Grasp the pattern, read the trend
No. 31, August/2022, 1
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Dear Readers,
The Asia in Review (AIR) team is pleased to present you this week´s issue with an update on the latest happenings and developments in domestic politics, international relations and geopolitics in East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
I wish you an informative read and extend special greetings to everyone celebrating Benin’s, Bolivia’s, Burkina Faso’s, Ivory Coast’s, Jamaica’s, and Niger’s Independence Day as well as Singapore’s and Switzerland’s National Day.
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: Politburo backing away from 5.5 percent growth target
(ms) The Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party, China's political decision-making body consisting of 25 top officials, conceded during a July 28 meeting, chaired by President Xi Jinping, that the country’s economy is currently facing “prominent challenges,” calling for efforts in the second half of the year to “stabilize employment and prices, maintain economic operations within a reasonable range, and strive to achieve the best possible results.” The economic growth target of 5.5 percent set at an April meeting was not mentioned, with the meeting urging to “strive to achieve the best possible results," a strong indication of a retreat from that goal.
Official data published in mid-July already showed that China’s economic growth was probably too low to reach the target. The already low expectations of one percent annualized economic growth for the second quarter were clearly missed with actual growth of only 0.4 percent.
Two factors in particular are widely seen as responsible for the slow growth rate of the economy. First, the crisis in the real estate sector, which accounts for about one third of China’s GDP [see AiR No. 29, July/2022, 3]. Second, the COVID-19 pandemic and the strict measures taken by the Chinese government to contain it. However, the Politburo reiterated after the meeting that the “Zero-Covid-19” policy will remain in place. [Bloomberg 1] [The Guardian] [Xinhua]
The Politburo called on local governments to make better use of the existing debt ceiling. According to economic analysts, this could be an indication that China will extend the debt ceiling for this year of about USD 3 trillion by an additional USD 220 billion. The resulting monetary funds should then be invested in particular in infrastructure projects to generate economic growth. [Bloomberg 2] [Reuters]
The executive meeting of the State Council, which met the day after the Politburo, also announced that the Chinese government intends to ease various restrictions on the purchase of cars and real estate and to increase subsidies for environmentally friendly products in order to stimulate the demand and boost the consumption in the country. More detailed information on the associated policy changes has not yet been disclosed. [South China Morning Post]
China: Cash incentives to semiconductor companies
(ms) In the near future, the special economic zone on Hengqin Island, part of the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai, will offer various forms of financial incentives to semiconductor companies to strengthen their supply chain in the face of US-Sino tensions.
All chip companies that establish either research or development programs on the island will receive USD 750,000, and 50 percent of the tapeout costs will be covered, with a support limit of approximately USD 4.5 million. Semiconductors companies working on 14-nanometer or lower chip processing design will receive support of up to USD 3.7 million.
In addition, each researcher and senior manager who signs a contract with a Chinese semiconductor company and fulfills the employment contract for at least three years will receive a bonus of more than USD 15,000 and companies that promote new talent in the branch will be rewarded with USD 150,000. [South China Morning Post 1]
The incentives are another step in the enforcement of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin whose development plan was unveiled in September 2021. The aim of the plan is to diversify the economy of the Macao Special Administrative Zone, which until now has been based primarily on gambling and the gaming industry. The Chinese government is pursuing targeted growth policies to develop Hengqin into one of China's leading tech centers. So far, more than 10,000 sci-tech companies are said to have registered in the city.
This move is designed to strengthen China’s own autonomy in the semiconductor industry, which has flourished especially since the U.S. imposed sanctions on China in 2020 that restricted the sale of American semiconductor equipment to Chinese companies. Sales of Chinese semiconductors are said to have increased by about USD 150 billion last year. Among world’s 20 fastest-growing chip industry firms over the past four quarters, on average, 19 are Chinese companies. [China Briefing] [Macau Daily Times] [Taipei Times]
Meanwhile, China is increasing pressure on South Korea not to join the U.S.-led so-called “Chip4” alliance, a semiconductor alliance, which also consists of Taiwan and Japan and is widely seen as an effort to strategically isolate China in the semiconductor supply chain in the face of the rapid advancement of China’s semiconductor industry [see AiR No. 30, July/2022, 4]. South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, world leading in memory chip production, played important role in China’s above-mentioned growth last year. [Business Korea]
For a discussion on what is at stake for the US national defense after “China has leapfrogged the U.S. in key technologies,” see David E. Sanger in [The New York Times] who calls the Sino-US tech competition the “ultimate 21st-century arms race.”
In a latest development, Ding Wenwu, general manager of the National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, along with other former executives of companies with links to the fund has been placed under investigation over suspicion on “serious violations of discipline and laws”. [Bloomberg] [South China Morning Post 2]
The National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund is China’s government fund established in 2014 to promote the development of the country’s semiconductor industry. In the first round the fund raised USD 20 billion, in a second USD 29 billion. [Reuters]
China: Minister of Industry and Information Technology under investigation
(ms) The head of the industry and information technology ministry, Xiao Yaqing, is under investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the Chinese Communist Party’s highest internal control body, over allegations of “violation of discipline and law". His case of a full minister put under investigation presents the latest high-profile case in President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign.
Furthermore, on July 28, former Chinese justice minister Fu Zhenghua pleaded guilty to accepting bribes worth about USD 17 million. In addition to corruption charges and accusations that he used his position for personal gains, Fu was suspected of being part of a plot against Xi Jinping. An alleged accomplice in this coup attempt, former Vice Minister of Public Security Sun Lijun, also pleaded guilty in early July to allegedly accepting bribes. [see AiR No. 28, July/2022, 2].
It is seen by observers as no coincidence that the trials and the investigation are taking place shortly before the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, which is expected to take place this fall and at which Xi is likely to secure an unprecedented third five-year term as party leader. It reinforces the assumption that, in addition to fighting corruption, the anti-corruption campaign is designed to serve as a deterrent against possible competitors or political opponents of Xi who want to challenge or undermine his claim to leadership. [Global Times 1] [Reuters 1] [Reuters 2] [See also Asia Times]
According to Global Times, a total of 25 senior Chinese officials have been handed down disciplinary actions in this year from January to July. This equals the number for the whole of last year. [Global Times 2]
China: Construction of Yinjiangbuhan tunnel kicked off
(ms) The Yinjiangbuhan tunnel, another construction project in the expansion of the Chinese water network, which began construction on July 26 and is on schedule to be completed in ten years at a cost of about USD 9 billion, will be more than 200 km long and will connect the water of the Three Gorges Dam in central China to the middle line of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, another giant project focused primarily on supplying water to the water-poor north from water reserves in the south.
The new tunnel, which will distribute water across the link all the way to Beijing in the far east of the country, is part of China's water distribution efforts. Over the next 30 years, China is planning construction projects costing up to USD 9 trillion that could convert up to 750,000 square kilometers of waste land into farmland, nearly doubling the current food production of 660 million tons with the potential to add 540 million tons, a huge step in ensuring food security for the world's most populous country. [South China Morning Post]
Twitter ban of The Great Translation Movement
(ms) On July 30, the Twitter account The Great Translation Movement (TGTM) was temporarily suspended.
