Grasp the pattern, read the trend
No. 50, December/2022, 2
Brought to you by CPG
Dear Readers,
Welcome to this week’s issue of the Asia Weekly which provide an overview of the latest events and developments in domestic politics, international relations and geopolitics in East Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
I’d like to extend special greetings to everyone who celebrates Bahrain’s, Bangladesh’s, Kazakhstan’s Independence Day, and Bhutan’ and Qatar’s National Day as well as Kenya’s Jamhuri Day in this week.
I wish you an informative and enjoyable read.
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: COVID-19 relaxations faster than expected
(ms) After the announced easing of COVID-19 restrictions in many provinces earlier this month [see AiR No. 49, December/2022, 1], that came in response to the nation-wide protests [see AiR No. 48, November/2022, 5], the implementation of the relaxations are progressing much faster than widely expected.
In a statement on December 7, the Chinese Ministry of Health announced that from now on it is with those tested positive with mild to no symptoms to decide whether to go to a quarantine camp as before or rather isolate themselves at home. Furthermore, local governments are called on to refrain, if possible, from declaring “high risk” areas, which could end up with a lockdown of the entire area, in a bid to prevent production and labor from being restricted as much as possible. Likewise, people traveling between different provinces will no longer have to show a negative COVID test or be tested upon arrival, nor will truck drivers and ship crews traveling within China be screened, which caused supply shortages to emerge during the pandemic. [Al Jazeera] [Radio Free Asia] [Reuters]
Meanwhile, several COVID-19 outbreaks are reported to have occurred across the country, including business and store closures in Beijing due to infections among the work force. In response, the Chinese government is calling for a “full mobilization” of hospitals, an increase in needed medicines, and for officials to keep an eye on the health of all people over 65. [Associated Press] [Axios]
Furthermore, at least German citizens living in China should be allowed to vaccinate themselves with the German mRNA vaccine of the company BioNTech. This is to be seen as a result of the state visit of the German chancellor Olaf Scholz at the beginning of November [see AiR No. 45, November/2022, 2] at which among others also the head of BioNTech was part of the German delegation. Although China has not yet approved any foreign-produced vaccine in China, the exemption for German citizens could be the first step in a policy change. [South China Morning Post]
The Chinese government also opened the possibility of lifting entry restrictions on people in Hong Kong who want to travel to the mainland as early as January. The Hong Kong health chief, however, announced that the city will not “hastily” follow the mainland’s lead. He said he would stick to the LeaveHomeSafe app and the Vaccine Passport, the mask requirement when entering restaurants and the workplace, and the ban on people entering Hong Kong from restaurants or offices for three days after entering. [Bloomberg] [Hong Kong Free Press]
In a latest development, the so-called Communications Itinerary Card app, a state-run phone app that was used to track the movements and travel history of people for the past three years, has been shut down on December 12 [BBC]
China: New section of Chinese-Russian east-route natural gas pipeline opened
(ms) Another section of the China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline has been operational since December 7 and will expand the gas supply to the eastern Yangtze Delta in the future.
The 750-kilometer-long section connects Taian, a city in the Shandong Province, with Taixing, a city in the southern Jiangsu Province. With its opening, it forms another part of the more than 5,100-kilometer-long pipeline that begins in Heihe, a border city with Russia in the northeastern Heilongjiang Province, and ends in Shanghai.
Part of the 2014 USD 400 billion, 30-year agreement between Russia’s Gazprom and the China National Petroleum Corporation, the pipeline will increase gas supply to the Yangtze River Delta, one of China’s economically most powerful regions that accounts for more than 20 percent of China’s GDP, and is expected spur further economic development in the area. [CGTN] [South China Morning Post]
China: Pro-Beijing Hong Kong party proposes election system changes
(ms) The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), the pro-Beijing and largest party in the city’s Legislative Council (LegCo), unveiled a report on December 8 proposing changes to the election system.
One of the two biggest envisioned changes suggests scrapping the requirement of Hong Kong permanent residents to reside in the city to be able to vote. me back to Hong Kong. Regarding a possible option of voting from abroad, the DAB indicated that the establishment of polling stations in China may be the first step.
The other suggestion calls for shortening the voting time so that results can be announced sooner, ideally on the same day of the election. [Hong Kong Free Press]
The Hong Kong electoral system underwent a major change in March last year that introduced provisions that aims to make sure that only “patriots,” [see AiR No. 11, March/2021, 3], a move that has been rejected by critics as limiting democratic representation on the city’s parliament.
China: Controversial copyright bill passed in Hong Kong
(ms) The contentious Copyright (Amendment) Billl, which critics have dubbed “Internet Article 23” [see text of bill], was approved by Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (Legco), the city’s parliament, on December 7 in the third attempt after failures in 2011 and 2014.
According to officials, the new law is intended to protect copyright and property rights on the Internet, but specifically “parody, satire, caricature pastiche, criticism, review, quotation,” and “reporting and commenting on current events,” are said to be not affected. Critics, however, still fear that the ambiguous nature of the law’s text, which does not use examples to illustrate what is and what is not covered by the law, will lead content creators to censor themselves out of danger of violating the law. [Hong Kong Free Press]
China: Hong Kong DOJ files appeal against acquittal of Democratic Party chairman
(ms) The Hong Kong Department of Justice (DOJ) has appealed the acquittal of Lo Kin-hei, chairman of the Hong Kong Democratic Party, flagship party in the pro-democracy camp, on charges of participating in a 2019 anti-government protest at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).
The move came after Lo was acquitted in late November due to lack of evidence. Lo was subsequently barred from leaving the city and ordered to surrender his travel documents. [Hong Kong Free Press]
China: Human Rights activist describes torture during her imprisonment
(ms) Zhang Wuzhou, a Chinese human rights activist who was sentenced in March 2021 to two years and nine months imprisonment for protesting the National Security Law imposed in Hong Kong in mid-2020, has reported about the conditions of her imprisonment.
Among other things, she is said to have been beaten and insulted by the guards, to share a cell with 40 people in poor hygienic conditions. She also disclosed that she was forced to wear hand and ankle shackles weighing around 100 kilograms.
Even after serving her sentence, she is now under constant surveillance by Chinese security authorities and cannot freely meet with friends and family. [Radio Free Asia]
China: Jimmy Lai sentenced to more than five years in prison
(ms) A Hong Kong court sentenced Jimmy Lai, founder of the pro-protest newspaper Apple Daily, which was shut down in 2021 as a result of several raids by Hong Kong police, to five years and nine months in prison for two counts of fraud.
The sentencing follows Lai’s conviction in late October [see AiR No. 44, November/2022, 1] of violating Apple Daily's lease agreement by failing to disclose that another company was located in the newspaper’s office space.
In a thinly veiled criticism that the case was politically motivated to silence one of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy activists, Lai’s lawyer emphasized that even if he was proven guilty, the offense was not a criminal matter but a civil matter, and therefore a fine rather than imprisonment would be appropriate. [Hong Kong Free Press] [Reuters]
Lai still faces three national security charges including two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign countries or external elements and one count of collusion with foreign forces. He is additionally charged over allegedly seditious publications under the sedition law, which goes back to the colonial time, but was revived during the anti-government protests in 2019.
Japan: New law banning malicious practices of soliciting donations
(dql) Both Houses of the Japanese parliament – the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives – have passed a bill that prohibits organizations to solicit donations in malicious way, rendered in the new law “confusing” people into making donations through tactics such as “stoking fear”. It also bans donations for which donors need to borrow money by selling real estate and other assets.
Further, the law provides legal procedures for spouses and dependent children of donors to cancel such maliciously solicited donations. [NHK] [Kyodo News]
The law comes against the backdrop of public anger over the Unification Church and over the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its links to the religious group, a matter that has seen approval ratings of Prime Minister and LDP leader Fumio Kishida plummeting over his administration’s indecisive handling of the issue. A latest survey found out that more than 334 out of 2,570 prefectural assembly members have had dealings with the Unification Church or its affiliates. More than 80 percent of them are member of the LDP.
Founded by a staunch anti-communist in South Korea in 1954, Japan was the first country in which the Unification Church set up an overseas branch. It has come under heightened scrutiny over its “spiritual sales,” in which people were threatened to suffer negative “ancestral karma” if they would not buy certain items for exorbitant prices.
The suspect of the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reportedly confessed that he shot him because of bitterness over his mother’s bankruptcy which attributes to donations to the religious group of more than USD 700,000. Abe is believed to have had ties with the group [see AiR No. 49, December/2022, 1].
Japan: New law on paternity enacted
(dql) The Japanese parliament has passed a bill to amend to the country’s laws on paternity and to grant a remarried woman’s new husband paternity of children which are born within 300 days of divorce from her previous partner. It also removes scrap a rule under which women were banned from remarrying within 100 days of a divorce.
The new law, which will enter into force within 18 months of its promulgation and then apply to all children born after, seeks to tackle problems divorced women have been facing under the old legislation, such as leaving their children off family registers to prevent the recognition of former husbands as fathers which, in turn, resulted in their children having difficulties in accessing health and other services. [Kyodo News]
Japan: Abuse of prison inmates and people with intellectual disability revealed
(dql) Japan’s Justice Ministry is reportedly set to charge nearly two dozen prison officers suspected of committing assaults on three inmates.
This comes after Justice Minister Ken Saito announced the launch of an investigation into the incident. He has also ordered to form a third-party panel of experts to investigate potential similar cases at other prison facilities. [Japan Today]
Meanwhile, employees at a welfare facility for people with intellectual disabilities in Hokkaido have admitted to nearly 40 cases of physical and psychological abuse between May and June of this year, including leaving some of them naked in a common area of the facility for long periods of time, holding them by the back of the neck, or looking menacingly at them for long periods of time. [The Mainichi]
Japan: Court confirms government’s denial of aid for children of Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors
(dql) In a ruling on December 12, the Nagasaki District Court dismissed a damages suit that was by the children of survivors of the Nagasaki atomic bomb. The plaintiffs sought eligibility for financial support from the government, claiming that their health had been affected by their parents’ exposure to radiation in the 1945 and argued that their exclusion from this eligibility was unconstitutional as violates the principle of equality.
The court, however, argued in its decision that it was not possible to determine the radiation’s influence on the so-called second-generation hibakusha (children of atomic bomb survivors), and declared that the government’s refusal to provide them with the demanded support was not unconstitutional. [The Japan Times]
Japan: USD 37 billion to be earmarked for development of enemy base strike capability
(dql) Japan is reportedly planning to allocate USD 37 billion over the next five years for the development and deployment of the country’s “counterstrike capability”, the capability to use missiles for a preemptive strike against enemy missile bases.
Of the total spending, more than USD 7.3 billion is earmarked for expanding the range of the home-grown Type-12 surface-to-ship guided missiles from currently 200 kilometers to 1,207 kilometers and for modifications that would allow for launches from air and shipborne platforms.
Further, spending of nearly USD 6 billion goes to measures to develop “high-speed glide weapons” for remote island defense in southwestern Japan and hypersonic missiles, as well as for drones, including underwater platforms, for counter-strike operations. Under consideration is also the purchase of 500 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US to fill the gap until the indigenous range extension of its Type-12 missile is complete.
The envisioned spending will be part of a government document that details of defense equipment development plans, along with the required expenses from fiscal 2023-2027, and that is expected to be revealed by the Kishida administration this week and succeed the current program for the years 2019 to 2023. [Kyodo News]
Japan: Number of cyber defense personnel to be massively increased
(dql) Japan’s defense ministry has announced plans to increase its cyber defense personnel from currently around 900 to 4000 within five years beginning in 2023.
Included in the plan is also the reorganization of the Ground Self-Defense Force’s Signal School in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, into a cyber education department at which some 16,000 people – Cyber Defense Command members along with Self-Defense Force staff in charge of network systems in the Air, Ground and Marine units – d will be trained in dealing with cyber-attacks. [Asia News Network]
Japan: Supreme Court dismisses Okinawa’s appeal against landfill work for U.S. base relocation
(dql) Japan’s Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by the Okinawa Prefectural Government that demanded the halt of landfill work for the relocation of the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, a key U.S. base within the prefecture.
Okinawa had challenged the legality of a 2013 decision of then Governor Hirokazu Nakaimato to authorize the landfill work as part of the development of a replacement facility for U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
In its ruling, the Court argued that the approval for the work is a legally entrusted task of the central government against which prefectures are not authorized to file a lawsuit to revoke it.
Okinawa, home to the bulk of the U.S. military’s facilities in Japan, and the central government have long been embroiled in a dispute over the relocation of the Futenma base from the center of Ginowan to the Henoko coastal area of Nago which is the less densely populated. Residents in Okinawa have opposed the relocation, citing noise and environmental degradation as well as accidents and crime that they believe are linked to the U.S. military presence. [The Japan Times]
Mongolia: Protest over allegations of coal industry corruption
(dql) Hundreds of Mongolians demonstrators have taken to the streets last week in Ulaanbaatar to protest what they perceive as government corruption in the context of nearly 400,000 tons of coal missing that came to light after a comparison between Mongolian export data with import data reported by China for the period between 2013-2019.
The protestors demand that the administration of Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai discloses the names of those belonging to the hidden “coal mafia” held responsible for the corruption in the coal industry.
The demonstrations mark Mongolia’s second largest peaceful protests since 1991 which led to the country's transition to a multi-party system.
In response to the protestors’ demand, the Cabinet has passed an emergency resolution under which nine projects have been declassified which are implemented by Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi (ETT), the state-owned mining firm which stands at the center of the corruption allegations.
On December 7, former ETT CEO Battulga Ganhuyag, was arrested, along with seven other people. Their homes and offices were raided as part of an ongoing probe.
Further, the might turn into a political scandal, as the declassification reveal that the contracts with ETT were signed following recommendations in June 2019 of the National Security Council (NSC), which was made up by former president Battulga Khaltmaa, Speaker of the Parliament Zandanshatar Gombojav, and former prime minister and current president Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. [The Diplomat] [Anadolu Agency]
North Korea: Frequent top leadership reshuffles showcase need for loyalty
(sm) Frequent leadership reshuffles have been carried out by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this year, in an attempt to secure more loyalty and consolidate his power, according to Seoul’s unification ministry.
