, along the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conclave, stating to Russian President Putin that this isn’t an era of war, the Indian Prime Minister initiated a first phone conversation with the Ukraine president relative to the ongoing war.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated and maintained that India believes in peace and diplomacy and calls for immediate cessation of hostilities, and arms, from both sides. India contributing to any peace efforts, and emphasizing on respecting the UN charter, International Law, and sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, were some of the key points mentioned by Prime Minister Modi during the tele-conversation with President Zelensky.

Prime Minister Modi also asserted that India discourages any potential use of nuclear weapons, clearly stating that its catastrophic effects may be of dire consequences to the public and the environment. Bilateral cooperation between India and Ukraine were also among the discussions, as both the nations last engaged in diplomatic dialogue in November 2021. [Reuters] [Hindustan Times]

President Zelensky acknowledged India’s stand for peace and welcomed Prime Minister Modi’s remarks to President Putin along the sidelines of SCO, discouraging war. The Ukrainian leader also invited the Indian prime minister to visit Ukraine, while also expressing gratitude for Indian private sectors assisting Ukraine’s economy during the armed conflict. [India Today]

Ms. Sitha Komatineni contributed research to this entry.

India drives hard bargain as United Kingdom tries to get free trade deal over the line by end of the month

(vv/lm) India is reportedly playing hardball in negotiations with the United Kingdom over a post-Brexit free trade agreement (FTA), with British Prime Minister Liz Truss ordering her trade chief to hold fast to an October 24 Diwali deadline for the deal set by predecessor Boris Johnson and India’s Narendra Modi. [Politico]

In September of last year, India announced potential FTAs with economic power houses like the UK, Canada and the European Union. As India and the EU have already signed an FTA, a trade pact with the UK was expected by the end of October, and one with Canada by the end of 2022 calendar year. [AiR No. 39, September/2022, 4]

Against this backdrop, UK trade minister Kemi Badenoch signaled on October 4 that her country was on course to sign the FTA with India by the end of this month. But Badenoch also admitted the final weeks on the deal with New Delhi might not see London 'get everything' it wants - amid claims the South Asian country is playing hardball in talks. [Daily Mail] [Reuters]

But on October 6, then, the new British home secretary, Suella Braverman, in an interview spoke out against the trade deal with India, arguing that it could increase immigration to the UK. She also criticized a deal with New Delhi, signed by her predecessor Priti Patel, to increase the number of illegal migrants and overstayers returned to the country, saying the agreement “has not necessarily worked very well”. [The Guardian]

A day after reservations expressed by Braverman, Indian commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal, speaking at a meeting held to review India’s export performance, stated that India’s priority will always remain its national interest, which the FTA allegedly serves. Goyal also added that the deadlines for the FTA with the UK will not be digressed from, and that the decision was taken after thorough consultations with Indian and UK stakeholders. [Times Now]

India, Taiwan should consider finalizing free trade pact as soon as possible, Taipei official says

(vv/lm) India and Taiwan should firm up a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) at the earliest as it will help create a resilient supply chains, especially in high-tech industries, according to Taipei's de facto ambassador to New Delhi. [Press Trust of India] [The Hindu]

In December 2021, the two countries began negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), with India seeking to boost domestic chipmaking. Last month, Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn and Indian mining giant Vedanta announced to invest USD 19.5 billion in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat to build one of the country’s first semiconductor manufacturing complexes [see AiR No. 38, September/2022, 3]

Ms. Sitha Komatineni contributed research to this entry.

Indonesia, Russia call for peace in Ukraine for socio-economic well-being

(ai) Indonesia hopes the Ukraine conflict will soon end for world peace and serenity, so said the President of the People's Consultative Assembly,

The comment comes the day after the visit of the President of the Council of the Russian Federation, Valentina Matvienko. During two speeches, Matvienko stated that Russia is willing to negotiate for peace with Ukraine. Matvienko also said that relations between Russia and Indonesia are crucial as Indonesia is an essential partner for Moscow in the Asia-Pacific region. For the Russian, Indonesia remains an important trading partner, aiming for bilateral trade of USD 5 billion. [antaranews]

Charity Bazaar stresses strong relations between Indonesia and Sri Lanka

(os) On October 1, the Sri Lanka Indonesia Friendship Association (SLIFA) in conjunction with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Sri Lanka organized a Cultural and Charity Bazaar. The bazaar was held on the 30th Anniversary of SLIFA and the 70th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

The event allowed both countries to display their unique cultures. The Ambassador of Indonesia in Sri Lanka stated that events like this help to further strengthen the close ties between the two countries. In the wake of the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, Indonesia sent humanitarian aid with a total value of USD 1.6 million in April and May 2022. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Indonesia, Japan to expand cooperation in pharmaceutical sector

(os) In the context of the Indonesia-Japan Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Business Forum, held on October 5–7 in Osaka, both countries expressed their willingness to strengthen the cooperation in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.

At the business forum, which was attended by 15 Indonesian business delegations, the Indonesian Association of Pharmaceutical Companies (GPFI) and the Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (FPMAJ) signed a letter of intent (LoI) aiming at increased collaboration in the pharmaceutical sector. Indonesian Ambassador to Japan and Micronesia Federation, Heri Akhmadi, stated that hopefully, this LoI will lead to a surge in investment, joint research, and capacity building.