TGTM is an account run by several unknown activists who, since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine, have made it its mission to translate nationalistic pro-Russian messages and opinions of Chinese citizens into English and other languages and expose them to the world.
The short-term suspension of the TGTM account was the second since its inception, after the account was temporarily suspended in early April. State-owned Chinese news sites welcomed the suspension and even called for a complete blocking of the Twitter account, which they said was running "a malicious smear campaign against China". [The Diplomate] [Global Times]
China: UNHRC calls on Hong Kong to repeal National Security Law
(ms) On July 27, the UN Human Rights Committee published its State Report on Hong Kong. The report concludes the fourth periodic review of developments in Hong Kong's compliance with the signed and ratified International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Despite some positive developments such as the implementation of the Gender Discrimination Ordinance of 2021 and the adoption of the Discrimination Legislation, the UNHRC has expressed strong concerns about Hong Kong's development in recent years, which threatens or has already abrogated fundamental rights and freedoms set by the ICCPR.
The Committee cited various reasons for the concerns. The lack of legislation against crimes based on sexuality against members of the LGBTQ+ community is criticized, despite the above-mentioned development last year, as is the lack of measures against discrimination based on nationality, which mainly affects migrant workers. In general, the Hong Kong government is criticized for its treatment of migrant workers.
However, the starting point for most of the concerns is the 2020 Hong Kong National Security Law and in general the development of Hong Kong after the anti-government protests of 2019 and the resulting de-democratization of the city. Criticisms of the lack of freedom of assembly, increasing police violence, allegations of torture against and poor treatment of "persons deprived of their liberty", but especially the revival of the criminal offense of sedition, which is used to imprison academics, journalists, representatives of human rights organizations and to restrict their freedom of speech, are directly attributable to the implementation of the National Security Law, according to the Committee.
The National Security Law is also singled out for criticism, especially that it was passed by the National People’s Congress of China without any democratic legitimization process of the population of Hong Kong for such an influential law, the lack of clarification of the concept of "national security" which can consequently be used opaquely as a motive for judicial prosecution and in general the influence of China as a state that did not ratify the ICCPR was also criticized numerous times.
Based on these and other concerns, the UNHRC recommends that Hong Kong amend or repeal the National Security Law and implement a more transparent and consultative alternative. [OHCHR]
Both the Hong Kong and Chinese governments strongly rejected the report. Both parties accuse the UNHRC of being unfair and biased, applying double standards being applied. The Hong Kong government stressed that the implementation of the National Security Law was necessary and in line with the "one country, two systems" approach. [Global Times] [Hong Kong Free Press]
China: Former university student leader charged with inciting protest voting in Hong Kong’s legislative election
(ms) On July 28, two people, including a former university student leader, were charged with inciting others to cast blank ballots in the legislative election in Hong Kong last December by sharing a post by former pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui calling for such a voting behavior. The defendants, who were arrested in December, are currently on bail and face up to three years in prison if found guilty. [Hong Kong Free Press]
China: Z-10 Helicopter join PLA Hong Kong Garrison
(ms) The Z-10 attack helicopters of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) participated for the first time in the patrol exercises of the Hong Kong Garrison.
The Hong Kong Garrison, as an extension of the PLA, took over the tasks of defending the Special Administrative Region (SAR) when Hong Kong was handed over from British leadership back to China in July 1997. The Z-10, or Z-10K, armament now provides the garrison with attack helicopters for the first time, having previously been equipped only with transport and utility helicopters.
A Chinese military aviation expert stated that the Hong Kong Garrison is now capable of conducting maritime strikes, coordination with warships and close-range air support for ground troops.
The expansion of Hong Kong's military capabilities confirms the importance the garrison will have in maintaining the "one country, two systems" approach for the mainland, as stated by the Chinese Ministry of National Defense in commemorating the 25th anniversary of the handover back to the mainland this year. [Global Times]
China: Electronic warfare drone passes performance test
(ms) According to official reports, the FH-95 electronic warfare unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufactured by a company under state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp passed its performance test on July 25. The new variant of the FH-95 series equipped with electronic warfare is said to be able to contribute electronic jamming and electromagnetic interference in addition to the usual areas of operation of the FH-95 drone such as armed reconnaissance, border patrol and maritime surveillance.
Other variants of the FH-95 are said to be currently undergoing testing, but more detailed information about the specifications is not yet known. [Global Times]
Japan: Increase of harassment and other abuses of foreign trainees
(sb) Harassment and other abuses of foreign trainees under the government-sponsored technical internship program is increasing in Japan, according to findings of support groups for foreign nationals. They accuse the Organization for Technical Intern Training (OTIT), that was established in 2017 by the Justice Ministry and Labor Ministry to conduct on-site inspections of involved companies to guarantee smooth operation of training programs and protect the trainees’ human rights, has failed in its supervisory role.
In response to these latest findings and similar criticism presented at study sessions earlier this year, Justice Minister Yoshihisa Furukawa has announced the launch of a full-scale review of the technical internship program, including the establishment of an expert panel as early as by the end of this year to push discussions on revisions to the program.
The traineeship program for foreigners was introduced in Japan in 1993 to help agriculture and manufacturing sectors. It allows trainees to work in Japan for up to five years. In 2017 a law on the supervision companies and farms included in the program took effect. Following rising numbers of reports about trainees found to be the victims of physical abuse and harassment, the program has drawn a backlash from local and foreign cultural, civic and educational groups voicing concerns over slave labor practiced in some Japanese companies participating in the program.
Meanwhile, Japan will introduce a new website where Vietnamese trainees could fill the application and find information about traineeships. The website, to be created by the government-affiliated Japan International Cooperation Agency, it is designed to eradicate business of brokers, who abuse their position to extract up to USD 3,300 from Vietnamese applicants seeking to enroll in a traineeship in Japan, by enabling candidates submit applications directly to cooperating institutions in Vietnam, without going through brokers. The new website will be fully operational in 2024. [Japan Today] [Nikkei Asia] [The Mainichi]
Japan: Tokyo 2020 Olympics board member suspected of bribery
(sb) The home of Haruyuki Takahashi, a former 2020 Tokyo Olympics board member, has been raided by prosecutors suspecting him of receiving hundreds of thousands of USD from Aoki Holdings Inc., a Japanese fashion product company that in 2018 was selected as an official sponsor for the Tokyo Games.
French prosecutors investigated corruption related to the Games also in 2016. Tsunekazu Takeda, the former head of Japan’s Olympic Committee, resigned in 2019 in the face on a probe into his involvement in payments made before Japan’s capital was the event. [France24]
Japan: No cap on defense spending in government’s budget outline
(sb/dql) Japan’s government has refrained from setting a cap on next fiscal year's defense budget, as revealed in a draft of a budget outline, signaling Japan’s determination to increase expenditure to counter China's growing military presence.