The ministry’s book entitled “Information on Key Figures in North Korea” describes the changes in key political organs and players based on reports from North Korean state media since late 2021. The reshuffle of high-level officials at the political bureau and secretariat of the country’s ruling Workers Party of Korea appears constant, especially in the fields of military and discipline, with the two of highest-level officials in the military replaced in June.
The number of political bureau members decreased from eleven to nine, with the head of the United Front Department responsible for inter-Korean relations, Ri Son-gwon demoted. [Yonhap News Agency]
North Korea: Revision of law on agricultural production and distribution
(sm) According to North Korea’s Central News Agency, the country has revised its laws on grain production and distribution amid food shortages.
A parliamentary meeting of the standing committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly was convened to review laws on farming and grain distribution. The review aims to tighten control on the grain supply and prevent corruption linked to the agricultural sector.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had highlighted the problem of grain supply in an earlier meeting, arguing for the need for a strict system to control supply and purchase. Food shortages have been common since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and have been worsened by typhoons in recent years in North Korea. [Yonhap News Agency]
South Korea: Truckers vote to end 18-day long strike
(sm) On December 9, South Korea’s truckers voted to end their three-week long strike as the government continued to hardline the issue and threatened to issue more back-to-work orders.
The strike, which began on November 24, was led by the Cargo Trucker Solidarity Union (CTSU) and involved some 25,000 truckers protesting their working conditions amid rising fuel costs. According to CTSU, 62 percent of unionized strikers voted to return to work last week as public support kept decreasing and the government increased the pressure on strikers by issuing two back-to-work orders, first for the cement industry on December 2, then for the petrochemical and steel industries on December 8. Non-compliant strikers can face a fine up to KRW 30 million (USD 22,800) or a maximum three-year jail sentence. [Reuters_1] [Reuters_2]
The union had requested the International Labor Union (ILO) to investigate whether the executive order could be considered as a violation of the right for collective action. ILO subsequently sent a letter to the South Korea Ministry of Employment and Labor asking the government to explain their stance on the strike. Deputy Labor Minister Park Jong-pil argued that the orders were inevitable as the truckers were holding the country’s economy hostage, causing significant damages in uncertain times.
The union vowed to continue their minimum wage campaign, as the strikers were seeking the permanent extension of the freight rate system, which temporarily guarantees a minimum wage and financial support for truckers against rising fuel costs.
The government has not budged over the issue, only guaranteeing a further three-year period for the program which ends in 2022 and no expansion to other sectors than the cement shipping industry. Both the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and opposition Democratic Party (DP) support the government’s hard stance. [Yonhap News Agency_1]
While the government kept hard-lining the issue, President Yoon Suk-yeol promised to continue talks with the union to find a compromise and make institutional improvements in the shipment sector.
The strike has cost the economy more than KRW 3,5 trillion (USD 2,7 billion), according to the presidential office, but damages have been mostly felt in domestic industries such as construction rather than the semiconductor sector, for instance. [Yonhap News Agency_2]
The loss of income has made it difficult for truckers to sustain the strike any longer. This is the second time in six months that truckers have protested their wages and working conditions. The previous one lasted eight days in June and resulted in significant delays in shipments mainly in the auto and semiconductor industries and causing about USD 1.2 billion in damages. [Associated Press] [See also AiR No. 48, November/2022, 5, AiR No. 49, December/2022, 1]
South Korea: Parliament passes motion of dismissal for interior minister
(sm) On December 11, South Korea’s parliament approved a motion to dismiss Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, who has become the target of public criticism after the government’s inadequate response to the deadly Itaewon crowd crush in late October, in which nearly 160 people died during Halloween celebrations in Seoul [see AiR No. 45, November/2022, 2].
The motion, boycotted by the minister’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) was passed with 182 out of 183 ballots cast. The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) controls 169 seats in the 299-member parliament.
The administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol has criticized the DP’s move, stating that Lee’s dismissal should only be considered after the police investigation into the Itaewon incident had been concluded. The DP has threatened to impeach the interior minister should Yoon reject the current motion.
In the meanwhile, PPP key officials held a closed-door meeting to discuss the situation including Prime Minister Han Duk-soo and Lee himself. Moreover, PPP lawmakers have threatened to disband a special committee in charge of the parliamentary probe running in parallel to the police investigation into the Itaewon incident. [Yonhap News Agency_1] [Yonhap News Agency_2]
Lee has come under massive pressure to step down as the highest official responsible for the alleged mismanagement of the Itaewon incident by police and fire agencies. The delayed response of the police and fire department are believed to have contributed to the death of some 158 party goers in the Itaewon district of Seoul on October 29.
This is the second dismissal motion passed by the DP-controlled parliament since President Yoon assumed power in May. The DP had attempted to dismiss foreign minister Park Jin last September over a series of diplomatic blunders when Yoon was visiting the UN in New York and the UK. [Yonhap News Agency_3]
South Korea: North Korean cyberattacks on night of Itaewon incident
(sm) According to Google’s Threat Analysis Group, North Korean government-supported hackers took advantage of the commotion around the Itaewon incident to distribute malware to South Korean users.
The malware originated from Microsoft Office documents camouflaged as government reports on the tragic incident which killed more than 158 partygoers in a deadly crowd crush. The North Korean hacking group ATP37 was responsible for the distribution of the malware targeting South Korean users, journalists, policy makers, and human rights activists. It remains unclear what the malware was intended to achieve although it had been reported by multiple users on October 31 to Microsoft.
North Korea has recently been accused by several governments and a UN panel of experts of financing its weapon development program through cybertheft. Pyongyang has denied the accusations of gaining funds through hacking. Nevertheless, South Korea authorities warned businesses on December 8 against hiring covert North Korean IT staff, following a similar advisory by the US last May. [Reuters]
South Korea: Ruling and main opposition parties at odds over annual government budget
(sm) On December 12, President Yoon Suk-yeol called for the cooperation of all parties to agree on next year's annual budget amid strong disagreements between the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and main opposition Democratic Party (DP). [Yonhap News Agency_1]
The South Korean parliament missed the official deadline to pass the budget last week as PPP and DP could not find a compromise on the issue of lowering the corporate tax rate and raising the bond issuance ceiling for deficit-prone Korea Electric Power Corporation.
While the PPP wants to gradually lower taxes for large businesses to 22 percent to attract more investment to South Korea, the DP demands that the current 25 percent tax rate is maintained, arguing that the amendment would only excessively benefit conglomerates. The PPP, for its part, claims that having more investments would create more jobs and that the tax cut is needed to remain competitive, eyeing Taiwan’s 20 percent corporate tax rate.
The DP has furthermore called for a cut of KRW 7,7 trillion (USD 5,9 billion) to the total annual budget currently estimated at KRW 639 trillion (USD 490 billion), which was strongly refuted by Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho, as the cut does not consider discretionary expenditures. The PPP claims it can only cut the budget by KRW 2,6 trillion (USD 2 billion) at most, having already reduced the budget for discretionary expenditure by KRW 7 trillion (USD 5,4 billion). [Yonhap News Agency_2]
The national assembly has until December 16 to find a compromise on the budget in its regular sessions. [Yonhap News Agency_3]
South Korea: Development of homegrown long-range missile kicked off
(dql) South Korea’s defense ministry has revealed that it has started a USD 146 million project to develop the country’s first homegrown long-range air-to-ground guided missile. The project is expected to be completed by 2028. [Yonhap News Agency]
In a separate development, the Ministry’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration has concluded USD 23 million deal with South Korean aerospace manufacturer and defense company LIG Nex1 for the development of an advanced counter-artillery radar system by 2026. [Aju Business Daily]
Taiwan: Vice-President to run for chairperson of ruling party
(dql) Taiwan’s Vice President Lai Ching-te has reportedly announced that he will for run for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP’s) chairperson, in attempt to reinforce his chances to become the party’s candidate in the 2024 presidential election. [Focus Taiwan]
Lai is said to have disclosed his decision after consultations within the party which comes after the party suffered a crushing defeat in the recent local elections in response to which President Tsai Ing-wen resigned from her post as party leader [see AiR No. 48, November/2022, 5].
In an earlier move, Chen Chi-mai, the mayor of the southern city of Kaohsiung, was elected acting chairperson who ruled out that he would run for DPP chairperson [see AiR No. 49, December/2022, 1].
Taiwan: Impeachment against former labor officials
(dql) An impeachment case against Yu Nai-wen, the former head of the domestic investment division of the Ministry of Labor's Bureau of Labor Funds has been approved by Taiwan Control Yuan, the government’s supervisory and auditory branch.
In August, Yu received a nine-year prison sentenced for using labor funds to purchase shares in the company PJ Asset Management Co and helping the firm to raise USD 16.33 million in capital. [Taipei Times]
In a separate move, the Control Yuan has impeached four police officers for their involvement in deleting surveillance footage in 2021 of nine men who had stormed a police station and left without being arrested. The officers conspired in the deletion of the video material and its subsequent cover-up to save face. [Focus Taiwan]
Taiwan: Duration of mandatory military service to be extended
(dql) Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has announced its plans for an extension of the duration of island’s compulsory military service from currently four months to at least one year, starting from 2024 and applying to conscripts born after 2006. [Newsweek]
In a separate statement, the Ministry disclosed a pilot program that reached around 15,000 reservists for a two-week training regime this year will recruit required 7,000 more personnel next year. Parallel to this program with then expected 22,000 reservists, 97,000 reservists will be recalled annually for a weeklong training course. [Focus Taiwan]
Taiwan: Construction of third domestically developed corvette on schedule
(dql) The construction of Taiwan’s third homegrown Tuo Chiang-class corvette has been on schedule with its launch expected before the end of the year.
With a displacement of 685 tons, the new warship’s maximum speed of 30 knots and its operational range 1,800 nautical miles. In 2015, a prototype of the corvette was first commissioned in 2015. The first Tuo Chiang-class corvette was launched in December 2020, the second followed in September this year.
11 Tuo Chiang-class corvettes are expected to be built by the end of 2026. [Focus Taiwan]
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in South Asia
Bangladesh: Thousands join BNP-led protest to demand resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
(az/lm) Tens of thousands of supporters of Bangladesh’s main opposition Nationalist Party (BNP) took to the streets in the capital Dhaka on December 10, calling for the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and install a caretaker government until elections are held in 2024. [The Straits Times]
Protests have been on the rise in recent months across Bangladesh, with protesters decrying power outages and the rise in energy prices. The rally on Saturday was the 10th since the BNP announced the launch of protests in 10 big cities across the country in September.
During the Dhaka rally, the BNP renewed its call for a neutral caretaker government along with the demands for withdrawals of cases against its party chief Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman — both of whom were charged and convicted in what the party says are “politically motivated cases”. Furthermore, all seven BNP legislators announced their resignations from the current parliament in protest against what they said was the “illegal” government led by the ruling Awami League (AL) party.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has responded by calling the opposition leaders “arson terrorists” and warned people against allowing the BNP back into power. Meanwhile, international organizations criticized the act of the ruling AL as violence against human rights and peaceful rallies. [CNN]
In the lead-up to the rally, a man was killed and over 50 others, including four journalists, were injured during clashes between BNP supporters and law enforcement in the Nayapaltan area on December 7. Dhaka Metropolitan Police claimed that 47 cops were injured in the clash. [The Daily Star]
The ensuing protests were further ignited by the arrest of two of the BNP’s top leaders – including party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir – the day before over charges of inciting Wednesday’s violence, adding to the 2,000 or so activists and supporters the party said have been detained since November 30 to try to prevent the rally from going ahead.
Moreover, the protests came after the embassies of 15 Western countries, including the United States and United Kingdom in a joint statement, on December 6 called on the government of Bangladesh to respect freedom of expression and the right to assembly, and to allow fair elections. [Deutsche Welle]
Bangladesh: Father of BNP youth member beaten to death by ruling party member
(az) The father of a leader of the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Jubo Dal, the youth wing of the country’s main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was beaten to death by men believed to be members of the ruling Awami League who came to his home looking for his son.
As per the family members, the men started beating another person, and when the victim interrupted, they hit his head with a stick, and he died. The police, however, reported that the man died due to a stroke during an altercation. [The Daily Star]
Bangladesh: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina orders to hit back if opposition BNP attacks ruling party men
(az) During a virtual meeting of Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League (AL) party, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked party members to stay vigilant and hit back if supporters of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) try to attack them.
Addressing her contributions to the nation and criticizing the BNP’s arson attacks in 2013 and 2015, she urged that the ordinary people should also stand up against any violence of the opposition party. Meanwhile, the Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader also asked the party representatives for preparedness to resist the opposition party and give befitting replies against the ongoing anti-government campaign. [The Daily Star]
Bangladesh: Foreign loan tripled in last ten years
(az) According to a World Bank report, Bangladesh’s foreign debt has tripled in the last ten years as the debt jumped to USD 95.86 billion at the end of fiscal 2021-22. Due to the increase in debt the country’s long-term disbursement rose to USD 13.78 billion in 2021 from USD 10.21 billion in 2020, and the country's long-term principal payments increased 47 percent year-on-year to reach USD 4.2 billion in 2021, and interest payments increased 26 percent to USD 1.08 billion. [The Business Standard]
India: Ruling BJP sees historic win in Gujarat, narrow loss Himachal Pradesh state elections
(lm/wr) India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) scored a landslide election win in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat last week but stumbled in another in Himachal Pradesh, conceding defeat after a close race. The two state elections – and the margin of victory – have been closely watched as a test of Modi’s popularity ahead of India’s 2024 general election, when he is expected to seek a third term.
In Gujarat, where Modi served as chief minister before becoming premier, the BJP took 156 of 182 total seats in state assembly, marking the party’s best-ever performance in the state. The main opposition Indian National Congress (INC) won 17 seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) took five. The BJP’s performance was a contrast with 2017, when the party won its fewest number of seats in the state legislature since taking over Gujarat’s government in 1995.