The pharmaceutical and medical device industries are part of the seven prioritized industries in the Making Indonesia 4.0 strategy of the Indonesian government. These industries benefit from a variety of incentives and less regulation. The signing of the LoI is furthermore meant to contribute to one of the main objectives of Indonesia’s G20 presidency, which is strengthening global health architecture. [Antara News] [Tempo]

Japan reaffirms stance against Russia over diplomatic representation

(sm) In response to Russia’s expulsion of a Japanese consul, Japan declared a Russian diplomat based at the country’s embassy in Sapporo persona non grata on October 6 and reopened the Japanese embassy in Kyiv after a seven-month closure.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi announced the expulsion of the Russian diplomat within six days as an adequate response to Russia’s alleged mistreatment of Tatsunori Motoki, a Japanese consul in Vladivotok. Following talks with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Takeo Mori, the Russian ambassador to Japan Mikhail Galuzin stated that the expulsion of the Russian diplomat would only further worsen bilateral ties as the latter had not engaged in any questionable acts. [Kyodo News_1]

Motoki was interrogated under suspicions of espionage on September 22 with his eyes bound and head pressed down. After his release on September 28, he was ordered to leave the country within 48 hours. Japan has denied the occurrence of any illegal actions by Motoki and Hayashi criticized the detention and interrogation as coercive and in violation of international law. [see AiR No. 40, October/2022, 1]

While Russo-Japanese ties are likely to worsen over this issue, Japan was able to reopen its embassy in the Ukrainian capital as the security situation has improved. Operations had been transferred to Lyiv in the West of Ukraine in March shortly after the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, before being completely suspended due to the security situation.

Japan is acting in coordination with its fellow G7 members (US, UK, France, Canada, Germany, Italy) who resumed the operation of their embassies in Kyiv before the summer. Japan aims to work closely together with the other embassies to assist with the reconstruction of Ukraine. [Kyodo News_2]

As Japan has joined Western countries’ sanctions against Russia since February, bilateral ties have been gradually worsening. Japan added 89 new items to export bans on September 30, mainly equipment to build and monitor chemical weapons. Consular relations have been the object of a tit-for-tat dispute, as diplomats have been expulsed from both countries, while Russia has suspended visa-free visits for Japanese citizens to territorially contested islands in the North of Japan [see AiR No. 40, October/2022, 1].

Japan’s foreign exchange reserves strongly decrease after national market intervention

(sm) Over the last month, Japan’s foreign currency reserves strongly decreased, following the country’s first yen-buying dollar-selling intervention since 1998. According to the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the reserves amounted to USD 1,238 trillion, the lowest since March 2017, after they fell by USD 54 billion this September.

The global financial situation, including steep inflation and the US Federal Reserve’s aggressive financial policy tightening, has caused the depreciation of currencies such as the yen and euro against the dollar and significantly decreased the value of foreign bonds over the last months.

On September 24, as the yen stood near JPY 146 against USD 1, the lowest in 24 years, the government intervened in the markets by buying dollars in their first action of a kind since 1998 with the intention to stop the steep decline of the yen. MOF data showed Japan spent around a record of JPY 2,8 trillion (USD 19,32 billion) in this intervention.

Tokyo is suspected to have sold US treasuries, a suspicion that is in line with the MOF-reported drop in value of the securities (including US treasuries) held in its foreign reserves, the second largest reserves in the world after China.

Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki explained the decreased value of the securities by increased bond yields and the decline in value of euro-denominated assets, due to the euro’s own depreciation against the dollar. Vice finance minister for international affairs Masato Kanda stated he did not feel there were any limits in the amount of assets that can be used for Japan’s currency intervention.

Japan’s reserves include gold, securities (US Treasuries included), IMF reserve position, special drawing rights and cash deposits at foreign central banks. The makeup of currencies held in reserve is not made public Dollar-selling interventions have been rather rare in Japan, as economic growth has been fueled by car and technology exports in the last 20 years.

Considering the global inflation, Japan’s situation is not unique: South Korea, China, and Indonesia have also been experiencing declines in their foreign currency reserves this September, with South Korea intervening in their own markets. [Reuters]

Japan eyes using US bioethanol amid growing energy concerns

(sm) A joint US-Japanese workshop in Tokyo on October 5 gave American experts the opportunity to present bioethanol’s potential for future energy generation.

The minister for economic affairs at the US embassy in Tokyo Aaron Forsberg showcased bioethanol as a useful means to deal with climate change, rising consumer prices, and energy security in Japan. Forsberg urged Japan to increase its use of bioethanol in car fuel, while offering US expertise on how to best blend it with gasoline for optimal effectiveness, and expressed the US’ willingness to provide a steady supply. Yuki Sadamitsu, Forsberg’s Japanese counterpart at the Natural Resources and Fuel Department of the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry responded that bioethanol would play a crucial role in achieving Japan’s plan to go carbon neutral by 2050.

Biofuel, as a cleaner alternative to petroleum for cars and planes, is one of the elements discussed between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US President Joe Biden in their planned partnership on environmental matters. The use of biofuel, mainly made from corn and other crops, is relatively low in Japan compared to major corn-producers like the US and Brazil. Japan’s demand for alternative fuels has steadily grown since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war. The country is heavily dependent on oil and gas imports and Russia still represents about nine percent of its national supply in liquid natural gas. [The Mainichi]

US indicates that it is eager to work with Malaysian Sarawak on climate and energy

(gc) The U.S. has reaffirmed its determination to foster partnerships and collaboration with Sarawak, a Malaysian state on Borneo.

The US has stated that they are particularly interested in working together with Sarawak officials on energy and climate problems. During his courtesy call on the Sarawak premier, the US ambassador in Malaysia stated that he saw great potential for collaboration on climate matters as well as indicating interest in youth exchange and educational partnerships. [Bernama]

Malaysia, Japan, to deepen partnership amidst defense concerns

(pe) ​​The Strategic Partnership between Malaysia and Japan is to be upgraded to a Strategic Comprehensive Partnership, with new features of collaboration to be developed.

To coordinate the upgrade, the nations have begun by identifying areas of cooperation for the benefit of both countries. Both countries have indicated a desire to partner more closely on trade and investment, digital technology, education, human resource development, renewable energy, and tourism. The current situation in Myanmar has also been highlighted as a major area of concern for both Malaysia and Japan, with the opportunity to collaborate on their joint responses. [Malay Mail]

Furthermore, the two nations have committed to deal with North Korean threats through closer collaboration. This move comes after North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan. [Kyodo News]

Myanmar businessmen punished by the US for dealing arms with Russia

(tp) A businessman from Myanmar, who formed the Dynasty International Company Limited, has been punished by the United States on suspicion of purchasing firearms and providing those Russian-made weapons, including aircraft, to the Myanmar military regime.