The outline follows an announcement of the government last month to significantly increase defense spending "within the next five years", as well as proposal of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to raise defense spending from 1 percent to 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) within five years. In a related statement, LDP Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi suggested to increase spending on defense from JPY 5.4 trillion (USD 41 billion) this fiscal year to the mid JPY 6 trillion range for next fiscal year, citing a “drastically changing security environment.” [Reuters] [The Japan News]
The outline comes also amid the approval of the possible sale of AIM-120C-7/8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Japan by the US State Department. Tokyo’s request included 150 AMRAAMs, three AIM-120 AMRAAM guidance sections, as well as missile containers, control sections, weapon support, and support equipment. Estimated costs are USD 293 million. [The Defense Post]
South Korea: Launch of new police oversight bureau
(my/dql) South Korea has launched a new police bureau under the Interior Ministry, vested with the authority to oversee the National Police Agency and to propose candidates for senior police positions. Senior Superintendent-General Kim Sun-ho, the head of the National Security Investigation Bureau under the National Office of Investigation at the National Police Agency, has been appointed its chief to lead the 16-member body.
In protest against the launch, the National Police Commission, an organization that deliberates and votes on police policy, announced to take legal countermeasures, adding that it would also monitor whether the Interior Ministry will keep its promises to exercise the minister’s authority to a minimum, not infringe on police affairs and not intrude on the police chief’s authority in matters of personnel of the police.
The main opposition also criticized the new agency accusing the government of attempting to seize control over the police force, calling it “retrograde decision” that only serves the administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol. [The Korea Herald] [Yonhap News Agency]
South Korea: Ruling party to convene national committee meeting to resolve leadership crisis
(my/dql) South Korea’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) has announced to convene a national committee meeting to discuss to shift to an emergency leadership system and to appoint interim party runners, reflecting a profound leadership crisis in the party.
The announcement came on the heels of the resignation of Kweon Seong-dong as acting party leader, only three weeks after assuming the post, succeeding Lee Jun-seok whose party membership was suspended for six months over allegations of sexual bribery and a cover-up [see AiR No. 28, July/2022, 2]. Kweon resigned last week after messages exchanged with President Yoon on his mobile phone were leaked last week. A sender named “President Yoon Suk-yeol” wrote, “Our party is doing a good job. Keep it up,” and “Our party has become different since the replacement of the chairman who shot us in the foot.” Kweon replied, “We will uphold your wishes and show unity between the party and the government.” The exchange appears to refer to Lee. [The Korea Herald]
Adding to the crisis, three lawmakers have quit the PPP's Supreme Council, increasing the expectations that the party have to shift to an emergency steering committee system. The Council will dissolved if more than half of its nine members resign. [The Korea Joongang Daily]
Margot Renard contributed research to this article
South Korea: Prime Minister Han to propose pardon Samsung heir Lee
(my) Prime Minister Han has indicated he would propose presidential pardons for business figures, including Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong, in response to a related question raised in a parliamentary interpellation.
In January 2021, Lee has been sentenced to a two-and-a-half-year in prison for bribery and embezzlement in a scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye.
Under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, he is prohibited from operating Samsung legitimately until July 2027 unless a special dispensation is approved. If a pardon is granted, his legal status will be reinstated and thus the management restrictions will also be lifted.
The Ministry of Justice is currently deciding the recipients of special pardons. The final decision will be made by President Yoon on August 15. [Yonhap News Agency]
South Korea: Ex-presidential aides convicted of destroying 2007 inter-Korean summit minutes
(my) Ex-presidential officials accused of destroying the minutes of the inter-Korean summit in 2007 were confirmed conviction by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court upheld the convictions of Baek Jong-chun and Cho Myoung-gyon, who served as aides of former President Roh Moo-hyun. Two officials were sentenced one year in prison and suspended for two years.
The court found them guilty of arbitrarily destroying a comment of Roh comment made at the summit with the former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in 2007, of which a former Saenuri Party (now the ruling People Power Party) lawmaker claimed that it would have concede territory along the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the disputed maritime demarcation line in the Yellow (West) Sea between North and South Korea. [The Korea Herald] [TV Chosun, in Korean]
South Korea: Military exports hits record high
(my) South Korea’s defense exports of this year are expected to exceed USD 19.6 billion.
The Export-Import Bank of Korea announced in its recent report that South Korea’s military exports in 2021 exceeded USD 7.2 billion, which was already a record-breaking amount. Defense exports in 2022 had been anticipated to exceed USD 10 billion earlier this year.
Unexpectedly, the cumulative exports of the year 2022 are anticipated to surpass USD 19.6 billion already, due to a framework agreement concluded with the Polish government under which 180 K2 tanks, 48 K9 self-propelled howitzers, and 48 FA-50 light attack aircrafts, amounting to USD 14.5 billion, will be purchased from South Korea. [MaeKyung, in Korean] [The Korea Times] [Yonhap News Agency]
South Korea: Army carries out large-scale air drills
(my) The South Korea Army Air Command conducted large-scale airfield training exercises on July 25. Air drills were held at an army facility in Icheon, about 50 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and Yangpyeong, 45 kilometers east of the capital. It is the first large-scale military exercise since the inauguration of President Yoon Suk-yeol. The drills are also claimed as the largest drill ever in the history of army aviation. [The Korea Times]
South Korea: South Korea launches new Aegis destroyer
(my) South Korea’s new Aegis destroyer, Jeongjo the Great, was launched on July 28. The destroyer will be tested and evaluated before being delivered to the Navy in November 2024.
Jeongjo the Great is the name ship of the destroyers being developed through the KDX-III Batch-II (Gwanggaeto-III Batch-II) project. The program was initiated to complement limitations of the Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers (KDX-III Batch-I), and is promoted by the Navy and the Defense Industry Agency. It aims to secure three new destroyers by 2028 with additional ballistic missile interceptor capabilities and improved anti-submarine operational capabilities.
The destroyer is 170 meters long and 21 meters wide, reaching 8,200 tons. The destroyer’s greatest feature is its ability to detect, track and intercept North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at sea. In addition, fuel efficiency and stealth capability have been strengthened.
The South Korean Navy equipped 13 destroyers now, and the Jeongjo the Great is the fourth Aegis destroyer following three Sejong the Great-class destroyers. As for Jeongjo the Great-class’s ships with the Aegis system, an integrated combat system using high-performance radar and medium-range anti-aircraft missiles, President Yoon Suk-yeol evaluated the new destroyer as a national strategic asset to take charge of the Korean “three-axis” system against North Korea’s growing threats. [Naval News] [The Korea Herald]
South Korea: Navy allows female sailors to serve on submarine from 2024
(my) The Navy announced it would allow female sailors to serve on submarines at a policy meeting held on July 28. Three female sailors will be selected in 2023 and allocated to a 3,000-ton submarine in 2024. This includes also serving in all combat capacities, with the exception of some special operations missions.