Meanwhile, the BJP sought to win reelection in Himachal Pradesh — something that no party has accomplished in the Himalayan state since 1985. The ruling party historically lacks clout there, and it faced fierce anti-incumbent sentiment. This year, the INC, India’s main opposition party, triumphed by securing 40 out of 68 seats. [The Wire] [CNN] [BBC] [NDTV] [Economic Times]
India: Aam Aadmi Party wins Delhi MCD elections
(wr) India’s Aam Aadmi Party secured its maiden victory in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections on December 7, winning 134 seats and ending the country’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s 15-year term at the helm of the civic body. However, with 104 seats in hand, the BJP suggested that it would still have a say in choosing the capital’s next mayor.
The MCD polls remain politically crucial as the AAP continues to cement its popularity in the capital after defeating the BJP in the 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election, winning 62 seats. It went on to win 92 seats in the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election, following which its member Bhagwant Mann was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Punjab [see AiR No. 12, March/2022, 4]. The party has expanded its influence to Chandigarh, Goa and Gujarat, as a result it has got National party status.[Economic Times] [NDTV] [Times Now]
India: 16 bills to be introduced in Parliament’s winter session
(wr) The winter session of India’s parliament began on December 7 and is expected to be concluded on December 29. The session intends to present 16 new bills, predominantly constituting business and service sectors. The bill on High Seas Piracy Prevention and the Multi-state co-operative Societies Act were among the few bills that have been passed earlier and to be finalized by parliamentary committees [Hindustan Times] [Business Today]
India: Uniform Civil Code bill passed despite protest
(wr) India’s government has endorsed the ratification of a bill that seeks to create personal laws which would be applicable to all religious communities in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption. Currently, personal laws of various communities are governed by their religious scriptures.
The origin of the so-called Uniform Civil Code (UCC) dates back to colonial India when the British government submitted its report in 1835 stressing the need for uniformity in the codification of Indian law relating to crimes, evidence, and contracts, specifically recommending that personal laws of Hindus and Muslims be kept outside such codification.
In recent years, several states ruled by Prime Minister Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have announced setting up committees to implement the UCC. However, critics term the code as “anti-minority”, arguing that a law like the UCC would constitute an attempt to destroy the diverse social fabric and history of secularism in India. [Mint] [Times of India]
India: Work on Kerala’s Adani port to resume after fishermen suspend protests
(wr/lm) Construction on a USD 900-million port project in India’s southern state of Kerala resumed on December 8 after mainly Christian villagers blocking the entrance to the site of the project agreed to suspend their four-month-old protest. [Reuters]
Fisherfolk have been camping in a makeshift shelter since September, blocking vehicles and halting work on the project they blame for coastal erosion and affecting their livelihoods. More than 80 protesters and police were as protesting villagers clashed with law enforcement last month, the latest escalation in the months-long strike [see AiR No. 48, November/2022, 5].
Meanwhile, Kerala state government has made clear that it will not make any compensation regarding abandonment of the billion dollars investment [see AiR No. 49, December/2022, 1]. In light of this, in a seven-point manifesto, the villagers say their protest will not end until plans have been made to resettle those who have lost their homes and land.
The port has strategic importance for both India and the multinational Adani Group conglomerate. On completion, it will be India's first container transshipment hub, rivalling Dubai, Singapore and Sri Lanka for business on the lucrative east-west trade routes.
India: Muslim NGO to challenge acquittal of accused in 1992 mosque demolition case
(wr) The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board has announced that it will challenge the 2020 acquittal of all 32 accused in a case pertaining to the demolition of the Babri Masjid mosque by a large group of activists in 1992. [Outlook India] [Tribune India]
The 16th-century Babri Masjid in the city of Ayodhya was illegally demolished by Hindu extremists on December 6, 1992. Previously, the Supreme Court had called the demolition of the mosque a “serious breach” of the rule of law. However, there has been no progress in the case and 32 accused persons remain free as per the CBI’s verdict of 2020.
India: Kerala High Court dismisses plea to disqualify state lawmaker over remarks
(wr) The high court in India’s Kerala state has dismissed the appeal to disqualify the membership of a state lawmaker over allegedly “derogatory remarks against the constitution". The lawmaker during an on-site event had said that the Indian Constitution made under the influence of the United Kingdom has technical lags that can be used to exploit national values of democracy and loot people. [Hindustan Times] [Times of India]
Pakistan: Killing of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya ‘planned’, investigation report says
(fm/lm) An investigative team said in its report published on December 8 that the death of prominent Pakistani journalist in Kenya in October was a “planned targeted assassination” that involved “transnational characters”. [Al Jazeera]
Arshad Sharif, a former TV reporter and critic of Pakistan's powerful army, was assassinated on October 28 when police opened fire on his automobile outside Nairobi, the capital of Kenya [see AiR No. 44, November/2022, 1]. The details of the shootout given by Kenyan police, which at the time claimed was a case of mistaken identity, were being called dodgy, and opponents of the current Pakistani government suggested the possibility of a targeted killing [see AiR No. 46, November/2022, 3].
Condemnations of Sharif's death and requests for an impartial investigation followed. Sharif’s killing led to condemnations and calls for an independent probe. The probe was launched by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who also stated that the public will be informed of the government's findings. A probe was also urged by the military, Pakistani journalists, Sharif's widow and other family members.
The findings of the Pakistani investigators implicate Sharif’s Kenyan hosts, brothers Waqar and Khurram Ahmed, as potential suspects, citing Waqar’s connections to Kenya’s National Intelligence Service and international law enforcement agencies, and the provision of inconsistent and illogical testimony from Khurram. The report also says that the Kenyan police issued contradictory statements following the killing.
Pakistan: First school for transgender people inaugurated in Lahore
(fm) To educate and train members of Pakistan’s transgender community, the Punjab School Education Department has opened the first transgender school in the city of Lahore. Three transgender schools have already been established by the department in the cities of Multan, Bahawalpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan over the past year. These institutions offer free instruction in all levels of secondary school as well as instruction in three skills: cooking, beauty makeup, and sewing and stitching. [DAWN]
Sri Lanka: Compulsory retirement age for civil officers set at 60
(sn) Sri Lanka’s home affairs ministry has declared the compulsory retirement age of 60 for all civil officers. Exceptions can take place following an according law or the decision of the competent authority. The order, which was issued via an extraordinary gazette, will come into effect on January 1, 2023. [News First]
Sri Lanka: Student activists granted bail in PTA case
(sn) Two student leaders who have been in detention since mid-August under Sri Lanka’s contentious Prevention of Terrorism Act on charges of destroying or causing harm to public property at an anti-government rally, were granted bail by a lower court on December 6. However, one of the two student leaders, Wasantha Mudalige, remained detained until bail instructions from the Attorney General’s department were issued on December 12. [News First]
Sri Lanka: Police commission chairman speaks against allegations of harassment toward female officers
(sn) The chairman of Sri Lanka’s National Police Commission has acknowledged allegations of a senior police officer harassing two policewomen as faulty, claiming the two female constables were “positioned”. The Pandora South headquarter Chief Inspector of Police (CI & OIC) was seen grabbing two female colleagues by the neck on November 12. The next day, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered a probe into the senior officer’s conduct. [News Wire]
Sri Lanka: Court orders to remand group of suspects involved in organ transplant racket
(sn) The Colombo Additional Magistrate ordered the Colombo Crime Division to remand police officers alleged of prohibiting victims who transplanted their kidney for recompense from asking for pay-offs.
On December 6, the Colombo Crime Division arrested the main suspect involved in the human organ brokering racket for a private hospital in Borella. The man was caught threatening hospital workers involved in organ donation for requesting compensation from the hospital.
The Ministry of Health appointed a seven-member committee to probe the kidney trafficking case and temporarily suspended all organ transplants. Accordingly, the Magistrates Court in Colombo issued an order prohibiting the directors of the Weston Hospital from traveling abroad. [Colombo Page] [ADA derana]
Sri Lanka: Nearly 10,500 people affected by prevailing storm weather in 16 provinces
(sn) A substantial amount of the livestock died or got sick due to the phenomenally cold weather in Sri Lanka in early November when heavy rains accompanying troublesome weather conditions destroyed almost 2000 houses of residents. Nearly 10,500 people were affected by the storms. [Colombo Page] [ADA derana]
Sri Lanka: Geological Survey and Mines Bureau chairman, director-general fired following fraud allegations
(sn) The chairman of Sri Lanka’s Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) got removed from office over accusations from the trade unions of fraud, corruption and irregularities. At the same time, the director-general of the GSMB was sent on compulsory leave following allegations of misconduct. The President’s Office removed 14 heads of public institutions in response to the complaints received since President Ranil Wickramasinghe took over his post. [Colombo Page]
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in Southeast Asia
Cambodia: Government initiated Social Security Payments for Cambodian citizens vulnerable to floods
(sn) Prime Minister Hun Sen signed a directive ordering the Planning Ministry to determine citizens qualifying for Social Security Payments under the government’s policy ‘targeting at-risk families across the country.’
The policy is designed to address the exacerbating hardships of the poor citizens associated with inflation, Covid-19, and a weak global economy. Each qualifying family will receive a monthly allowance of USD 20 for December, April, and July 2023. Depending on the status and residential area, particular categories of people can receive up to USD 7 additional allowance.
The entire state spending on the program has exceeded USD 622 million to more than 2.7 million people to the current date. [UCA News]
Cambodia: LICADHO demands Cambodia to shut down Prey Speu detention center over ongoing human rights violations
(sn) A Cambodian human rights NGO, LICADHO, demands from the government to close the Prey Speu detention center over the recent findings on the number of detainee deaths in the center between July and August 2022. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the UN Office for Human Rights supported LICADHO’s statement and raised concerns over the failure of the government to prevent human rights violations previously acknowledged by the NGOs.
LICADHO describes conditions of the detention center as severe based on eyewitnesses’ reports and the increase in the number of bodies Prey Speu sent for cremation in July to August 2022. Human rights violations include abuse and torture. NGO reports that Prey Speu is managed under the authority of the Ministry of Social Affairs, which claims it to be a vocational training center.
The institute was launched in 2004. In 2020, Amnesty International released a report documenting abuse of detainees, suicides, lack of food and attempts to escape the detention center. As of August 2022, 400 people were detained in Prey Speu. [Cambodia Daily]
Cambodian Courts bring incitement cases on authority critics for Facebook posts destabilizing the social order
(sn) On November 9, 2022, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court brought additional incitement cases against two government critics - Meas Leakhena and Kay Sophy. The defendants are accused of destabilizing social order by posting media content on Facebook that criticizes the Covid 19 lockdown policies and PM Hun Sen.
The defendants were absent from courts during the case hearings. Meas Leakhena is already charged with a separate case for alleged posts about the opposition leader Sam Rainsy, and lives in the Philippines, currently. Kay Sophy stays in Germany. [VOD News]
Indonesia: Suicide bombing at police station kills one, injures 11
(os/lm) A suspected Islamist militant killed one person and wounded at least 11 others in a suicide bomb attack at a police station in the Indonesian city of Bandung in West Java on December 7. [Jakarta Globe] [The Jakarta Post]
Police told the media a note, which criticized the country’s new penal code ratified by the House of Representatives on December 6, was recovered from the scene of the blast. Though the new code, which still awaits the president's ratification, includes many sharia-based provisions, its 624 articles also contain tougher measures against extremism, and the document reflects Indonesia's official status as a multi-faith country with six officially recognized religions [see AiR No. 49, December/2022, 1]. [Deutsche Welle]
Indonesia’s National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) believes it is unlikely that the attacker, identified as Agus Sujatno or Abu Muslim, was working alone. Thus, the BNPT is currently looking into groups that might have been involved in the terrorist attack. Allegedly, the attacker is affiliated with the Islamist terrorist group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD). The JAD was responsible for a number of suicide bombings in 2018 and 2021. [Antara News 1] [Antara News 2]
Sujatno had earlier been involved in another terrorist attack. In 2017, he was arrested for his involvement in a bombing taking place also in Bandung. After four years in prison, he was released in 2017. Police claim they had been watching him closely after his release.
Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin condemned the attack and offered condolences to the victims and their families. He furthermore pointed out that the government will increase its efforts to counter religious terrorism. [Antara News 3]
Indonesia: Parliament passes defense pact with Singapore into law
(os) The Indonesian House of Representatives has passed a defense cooperation agreement (DCA) with Singapore into law. [The Jakarta Post]
The DCA is aimed at setting up a legal foundation for defense cooperation between the two countries. The pact stipulates that Indonesia first has to give permission to Singapore if Singapore wants to conduct military training in Indonesia.
The DCA was criticized by some lawmakers for undermining Indonesian sovereignty. However, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto was able to lobby lawmakers to vote in favor of the ratification.
The DCA is part of three agreements signed between the two countries in January 2022. The Flight Information Region (FIR) agreement has already been ratified via a Presidential Regulation, whereas the extradition treaty is expected to be ratified by lawmakers at the next plenary session.
Indonesia: Government officially creates new province Southwest Papua
(os) Indonesia officially boasts its 38th province, after the government enacted law No. 29 of 2022 and thereby created the province of Southwest Papua. [Antara News 1] [Antara News 2]
The House of Representatives passed the bill concerning the creation of the new province in Papua just last month in November 2022 [see AiR No. 47, November/2022, 4]. The splitting of the province of West Papua is aimed at fostering development in the region. Muhammad Musa’ad was sworn in as acting governor of the new province and was urged to hold up security and political stability.
Indonesia: 2002 Bali bomber released from prison
(os) Umar Patek, convicted for his role in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed more than 200 people, was released parole on December 7, after he served just more than half of his 20-year sentence. [Jakarta Globe] [The Jakarta Post]
Indonesia’s deadliest terror attack took place in Bali in October 2002 and killed 202 people from 21 nations. The terror attack was staged by Jemaah Islamiah (JI), an Islamist group inspired by al-Qaeda. Patek allegedly was a bomb maker for the group. After fleeing from prosecution for years, he was arrested in 2011 in Pakistan. In 2012, he received his 20-year prison sentence.