According to the statement, Aung Moe Myint and two of his company’s directors have been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury. The sanctions effectively ban Americans from doing business with blacklisted people and freezes all of their U.S. assets. The US Treasury has declared that the sanctions will primarily focus on people who benefit from the regime's harsh policies by working in Myanmar's defense industries and supplying the military with weapons and other supplies.

Russia has become one of the major suppliers to the Myanmar forces, as Myanmar’s relations with Russia have moved into a higher level in recent years. The chief of the Myanmar junta also made his third trip to Russia last month since the coup in order to take part in the Eastern Economic Forum last month in Vladivostok, Russia. [Aljazeera]

North Korea supports Russia’s declaration of annexations

(my) North Korea expressed its support for Russia, which declared the annexation of four regions of Ukraine into the Russian Federation on September 30. It followed a draft UN Security Council (UNSC)’s denunciation against Russia that urged all international actors not to recognize the Russian annexation declaration and Russia to withdraw from Ukrainian territory. The draft resolution was circulated by the US and Albania and obtained support by ten of the fifteen members of the Council, while Russia voted against it. Brazil, China, Gabon and India abstained. [UN]

The Foreign Ministry of North Korea announced that “[w]e respect the will of the inhabitants of the region towards integration into Russia and support the Russian Government's position on accepting the region.” It further supported the legitimacy of the referendum, saying, “[t]he referendum was conducted in accordance with the UN Charter and procedures to fully reflect the will of the local people, with a majority of voters supporting integration with the Russian Federation.”

North Korea also lashed out at the UNSC, accusing it of failing to take issue with the wars that the US started. It continued to accuse the US of applying “gangster-like double standards” to interrupt other countries’ affairs “to maintain its supremacy and the unchallenged ‘unipolar world’.”[Reuters] [Yonhap News Agency, in Korean]

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the accession of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Lugansk People’s Republic, Zaporozhye Region and Kherson Region to the Russian Federation on September 30 and the Assembly and Constitutional Court of Russia also approved it. [Kremlin] [Washington Post]

North Korea fires another ballistic missile

(my/sm) Following North Korea’s consecutive missile launches, the international community is trying to restrict the North by issuing statements and strengthening defense cooperation.

North Korea has fired missiles into the East Sea seven times since September 25 [see also AiR No. 40, October/2022, 1]. [Yonhap News Agency 1] Unlike the other six launches, which fired one or two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) each time, it launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) on October 4 that landed in the Pacific Ocean after flying over Japan. It was also reported that the North Korean military formed a squadron of 12 aircraft on October 5 and conducted a firing drill. [Yonhap News Agency 2]

The missile test launches apparently were conducted during the North’s military drills from September 25 to October 9. It also staged large-scale caliber artillery firing drills targeting major ports of enemies during the exercise. It is reportedly guided by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and he said that he feels “no need to have dialogue with enemies,” or has “nothing to talk with them,” according to the North’s media. [Yonhap News Agency 3]

Experts, including South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, described it as a protest against the bilateral and trilateral joint drills among South Korea, the US, and Japan and also as a display of defense capabilities. They added that reflecting the fact that the sixth nuclear test was conducted after the last IRBM launch in 2017, the seventh nuclear test is likely to be carried out soon.

The UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting was convened on October 5 to discuss countermeasures. During the meeting, the Chinese and Russian ambassadors insisted that the recent joint US-South Korean-Japanese military exercises stimulated North Korea. In response, the US Ambassador said that the two countries blocked the UNSC’s responses and enabled Kim Jong-un’s actions. The Japanese ambassador added that it is unacceptable that North Korea’s missile flew over Japan. [KBS World 1]

Due to opposition from China and Russia, the UNSC could not issue a statement condemning North Korea’s missile launches, but 11 countries issued a joint statement. The statement condemned that North Korea has launched over 35 ballistic missiles in 2022 as of October 5, and pointed out it violates multiple Security Council resolutions. It further urged all UN members to put effort into achieving North Korea’s complete denuclearization. [United States Mission to the United Nations]

In the meantime, South Korea has been coping with tensions in the Korean Peninsula through military cooperation with the United States and Japan. South Korea and the US conducted joint naval exercises from September 26 to 29, and trilateral antisubmarine drills with Japan on September 30. The USS Ronald Reagan re-entered South Korea on October 5 after North Korea launched an IRBM and conducted drills again. [Yonhap News Agency 4] South Korea and the US military also fired four ground-to-ground missiles into the East Sea and conducted precision bombing exercises after a formation flight with eight fighter jets. [Yonhap News Agency 5]

South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, on the other hand, said the South would reconsider the effectiveness of the inter-Korean military agreement, which was made at the inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang in September 2018 during the previous Moon Jae-in administration. The South Korean military observed that the North’s missile launch violated the premise of an agreement that “the two Koreas ease military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.” [KBS World 2]

In response to North Korea’s first launch of an IRBM over Japan since September 2017, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the US Forces Japan held an aerial drill near the coast west of the Kyushu region including twelve fighter jets on the same day. [The Mainichi]

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida and US President Biden strongly condemned Pyongyang’s launching of the missile as a threat to peace in the Asia Pacific region and agreed to improve the US-Japan military cooperation deterrence, especially in terms of missile counter strike capabilities. Kishida and Yoon, meanwhile, held a phone conversation on October 6, taking a stance against North Korea’s aggressive actions. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi held talks with his US and South Korean counterparts Antony Blinken and Park Jin respectively, agreeing to bolster bilateral and trilateral defense cooperation towards North Korea’s denuclearization. Hayashi also had a meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah on September 9 in Kuala Lumpur, in which they agreed to work together in responding to the recent North Korean missile launches. [Kyodo News_1][Reuters]