Out of the 43 nations that deploy submarines, South Korea is the 14th to allow female sailors serve on them, more than 30 years the Navy’s first submarine was launched in 1993. [Yonhap News Agency]
Margot Renard contributed research to this article.
Taiwan: Ombudsman demands re-investigation of killing of Chinese-Vietnamese refugees
(dql) Taiwan’s Control Yuan, the island’s auditor and ombudsman, has urged the Supreme Prosecutors Office to issue an order for a review of a military court ruling in a case surrounding the killing of 20 Chinese-Vietnamese refugees by the Taiwanese military March, 1987.
The Control Yuan seeks a retrial arguing that the sentences of 20-22 months in jail against a colonel, a major, a captain and a first lieutenant, handed down in December 1988, had been too lenient. [Focus Taiwan]
Taiwan: Shortage of cyber-security personnel
(dql) According to government officials, Taiwan is suffering a massive shortage of personnel specialized in cyber-security, three years after the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen declared cyber-security a priority in her national security policy.
Flawed rules are identified as cause for the lagging recruitment of required staff, while Taiwan’s Cyber Security Management Act lacks a clear definition of the criteria for a chief information security officer (CISO), hampering the hiring of qualified persons to lead cybersecurity units. [Taiwan News]
Taiwan: Han Kuang military exercise completed
(dql) Taiwan’s military concluded on July 29 this year’s five-day live-fire component of the Han Kuang drills, the annual war games involving all branches of the military.
The first two-days of the exercise focused on the testing combat capabilities in the event of a full-scale invasion by China, followed by a simulation of the joint interception of invading enemy forces around the country on the third day and joint homeland defense operations on the fourth. An anti-aircraft landing drill ended the exercise.
Han Kuang’s live-fire drills were the largest in decades, held amid growing tensions with China over intrusions into Taiwan's air defense identification zone. The tabletop drills that had been conducted in May. [Focus Taiwan]
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in South Asia
Bangladesh: Nearly half of political parties support caretaker government arrangement
(lm/az) Nearly half of the 39 registered political parties in Bangladesh are in favor of a non-partisan caretaker government overseeing the country’s next general election. Ten out 28 parties that joined a series of dialogue organized by the Election Commission (EC) and eight out of the nine parties that skipped the talks demand such a polls-time government. [The Daily Star]
However, twelve parties, including the Jatiya Party (Ershad) party, the main opposition in parliament, said nothing about the matter. Furthermore, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which boycotted the talks with the EC, continues to demand a neutral government as it fears that a caretaker government could allow the incumbent Awami League to rig the vote.
The caretaker government arrangement had been introduced in the mid-1990s in an effort to end violence and fraud that often marred voting. In the lead-up to the 2008 election the caretaker authority attempted to control corruption by sending hundreds of politicians – including the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the former premier Khaleda Zia – to jail on charges of abusing power and illegally amassing wealth. In light of this, parliament overturned the requirement in 2011 after the Supreme Court ruled that the system of interim administrations was unconstitutional.
Furthermore, the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) recording the votes divides the political parties. While 7 parties, especially the ruling Awami League support the use of EVMs during the election, 14 parties oppose the proposal. [New Age]
India: Media report criticizes Supreme Court for delay on plea about violence against Christians
(lm) India’s Supreme Court is facing criticism for allegedly delaying a hearing on a petition seeking immediate action to stop violence and mob attacks against members of the Christian community by vigilante groups.
The petition was reportedly filed by the archbishop of the Bangalore Diocese, among others, in April. In the last week of June, the Supreme Court agreed to list the petition in mid-July, and the matter was later scheduled to be heard on July 15. However, the petition could not be heard, as Justice Chandrachud was down with COVID-19. [The Indian Express] [The Wire]
Meanwhile, the United Christian Forum (UCF), a New Delhi-based rights group, in its annual report called 2021 the “most violent year” in terms of targeted violence against Christians. The UCF said it had registered 486 incidents of violence in 20 states and two union territories last year. [UCA News]
Ms. Varshinya Varsha contributed research to this entry.
India: Prohibitory orders in posed in Karnataka state after murder of three, including BJP youth leader
(lm) Authorities in India’s Karnataka state have imposed prohibitory orders after a worker of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s youth wing was hacked to death on July 26. The incident sparked outrage, with instances of stone-pelting, an attack on the vehicle of the local BJP president, and mass resignations by party workers. [The Indian Express]
In light of this, the chief minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai on July 28 said that if necessary the “Yogi model” would be implemented – a thinly-veiled reference to strong measures taken by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, including the demolition of homes of several people allegedly linked to riots that had erupted during demonstrations in mid-June [see AiR No. 24, June/2022, 2]. [The Times of India]
Ms. Varshinya Varsha contributed research to this entry.
India: 19 lawmakers suspended from Parliament's upper house for a week over ‘unruly behaviour’
(lm) Nineteen lawmakers from opposition parties were suspended on July 26 from the upper house of the Indian parliament for one week due to “unruly behavior”. The lawmakers had been demanding an urgent discussion on issues like price rise, levying of goods and services tax on daily essentials, leading to disruptions in the parliamentary proceedings. [Xinhua]
The previous day, the Speaker of Parliament’s lower house suspended four lawmakers of the opposition National Congress party for the entire monsoon session, which commenced on July 18 and will run until August 13. [The New Indian Express]
Ms. Varshinya Varsha contributed research to this entry.
India: Air Force to ground MiG-21 fighter jets by 2025 over dismal crash record
(lm) India has decided to phase out the last of its Russian MiG-21 squadrons within the next three years, after a trainee aircraft crashed on July 28 with two officers on board, the latest in a series of crashes in the last 20 months. The first squadron is set to retire from service in September. [The Straits Times]
Plans are also being laid to phase out the three squadrons of MiG-29 fighter jets in the next five years. However, there has been no confirmation on whether the plan to phase out the Soviet-era jets are linked to last week’s crash. Instead, the Indian Air Force has said that the phasing out is part of efforts to modernize the Indian military. [The Independent, $]
At present the IAF has around 70 Mig-21 aircraft and 50 Mig-29 variants.
Ms. Varshinya Varsha contributed research to this entry.
Maldives: Parliamentary group of ruling party prepares no confidence motion against Speaker Nasheed
(lm) The parliamentary group of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is reportedly working to submit a no-confidence motion against the Speaker of Parliament’s lower house and MDP party president, Mohamed Nasheed. [The Maldives Journal]
Nasheed, formerly a close ally and childhood friend of Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, last week alleged that the president had engaged in an extramarital affair, after police arrested Nasheed’s brother and two other men, accusing them of homosexuality – criminalized under the Penal Code of the Maldives. Nasheed had called the arrest a “selective” prosecution “motivated to appease hardline extremists in the coalition”, a thinly-veiled reference to the right-wing Islamic conservative Adhaalath Party. [The Hindu]
The in-fighting in the MDP came out in the open shortly after last year’s assassination attempt on Nasheed [see AiR No. 19, May/2021, 2]. First, he confirmed his intention to run in the primary of his MDP for the 2023 presidential election [see AiR No. 27, July/2021, 1]; then he declared his decision to break the “political alignment” with long-time friend Solih after the government withdrew its support for a bill which sought to criminalize hate crimes [see AiR No. 29, July/2021, 3].