Now, Patek was released, allegedly due to his participation in a deradicalization program and allegiance to the Republic of Indonesia. His probation period will last until April 29, 3030. During that period, he will be subject to state surveillance.
In Australia, the news of the release of Patek was not well-received. With 88 victims, Australia was the country that suffered the most losses in the bombings. The Australian government has long tried to press Indonesia to not grant parole to Patek.
Indonesia: Head of Bangkalan district named suspect in corruption case
(os) The head of Bangkalan district Abdul Latif Amin has been named as a suspect for alleged corruption and was arrested by Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on December 7. [Jakarta Globe] [Tempo]
Abdul Latif allegedly received bribes for providing certain posts in the district government. Along with five other suspects in the case, he will now be detained and interrogated. Furthermore, the KPK asked the immigration office to issue an overseas travel ban for Abdul Latif for the next six months.
Indonesia: Supreme Court justice arrested for alleged corruption
(os) Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained Supreme Court Justice Gazalba Saleh in relation to a case that already led to the arrest of another Supreme Court justice. [Jakarta Globe]
Gazalba allegedly was set to receive bribes from businessmen that tried to influence the Supreme Court to rule in favor of bankruptcy against lending company Intidana. The businessmen had taken loans from Intidana and won the bankruptcy ruling against the company at the Supreme Court. In total, 13 suspects were named in the case.
Indonesia: Ex-soldier acquitted in human rights trial
(os) An ex-soldier, allegedly involved in a shooting by soldiers in Papua in 2014, has been acquitted by an Indonesian human rights court. [The Jakarta Post]
Retired Army major Isak Sattu allegedly failed to stop his troops from firing against hundreds of protesters in the Paniai district of Papua. The shooting left four people dead and 17 people injured. Isak has now been cleared of the charges of “crimes against humanity”. Critics claim that the trail has failed to bring justice to the victims of the incident.
Laos: Government greenlights Asia’s largest wind farm
(ih) The government of Laos has given the green light on the Monsoon Wind Power Project, a 600MW to be built in the Dark Cheung district of Xekong province and the Sanxay district of Attapeu province. The project will be developed by BCPG, a renewable energy-focused subsidiary of the Thai petroleum conglomerate Bangchak Corporation. BCPG has partnered with PowerChina International on the project and intends to sell the electricity generated to Vietnamese state-owned power company EVN. [Bangkok Post] [Vientiane Times]
Laos: PM assures National Assembly that government will not default on its debts
(ih) Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh announced at the currently ongoing National Assembly session that measures were being put into place to reduce the country’s considerable debt burden, and that he did not expect the government would be forced to default on its loans. According to the PM the government is currently developing new revenue sources, including from the export of minerals and digital currency mining operations which have already resulted in significant new income. The government has also been successful in lowering its budget deficit from 1.61 percent of GDP to 0.51 percent of GDP and is currently discussing the postponement of debt repayments with its creditors. The country is expected to reach a trade surplus of USD 1.2 billion this year, though according to Minister of Planning and Investment Khamjane Vongphosy only a small portion of the foreign currency earned from exports can enter the banking system. The government has set GDP growth goals at 4.4 percent for this year, and 4.5 percent for 2023. [Laotian Times] [Vientiene Times]
Laos: Minister of Finance announces plans to digitalize administration to reduce corruption
(ih) The Lao Minister of Finance announced during an address to the current Ordinary Session of the National Assembly’s Ninth Legislature that the ministry would seek to adopt a digital financial management system to improve management, tax collection, and record keeping. A single-window tax reporting system will also be adopted to remove the need for customs clearance processes at checkpoints. The Minister stated that these reforms are aimed to reduce the amount of direct contact between finance ministry personnel and businesses, which will hopefully reduce opportunities for corruption. [Laotian Times]
Laos: National Assembly passes 2023 monetary plans
(ih) On December 9 the National Assembly passed its monetary plan for 2023. The plan aims to lower inflation from its average of 19.69 percent during the past 10 months to just 9 percent in 2023. To do this, money supply growth will be limited to 26 percent and a minimum three-month reserve of foreign exchange to the purchase of imports will be maintained at all times. A target of 85 percent of GDP was set for domestic bank deposits, as well as a cap on non-performing loans at 3 percent of total loans. Measures will also be taken to promote use of the Lao Kip, as the country is facing a shortage of US dollars. [Vientiane Times]
Laos: Government to cease accepting proposals for iron ore-related pilot projects due to economic headwinds
(ih) Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh informed the National Assembly on May 9 that the government would no longer accept proposals for pilot projects regarding the survey, extraction, and export of iron ore due to falling global prices for the commodity. Expansion of the country’s iron ore export had initially been approved to generate more revenue to address the country’s current financial difficulties. However, these projects have substantially underperformed with only 402 tons of the planned 12.63 million tons of iron ore being exported. [Vientiane Times]
Malaysia: Unemployment rate fell to its lowest since Covid-19
(gc) Only 602,000 people were unemployed in the country in October, compared to 605,000 in September. It is the lowest number since the Covid-19 pandemic began, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM).
The unemployment rate is still 3.6%, which is 0.3% higher than the pre-pandemic record of 3.3% in February 2020. [MALAYMAIL]
Malaysia: Sabah Bersatu leaders resigns over escalating 'political Islam' narrative
(gc) Masidi Manjun, a Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) representative, has stated that he has left the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and Perikatan Nasional due to the emergence of “political Islam”.
He added that the escalating racial and religious rhetoric of some Peninsular-based parties, particularly in the run-up to the 15th General Election (GE15), was incompatible with the principles of a multi-racial and multi-religious Sabah and Sarawak. [MALAYMAIL]
Malaysia: Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project to continue
(gc) Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated that the construction of Littoral Combat Ships which has been hit by delays, will continue as expected. However, he conceded that progress was dependent on a review of the multi-billion-ringgit project.
Meanwhile, Eastern Fleet Commander Vice Admiral, Datuk Sabri Zali, wished that the new administration would prioritize the LCS project in order to increase the Royal Malaysian Navy’s capacity in safeguarding the country's waters. [BERNAMA]
Malaysia: Azalina promises to abolish the death penalty, but pulls back on a ban on child marriage
(gc) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman, Minister of the Prime Minister 's Department of Law and Institutional Reform, talked to the media on Forum Human Rights Day 2022. She stated that she is committed to continue the previous administration’s endeavor to eliminate the obligatory death penalty. However, when reporters asked Azalina about measures to prohibit underage marriage, she was less forthcoming.
Azalina further stated that she has previously discussed a constitutional change to offer citizenship to children born overseas to Malaysian mothers with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. [MALAYMAIL]
Myanmar: Three student leader sentenced
(jp) Lin Htet Naing (aka James), a former executive committee member of the All-Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), was sentenced to three years in prison on December 7. Kyauktada Township Special Court sentenced him inside Insein Prison under Section 505 A of the Penal Code. Lin Htet Naing had previously been charged in Botahtaung District Court on November 3 under Section 50 (j) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. [ The Irrawaddy, twitter]
Furthermore, two Kale City student union members, Ko Zin Min Thant, a member of the Children's University Student Union who was arrested on May 15, 2021, and Ko Myo Thit Kyaw, a member of the Computer University Student Union, were sentenced to ten years in prison by the Kale Prison Court under the Coup Military Council. At the end of November, the two students were charged and sentenced to prison by the Military Council's prison court under Section 50(j) of the Anti-Terrorism Act. [The Irrawaddy, Burmese]
Myanmar: Detained democratic leader Aung San Su Kyi has rejected the election plans
(jp) Myanmar's military regime appointed two National League Democracy (NLD) members, Daw Sandar Min, a former Yangon regional lawmaker, and U Toe Lwin, the brother-in-law of NLD lawmaker U Thein Swe, to explain Myanmar Junta election plans for a general election next year, have been rejected by Aung San Su Kyi. [The Irrawaddy]
Myanmar: Chin Pastor received 23 years prison sentence
(jp) Thian Lian Sang, a reverend from Mandalay's Falam Baptist Church, was sentenced to 23 years in prison on December 7. He was sentenced to three years in prison with hard labor under Section 505 A of the Penal Code and another twenty years under Section 49 (a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. On September 16, 2021, the junta's armed wing arrested him at his home. [DVB]
Philippines: Supreme Court issues writ of amparo in favor of missing activists
(jd) The Philippines Supreme Court (SC) has issued a writ of amparo in favor of two female activists who have been missing for months after allegedly receiving threats from members of the armed forces.
The respondents – which include army chief Lieutenant General Bartolome Vicente Bacarro and National Police chief PGen Rodolfo Azurin – must make a return of the writ of amparo proving they did not violate or threaten the right to life, liberty and security of the two missing women. They must also state in their response the steps they have taken or will take to determine the fate or whereabouts of the two. [CNN Philippines] [The Manila Times]
Philippines: Senate panel passes anti-discrimination bill
(jd) A Senate committee in the Philippines has passed a bill seeking to penalize discrimination against persons based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). Nineteen of 24 senators signed the committee report on December 6. Some senators signed with reservations or stated that they would interpellate. [Philstar] [Rappler]
Philippines: Journalist convicted of cyber libel
(tjb) A Quezon City court convicted Frank Cimatu, a Baguio journalist and contributor to Filipino online news website Rappler, over a social media post directed to former agriculture secretary Manny Piñol. The reporter is now facing imprisonment of six months to five years. The ruling, however, can still be appealed.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, meanwhile, denounced the ruling and called libel a “weapon to harass and intimidate journalists.” [Rappler] [Philippine Star]
Thailand: Pheu Thai rolls out populist policy platform, faces heavy criticism
(fj) The main opposition Pheu Thai Party (PTP) has presented its populist policy platform for the upcoming general election. The ten-point program branded as the “Think Big” manifesto promises to bring steep economic benefits to the people, most prominently through almost doubling the minimum wage to USD 17 (THB 600) a day. [The Nation Thailand]
The program, which also foresees a minimum monthly wage of USD 720 (THB 25,000) for university graduates, was promptly criticized by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as unrealistic and has provoked strong negative reactions from private sector representatives, including the president of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade, Sanan Angubolkul. Sanan stressed that many private sector companies would not be able or willing to accept such a steep hike in minimum wages and that any decision on this issue should be taken by committees on the national and provincial level following careful consideration of the consequences. [Bangkok Post] [Thai PBS World]
In line with the historically strong support that PTP and its predecessor parties have found with Thailand’s farmers, the policy platform also declares the need to raise the prices on agricultural products. Completely absent from the program are issues related to environmental concerns or sustainability. [The Nation Thailand]
The program was unveiled by key PTP figure Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Paetongtarn’s strong results in recent opinion polls and her family background all but guarantee that she will soon be nominated as one of the PTP’s prime ministerial candidates. [The Diplomat]
Thailand: PM Prayut reaffirms strict anti-corruption stance, anti-graft organization sees only minimal progress
(fj) Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has taken the occasion of the annual National Anti-Corruption Day to emphasize the government’s actions taken against any form of corruption. Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT) has stated that policy-level corruption remains high in the Kingdom.
In his speech, Prayut urged the public not to tolerate any forms of corruption and pointed to the many measures against graft which are inscribed in the national strategic plan and Thailand’s 20-year plan. ACT also referred to popular pushback as one factor that contributed to a slightly negative trend in overall corruption. However, ACT also noted that the problem of corrupt politicians, particularly in relation to state megaprojects, persists almost unchecked. [Bangkok Post 1] [Bangkok Post 2]
Thailand: 15 alleged drug smugglers killed in gunfight near Myanmar border
(fj) A gunfight between Thai soldiers and a group of armed men suspected to be drug traffickers left 15 dead along a forested smuggling route in Fang district of Chiang Mai province, not far from the Thai Myanmar border.