In reaction to the missile test, which disrupted several airport and railway operations after the national missile warning system was activated, Tokyo lodged a protest with Pyongyang through its embassy in Beijing. [Kyodo News_2]

North Korea, for its part, insisted that the missile launch was a self-defense measure against military threats. At the 41st Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal, Canada, it adopted a resolution calling North Korea’s missile launch a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and the ICAO resolutions made in June 2022 which urge to stop the missile launch. [ICAO] [Voice of America, in Korean] The North’s National Aviation Administration responded “[o]ur missile test launch is a regular and self-defense measure to protect the nation’s safety and regional peace from US military threats that have lasted more than half a century.” They condemned the ICAO’s resolution as “a political provocation by the US and its followers to invade a nation’s sovereignty,” adding that they had given due consideration to the safety of civilian aircraft flying internationally and posed any threat to the safety of neighboring countries and regions. [Yonhap News Agency 6]

Pakistani army chief's US visit Seen as bid to redefine ties, partner more

(fm/tj) Pakistan powerful military chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, met on October 5 in Washington with United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and other security and government officials, as both countries are seemingly seeking to mend previously strained relations. General Bajwa’s trip to the US – his first since 2019 – comes weeks before he’s expected to retire after an extended six-year tenure. A successor has not been named.

According to a military statement, General Bajwa in his meeting with the US defense chief and other senior officials thanked them for extending help to flood-hit Pakistan, where deluges since mid-June have killed nearly 1,700. The statement further said that both sides also discussed deepening collaboration beyond security and intelligence. [The Voice of America] [The Washington Post]

The visit comes after the Biden administration asked Congress to approve a USD 450 million foreign military sale to Pakistan to service the country’s F-16 fighter jets, most of which are decades old. The move irked India, which fears Pakistan could use the fighter planes against it, even though the sale agreement requires that the jets be used only for counterterrorism purposes. [AiR No. 37, September/2022, 2].

It also follows on a recent visit to the Pakistan-administered part of the disputed Kashmir territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), by Washington’s ambassador to Islamabad. That visit was considered by some observers a confidence building measure, with the US intending to signal its willingness to partner more with Islamabad. [see entry in this edition]

The trip coincided with a visit to Pakistan’s souther Karachi port by two U.S. Coast Guards ships for a scheduled port call. [The EurAsian Times]

Pakistan ‘strongly contests’ Moody’s ratings downgrade

(msk) Bond rating company Moody's cut Pakistan's credit rating on October 6 by one notch further into junk territory to Caa1 from B3, citing external risks and concerns about Islamabad’s ability to secure required financing to meet its needs in the next few years. The decision, which will likely make it harder for the South Asian nation to tap international markets for funds, was criticized by Islamabad. [Al Jazeera]

The country’s already struggling economy was hit by devastating floods that the government estimates will cause economic losses up to USD 30 billion [see AiR No. 38, September/2022, 3]. However, Pakistan will not seek debt restructuring from Paris Club creditor nations, the country’s finance minister said on October 9 as he sought to restore market confidence after a credit rating downgrade. [The Straits Times]

Philippine, US lawmakers meet to boost bilateral ties

(pe) The Philippines government has welcomed a delegation from the United States, in an effort to bolster bilateral relationships.

Legislators welcomed Sunday night a two-man congressional delegation from the United States (US) signifying the continuing effort from both countries to bolster long-standing bilateral relations.

The visit of the US lawmakers kicked off the first stage of their two-week joint military exercises. These are the first to be held under the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Observers have also stated that sideline meetings have taken place between Marcos and US President Biden, who have discussed opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation on energy security, climate action, and infrastructure, and security. [Philippine News Agency]

Singapore & Brunei conclude joint naval exercises

 (pe) Singapore and Brunei have concluded their flagship bilateral exercise, known as “Exercise Pelican”.

Exercise Pelican is an annual exercise, now in its 40^th year. It is applauded by the two nations as enhancing mutual cooperation and the long-standing relationship that they have. During the exercise, the navies conducted gunnery firing, air defense, maneuvering and communication drills. [The Straits Times]

Japanese Foreign Minister pays visit to Singapore PM Lee

(pe) Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi has met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, they discussed collaboration and reaffirmed their longstanding partnership.

Key areas of collaboration discussed by the parties were digitalization, sustainability, and energy. In addition, Mr Lee also welcomed Japan's increased engagement with ASEAN. [The Straits Times]

South Korea seeks support from Germany, Thailand on North Korea’s denuclearization

(sm) In response to the recent launching of North Korean missiles into the East Sea, Seoul has been trying to gather international support for its audacious initiative, which offers North Korea economic aid in exchange for its denuclearization, by holding talks with German and Thai officials.

During a meeting in Berlin on October 4, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and South Korean member of Parliament Kwon Young-se discussed North Korea’s recent and frequent ongoing launching of ballistic missiles into the East Sea. Steinmeier expressed his concern over the matter and strong support for South Korea’s audacious initiative. Kwon reaffirmed his commitment to inter-Korean communication and humanitarian aid.

Seoul’s Unification Ministry, which reported the meeting between Steinmeier and Kwon, stated its plan to secure further support for the country’s denuclearization plan and the potential reunification of the Peninsula. [Yonhap News Agency_1]

Meanwhile, the South Korean Foreign Ministry announced on October 7 it had been holding diplomatic consultations with Thailand over the same matter. The Head of the ministry’s Korean Peninsula Peace Regime Bureau Chun Young-hee and his Thai counterpart Arjaree Sriratanaban discussed the security situation of the Korean Peninsula in Bangkok on October 6. Chun asked for Thailand’s support for the audacious initiative, to which Sriratanaban assured her commitment to reestablish sound diplomatic communication between Pyongyang and the international community. North Korea and Thailand have had diplomatic relations since 1975. [Yonhap News Agency_2]

South Korea to offer additional disaster relief aid to Pakistan

(sm) Pakistan is to receive USD 1.7 million in disaster relief aid in addition to the initially promised USD 300,000 from South Korea, according to Seoul’s foreign ministry on October 6.