Nepal: Parliament passes first amendment to Citizenship Act
(lm) The upper house of Nepal’s Parliament on July 28 endorsed the First Amendment bill to the Citizenship Act, clearing legal hurdles to acquiring citizenship based on descent by the children of those parents who had acquired citizenship by birth. The bill, which was previously endorsed by the lower house, was adopted by a majority vote amid reservations from the main opposition Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) (CPN-UML) and independent lawmakers. [Nepali Times] [The Kathmandu Post]
While a bill to amend the Act was registered in the Parliament back in 2018, it never moved ahead as Parliament’s State Affairs and Good Governance Committee could not build a consensus among parties. The government then withdrew the amendment earlier this month, and registered a new one. [AiR No. 28, July/2022, 2]
Among others, the amendment has retained a provision that a foreign woman married to a Nepali man can obtain naturalized citizenship once she starts the process to renounce her citizenship of the country of her origin. Notably, however, the provision does not apply to foreign men married to Nepali women. Thus, the proposed bill is expected to especially affect families living along Nepal’s southern plain, known as the Terai region, where cross-border marriage is particularly prevalent.
The amendment also allows a child born in Nepal to a Nepali woman and whose father is unidentified, to get citizenship by descent. However, the applicant’s mother must make a self-declaration that the father “cannot be identified.” She will be liable for action if it is found that the claim that the father “cannot be identified” turns out to be wrong.
Granting naturalized citizenship to foreign women married to Nepali men has been highly politicized, with the country’s two major communist parties and other fringe parties demanding an interval of a few years before foreign women married to Nepali men are eligible for naturalized citizenship.
Ms. Vaishnavi Deegwal contributed research to this entry.
Nepal: Sharma reinstated as finance minister after internal investigation finds no evidence for wrongdoing
(op/lm) Nepal’s president has reinstated the country’s finance minister, after an internal inquiry determined there was no evidence to support his involvement in making unauthorized adjustments to the budget. [Reuters]
Early in July, Janardan Sharma resigned when the Speaker of Parliament’s lower house launched a probe into claims made by opposition members that he had permitted two unauthorized people to make changes in tax rates the day before he presented the spending plan for the next fiscal year. In light of this, Sharma resigned on July 6, while also denying any wrongdoing. [AiR No. 28, July/2022, 2]
Two days after a parliamentary investigation committee published its findings stating that it was unable to collect sufficient evidence to support the allegations against Sharma, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba nominated him as finance minister on July 31. [The Kathmandu Post 1] [The Kathmandu Post 2]
Four of the committee's 11 members, who are from the major opposition Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), have signed letters of disapproval. They claimed the investigation was inadequate as details of phone calls by people who were allegedly allowed by Sharma to make last minute tweaks in the tax rates were not examined.
The report by the multi-party investigation committee was reportedly adopted by a majority vote. [Setopati]
Ms. Vaishnavi Deegwal contributed research to this entry.
Nepal: Former Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai registers new political party with Election Commission
(op) Baburam Bhattarai, a former Maoist leader who had been expelled from the People's Socialist Party, Nepal (PSP-N), has registered a new political party with the country’s Election Commission. But despite the fact that the Nepal Samajwadi Party (Nepal Socialist Party) has been registered with the Election Commission, it has failed to submit information on its core members. [The Kathmandu Post] [Setopati 1]
In recent months, relations between Bhattarai and Upendra Yadav – at the time the two leaders of the PSP-N, a junior ally in the coalition government – had grown frosty. In light of this, the two leaders last month decided to part ways amicably, as to avoid mud-slinging at each other [see AiR No. 27, July/2022, 1].
In related developments,PSP-N chair Yadav has ruled out that his party would join an alliance of leftist parties in the ruling coalition, including the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist). [Setopati 2] [see also AiR No. 30, July/2022, 4]
Pakistan: Supreme Court orders opposition-backed candidate to become chief minister in Punjab
(fq/lm) Pakistan’s Supreme Court has canceled the election that placed the son of incumbent Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif as chief minister of Punjab and ordered to install the candidate backed by ousted premier Imran Khan. [Xinhua]
The apex court ruled on July 26 on petitions from Khan and his allies challenging the previous election of Hamza Sharif,as Chief Minister of Punjab province. Khan’s candidate and close ally Pervaiz Elahi had secured the most votes in the election on July 22; but the deputy speaker declared Sharif the winner after canceling 10 votes from the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, a party allied with Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political party [see AiR No. 30, July/2022, 4]. By-election victories a few days earlier had put Elahi in position to win, demonstrating the former prime minister's enduring appeal despite his ouster in a no-confidence vote in April [see AiR No. 29, July/2022, 3]. [Bloomberg]
In light of this, the Supreme Court’s ruling has left Pakistan’s national ruling alliance on shakier ground. Experts therefore fear that the political standoff between Prime Minister Sharif’s camp and the Khan-led opposition will paralyze governance just as the country faces a deepening economic crisis that requires tough and unpopular policies. [Al Jazeera] [Nikkei Asia]
Pakistan: Election Commission finds ex-Premier Khan’s PTI party guilty of receiving prohibited funding
(ms) In its verdict passed on August 2, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan had received prohibited donations from foreign citizens and companies, while also keeping 13 bank accounts hidden. The Commission also issued a show-cause notice to the PTI, adding that party chief Khan had submitted a “mis-declaration” with the commission.
The case dates back to 2014, when a founding member of the PTI had filed a petition with the ECP, alleging the party had illicitly received funds from foreigners. This January, the Commission’s scrutiny committee finally submitted its report, which showed that the PTI had raised campaign funds through foreign accounts – but the party blamed the illegalities on its agents in the United States [see AiR No. 4, January/2021, 4].
The ECP’s ruling comes at a time when Imran Khan rides a wave of popular anger over Pakistan’s economic crisis. The PTI won crucial local polls in Punjab, the country’s largest province last month, adding to Khan’s political momentum. Last week, then, the Supreme Court canceled the election that placed the son of incumbent Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif as chief minister of Punjab and ordered to install the candidate backed by the PTI. [see entry above]
Pakistan: Flash floods kill over 470 as more monsoon rain is forecast
(fq/ms) Flash floods and landslides caused by heavy monsoon rains have killed at least 478 people and injured hundreds in large parts of Pakistan, with the government issuing warnings of further extreme downpours. Deluges have completely destroyed or damaged nearly 37,000 homes in the flood-hit areas since June 14, according to a report released by the country’s National Disaster and Management Authority. [The Guardian]
On August 1, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited flood-affected southwestern Balochistan province, and in a televised speech promised financial support to those who have lost their homes in the floods. The same day, an army helicopter flying in a rescue and relief mission lost contact with a regional control tower and went missing. [ABC News] [UNI]
Pakistan, which suffered an extreme heatwave earlier this year, ranks among the most vulnerable countries on the Global Climate Risk Index, and is estimated to have lost 10,000 lives due to environmental disasters, with US 4 billion financial losses in the decade to 2018.