While several suspects managed to escape, 29 backpacks containing around 350 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine were seized, along with firearms and a grenade. The nationality of the dead suspects is yet to be confirmed. [ABC News] [Benar News]
The incident has been the bloodiest clash in a series of recent confrontations between the security forces and drug smugglers. The problem of narcotics in Thailand had recently come to broader attention again, in part through the massacre at a nursery committed by an ex-policeman with a history of drug abuse. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had reacted by announcing a crackdown on narcotics dealers. [see AiR No. 42, October/2022,3]
The border area between Thailand and Myanmar has long been known as an important node in global drug trade. According to the Thai Narcotics Control Board, the drug smugglers in the area form part of a larger network that traffics drugs through Thailand and into Malaysia for further shipment. [Benar News]
Thailand: Senior Immigration Officers accused of selling visas to criminals on a large scale
(fj) Three senior immigration officers on the level of division commanders have been accused of illicitly approving over 3,000 non-immigrant visas for Chinese citizens in 2020 and 2021 for a minimum bribe of around USD 2800 each. [Bangkok Post 1]
The National Police Chief Damrongsak Kittiprapas has stated that an inquiry panel has been set up under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector General of the Royal Thai Police, Veera Jiraveera, with any officers found guilty to face legal action. [Bangkok Post 2]
The accusations have been brought by Chuvit Kamolvisit, a controversial figure who formerly was Thailand’s biggest operator of massage parlors and a former member of parliament. Chuwit has recently been instrumental in the investigations against a Chinese crime syndicate centered around Chaiyanat “Tuhao” Kornchayanant that is allegedly involved in running so-called gray businesses. [see AiR No. 49, December/2022,1]
According to Chuwit’s statements, the immigration fraud is linked to the broader activities of Chinese criminal networks in Thailand and is facilitated by Chinese foundations and agents. Several foundations and other organizations apparently implicated by Chuwit have been raided by police on December 9, with the results of the investigations not yet publicly available. [Bangkok Post 1] [Thai PBS World]
Thailand: Repeat railway bomb killed a number, causing inspection longer
(ts) A repeat bomb blast ripped through the railway line in Sadao District, Songkhla Province, only 400 meters away from the spot where the freight train was derailed with detonators down the track four days earlier. This incident fell into four consecutive explosions within a month in the country's deep south. [see Air No. 49, December/2022, 1] Three railway workers were reported dead this time as they attempted to repair the initial damaged track. Four other colleagues were treated for injuries. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) promised to compensate the families of both the gone and injured. [Thai PBS]
As the salvage operation is going on, tighter guards from security officers are expected. Military and police officers are working together to ease off the SRT’s part. Upon SRT’s repairing the track, weekend travelers from Malaysia see minor alterations in services as they are provided with replacement buses, instead of trains, crossing the border from Padang Besar to Hat Yai and later vice versa. [Bangkok Post]
Thailand: Justice Minister targets over annual THB 100 billion following big seizures of Chinese triads
(ts) Minister of Justice Somsak Thepsuthin aims at confiscating assets of over THB 100 billion a year from narcotics rings. He believes the annual amount would increase if he could maintain his chair in next year’s general election. Last two months alone the authority has seen seizures of narcotics gangs worth THB 6.87 billion while THB 0.9 billion is claimed to be the maximum amount that had been reached. [The Nation Thailand]
Dominating relevant headlines is also the infamously exposed Chinese businessman “Tuhao”, Chaiyanat Kornchayanant, who bosses the narcotics gangs. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board latest reports of the seizure of Tuhao’s property worth roughly THB 3 billion. The property, under Divalux Resort and Spa Company Limited, ranges from land and hotels to luxury cars. Tuhao, however, has the right to prove if such property was drug-illegally acquired. Thanks to Chuwit Kamolvisit, former politician and massage parlor tycoon, his providing information for the authority has led to this grand seizure. Chuwit’s exposing Chinese gangs even extends to include bribery in the immigration office. Upon disclosures, Somsak confirms Chuwit will receive five percent of the total confiscated assets, praising the courageous acts of the former politician. [Thai PBS] [Bangkok Post]
Thailand: Mingkwan joining ruling PPRP as potential PM candidate
(ts) Mingkwan Saengsuwan, former leader of the New Economics Party (NEP), officially joined the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). The move was quite surprising to both PPRP members and nonmembers and provoked a backlash therein. The new member was somehow seen as first among equals due to his potentially being nominated as one of the party’s PM candidates. During the welcoming press conference, Mingkwan claimed that PPRP’s linchpin General Prawit Wongsuwan pledged to talk with party members in this regard. Rong Boonsuaykhwan, one of the PPRP MPs, saw no guarantee of the PM candidacy issue, denting Mingkwan’s manifested confidence. Rong further claimed that it must be dealt with the standards of committee approval. Despite being sniped at drawing attention, Mingkwan held that the tipping reason was associated with his economic mastery which the party will take on against its weak points. Also, the party deemed him crucial for the debate to which only PM candidates can contribute. [Bangkok Post 1] [Bangkok Post 2]
The turn seems to favor critics as his cutting remark on PPRP was once observed. The rationale behind going back on his own words is understood to still be a potential PM candidacy. Added to this is a comment from former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. He believed the PM candidacy deal must have been offered to Mingkwan, claiming he knew the person too well. The econ-expert was a commerce minister and deputy prime minister in the brief government of Samak Sundaravej who was deemed Thaksin’s nominee back in 2008.
Just as importantly, the changed calculation method on party-list MPs sees the motive for the “survival game” of small fish. [see Air No. 49, December/2022, 1] Mingkwan’s current move thus instantiates well the likely political climate of the country ahead of the election scheduled in May 2023. [Thai Enquirer] [The Diplomat]
Vietnam: Government develops mechanism to deprive “anti-state” online content producers of advertising revenue
(ih) The Vietnamese government is currently developing a blacklist for websites, inclusion on which would result in the website in question being prohibited from receiving advertising revenue. Content deemed to merit being added to the blacklist includes content infringing on copyright, “toxic” content, and content deemed to be “against the state”. The blacklist will include individual social media and YouTube accounts in addition to websites. The government has also announced it will release a whitelist of websites safe for advertisers in early 2023. [Nikkei Asian Review]
International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia
China strengthens ties with Arab states, calls for oil trade in renminbi during Xi’s trip to Saudi Arabia
(ms) Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Saudi Arabia and participation in the first China-Arab States Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit last week are seen among observers as a milestone in China-Arab relations, as he held bilateral meetings with around 20 heads of state and laid the foundation for a deepening of ties and cooperation between Arab countries and China. [The Diplomat] [Modern Diplomacy]
Although there is no detailed information on any deals that may have been concluded between China and Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Arabian investment minister announced that a USD 50 billion deal had been concluded without giving further details, while Xi and King Salman signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement.
Xi pledged to continue importing oil and LNG from the region in the future, touting the Shanghai Petroleum and National Gas Exchange as a platform to trade in renminbi rather than in US dollar. He also suggested other areas of cooperation, reassuring that China is ready “to carry out financial regulatory cooperation with GCC countries, facilitate GCC enterprises to enter China's capital market, establish a joint investment association with GCC, support sovereign wealth funds of both sides to cooperate in various forms," as well as suggesting cooperation in aviation and culture. [Bloomberg] [Al Jazeera] [Reuters] [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China] [Global Times]
With Xi received in Riyadh with pomp and ceremony and the Arab states seeking to boost economic recovery amid the pandemic repercussions by deepening their economic ties with China, along with technology and security cooperation, the U.S. position and influence in the region are put under test in the long term as Washington’s relations with the countries in the region, particularly Saudi-Arabia, have been strained over the recent Riyadh-led decision of oil supply cuts, the U.S. halt of weapons sales over human rights issues and its failure to protect Saudi Arabia’s strategic interests in Yemen. [VOA News] [CNN]
Vast majority of ASEAN leaders expected to attend EU-ASEAN Summit in Brussels
(fj) Most of the ASEAN leaders are expected to join the EU-ASEAN commemorative summit marking 45 years of diplomatic relations between the two regional organizations which is to be held in Brussels on December 14. The summit will be co-chaired by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel and the 2022 ASEAN Chair and Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen. [European Council]
Seen as an opportunity for the EU to strengthen its ties with ASEAN, the EU will likely seek to leverage the summit to further establish its role as a stabilizing partner to the Indo-Pacific region more broadly. As the EU-ASEAN Strategic Partnership intersects with all three pillars of the ASEAN community, namely politics and security, economics, as well as society and culture, this first-ever summit dedicated to bringing the leaders of the EU and ASEAN together is expected to cover a broad range of topics. [Arab News] [Manila Bulletin]
Except for the newly elected Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, all ASEAN leaders are to be attending, making the summit a chance for fruitful multilateral exchanges as well as providing an opportunity for bilateral meetings between Southeast Asian and European leaders on the sidelines. [Thai PBS World]
Showcasing the breadth of the relationship, the leaders’ meeting will be accompanied by side events on EU-ASEAN people-to-people cooperation on higher education, the EU-ASEAN Youth Summit as well as the 10th EU-ASEAN business summit. [European Council]
ASEAN, USAID and UN women launch Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security
(sn) On December 6, 2022, the ASEAN, USAID and UN Women launched the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security (ASEAN RPA on WPS).
The plan was adopted during the 40th to 41st ASEAN Summits. The governments of Canada and the Republic of Korea also took part in the program funding.
The program acknowledges and aims to leverage women’s participation and leadership in conflict prevention and peace maintenance activities. ASEAN RPA on WPS is a part of ASEAN’s target of achieving gender equality. [Khmer Times]
India only country abstaining on UN Security Council resolution protecting humanitarian aid from sanctions
(wr/lm) India stood alone abstaining on a United Nations Security Council resolution that exempts the provisions of humanitarian assistance from UN sanctions imposed on terrorist groups for two years, warning such “carve outs” could potentially be used to fund terrorist groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The resolution, which was initiated by the United States and Ireland, was adopted on December 9 with the support of all other 14 members. [Business Standard]
Aid groups say asset freezes in sanctions regimes can affect their ability to access funds and work with banks to carry out their operations. The new resolution exempts “the provision, processing or payment of funds, other financial assets,” or the provision of goods and services “necessary to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance” from UN sanctions. [Voice of America]
Indonesia hosts forums to fuel cooperation between island states, Pacific nations
(os) Indonesia hosted the 4th Ministerial Meeting on Archipelagic and Island States Forum (AIS Forum) in Bali on December 6. Indonesia also held the Indonesia-Pacific Forum for Development (IPFD) in Bali from December 7 to December 8. Several bilateral meetings were held on the sidelines of the events.
The AIS Forum was initiated by Indonesia in 2018 and currently boasts 47 member countries. This year, Indonesia highlighted the necessity of cooperation between archipelagic and small island countries in the wake of increasingly complex global challenges. Indonesia urged the participating countries to strive for unity in pursuing common goals. For instance, rising sea levels are for most of the participating countries of pressing importance. The nations agreed upon furthering cooperation via several strategic programs. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia 1]
The AIS Forum was followed by the Indonesia-Pacific Forum for Development. The latter was attended by 22 countries and four multilateral organizations. The forum displayed Indonesia’s willingness to spearhead cooperation in the Pacific region. Topics discussed at the forum encompassed climate change, disaster mitigation, food, health, and energy security. The IPFD also comprised the Pacific Business Engagement to foster business relations in the private sector. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia 2] [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia 3]
Ahead of the IPFD and on the sidelines of the forum, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi held several bilateral meetings with representatives of countries and international organizations in the Pacific region. Retno met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor Leste, Adaljiza Albertina, and discussed land border negotiations with her.
Retno also held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Papua New Guinea, Justin Tkatchenko. They talked about expediting the ratification process of two agreements regarding border arrangements and defense cooperation. They also contemplated the idea of pursuing a trade and investment agreement. Moreover, Indonesia held meetings with representatives of the Federation of Micronesia, New Zealand, Niue, and Vanuatu. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia 4] [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia 5]
Indonesian maritime minister reassures Sri Lanka of financial support during the AIS meetings
(sn) The Sri Lankan State Minister of Foreign Affairs met with the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs during the Archipelagic and Island State Forum (AID) and the 4th Ministerial Meeting (MM–4) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) on December 5–6 in Bali, Indonesia.
The states discussed bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and Indonesia in maritime security, safety, and blue economy investment. State officials also acknowledged the collaboration potential in the mining sector, fish farming and maritime tourism.
The State Minister of Foreign Affairs appreciated the organization efforts of the Indonesian counterparts and welcomed the initiative to host the 1st High-Level Meeting (HLM) with the participation of Heads of States next year. Sri Lanka also plans to present the UNGA Resolution to establish the “International Day on Seagrass” and invites AIS members to join this event on March 1, 2023. [News First] [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
United States sanctions several individuals to promote accountability for corruption, human rights abuse
(sn/lm) The United States on December 9 – International Anti-Corruption Day and on the eve of International Human Rights Day – imposed sanctions on individuals from North Korea, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, among others, in response to human rights abuses and violations. [U.S. Department of State]
Japan, UN Women to support first National Action Plan on Women in Sri Lanka
(sn) On December 7, the ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka and the head of the local UN Women organization introduced the first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) to the country’s state minister of women and child Affairs. The plan is based on consultations with women in 25 Sri Lankan districts and is now ready for Cabinet adoption. It was developed in a 3-year joint collaboration between the Governments of Japan and Sri Lanka and the UN Women. [Colombo Page]
Philippines President Marcos Jr. seeks stronger ties with Mauritania, Laos, Mongolia
(jd/lm) Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the ambassadors of Mauritania, Laos and Mongolia in Malacañang on December 6 for separate meetings, in which he emphasized that his country would like to forge stronger partnerships with the three nations in different areas. [CNN Philippines] [The Star]
Pakistan, European Union review joint program against malnutrition in Sindh province
(fm) Representatives of the European Union (EU) and Pakistan’s Sindh province met on December 7 to review the EU’s Programme for Improved Nutrition in Sindh (PINS). Launched by the European bloc in partnership with the Sindh government in 2018, the USD 60 million program aimed at reducing malnutrition in the province from 48 percent to 40 percent in eight selected districts by 2021. It concluded this year. [DAWN]
Cambodia: APF asks Cambodia to host future annual Francophonie meetings
(sn) The Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF) put forward that Cambodia hosts future annual meetings of the APF as the relations between the French-speaking countries and Cambodia have deepened.
The chairman of APF, Christophe-Andre Frassa, expressed interest in the forthcoming general election in Cambodia and accented the importance of providing information about electoral activities to international observers. In addition, the chairman announced the aims of formal cooperation between APF and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly [Phnom Penh Post]
Hun Sen attends the signing ceremony between Cambodia and the Republic of Korea for loan agreements
(sn) On December 9, 2022, the PM of Cambodia, Hun Sen, attended the signing ceremony between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Republic of Korea (ROK).
The ceremony approves the Framework Arrangement between Cambodia and the Korean Government for loans from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) in 2022 to 2026 of up to USD 1,500 million.
On December 1, 2022, Cambodia and the Republic of Korea signed the Free Trade Agreement. Cambodian Deputy PM, Prak Sokhonn, met with the ROK Ambassador, Park Heung-kyeong, and expressed gratitude for the assistance of the ROK government in the socio-economic development of Cambodia. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release 8 Dec 2022], [Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release 7 Dec 2022]
US prosecutors announce evidence of Kry Masphal’s involvement in monkey smuggling from Cambodia
(sn) Following the denial of the Cambodian company and the Agriculture Ministry of the monkey-smuggling allegations made by the US Justice Department, the Cambodian Embassy in Washington retained lawyers for the Cambodian official, Kry Mashal, to prove his innocence.
However, the lead prosecutor Thomas Watts-Fitzgerald rejected the claims of the appointed lawyers that the wildlife official does not represent a flight risk. He further revealed that the criminal charges brought on the Wildlife official carry lengthy sentences and that the court holds video evidence that significantly supports these accusations.