The money will be delivered to Pakistan through UNICEF and the World Food Program, as the country has been struck by a humanitarian crisis after floods covering one third of the country this summer. [Yonhap News Agency]

South Korea, El Salvador stage bilateral talks

(sm) On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and El Salvador, Foreign Minister Park Jin and his counterpart Alexandra Hill Tinoco held talks in Seoul on October 5.

Park and Hill Tinoco agreed to strengthen their economic ties by adopting a sustainable, future-oriented perspective amid the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hill Tinoco strongly condemned North Korea’s recent launching of ballistic missiles and expressed support for Seoul’s audacious initiative plan, which offers Pyongyang economic aid in exchange for denuclearization. She stated her hope that South Korea would continue to support El Salvador through economic development assistance to its infrastructure sector. Park, for his part, asked for El Salvador’s support of South Korea’s plan to become the host of the 2030 World Expo.

While Hill Tinoco’s visit was the first of an El Salvadorian Prime Minister to South Korea since 2011, other high-level diplomats had visited the country earlier this year in hopes to strengthen bilateral relations. [Yonhap News Agency]

South Korea, Ethiopia hold trade talks

(sm) Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde and South Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo met in Addis Abeba on October 9 to discuss the further strengthening of economic relations between the two countries.

Kim promised further support for Ethiopia’s ten-year economic development scheme and asked for Zewde’s support in resolving regulatory issues faced by South Korean businesses in the African country. South Korea is one of Ethiopia’s most important economic partners, as a major donor to the country’s official development assistance program. Zewde assured her willingness to find a solution for the regulatory issues and the two talked about a potential visit of South Korean President Yoon Yuk-seol to Ethiopia and a visit of Ethiopian lawmakers to South Korea.

This is the first visit of a South Korean lawmaker to Ethiopia since 2013. Kim will further visit Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates this week. [Yonhap News Agency]

Taiwan to align with US-led “Chip 4” group

(dql) Taiwan has announced that it will use the new US-led “Chip 4” group to protect the interests of Taiwanese companies and to boost supply chain resilience.

The statement comes after Taiwan participated in a preliminary meeting late September attended also the other group members, the US, South Korea and Japan.

Semiconductor has become a strategic asset in the power competition between the US and China. The so-called “Chip 4” alliance seeks to deepen cooperation between the members in the areas of design and production of sophisticated semiconductors.

China views it as a measure introduced by the US to counter the development of its semiconductor industry. [Reuters]

Taiwan sharpens designation of Chinese military activities

(dql) The Taiwanese defense ministry has revealed that it has adjusted its definition of a “first strike” to include Chinese military aircraft and drones intruding on Taiwan’s airspace.

The statement was made during a meeting of the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee in the parliament during Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng was asked whether Taiwan still sticks to a policy of not taking the “first shot” or launching the “first strike”. In response, Chiu said that in the past, an attack with artillery shells or missiles was considered a "first strike," adding that given that China has started to deploy drones and other new weapons, the definition of “first strike” has been changed to mean “any flight by Chinese military aircraft into Taiwan's airspace,” and to include also unmanned surface vehicles penetrating territorial waters. [Taiwan News]

Palau reaffirms backing of Taiwan, signs agreement on ethnic group cooperation

(dql) On October 1, Taiwan and Palau concluded a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to deepen bilateral cooperation between their Austronesian ethnic groups. The agreement was signed during the visit of Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr to Taiwan last week. [Taipei Times]

During a meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, Whipps reassured that Palau was committed to supporting Taiwan in defiance of what he called “mounting aggressions,” in an apparent reference to Beijing’s increasing pressure against Taiwan. [Reuters]

26 Chinese military aircraft and four warships tracked around Taiwan

(dql) Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has confirmed that 26 Chinese military aircraft along with four naval ships have been spotted around Taiwan on October 10, Taiwan’s National Da, with no aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait median line.

In October, a total of 147 Chinese military aircraft and 40 naval ships around Taiwan were sent by Beijing so far. [Taiwan News]

Finnish local berry firm accused of human trafficking including Thai workers

(td) A berry farm in Finland has come under scrutiny, accused of facilitating the forced labor of workers from Thailand.

Finland – along with other Scandinavian countries – has been previously hailed in reports as a champion of human rights norms and practices. A considerable number of Thai workers, likewise, have long viewed Finland as their preferred choice of destination as job opportunities in the agricultural sector are available for them annually. According to the Thai Labor Ministry, as of July 2021, there were 3,000 Thais working as berry pickers across the country. [Thai PBS World]

Recently, the chief executive officer a local-based berry sourcing enterprise in Northern Finland, has been detained on the ground of human trafficking of seasonal berry pickers. His firm was first suspected of having subjected its workers to harsh living conditions and unfair treatments for years. He has denied all the accusations, and reaffirmed its strict adherence to the law on hiring foreign berry pickers, and coordination with Thai authorities to ensure legal employment. [BBC, in Thai] [Yleisradio Oy 1]

This case follows others in a similar vein. For example, in January 2022, the Finnish Supreme Court sentenced the head of a local berry picking company in Central Finland to 20-month imprisonment on 26 charges of human trafficking, all of whom were Thai workers. [Yleisradio Oy 2]

Thai Navy's plan to procure Chinese-made submarine in limbo

(td) Thailand claims that China has failed to meet the terms laid out in a Naval procurement contract between the two nations.

Following the Royal Thai Navy (RTN)’s procurement plan, for the fiscal year 2017, to acquire a total of three S26T Yuan-class submarines from China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Corporation (CSCO), the Chinese firm has so far been unable to supply Thailand with German-made MTU396 diesel engines to power its historic submarine fleets, as stipulated in the contract.