Pakistan: One soldier, six militants killed during military operation in Balochistan
(fq) An overnight military operation in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan has resulted in the death of one soldier and at least six militants. [gandhara]
Separately, authorities in the provincial capital Quetta have tightened security in the city following two bombing attacks. [crisis 24]
Last month, members of the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) killed a hostage from the family of a senior military officer who was abducted and killed. After the incident of abduction and killing of the two hostages, armed forces launched multiple operations in the province, killing at least seven separatist insurgents. [AiR No. 29, July/2022, 3]
Sri Lanka: Supreme Court orders ex-president Rajapaksa to appear in court, but lawyers say attendance not required
(kh/lm) Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has ordered the country’s former president, Gotabaya Rajapaska, to appear in court on August 1 in relation to a petition that has called for action against persons responsible for the island nation’s economic crisis. However, legal observers have noted that Rajapksa – who fled to Singapore via the Maldives earlier this month – can be represented by his lawyers. At the time of writing, it was not clear whether Rajapaksa appeared in court.
Rajapaksa had been initially granted a 14-day visa for his stay in Singapore. But that has been extended another 14 days until August 11 - although the government recently made clear that Rajapaksa was not accorded any privileges, immunity or hospitality. [BBC] [Channel NewsAsia]
While Rajapaksa enjoyed immunity as the president, he no longer is protected from prosecution and efforts are on to investigate his tenure in office, with widespread calls for his arrest. The Tamil National Alliance, representing the country’s persecuted minority, has sought a criminal trial of the former president for his role in the country’s civil war, which ended in 2009. [The Independent, $]
In light of this, speculation has since swirled about his possible plans, with some suggesting he might move to the United Arab Emirates. The United States was initially seen to be his priority final decision; however, the US embassy has refused to provide him a visa due to pressure from international human rights groups and lawyers. Furthermore, Bloomberg quoted an unnamed Sri Lankan official as saying Rajapaksa was keen to return to Colombo.[The Guardian]
Sri Lankan lawmakers, meanwhile, have refuted media reporters’ claims that the former president is hiding in Singapore. They even argued that upon his return, authorities will take all necessary measures to prevent harm to Rajapaksa and said that he would be facilitated with all the perks and privileges like any other former head of state. [Business Standard]
The Supreme Court has extended a travel ban imposed on former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother, ex-Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, until August 4 as they were named respondents in the same case. Basil had previously tried to leave the country but was stopped at the airport by the immigration authorities. [Reuters] [ThePrint]
Sri Lanka: Parliament approves extension of emergency rule orders; police arrest three protest organizers
(kh/lm) Sri Lanka’s parliament on July 27 voted to keep in place for a month the state of emergency that was imposed in mid-July along with ratifying the powers that authorizes the military to arrest individuals, restrict public gatherings and search private property. [Economic Times]
The government is willing to support non-violent public protests, but will not accept “any act of terrorism” that jeopardises democracy, newly-appointed Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told legislators. Gunawardena, who is a Rajapaksa ally and hails from a prominent political family, had been appointed as prime minister by President Wickremesinghe on July 22.
The same day, security forces, acting on a court's instruction, raided a protest site occupying government grounds, leading to tense scenes and fuelling fears that Wickremesinghe had launched a crackdown a day after being sworn in as president [see AiR No. 30, July/2022, 4]. But leaders of the protest movement have vowed not to back down and have continued to call for Wickremesinghe's resignation. Social media posts are doing the rounds calling for fresh demonstrations on August 9 to force him out. [The Guardian]
Meanwhile, police have issued a statement saying they had detained three protest organizers. Law enforcement also released photographs of 14 suspects wanted in connection with an arson attack on Wickremesinghe’s home on the same day the president’s office and residence were overrun. [The Straits Times]
Sri Lanka: New government to press ahead with constitutional amendment to curb executive, minister says
(lm/kh) Sri Lanka’s new government will soon present a bill on the crucial 22nd amendment to the country’s constitution to Parliament, the justice minister said on August 2. Earlier this week, the Cabinet had re-approved the previous draft with some changes. [ThePrint]
The amendment, which will be officially adopted as the 21st Amendment, will trim the president’s unlimited powers while enhancing the role of Parliament. It is a key demand from protesters and lawmakers who say the sweeping powers of the executive led to missteps in the Rajapaksa administration.
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in Southeast Asia
Cambodia: National Assembly approves constitutional reforms despite public criticism
(fe) On July 28, the National Assembly (NA) expectedly approved a major amendment to six articles of the original Constitution and two articles of the Additional Constitutional Law marking the 10th modification to Cambodia's supreme law since 1993.
Along with modifications to articles 3 and 4 of the Additional Constitutional Law, articles 19, 89, 98, 102, 119, and 125 of the Constitution are set to be amended. With 105 of its 125 members present, the National Assembly unanimously accepted the proposed constitutional modification despite widespread criticism brought forward by more than 100 local NGOs and by a petition submitted by four political parties. In the latter, the oppositional parties had urged the NA to reject the changes as they would reduce the NA of some authority and lessen minority's influence. [AiR No. 30, July/2022, 4]
Government and NA, which is fully dominated by the governing Cambodian People´s Party, claim that the amendments will ensure continuity of government under all circumstances, political stability and the maintenance of public order, social security, and peace. [Phnom Penh Post]
Due to the controversial nature of the amendments, the Ministry of Justice announced to held a public meeting to explain and discuss the changes on August 2-4. However, some opposition parties and NGOs rejected the invitation.
The proposed meeting is not intended to serve as a form of consultation on the changes, but rather to inform the public about their essence. [Phnom Penh Post]
Among the critics are the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), a regional NGO consisting of mainly former and oppositional politicians who described the amendments as a "death sentence for democracy" in Cambodia. According to them, the change to Article 119, which deals with the government´s appointment by the King, is the "most worrying" one. According to the amended version, the party with the most seats in the NA can request the King to assign a specific high-ranking figure as prime minister. The individual has to be a member of parliament, hold only Cambodian citizenship, and has to come from the party with the most seats in the NA. [AiR No. 29, July/2022, 3] [LICAS News]
Cambodia: Independent opposition party seeks cooperation with non-governmental parties
(fe) The Grassroots Democratic Party (GDP), an independent opposition party, is seeking strategic collaboration and forging alliances with a number of non-governmental political parties ahead of the upcoming National Assembly (NA) election scheduled for July 23, 2023.