Since monkey breeding is a costly and time-consuming process, commercial breeders may be attracted to pass off the wild-caught monkeys as captive bred. Likewise, the Wildlife Official, the Cambodian Ambassador to the US, and Vanny Bio Research ltd. are indicted for this initiative. [Radio Free Asia], [Asia in Review No. 48, November/2022, 5]
China counters US chip export restrictions with WTO dispute
(dql) China has launched on December 13 a trade dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO) targeting rules on chip export that the Bush administration passed in October and that restricted export of chips that are made with American tools to China as well as any semiconductors designed for artificial intelligence applications. Then move is widely seen as an attempt to hamper the development China’s semiconductor industry. [CNBC]
The move comes on the heels of a December 9 ruling of the WTO which declared that U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium imports imposed by then President Donald Trump in 2018 violate global trading rules, calling on Washington to correct them. [Reuters]
U.S. expands military aid to Taiwan
(ms/dql) The U.S. House of Representatives on December 8 approved the fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes USD 10 billion in military aid plus another USD 1 billion per year for emergency defense assistance to Taiwan. At the same time the U.S. government announced that USD 425 million worth of military equipment will be sold to Taiwan.
The NDAA, which is expected to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate later this week, would be the first of its kind to include direct U.S. funding of weapons for Taiwan under the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (TERA) which includes USD 2 billion per year for five years in grants and loans for the purchase of US military equipment, services, and training of soldiers and experts. [Defense News] [South China Morning Post 1] [Taipei Times]
Already on December 6, the U.S. government announced that is has approved the sale of USD 425 million worth of spare aircraft parts to Taiwan, quadrupling the USD 108 million the U.S. State Department provided to Taiwan in mid-July [see AiR No. 29, July/2022, 3]. Large portions of the parts are to be used to support Taiwan’s fleet of F-16 fighters, C-130 transport planes and other U.S.-supplied weapons systems.
These news come barely a month after the meeting between US President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping ahead of the G20 summit in Bali [see AiR No. 46, November/2022, 3], at which China marked red lines with regards to Taiwan, with Xi warning that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and an independent Taiwan “are as irreconcilable as water and fire.”
As expected, the Chinese government expressed dissatisfaction with the NDAA and the announced arms sale and accused the U.S. of steadily “undermining” the one-China policy. [Associated Press] [Global Times] [South China Morning Post 2]
The passage of the NDAA in the House of Representatives also came days before Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng met with Daniel Kritenbrink, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs, and Laura Rosenberger, US National Security Council’s senior director for China, in Hebei Province on December 11 and 12 to discuss the implementation of the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Joe Biden when both met in Bali.
According to the readout of the Chinese foreign ministry, the talks were “candid, in-depth and constructive,” focusing on Taiwan question and “other important and sensitive issues in bilateral relations.” Both sides also exchanged about “international and regional issues of mutual interest and concern.” [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China]
The U.S. Department of State, for its part, stated that Kritenbrink and Rosenberger reaffirmed that the U.S. “would continue to compete vigorously, stand up for U.S. interests and values, defend the rules-based international order, and coordinate closely with allies and partner,” while exploring cooperation in areas where “interests do intersect,” including climate change, health security, global macroeconomic stability, and global food security. [Department of State, USA]
U.S. plans sanctions against China
(ms) The US announced on December 9 that it plans to take action against nearly 170 entities, many of them Chinese, for alleged illegal fishing activities in the Indo-Pacific, as well as sanctions against China’s human rights abuses in Tibet.
With regards to the illegal fishing activities, the entities are accused of having inadequate working conditions, violating environmental standards, and endangering the livelihood of local fishermen.
Such accusations are not new, China is accused of using a “Fishermen Militia” to enforce its territorial claims through fishermen in addition to illegal fishing activities. The U.S. plans to freeze the assets of the relevant entities within the U.S. sphere of influence and to impose travel restrictions on associated partners.
Sanctions are also to be imposed on individuals or organizations involved in human rights abuses in Tibet, but there is no more detailed information yet.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed dissatisfaction with the announced sanctions, accusing the US of interfering in China’s national affairs, adding that “the US is not qualified to impose sanctions on other countries at its will, and is not qualified to play the role of the world police.” [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China] [South China Morning Post] [Al Jazeera]
U.S. to strengthen military presence in Australia to counter China
(ms) In the joint statement following the Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) 2022, attended by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles, the U.S. government announced plans to increase its presence by land, air, and sea in and around Australia and invited Japan “to increase its participation in Force Posture Initiatives in Australia.” [Department of State, USA]
Commenting on the statement, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that “China’s dangerous and coercive actions throughout the Indo-Pacific, including around Taiwan, and toward the Pacific Island countries and in the East and South China Seas threaten regional peace and stability.” [U.S. Embassy in China]
The exact form of this stronger presence is not yet known, however, the U.S. signaled to increase the rotation of military forces, along with plans to deploy six nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to an air base in northern Australia.
Washington and Canberra also emphasized the integration of Japan, which had already been agreed at the trilateral Defense Ministers’ Meeting between Australia, Japan, and the U.S. [see AiR No. 40, October/2022, 1].
In addition to security and military issues, the meeting also addressed issues of economic and technological cooperation. [CNN]
China to overtake US economy in 2035, India in 2075
(ms) A newly released report by US investment bank Goldman Sachs, titled “The Global Economy in 2075: Growth Slows as Asia Rises”, predicts that China’s economy will overtake that of the U.S. in 2035, and that India’s will do so in 2075, arguing that the “weight of global GDP will shift (even) more towards Asia over the next 30 years.”
The report also predicts that China, the US, India, Indonesia, and Germany will make up the five largest economies in 2050, while by 2075 Nigeria, Pakistan and Egypt might belong to the world’s largest economies. [Goldman Sachs]
Chinese Premier meets leaders of global financial and labor institutions
(ms) Premier Li Keqiang met with the President of the World Bank Group, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, the Director-General of the International Labor Organization, the Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Chairman of the Financial Stability Board for the 1+6 meeting on December 9.
The annual meeting was held this time under the expressed fear of the heads of the IMF and World Bank that the world is in danger of a global recession. Against this backdrop, the visitors welcomed China's accelerating departure from its zero-COVID policy, which could improve global trade. Furthermore, the reconstruction of developing countries' debt, especially in Africa, is said to have been a topic of discussion, and officials were also positive about China’s willingness to work with the G-20 on this. [Bloomberg] [FMPRC] [The World Bank]
Pakistan most exposed of China’s influence, Taiwanese think tank report says
(dql) According to the “China Index 2022” of the Taiwanese nongovernmental organization Doublethink Lab, Pakistan ranks top among 84 countries for which experts were surveyed on China’s influence across nine domains, including academia, domestic politics, economy, foreign policy, law enforcement, media, military, society, and technology.
Among the ten countries most exposed to Chinese influence are eight Asian countries, including Pakistan, Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Malaysia. The remaining two are Peru and South Africa. The three countries least exposed to China’s influence included Paraguay, North Macedonia, and Albania. [China Index] [VoA]
Chinese, Indian troops injured in fresh border clash, Indian army says
(wr/lm) Indian and Chinese soldiers have suffered minor injuries in a clash on their disputed border in India’s north-eastern territory of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9, the first such incident between the two neighbors since a deadly confrontation in 2020 strained their already tense relations. [ANI] [NDTV] [Deutsche Welle]
The Sino-Indian border has remained tense since 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were reported killed in fighting on the frontier of India’s far north-western territory of Ladakh in June 2020 [see AiR No. 24, June/2020, 3]. Despite dozens of rounds of high-level military talks, the two countries remain in a diplomatic stand-off, with India refusing to resume normal relations with Beijing unless it scales back its military presence in the frontier zones.
According to people familiar with an account of the latest incident, both armed forces disengaged “immediately” and that Chinese and Indian commanders afterwards held a de-escalatory “flag meeting”. China’s foreign ministry did not make any immediate comment on the reports of the incident. [Financial Times]
In separate developments the Indian government is moving forward with the construction of a 2,000 kilometer highway in the country’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, which shares a long border with China and is claimed by Beijing in its entirety as being part of south Tibet. Called the Arunachal Frontier Highway, the road will cost USD 6.5 billion and is expected to help the military mobilize troops and weapons quickly to the border. [The Straits Times]
India holds up export of 27,000 Vivo phones in clash with China
(lm) India’s revenue intelligence unit has prevented the local unit of Chinese technology company Vivo from exporting some 27,000 smartphones for more than a week in a setback to the company’s plan to ship devices to neighboring markets. The shipment, worth nearly USD 15 million, is being held up over an alleged misdeclaration of the device models and their value, according to people familiar with the developments. [South China Morning Post]
Bangladesh seeks India's cooperation on Rohingya crisis
(wr) Bangladesh has sought the assistance of neighboring India to repatriate minority Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh and other countries to escape discrimination and violence from Buddhist majority Myanmar. The matter was raised by the speaker of the Bangladesh parliament during a meeting with the Indian ambassador to Dhaka. [PTI] [Outlook]
India, Bangladesh discuss security, border management
(wr) A joint India-Bangladesh working group on security and border management concluded talks on December 6, after discussing bilateral issues pertaining to illegal border crossing and measures to combat terrorism. The meeting followed a conversation between the home ministers from both countries on border security and management on the sidelines of a conference in New Delhi in November. [Beijing News] [The Hindu] [ThePrint]
India, Malaysia discuss bilateral defense cooperation
(wr) A joint military exercise between the Indian and Malaysian armies, Harimau Shakti, concluded on December 12. The series of exercises began on November 28 and featured joint military operations in jungle terrain with sub-conventional forces. [ANI] [First India]
India, Nepal sign Memorandum of Understanding on education, healthcare, drinking water
(lm) Nepal’s federal affairs ministry and India’s embassy in Kathmandu have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly undertake three projects in the Himalayan nation under the grant assistance of the Indian government – one each in the education, healthcare, and drinking water sectors. [Zee News]
United States Asia coordinator highlights strong bilateral partnership with India
(wr) The United States has reaffirmed its consideration of India as an emerging “Great Power”, asserting that there is no other bilateral relationship that is being "deepened and strengthened" more rapidly than between the two countries over the last 20 years.
Responding to a question on India during his appearance at the Aspen Security Forum on December 8, Kurt Campbell, the White House Asia Coordinator, said that in his view, the South Asian nation is the most important bilateral relationship for the United States in the 21st century. He also assured that aligning with New Delhi doesn’t merely reflect a China-centric development, but rather resulted from synergies between two societies.
Campbell also noted that the upcoming Quad meet in 2023 in Australia would provide a platform to strengthen bilateral maritime coordination under the greater realm of an Indo-Pacific strategy. Furthermore, India is going to host an American delegation led by the US Coordinator for Counterterrorism to review regional security dynamics and propose counter-terrorism initiatives on December 12. [NDTV] [Hindustan Times] [Mint]
India’s Modi to skip annual summit with Russia’s Putin due to ‘scheduling issues’
(wr/lm) India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be travelling to Moscow for an annual in-person summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to “scheduling issues”, sources say. Coming against the larger backdrop of the war in Ukraine, this move might indicate that India seeks to maintain a diplomatic balancing act between Russia and the United States and its allies. [Bloomberg] [The Strait Times]
It would mark only the second time the leaders of India and Russia have not met face to face since 2000, when the relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership. The summit, usually held in December, was cancelled just once – in 2020, at the height of the pandemic.
However, Moscow continues to tout India as a key country that has not publicly joined the criticism over the war in Ukraine. It also pushed to step up trade as sanctions have cut off flows with the US and Europe. In light of this, the relationship between India and Russia remains strong.
In the latest indication of the strength of bilateral relations, the Kremlin welcomed New Delhi’s decision to not support the USD 60 price cap per barrel of Russian crude announced by the G7 and European Union (EU). More importantly, Russia offered its cooperation on leasing and building large-capacity ships to overcome the ban on insurance services and tanker chartering in the EU and United Kingdom to continue buying discounted oil. [Outlook]
Russia's crude oil exports to India have increased 14-fold and doubled to China since the start of the Ukraine conflict. [Anadolu Agency]
British trade minister heads to India to kick off new round of free trade talks
(lm) British Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch arrived in India on December 12 for the sixth round of talks over a free trade agreement between the two countries. Badenoch, who was appointed to her role in September, will meet her counterpart, Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, in person for the first time, aiming to spark life into negotiations that have been stalled since July. [The Straits Times] [GOV.UK]
The United Kingdom's former prime minister, Boris Johnson, in April set an ambitious target to finalise an FTA with India by Diwali in October [see AiR No. 17, April/2022, 4]. But hopes of an agreement in time took a hit after the home secretary Suella Braverman expressed “reservations” that the deal may lead to increased immigration — drawing an angry reaction from New Delhi [see AiR No. 41, October/2022, 2].
New British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he is committed to getting a deal with India but won’t sacrifice quality for speed, in a change of tone compared to his predecessor.
India, Canada discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in Indo-Pacific
(wr) India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a phone conversation with his Canadian counterpart on December 12 to explore potential mutual cooperation in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. The talk brought up ways to advance shared security and democratic interest in the region and to accelerate people-to-people ties. [Hindustan Times]
Canada released its Comprehensive Indo-Pacific Strategy in November, in which it intended to share expertise with regional actors in a more conducive and inclusive manner. India was highlighted as a significant player. The interest ranges from climate change, technology, maritime management, trade and concerns over China’s assertiveness.
India, Australia hold bilateral drill, discuss defense cooperation
(wr/lm) The Australian and Indian armies from November 28 to December 11 conducted a bilateral training exercise with newly formed integrated combat units along India's western border with Pakistan. The army chiefs from both sides met on the sidelines of the drills to discuss strengthening bilateral military cooperation. [Janes]
Indonesia, United States begin joint military exercise
(os) The Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) and Marine Corps (KORMAR RI) started a joint military exercise with the US Navy and Marine Corps on December 7. The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2022 will run until December 21. [U.S. Embassy Jakarta]
CARAT Indonesia is built to increase interoperability and strengthen the partnership between the Indonesian and US navies. This year already marks the 28th edition of the exercise. The main focus of CARAT 2022 will be on amphibious operations.