Despite having offered equivalent Chinese-made diesel engines, CHD620, and two second-hand submarines free of charge in compensation, a navy ad-hoc panel concluded its preliminary examination with undesirable results. [Bangkok Post 1]

The row over military cooperation between the two parties has become strained since the signing of contract – worth USD 950 million – because the CSCO did not reportedly coordinate with Germany in the first place to secure the MTU396 engines, given the European Union (EU)’s arms embargo on China since the Tiananmen crackdown in 1989. [AiR, No. 33, August/2022, 3][Bangkok Post 2] [Bangkok Post 3] [Radio Free Asia]

South Korean police arrest illegal Thai immigrants for drug smuggling

(td) The South Korean authorities have apprehended nine Thai nationals, accused of illegal immigration and drug smuggling.

According to observers, since South Korea granted tourist visa exemptions to Thai passport holders, the issue of Thai illegal job seekers – dubbed “little ghosts” – has been problematic for years, and dented Thailand’s international reputation at large.

Therefore, stories such as the arrest of the nine accused have prompted discussion around the need for a closer collaboration between the two sides to stem the flow of illegal workers. [AiR, No. 32, August/2022, 2] [Yonhap News Agency]

According to the Thai Labor Ministry, a majority of Thai workers suspected of smuggling several kinds of illegal drugs, as well as those using them to relieve their fatigue from hard work, generally turn out to be “little ghosts”. [Ministry of Labor of Thailand]

Despite warnings, a series of busts and arrests have been carried out by local enforcement officers until now. A number of illegal immigrants from Thailand have been arrested on charges of smuggling illegal drugs, worth USD 7.05 million, into South Korea from October 2021 to September this year to sell them to other Thais. [The Korea Times]

In addition to those prosecuted lately, thirty-one more Thai nationals formerly charged with drug use had been extradited to their homeland. South Korean officials arrested a total of 23 Thai offenders on similar grounds in 2021. With an increasing number of Thai “little ghosts”, the Thai Labor Ministry has put forward the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a seasonal work program (SWP) with South Korea to guarantee more job opportunities for Thai workers, as well as mandating drug tests. [AiR, No. 35, August/2022, 5] [The Korea Herald]

Thai Royal Thai Air Force awaiting US decision on the sale of two F-35 jets

(fj) The commander of the Royal Thai Airforce (RTA), Air Chief Marshal Alongkorn Wannarot, has announced that a procurement committee has approached the US government with its request to buy two F-35 stealth multirole combat aircraft. [Bangkok Post]

The Air Chief Marshal considers it an open question whether the US will accept the Thai request, as he said considerations of international politics will weigh in on this decision. Particularly Thailand’s relatively close military ties to China, which include joint military exercises, could be a hindrance for the sale going through. Consequently, Alongkorn estimates the chances for a successful procurement of the aircraft to stand at 50 percent. [The Nation Thailand]

Should the procurement plan with its expected cost of USD 196 million over the next four fiscal years fail to materialize, Alongkorn said the RTA would consider alternative purchases as well as postponing the decommissioning of old aircraft. Referring to the Royal Thai Navy’s prolonged difficulties over the purchase of submarines from China, Alongkorn expressed his confidence in the reliability of the fighter jets produced by Lockheed Martin. The US response to the request is expected within the first half of 2023. [The Nation Thailand]

Vietnam pledges to promote human rights in bid for UNHCR seat

(fe) Vietnam has made a bid for a seat at the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) ahead of a vote for new members to join in the 2023-2025 term.

During its 51st session, which ended on October 7 after four weeks of deliberations in Geneva, Vietnam actively participated in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). With other nations from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the International Organization of La Francophonie, and the Like-Minded Group (LMG), Vietnam took part to discuss human rights issues that were of common concern and participated in consultations and the creation of draft resolutions for the 51st session.

In highlighting Vietnam's priorities and commitments in its candidacy to the UNHRC for the 2023–25 term, Ambassador Le Th Tuyet Mai, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, and other international organizations asserted the Party and State's steadfast principles and policies of placing people at the center of development and ensure that they can share in the benefits of the process.

The ambassador also highlighted Vietnam's initiatives, commitments, and successes as well as its capacity to support the international community in the defense and advancement of human rights globally; to advance cooperation and dialogue at the UNHRC by the UN's priorities and shared global concerns, such as climate change mitigation, sustainable development, and the defense and advancement of human rights; and promoting the rights of vulnerable groups, gender equality. [Vietnamnews.vn] [VN Express]

Joint efforts needed to end norms depreciating female values in Vietnam, UNFPA states

(fe) At a policy debate conducted in Hanoi, the relevance of teamwork in reducing son preference and gender-based sex selection in various nations, including Vietnam, is on the table.

According to the regional director for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Asia and the Pacific, son preference is a challenge with gender inequality and a violation of human rights. The three-day gathering brought together decision-makers, experts, and members of civil society from eight different nations to exchange information and lessons learned. It also saw the involvement of ambassadors and delegates from Australia, Canada, Norway, and Sweden.

The event also highlighted the significance of south-south cooperation in advancing gender equality and rights and putting an end to harmful behaviors and discrimination based on gender. The negative effects of gender-biased sex selection on society are extensive and include an increase in maternal mortality, sexual violence, unequal sex ratios, and human trafficking.

The UNFPA's approach focuses on addressing gender inequality, the underlying cause of son preference, by collaborating with partners at all levels, from policymakers to people and communities, to bring about behavior and policy change. A movement has been started, according to UNFPA representatives in Vietnam, by establishing foundations for policy and law, launching creative initiatives for communication and behavior change led by youth, and offering integrated services. [Hanoitimes.vn]

Vietnam promises to promote legality both at home and abroad

(fe) Vietnam's commitment to advancing the rule of law at the national and international levels has been reaffirmed by Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN). He emphasized that the fundamental tenets of the UN Charter and international law have always served as the cornerstone of the global order. The remarks were made the United Nation’s 6^th Committee (legal).