The party announced its readiness to submit a letter to several minor parties asking to create the alliance, which it plans to label as the “2023 Alliance.” Issues to be discussed are questions concerning constituency splitting, co-election under one party name, and the party creation. Other matters of discussion are ways to simplify the division of voting centers, candidate preparation, policy formulation, and campaigning. [Phnom Penh Post]
According to the GDP, the Alliance's long-term objective would be to collaborate on “multi-party liberal democratic principles” to make Cambodia a fully independent and sovereign country. With the new alliance, the GDP aims to avoid that any party, specifically the ruling party, will again have an absolute majority. [Khmer Times]
Cambodia: Bordering districts urged to address drug-related issues
(fe) The head of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), issued directives to officials in all districts near international borders to cease growing marijuana and to work tirelessly to address drug-related issues in their communities.
According to the directive, the government was devoted to combating drug offenses by legal means and seeing drug users as victims who needed to be looked after, treated, and educated. [Phnom Penh Post]
Indonesia: Election commission urges full disbursement of 2024 election funds as party registration term begins
(jvk) The General Elections Commission (KPU) has called for the immediate disbursement of election funds from the state budget as, on August 1, the country kicked off the political party registration period for the 2024 presidential election. As of July 30, only about 25 percent of the early stage election funds had been distributed.
Some critics worry that delay may prolong the election process. [Jakarta Post 1] [The Indonesia]
Meanwhile, party coalitions are strengthening as political parties register for the 2024 election. Particularly, the Indonesian United Coalition (KIB) - formed by the conservative Golkar Party, the moderately Islamic National Mandate Party (PAN), and the Islamist United Development Party (PPP) as part of the unofficial governing coalition - has begun to consolidate with non-parliamentary and opposition parties. [Kompas in Indonesian] Golkar is the second biggest, PAN and PPP, the seventh and eight biggest party in the house of representatives.
On the same line, two other pro-government parties, Gerindra Party and the National Awakening Party (PKB) have engaged in talks. Gerindra is a major populist party adopts a hard right-wing ideology. PKB is a moderate Islamic party affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama, the world biggest Muslim organization in the world with an estimated membership between 40 to 90 million which takes a more traditionalist stance. Gerindra is the third, PKB the fifth biggest party.
Currently, Gerindra is awaiting the decision of its leader, former general Prabowo Subianto, the current minister of defense, which of t party’s chair and current Minister of Defense, who is a former rival of President Joko Widodo about his will to run again in the upcoming election. Subianto’s decision is expected to be released in August. [Jakarta Post 2] [AiR No. 26, June/2022, 4]
Indonesia: Government pushes creation of disputed Papuan provinces amid fears of violent escalation
(jvk) Indonesia’s Vice President has called for speedy preparations for the planned reform of the administration of country´s Papua region. Ministries and institutions are urged to take comprehensive steps to facilitate the process of implementing three new autonomous provinces in Papua, as per a law ratified on June 30. An ongoing issue is the safety of this process as the region has seen protracted violent conflicts again. Since, Papua´s controversial annexation by Indonesia after a United Nations’ supervised vote in 1969 the region is home to frequently high levels of violence.
Meanwhile, civil groups in Papua remain resistant viewing it as an imperial imposition by Indonesia. Additionally, observers have indicated that increasing divisions amongst Papuans itself could be seen as an early-warning sign for imminent mass violence, if comparing patterns leading up to past atrocities.
Previously, the government had proposed a regulation in lieu of law (Perpu) to reorganize more electoral districts in the region which was met by violent upheavals. In mid July, 10 people were killed in an ambush that is regarded as the deadliest in recent years. [Kompas in Indonesian] [AiR No. 30, July/2022, 4] [The Diplomat]
Indonesia: Special province enacts new legislation recognizing local customary Islamic Law
(jvk) Indonesia’s Special Province West Sumatra has enacted a new piece of legislation that officially recognizes local customary Islamic law. Amid rising religious conservatism, activists worry that this could serve as a pretext for a wider implementation of Islamic customs into law across the world´s biggest Muslim majority country.
The legislation was passed on June 30 with a provision to recognize Sharia law as customary law. The province is home to around 130,000 people belonging religious minorities with some fearing for their religious rights. Analysts say that at least 15 provinces are leading toward Islamic conservatism, unaligned with the nation´s foundational consensus on pluralist religious values in the frame of Pancasila, the country´s national ideology and constitutional basic structure. [South China Morning Post]
According to a local academic quoted by Nikkei Asia, “the new legislation also justifies the provincial government to issue provincewide Shariah-conforming rules and regulations, which could potentially discriminate against women and non-Muslim citizens." [Nikkei Asia]
Indonesia: Ministry of Information blocks major online platforms
(jvk) The Ministry of Information and Communications has blocked a number of major online platforms including Yahoo, Paypal, Steam, and Amazon after the companies failed to register under the new 2019 Information and Transactions (ITE) Law. The blockade follows a strict deadline the Ministry had put in place in Mid-July to comply with registration and licensing requirements under the legislation. [see AiR No.30, July/2022, 4] [Reuters 1]
The move faced some backlash from citizens for the abrupt disconnection to the related online services. In response, the ministry restored temporary access forf five days for Paypal users to withdraw money from their accounts. Other concerns against the measure include monetary disadvantages for local game developers and e-sport athletes by blocking the most prominent gaming platform, Steam. Observers also see risks for personal data privacy and freedom of speech. [Reuters 2]
The Ministry declared it is in communications with the operators of the affected online platformsand working to facilitate their compliance with the country´s regulations. [Antara News]
Laos: Authorities call for businesses in Special Economic Zone to stop hiring Lao nationals as ‘chat girls’
(bs) Lao authorities in the northern province of Bokeo have urged businesses operating in the Chinese-run Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to stop recruiting Lao nationals as “chat girls.” The police are committed to inspect local companies and implement education programs on fair labor practices for both employers and employees.
The call came after abuses and human trafficking cases in the SEZ had incraesed. As Lao police have little to no actual authority in the SEZ, national forces have been increasing efforts to halt ongoing abuses in Chinese-run casinos. The area is well-known for being a drug production hub as well as a center of forced prostitution, human trafficking, and forced labor that extends from Laos to Myanmar, to Thailand.
Employers in the SEZ hire local young people to work in casinos for over 14 hours a day as well as “chat girls” to scam casino’s customers into buying shares of the Chinese companies.
In December 2021, reports showed that those who failed to meet the high sale standards set by Chinese companies in the SEZ would be detained, deprived of their identification documents, and in several cases, sold into prostitution or physically abused. [AiR No. 4, January/2022, 4]
In a more recent attempt to improve the situation for employees, the Bokeo Committee has requested companies operating in the Golden Triangle SEZ to issue labor contracts to their employees as a safety measure. [Radio Free Asia]
Laos: Controversies over negative effects of hydropower dams continue while victims of dam collapse yet to receive new homes
(bs) As Laos carries on building hydropower dams as a part of its project to become “the battery of Southeast Asia,” victims of the Attapeu dam collapse are still waiting to receive new homes.