Indonesia, Australia discuss labor cooperation
(os) Indonesia and Australia held a bilateral meeting to discuss cooperation in the area of labor and employment. [Antara News]
The meeting was conducted on the sidelines of the 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting of the International Labor Organization (ILO). Indonesian Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah talked about issues regarding the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) with a representative of Australia.
In particular, the talk included discussions about the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Workplace-Based Training. The two officials also talked about the drafting of an MoU that should facilitate placing Indonesian workers in the Australian agricultural sector.
Japan, Australia vow to deepen security cooperation at 2+2 talks
(dql) Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada met with their Australian counterparts Penny Wong and Richard Marles for the two countries’ annual “2+2” talks on December 9 in Tokyo.
During the meeting, the ministers reached agreement on deepen military cooperation and exchanges, that included Japan’s plan to invite for the first time Australian Air Force F-35s to Japan for next year’s Bushido Guardian air force exercise, options for carrying out joint submarine search-and-rescue training as well as amphibious operations and guided weapon live-fire drills, among others.
The two sides also reaffirmed their opposition to “unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Sea,” their commitment to deepening trilateral relations with the U.S, and to a coordinated response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests, while highlighting the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan] [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Australia] [NHK]
Furthermore, Marles signaled in a speech in Tokyo that Japan should be involved in AUKUS, the security pact between the U.S., the UK, and Australia. [ABC News]
The talks are the latest sign of deepening ties between Tokyo and Canberra and follows the signing of the updated security cooperation agreement between the two countries in October under which both sides agreed to working together on supply chain security of key minerals, a framework for information sharing in research and development, and promoting investments and commercial agreements on joint critical mineral projects [see AiR No. 43, October/2022, 4].
Japan, the UK, and Italy to jointly build next-generation fighter jets
(dql) Japan, the United Kingdom and Japan are set to jointly cooperate in the development of sixth-generation fighter jets.
In a joint statement, the prime ministers of the three countries announced the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a joint project to develop the next-generation fighter aircraft by 2035 to rival warplanes of Russia and China. While both countries were not mentioned by name in the statement, it cited increasing “threats and aggression” against the “rules-based, free and open international order,” for the need for the new fighter jet, and added that the project was “designed with our Allies and partners at its very heart,” seeking ‘[f]uture interoperability with the United States, with NATO and with our partners across Europe, the Indo-Pacific and globally.”
Currently, all three countries are flying US fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighters, with versions of the warplane being assembled in Italy and Japan. [The Government, UK] [CNN]
First landing of Japanese jet fighters on Philippine soil since WWII
(dql) Two F-15 fighter jets of Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) arrived at the Clark Air Base north of Manila on December 6 for the first time since World War II (WW II) to join around 60 ASDF members who have been participating in an exchange from November 27 to Dember 11 aimed to enhance defense cooperation between the two countries’ forces.
The arrival of the jets makes the Southeast Asian country the third country after the U.S. and Australia Japan has sent fighter jets to, in a latest move that reflects deepening security ties between Japan and the Philippines since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed power in June and shifted away from his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte’s China-friendly policy to emphasize cooperation with Japan, the U.S. and Australia.
In arrival of the jets in Manila follows the first “two plus two” talks between the countries’ foreign and defense ministers in Tokyo in Tokyo. Last month, both sides conducted joint drills near Subic in the Philippines, facing the South China Sea.
During Japan’s more than three-year occupation of the Philippines in WWII, the Japanese military used the airfield in part as a base to launch kamikaze suicide attacks against American forces. [Nikkei Asia] [The Japan Times]
Majority of UN Security Council to agree on joint statement on North Korea, US claims
(sm) According to the US mission to the UN, the US has found a majority within the UN Security Council (UNSC) in support of issuing a formal document condemning North Korea’s recent missile firings.
The US-drafted presidential statement voices strong condemnation of Pyongyang’s ballistic activity, especially its launching of a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile in November [see AiR No. 47, November/2022, 4], which had both Japan and the US within its range.
The presidential statement of the UNSC would be inferior to a resolution in terms of legally binding power but may currently be the only way of finding a compromise. It still requires the consensus of all UNSC members.
While several resolutions against North Korea’s weapon development program have been issued over the past twenty years, more recent resolutions have been blocked by China and Russia, as permanent UNSC members holding veto powers.
North Korea has been one of the focuses of meeting of the UNSC this year, as the country fired a record number of 63 ballistic missiles in 2022, one flying over Japan and another landing in South Korean territorial waters. [Yonhap News Agency]
Pakistan’s foreign minister on official visit in Singapore
(lm) Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari traveled to Singapore last week to reaffirm bilateral ties. During a breakfast meeting with his Singapore counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan on December 9, the two top diplomats reviewed the growth in trade between their countries and agreed to enhance cooperation in several key areas, including trade facilitation, digital economy and digital finance. [South China Morning Post] [The Straits Times]
Afghan forces kill 8 civilians in cross-border fire, Pakistan says
(fm) Cross-border shelling and gunfire between Afghanistan and Pakistan killed at least eight Pakistani civilians and one Afghan soldier on December 11, officials on both sides of the frontier said, with each side accusing the other of starting the fighting. [Reuters] [The Straits Times]
The Pakistan army said Afghan border forces had opened “unprovoked and indiscriminate fire of heavy weapons including artillery/mortar on to the civilian population” at the Chaman border crossing, the second-largest commercial border point between the two countries.
Pakistani embassy in Afghan capital attacked, IS suspect arrested
(lm/tj) Pakistan’s embassy in the Afghan capital, Kabul, came under attack on December 9 when shots were fired at the embassy from a nearby building. Pakistan’s top diplomat in Kabul was walking across the lawn inside the embassy compound at the time of the attack. He was unharmed but one of his Pakistani guards was wounded. [Reuters]
The regional affiliate of the Islamic State, known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province and a rival of Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack. A member of the militant group was arrested on December 12. [Associated Press]
United States sanctions leaders of anti-Pakistan terrorist groups
(tj/lm) The United States has added four leaders from the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group and its al-Qaida branch (AQIS) to its list of “Specially Designated Global Terrorists”, triggering sanctions amid a resurgence of militant violence in the South Asian nation. [The Diplomat]
Both groups operate from Afghanistan, but they have hideouts in Pakistan’s former tribal regions in the northwest and elsewhere. They have been on the US list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations for years, the TTP since 2010 and AQIS since 2016.
Last week’s announcement came days after the TTP ended a months-long ceasefire with Pakistan and resumed attacks across the country.
Chinese vessels restricting Philippines’ access in key West Philippines Sea areas
(jd) According to maritime law experts, Chinese vessels have been moving closer to Palawan in the recent months as a strategy that aims to restrict the Philippines’ access in key areas of the West Philippine Sea.
Observers affirmed that from those locations, the Chinese maritime militia has the power to intercept military outposts, intimidate the activity of Filipinos sailors and fishers, and hinder the explorations for oil and gas in the area.
The area is within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone; therefore, since the Philippines has exclusive rights to exploit and explore its resources, the current government has recently stated that any joint exploration must follow and respect the Philippine laws. [Inquirer]
Singapore, Brunei hold 9th defense policy dialogue
(ih) The Permanent Secretary for Policy, Finance and Administration of the Bruneian Ministry of Defence visited Singapore from December 4-7 for the 9th Singapore-Brunei Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD). The 9th DPD, the first in-person DPD since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, was co-chaired by COL (Rtd) Norsuriati and her Singapore counterpart Chan Heng Kee.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defense cooperation and to continued cooperation regarding the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meetings (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus. [Singapore Business Review] [MinDef]
Singapore, United States hold annual joint exercise
(ih) On December 9, The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) completed the 25th annual joint Exercise Valiant Mark (XVM). XVM, which began November 28, included 850 soldiers from both the SAF’s 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards and the USMC’s Marine Rotational Force Southeast Asia. The exercises included jungle training, urban training, and a battalion heli-borne mission. [MinDef]
Singapore’s prime minister on official visit in Germany, to attend ASEAN-EU summit in Brussels
(lm) Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong completed a two-day official visit to Germany on December 13. In Germany, the Southeast Asian leader met with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Kiel, a port city in the north of the country, and attended the launch of two Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) submarines. [Today Online] [The Straits Times]
During his visit, Prime Minister Lee was being accompanied by the ministers for defense and foreign affairs, as well as from officials from the RSN and the Prime Minister’s Office.
The delegation’s visit to Germany comes shortly after his German counterpart Scholz made an official visit to Singapore in November. During his visit, the German chancellor said that Berlin wants to deepen its cooperation with its Southeast Asian partners, emphasizing that the Asia-Pacific region is “far more than just China.” [AiR No. 46, November/2022, 3]
Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Lee will be attending the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in Brussels. Belgium, on December 14. The summit, which marks 45 years of dialogue relations between the two blocs, is the first summit involving the leaders of the member states of ASEAN and of the European Union.
South Korea ratifies the UN Convention on enforced disappearances
(sm) On December 8, South Korea ratified the UN International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances (CPED).
While the UN had recommended South Korea to join the CPED in 2017, its ratification had been delayed as the country had no provisions for enforced disappearances in its domestic laws. With the ratification, domestic laws are going to be amended for the implementation of the convention.
The parliament also ratified the Convention’s optional protocol under which individuals can file complaints over state violations of the CPED with the responsible UN authority.
The convention passed by the South Korean parliament is one of the UN’s nine major human rights treaties, besides International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2006 and was implemented in 2010. [Yonhap News Agency]
South Korea, US hold discussion and joint exercise on nuclear disaster management
(sm) South Korea and the US held their third scenario-based policy discussion, dubbed “Winter Tiger III”, in Seoul on December 6 and 7.
The discussion gathered a total of 150 participants from both countries’ agencies specializing in nuclear and radiological disaster responses from both countries, such as South Korean national police and fire agencies, Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences and the US Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of State, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Emergency Management Agency among others. The focus was put on joint response capabilities to radiological or nuclear terrorist attacks, ranging from emergency responses to informing the public.
Concurrently, exercises were held with a fictional attack on the allies in mind, amid recent tensions with North Korea over its nuclear weapons program.
The Winter Tiger operation goes back to the US-South Korean cooperation under the Nuclear Security Working Group (NSWG) of High-Level Bilateral Commission that was established in 2016 to enhance strategic dialogue and technical exchanges on peaceful nuclear cooperation. Previous operations had held in 2017 and 2019. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Korea]
Top Chinese, South Korean diplomats exchange on deepening ties and cooperation
(sm) On December 12, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his South Korean counterpart Park Jin held virtual talks on increased cooperation and regional security, following the countries’ leaders’ summit in Bali last month.
Wang and Park agreed that the summit represented an important new milestone in their bilateral ties and said they would cooperate to implement the points agreed upon by their leaders. They announced increased efforts on establishing high level exchanges through public-private platforms and between their foreign ministries and to boost cooperation in the supply chain sector, green energy, person-to-person, and cultural exchanges.
Park furthermore voiced South Korea’s concerns over recent tensions with North Korea over its frequent launch of ballistic missiles – 63 this year alone – and asked for Beijing’s close cooperation to deescalate the current situation and convince Pyongyang of denuclearizing. Wang reiterated China’s willingness to play a constructive role to defuse inter-Korean tensions. [Xinhua] [Reuters] [Yonhap News Agency]
On the same day, Chinese and South Korean business leaders and government officials virtually met for a dialogue on increased business and economic cooperation.
The meeting, co-hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, a Beijing-based think tank, took place after last month’s summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Indonesia. The leaders had agreed on intensifying high-level talks through public-private channels, among others.
The agenda for the meeting focused on accelerating the second phase of negotiations on a China–South Korea FTA agreement, on which a joint statement was adopted, and the strengthening of cooperation in big data, green economy, and high-tech manufacturing. Working-level talks on the expansion of the FTA have been underway since its first phase went into effect in late 2015.
Calls for increased cooperation on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) between the two countries and ASEAN members have also been made.
Finally, the dialogue addressed the need for policy exchanges on carbon emission objectives and green growth and the normalization of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
While this business dialogue had been established in 2018, it was suspended in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. China is South Korea’s biggest trading partner, with bilateral exchanges representing USD 301,4 billion in 2021. [Yonhap News Agency]
In the meanwhile, South Korea is currently attending another round of negotiations on the US-led Indo Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) which kicked off on December 11 and runs until December 15.
Taiwan, German introduce reciprocal automated customs clearance program
(dql) According to Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency a new program entered into force on December 10 under which Taiwan and Germany have launched a reciprocal automated customs clearance program.