He urged nations to uphold the principle of peacefully resolving international disputes, the role of international arbitration bodies in such settlements, and the promotion of the rule of law on a global scale and asserted that Vietnam is working with ASEAN members to create a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Southeast Asia. The Vietnamese official urged all parties to observe diplomatic and legal procedures and abide by international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He reaffirmed that Vietnam is implementing judicial reforms, bolstering the legal system, and working closely with the UN and other partners to promote and ensure better adherence to the rule of law at the national and international levels while the participants agreed that the rule of law and development were closely related and played a crucial role in achieving sustainable development goals, upholding human rights, and maintaining international peace and security, contributing to the implementation of the common agenda based on the principle of respecting national sovereignty. [vietnamnews.vn]

Vietnamese nationals saved by authorities cooperating with Cambodia on illicit work

(fe) The issue of Vietnamese nationals being fooled or enticed to Cambodia for illegal employment has lately come to light and is drawing attention, according to a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

The spokeswoman pointed out that Vietnam-representative organizations in Cambodia are closely monitoring the situation and remain in touch with the Vietnamese community. Additionally, they have collaborated with the Cambodian authorities to amplify surveillance, broaden the investigation, and free Vietnamese people duped or enticed into working illegally in Cambodia.

Additionally, the foreign ministry and domestic organizations work together to swiftly undertake the essential steps for returning the nationals, noting that more than 1,000 people had been saved and returned to their country of origin.

Campaigns to raise awareness of the need for people, organizations, and industries to uphold the law and guard against Vietnamese nationals being duped or persuaded to labor illegally abroad have been stepped up by various ministries, sectors, and regions. The spokesperson said that steps will be taken to safeguard Vietnamese individuals' rights and legitimate interests and that authorities would continue working in conjunction with domestic media organizations to improve communications. [vietnamnews.vn]

Peace groups in Vietnam and Laos aim to improve relations

(fe) Laos & Vietnam have briefed one another on socioeconomic developments and discussed collaboration as well as regional and global challenges.

 On the occasion of the Vietnam-Laos-Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity Year 2022, a former National Assembly vice chairman urged that the two committees take a more active role in enhancing the diversity, viability, and effectiveness of the bilateral collaboration.

According to the former National Assembly vice chairman, the two sides have actively supported the strong and enduring relationship between Vietnam and Laos; they regularly exchange delegations, step up communications, and work closely together to promote people-to-people exchanges. He advised that the committees should expand cooperation and support among themselves in people-to-people diplomacy initiatives like the World Social Forum, Asia-Europe People's Forum, and ASEAN People's Forum in addition to maintaining high-level delegation exchanges. [Nhandan.vn]

Announcements

Upcoming Online Events 

11-12 October 2022 @ 9:00 a.m. 3:35 p.m. (GMT+8), Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore

The Quality of Basic Education in Southeast Asia

This two-day-long hybrid conference will have ten presentations covering Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, discussing these nations’ history and progress towards quality education through recent reforms, programs, non-governmental and non-profit organization-supported interventions, and more.

More details available at [ISEAS].

12 October 2022 @ 1:00–2:00 a.m. (GMT-5), Center for Strategic & International Studies, USA

Why Taiwan Matters – From an Economic Perspective

Listen to the Scholl Chair in International Business for a discussion with the Taiwanese Minister for Economic Affairs, Wang Mei-Hua, where they will talk about the roles of Taiwan and the U.S. in creating trustworthy, resilient, and sustainable supply chains.

Visit [CSIS] for further details.

12 October 2022 @ 9:00–10:00 p.m. (GMT-5), Center for Strategic & International Studies, USA

Book Event: Spies and Lies: How China’s Greatest Covert Operations Fooled the World

In his new book, Spies and Lies: How China’s Greatest Covert Operations Fooled the World, Alex Joske, Senior Analyst at Australian Strategic Policy Institute, examines how China’s Ministry of State Security has shaped foreign attitudes towards China’s rise. Listen to a conversation about the Chinese Communist Party’s international intelligence operations, their impact, and lessons learned from other countries.

For more information, go to [CSIS].

12 October 2022 @ 8:00–9:00 p.m. (GMT-5), Peterson Institute for International Economics, USA

Tokyo and the Contest for Prominence Among Asian Financial Centers

This webinar discusses rising financial development and cross-border integration, investor concern over new curbs of freedom of opinion in Hong Kong, and the ripples effects of Brexit on new opportunities for Asian metropolises attracting international financial businesses. Is Tokyo poised to benefit?

See [PIIE] for more details.

13 October 2022 @ 9:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. (GMT+9), Asian Development Bank Institute, Japan

ADBI-Bank Indonesia-APAEA Workshop on Monetary Policy, Banking and Finance, and Central Banking

This virtual workshop will feature research papers that analyze monetary policy, banking, and finance, and central banking imperatives across Asia and the Pacific.

Visit [ADBI] for more information.

13 October 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. (GMT-5), RAND Corporation, USA

Can South Korea Help the World Beat the Next Pandemic?

This webinar looks at South Korea’s success rates in adopting effective nonpharmaceutical interventions to quickly ensecured virus containment as well as the nation’s low mortality rate in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Looking forward, could nations around the world look to South Korea’s near-perfect response as a model for handling future public health crises?

Go to [RAND] for more details.

13 October 2022 @ 8:00 – 11:00 p.m (GMT+9), Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, South Korea

Prospects and Potential for Trilateral Trade Cooperation among the United States, Korea, and the European Union

The global trade environment has been increasingly uncertain due to the de-globalization, protectionism, and regionalization of global supply chains, which have only been hastened by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a result, new issues of economic security, digital trade, climate change and environment are emerging, which have heightened the need for trade cooperation between the EU, US, and Korea.

Visit [KIEP] for more details.

14 October 2022 @ 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. (GMT+8), Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore

Labour Politics of App-based Driving in Vietnam and Beyond

App-based food delivery and ride-hailing services in Vietnam have increased significantly over the past eight years. This webinar will examine the labour politics of these platforms, drivers’ legal status, and wages and working conditions among other topics. It will also focus on the actions and debates among the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the state-led Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, and workers’ self-organized initiatives.

For more information, go to [ISEAS].

14 October 2022 @ 10:00–11:15 p.m (GMT-5), Center for Strategic & International Studies, USA

Chinese Imports and American Jobs: A Reassessment: A Big Data China Event

In this webinar, CSIS Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics and the Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions (SCCEI) present their latest Big Data China publication, providing an overview of the latest data-driven research and what it says about the impact of trade with China on employment trends in the US, while also providing comparative analysis with other countries.

Visit [CSIS] for more details.

Recent book releases

Caroline Elkins, Legacy of Violence: A History of the British Empire, Knopf, 896 pages, published on March 29, 2022, reviewed in [The Guardian].

Timothy May and Michael Hope (eds.), The Mongol World, Routledge, 1068 pages, published on May 26, 2022. For a review, see [Asian Review of Books].

Calls for Papers

The 6th International Academic Conference on Research in Social Sciences to be held on March 24-26, 2023, in Oxford invites paper proposals. The deadline for submission of proposals is March 1, 2023. For more information, see [IACRSS].

The European Union in International Affairs (EUIA) Conference scheduled for May 3-5, 2023, invites paper proposals. The conference theme is “Europe’s Pathways to (Dis)Engagement with the World”. The closing date for proposal submission is October 15, 2022. For further details, visit [EUIA].

Jobs and positions

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is seeking a Senior Investigator based in Denmark. Core responsibility is to lead and supervise the team of investigators assigned for each case and coordinate the investigative activities of team members. Applications are accepted until 9 November 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UN].

The United Nations Office for Project Services is seeking an ICT Associate (Website Design and Development Consultant). Core responsibility is to maintain and improve the Content Manage System of the GoJUST website. Applications are accepted until 23 October 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UN].

The International Atomic Energy Agency is seeking a Consultancy - Videographer/Multimedia Support Technician based in Austria. Core responsibility is to support the Multimedia Producer and associate Multimedia Producers. Applications are accepted until 18 October 2022. More information about the position is provided at [IAEA].

The International Atomic Energy Agency is seeking a Consultancy - Multimedia Assistant for Climate Change Content based in Austria. Core responsibility is to assess the IAEA's current multimedia outreach around climate change and provide suggestions for improving audience engagement. Applications are accepted until 18 October 2022. More information about the position is provided at [IAEA],

The World Health Organization is seeking a Consultant, providing technical assistance and training to laboratories in complex emergency countries based in Egypt. Core responsibility is to provide full technical support and follow up for setting up and running an NGS facility. Applications are accepted until 17 October 2022. More information about the position is provided at [WHO].

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is seeking a Human Resources Assistant based in France. Core responsibility is to review and process requests for entitlements and claims from staff members in accordance with staff rules and established HR procedures. Applications are accepted until 7 Nov 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UNESCO]

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is seeking Associate National Events and Logistics Officer based in Cuba. Core responsibility is to ensure the organization and monitoring of governance, visibility and programmatic events implemented in the framework of the Transcultura programme. Applications are accepted until 24 October 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UNESCO]

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is seeking a Data Management Specialist based in Iraq. Core responsibility is to support and assist fieldworkers, field supervisors, and in-country data managers to use the online database system-based data collection systems. Applications are accepted until 23 Oct 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UNESCO]

The United Nations Environment Programme is seeking a Project Assistant based in Mexico. Core responsibility is to provide administrative and financial support to the projects implemented by Mexico’s office. Applications are accepted until 18 October 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UNEP]

United Nations Environment Programme is seeking a Senior Programme Management Officer based in Kenya. Core responsibility is to coordinate the formulation of the biennial programmes of work and budgets. Applications are accepted until 23 November 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UNEP].

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is seeking a National HR Specialist based in Lebanon. Core responsibility is to demonstrates full compliance of HR activities with FAO rules and regulations. Applications are accepted until 31 October 2022. More information about the position is provided at [FAO].

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is seeking an International Natural Resources and Information Management Specialist based in Iraq. Core responsibility is to prepare workplan on establishing national information and knowledge management platform supported by a digital land use mapping system. Applications are accepted until 24 October 2022. More information about the position is provided at [FAO].

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is seeking a Technical Specialist (Project formulation) based in Cambodia. Core responsibility is to liaise with consortium partners and other formulation team members for the organization and implementation of the required feasibility studies and assessments. Applications are accepted until 24 October 2022. More information about the position is provided at [FAO].

The World Bank is seeking a Senior Economist based in the United States. Core responsibility is to lead the regional macro monitoring team to deliver monthly regional economic updates. Applications are accepted until 21 October 2022. More information about the position is provided at [WB].

The World Bank is seeking a Research Analyst - Economics based in Vietnam. Core responsibility is to collect, maintain, and analyze macro and micro datasets that are used for macro monitoring and contribute to economic briefs and customized notes Applications are accepted until 24 October 2022. More information about the position is provided at [WB].

The World Bank is seeking a Data Solutions Architect - Information Technology based in Bulgaria. Core responsibility is to act as Product Owner for Data Platform Products and Services. Applications are accepted until 27 October 2022. More information about the position is provided at [WB].

Team:

Aniello Iannone (ai), Duc Quang Ly (dql), Farhan Maqsood (fm), Francis Ezeh John (fe), Gabriela Lopez (gl), Henning Glaser (hg), Jaroslav Volkov (jv), Jennifer Marie Domenici (jd), Felix Jonas Jantz (fj), Lucas Meier (lm), Mashal Shahid Khan (msk), Minyoung Yoo (my), Ole Stark (os), Peer Morten Strantzen (ms), Phoebe Ewen (pe), Sheikh Afif Bin Zaman (az), Silke Marian (sm), Sol Renteria Adorno (sra), Thanida Piyachot (tp), Theerapon Damrongruk (td), Tim Hildebrandt (th), Tomwit Jarnson (tj), Varshinya Varadhachari (vv), Venus Phuangkom

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