The program allows Taiwanese travelers to use Germany’s EasyPass border control system, while Germans can use Taiwan’s e-Gate system. This aims to facilitate travel and trade between the two economies
After the U.S., South Korea, Australia and Italy, Germany is the fifth country to have a reciprocal customs clearance agreement with Taiwan, while Taiwan has become the fourth non-European Union country which Germany has granted the privilege. [Focus Taiwan]
Over 150 Rohingya adrift in Andaman Sea off Thailand's coast
(fj) The UNHCR, the refugee agency of the United Nations, has urged regional states to rescue a boat carrying more than 150 Rohingya that has reportedly been adrift in the Andaman Sea since its motor broke down on December 1. [UNHCR]
According to a rights activist who claims to be in contact with the families of some of the people on the boat, the group left from Bangladesh in late November. It has further been stated that 30 persons on board had already died due to lack of water and food. The exact location of the vessel is not reported, with Reuters on December 7 citing the statement of an anonymous Thai navy officer that it was in Indian waters. [Reuters] [Prachathai]
The incident is part of a surge in reported attempts by Rohingya to escape from camps in Bangladesh and Myanmar, where they are forced to live in squalor, often facing harsh restrictions on their freedom of movement, access to work and resources as well as a lack of education for their children. UNHRC has reported that over 1,900 Rohingya had crossed the waters of the Andaman Sea, many hoping to reach Malaysia. [Al Jazeera]
Member of UK House of Lords officially visits Thailand, calls on Prime Minister
(td) Lord Powell of Bayswater, member of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords, paid an official visit to Thailand and called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to discuss a broad range of issues of their interests, with a view to advance positive relations between the two countries. At the meeting, PM Prayut attached great importance on ways forward to fostering closer Thai-U.K. economic cooperation, particularly in the clean energy sector that the two sides have potentials and is in line with their respective sustainable development agenda. Significantly, furthermore, the Thai Premier took this opportunity to seek a reduction of import duties for eco-friendly goods from Thai manufacturers, call for more investments, and touch upon the plausible development of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Thailand and the UK – building on existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms namely Strategic Dialogue Meeting and Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), of which the first-ever meeting was recently held in late June 2022. [See Government of the United Kingdom] [Royal Thai Government]
China State Shipbuilding Corporation set to deliver landing platform dock to Thai Navy
(td) The China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC) has completed a sea trial of the type 071E landing platform dock, earmarked for the Royal Thai Navy – with exceptional results – thereby expecting to deliver it to Thailand soon. The two parties reached an agreement in 2019 to construct the vessel, which could be regarded as a testament to another milestone of the comprehensive strategic relations, in cooperative manner, between Thailand and China. Reportedly, the type 071E landing platform dock is a customized version based on the type 071 amphibious landing ship, in service with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, to meet the Thai Navy’s requested specifications. Overall, with its exceptional capacity to host a range of military vehicles, it will contribute to the enhanced transport capability for Thai armies. Meanwhile, they can expect improved disaster relief capability as manifested by the PLA’s rescue operations in early 2022 to salvage the South Pacific country hit by a volcanic eruption, that triggered a tsunami, through the optimization of the type 071 dock landing ship. [Global Times]
Thailand discusses border issues with Malaysia’s new PM
(ts) Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan paid a visit to Malaysian new PM Anwar Ibrahim for winning an election and bilateral talks. On this occasion, Prawit was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Defense Chaichan Changmongkol in Putrajaya, Malaysia as invited by the new premier. Prawit and Anwar are claimed to have a long-term personal relationship and this year also marks 65 years of diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
Apart from congratulatory courtesy, two bilateral issues were discussed: border unrest and regional development. Malaysia promised to continue mediating peace talks with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) to halt separatist attempts as the election had finished. Also, both countries should put forward the development plan in adjacent regions, embracing their firm diplomatic ties. [Bangkok Post]
Timor-Leste President Ramos-Horta finds no progress with Australia on gas pipeline
(lm) Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta said that Australia has shown no signs to jointly develop a long-delayed gas pipeline project that runs through the waters between the two countries, leaving around USD 100 billion in potential revenue untapped. [Bloomberg]
According to Ramos-Horta, it would be in Canberra’s interest to partner up on the project to pipe the gas from the two gas fields that make up the Greater Sunrise to a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Timor-Leste rather than to an existing LNG terminal in Darwin, as favored by the project’s operator.
The project is key to Timor-Leste’s future as its main source of revenue, the Bayu Undan oil and gas field, will stop producing later this year, leaving the country almost wholly dependent on its petroleum fund.
Timor-Leste President Ramos-Horta on maiden state visit to Singapore
(ih) On December 8 Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reaffirmed his country’s support for Timor-Leste’s membership bid for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta’s first ever state visit to Singapore. Singapore also offered to provide a training program for over 300 Timor-Leste officials in order to prepare them for ASEAN membership. [CNA] [The Straits Times]
The ASEAN leaders on November 11 agreed “in principle” to admit Timor-Leste as the group's 11th member, indicating the end is in sight for an 11-year quest to join the bloc. The former Portuguese colony initiated the process of accession in 2002 after gaining independence from Indonesia earlier the same year, but only formally applied for membership in 2011. The ASEAN will now draw up a roadmap whereby it will set out the criteria East Timor must meet before being granted full membership. [AiR No. 46, November/2022, 3]
Vietnam hosts country’s first major international arms fair
(ih) On December 8 Vietnam hosted its first ever international arms fair in Hanoi, attracting 174 vendors from 30 countries. Of the major arms-manufacturing countries, China was the only one without vendors present.
Vietnam has become an increasingly attractive market for the defense industry, as tensions with China have driven expanded military procurement. The country is currently among the top twenty global arms importers. Russian manufacturers dominate the country’s current arms purchases, with Russian imports accounting for 80 percent of the market. However, Vietnam has been seeking to diversify its sources of arms and other military equipment, and the amount of money spent on Russian equipment has been decreasing steadily. This attempt at diversification has opened new opportunities for European, American, and Asian defense companies to enter the market, but the extent of diversification away from Russian equipment has ultimately been severely limited by pre-existing path dependencies in procurement and training.
The arms expo has also served as an opportunity for the Vietnamese defense industry to advertise its products to foreign buyers. Vietnam does not currently have a large arms export industry but does produce a significant volume of small arms and light weapons. These products are likely to be of interest to other developing countries in Southeast Asia and Africa, for whom the competitive prices of Vietnamese equipment would be potentially appealing. [RFA] [Bangkok Post] [Reuters]
Vietnam hosts French Senate President
(ih) President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher visited Vietnam on December 8 to attend celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between France and Vietnam. He co-hosted a ceremony launching the celebrations with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and was hosted by both the Prime Minister and the General Secretary of the Communist Party. The PM expressed his desire for France to finish ratifying the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and for French support in having the yellow card warning issued to Vietnam by the European Commission's for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing removed. The PM also suggested the two countries work closely together to complete the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). [Vietnam+ 1] [Vietnam+ 2] [Vietnam+ 3]
Vietnamese officials Attend Berlin conference on Asia-Pacific security
(ih) Officials from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense recently attended a conference in Berlin on security in the Asia-Pacific region. They asserted that Vietnam would continue to maintain a security policy that was fundamentally defensive and neutral in character and would seek to resolve disputes through peaceful means as much as possible. [Vietnam+]
Defense Ministers of Vietnam, Czech Republic hold talks on deepening cooperation
(ih) The Defense Ministers of Vietnam and the Czech Republic held talks on December 7. The two sides agreed to continue to bolster defense links through human resources training, providing mutual support in multilateral frameworks and mechanisms, and increasing the frequency of delegation exchanges at all levels. [VoV]
South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia to collaborate on tax policy
(ih) The National Tax Service (NTS) has announced its intention to cooperate closely with Vietnamese and Cambodian tax regulators to reduce issues such as the double taxation of Korean companies. NTS Commissioner Kim Chang-ki discusses double taxation and demonstrated effective digital tax payment services to the Vietnamese tax authorities on December 7. and signed a memorandum of understanding with Cambodia on technical education on digital tax administration. [Korean Times]
Announcements
Upcoming Online Events
14 December 2022 @ 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (GMT+8), ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore
Challenges Facing Agricultural Trade Between the Mekong Countries and China: Value Chain Analyses Focusing on Non-tariff Measures
This webinar presents the findings from a recent ISEAS publication entitled “Agricultural Trade between China and the Greater Mekong Subregion Countries: A Value Chain Analysis,” and identifies specific impediments along the value chain and the non-tariff measures that interfere with cross-border trade.
For more information, see [ISEAS].
14 December 2022 @ 1:30-4:30 p.m. (GMT-5), Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), USA
Emerging Security Issues in Space Policy
This webcast explores emerging security issues in space policy.
More about the event at [CSIS].
15 December 2022 @ 9:00-10:00 a.m., Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, USA
Rethinking South Korea’s Security
South Korea faces a growing spectrum of security threats even as it confronts a North Korea with increasingly sophisticated nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Accelerating U.S.-China competition and the war in Ukraine have only added to the economic and geopolitical pressures on South Korea. Against this backdrop, this online seminar discusses South Korea’s national security.
Visit [Carnegie Endowment for International Peace] for more event details.
Recent book releases
Leslie Sklair, Second Thoughts on Capitalism and the State, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 305 pages, published on June 1, 2022, reviewed in [LSE].
Christopher Goscha, The Road to Dien Bien Phu: A History of the First War for Vietnam, Princeton University Press, 568 pages, published on March 22, 2022. For a review see [Asian Review of Books].
Jennifer Altehenger and Denise Y. Ho (eds.), Material Contradictions in Mao’s China, University of Washington Press, 264 pages, published on December 8, 2022. A review is available at [Asian Review of Books].
Alfred L. Chan, Xi Jinping: Political Career, Governance, and Leadership, 1953-2018, Oxford University Press, 763 pages, published on April 8, 2022. The book is reviewed in [Los Angeles Review of Books].
Lisa Jean Moore, Our Transgenic Future: Spider Goats, Genetic Modification, and the Will to Change Nature, New York University Press, 232 pages, published on July 5, 2022. Find a review at [Forbes].
Calls for Papers
The Association of Asian Studies (ASS) invites proposals for late breaking sessions at its 2023 Annual Conference to be held virtually on February 17-18, 2023. Submission deadline is January 9, 2023. For more information, see [ASS].
The Center for Diplomatic Affairs and Political Studies seeks paper proposals for its 2023 Global Strategy Conference on the theme “Securitized World Order and New Security Spaces”, scheduled for March 22-24, 2023, in Budapest, Hungary. Closing date for abstract submissions is December 30, 2022. Find more details at [Global Security Conference].
Jobs and positions
The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) is looking for a Research Fellow, specializing in Migration, Climate Change, Disasters and Development. Application deadline is December 14, 2022. The position is based in Bangkok, Thailand. For more in information, see [SEI].
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) welcomes application for the position of Director of Office and UNESCO Representative to Thailand, Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Singapore. The position is based in Bangkok, Thailand. Deadline for applications is December 23, 2022. Further details are available at [UNESCO].
The Associated Press is recruiting a Thailand Reporter to cover major spot news developments in Thailand. The position is based in Bangkok. Applications are accepted until December 16, 2022. Find more about the offer at [AP].
UN Women seeks application for the position of International Consultant – Communication to advance Women’s Access to Justice – to be based in Bangkok, Thailand. Closing date for applications is December 16, 2022. Further information is provided at [UNDP].
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is hiring a Programme Specialist with expertise and work experience in Humanitarian, Recovery and Disaster Risk Reduction. The position is based in Islamabad, Pakistan. Applications can be submitted until December 15, 2022. If you are interested, see [UNDP] for more details.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is accepting applications for the position of Regional Coordinator for Africa – Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery – that is based in Nairobi, Kenya. Closing date for applications is December 24, 2022. Find more about the job offer at [UNDP].
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is looking for a Programme Coordinator for its Regional Bureau for Africa. The position is based in Brazzaville, Congo. Application deadline is December 16, 2022. If you are interested, see [UNDP] for more details.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) welcomes applications for the position of Emergency Response Team (ERT) Country Director. Applications are accepted until January 8, 2023. Visit [IRC] to find more about the vacancy.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is offering the position of Country Director Palestine to be based in Jerusalem. The deadline to apply is January 3, 2023. Follow [NRC] for more information.
Action Against Hunger is recruiting a Country Director for Liberia to be based in Monrovia. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Visit [Action Contre La Faim] to find more details.
Oxfam International is seeking a Country Director to be based in Amman, Jordan. The closing date for applications is December 22, 2022. See [Oxfam] for further information.
USAID India is looking for a Senior Program and Policy Advisor (Health Systems Strengthening Division Coordinator). The position is based in New Delhi, India. Applications can be submitted until January 3, 2023. If you are interested, you can find more about the job offer at [USAID].
The Red Cross EU Office is recruiting a Migration Project Officer to be based in Brussels. Deadline for applications is January 3, 2023. See [Red Cross] for further details of the vacancy.
The Near East Foundation (NEF), an American international social and economic development organization, is accepting applications for the position of Director, EU. The position is based in Brussels. Application deadline is January 9, 2023. More about the role and requirements can be found at [NEF].
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) seeks to recruit a Policy and Technical Advisor in Disaster Risk Reduction to be based in Geneva, Switzerland. Closing date of application is December 16, 2022. Learn more about the position at [UNEP].
The European University Institute (EUI) welcomes applications for scholarships for PhD programs in Economics, History, Law, and Political and Social Sciences. The four-year funding covers tuition and a monthly grant. Interested young scholars can apply until January 31, 2023. Further information is available at [EUI].
The Department of Global Political Studies (GPS) at Malmö University is offering one EU-funded doctoral student position, specializing on radical rhetoric in terrorism and extremism. Application deadline is January 16, 2023. Visit [Malmö University] for additional information.
ETH Zurich seeks to fill one postdoc position in Climate Dynamics, with focus on investigating future changes in the large-scale circulation of the atmosphere, the role of ocean-atmosphere coupling in climate variability and change, and/or the influence of the atmospheric circulation on regional climate change and extreme weather. Applications are accepted until January 16, 2023. Further information is accessible via [ETH Zurich].
The Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich is offering two Senior Researchers specializing in Conflict Management, Conflict Resolution or Violence Prevention. The closing date for application is January 9, 2023. For additional information, go to [ETH Zurich].
The Center for Law & Economics at ETH Zurich seeks applications for PhD positions in law (IP, antitrust, privacy, Internet law, legal tech). If you are interested, applications can be submitted until January 15, 2023. The Center provides more details of the position at [ETH Zurich].
Team:
Duc Quang Ly (dql), Farhan Maqsood (fm), Felix Jonas Jantz (fj), Gabriela Cestino López (gc), Henning Glaser (hg), Hsu May Maung, Ian Hollinger (ih), Jennifer Marie Domenici (jd), Jessica Pierre (jp), Lucas Meier (lm), Mashal Hashid (msk), Natalie Svinina (ns), Ole Stark (os), Peer Morten Strantzen (ms), Sheikh Afif Bin Zaman (az), Silke Marian (sm), Thammasorn Sangiamjit (ts), Tim Hildebrandt (th), Tomwit Jarnson (tj), Tristan James Biglete (tjb), Venus Phuangkom, Wardah Rehman (wr)
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