According to locals in the southern Lao province of Attapeu, which was harshly affected by a dam collapse in July 2018, around 300 out of 700 houses for flood victims are yet to be completed. The USD-24.5-million project was launched in mid-2020 and was expected to hand out 700 new houses for those who lost their homes to floods and dam failure in 2018 that killed 71 people and displaced 14,400 villagers. [The Laotian Times]
In addition, controversies over the negative effects of Lao hydroelectric dam projects on the Mekong River continue. According to environmental experts, the building of dams causes a phenomenon called “hungry river,” which leads to severe erosion along the river banks. As dams modify the river’s natural course, the river goes “hungry” and starts an erosion process to pull new sediments to form river banks causing the collapse of roads, and lands, and forcing hundreds of residents to relocate. [Radio Free Asia]
Laos has been widely criticized for its ongoing cooperation with China and Korea to build over 200 dams along the Mekong River. The dams would serve the country as a main source of hydropower and serve the energy export market. In November 2021, after Thailand decided to buy electricity from two Lao dams, environmentalists and rights activists highlighted the severe ecological and human impact of hydroelectric dams on the region.
Currently, Laos has 88 dams and is planning to build another 246. [AiR No. 16, April/2022, 3]
Malaysia: Parliament passes Anti-party hopping law
(tp) Malaysia’s parliament has approved the Anti-Party Hopping law as a constitutional amendment with a two-thirds majority. However, the bill must still be approved by the Upper House before it can be presented to the King. The move came ahead of the next general elections, which are scheduled for September 2023, and aims to restore political stability in Malaysia following a period of rapid government change since 2020.
When fully implemented, the bill will make it illegal for elected members of parliament to hold the seat while leaving their respective political parties, unless they have been expelled from the party, switched parties after their original party has been deregistered, or been elected as the speaker of the house. Even though the bill aims to prevent rapid government changes through political betrayal, there is still, however, room for political maneuvering, as the bill does not prohibit parliament members from voting against their own party's wishes. [Asia Nikkei]
Meanwhile, the prime minister allegedly stated that new elections can only be called if all states have successfully implemented the anti-party hopping law, which resulted in an agreement with the opposition who promised to amend their state constitution to include the new law. [malaymail] [The Diplomat]
Malaysia: Ruling party outlines election strategy
(pe) The information chief for the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) has stated that, in order to win the election, they must focus on winning urban and ethnic non-Malay support. The chief, Shahril Hamdan, also reiterated that a promise of stability will be crucial to any win, outlining that he hoped that the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition will be seen as synonymous with stability in the eyes of prospective voters.
He claims that perceived clashes between the current prime minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, and the UMNO party president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, are overstated, recognising that it is unusual for someone who is not the party president to hold the prime minister position. The two have recently clashed over the timing of the next election, Ismail is seeking to avoid rushing into early polls amid rising inflation whereas Zahid has argued that current momentum should be capitalized on.
Hamdan has ruled out any pre-election coordination with rival coalitions Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), saying this would amount to a compromise that the party does not want. He stated that post-election there would likely be put in place some sort of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with policymaking input from the opposition.
Hamdan’s views would likely be disputed by party conservatives who advocate a narrower platform focused on the support of ethnic Malays, the majority population in Malaysia. [Asia Times]
Malaysia: Former prime minister swaps his legal team before final hearing in graft case
(tp) Former Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak has appointed new lawyers to represent him in the final hearing of his appeal to have his charges overturned in a major graft case. He is also bidding to have the hearing postponed, reasoning the need for the new legal team to adjust and process relevant legal documents. However, the court denied his application and ruled that the hearing would take place on the same date, citing any difficulties could be handled through consultations between the new and the previous legal teams.
The move came after his application to have a British lawyer act as Queen counsel was denied by the high court. This drew criticism from observers, who predicted that this was another attempt by Najib to postpone the arbitration until the next election, which is widely expected to take place at the end of 2023. If the leading party, United Malays National Organization (UMNO) were to win the next election, Najib could use his political influence to obtain royal pardon. [New Straits Times]
Najib was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2020 for misappropriating USD 9.4 million (RMB 42 million) from SRC International Sdn Bhd. This is a subsidiary linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal (1MDB), a corruption, bribery and money laundering conspiracy involving the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund. Najib is facing several more trials relating to 1MDB, but he still maintains his innocence on all charges. [South China Morning Post]
Malaysia: Graft trial against president of ruling party postponed
(tp) The graft case court hearing for ruling party UMNO’s president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is currently charged with corruption involving the Foreign Visa System (FVS), has been rescheduled following the last prosecution witness expected to testify has tested positive for Covid-19.
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is currently facing 33 charges for receiving bribery from Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB), the company appointed by the government to handle visas for Chinese tourists. The company allegedly offered bribery to Zahid to receive preferential treatment from the government.
Originally scheduled for July 29, the trial has been rescheduled for August 10 to August 12. [The Star]
Malaysia: Critics warn of ecological disaster over Malaysia forest plantations
(pe) Criticism has been levied at the Malaysian government’s policies to develop forest plantations to create a reliable inflow of natural resources for domestic industries. These policies have been accused of creating environmental challenges that outstrip any potential benefit.
Forest plantations are cultivated for a specific purpose such as for growing timber or rubber. As a result, these zones can lead to homogenous habitats that support a limited number of flora and fauna species. Critics argue that this can endanger other species by eliminating them from their natural habitat.
Additionally, building a forest plantation often requires destruction of existing forest reserves, which are re-planted with the desired crop. This activity has coincided with significant carbon emissions as indicated by greenhouse gas analysis and tree loss. Critics argue that this is hampering Malaysia’s ability to reach emission reduction commitments made under the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, habitats of endangered tiger species have been re-zoned as forest plantations, leaving animal rights groups concerned.
Supporters of the forest plantation policies argue that any short-term destruction is necessary to achieve the longer-term benefits. They state that cultivating forests to produce rubber and timber for domestic markets allows for a reliable source of income for the economy. Additionally, the creation of these zones is said to reduce illegal logging activity in natural forest reserves. [Al Jazeera]
Myanmar: Military forces utilize Russian-made aircraft in civilian attacks amidst ongoing deadly clashes
(jp) As deadly clashes continue, Myanmar Witness, a British NGO investigating rights abuses in Myanmar, has confirmed the ongoing deployment of Russian-made aircrafts to carry out attacks on civilians across the country. The NGO has also reported that the military has been launching unguided rockets and deploying 23mm cannons in residential areas.
Most of the attacks occurred in the southern Karen state, where ethnic armed groups have long fought for autonomy and trained civilians to oppose the military rule in Myanmar. [Al Jazeera]
Meanwhile, 15 military council troops were reportedly killed on July 29 in combat with a convoy that arrived at the Ukrit refugee camp at the Thai border.
On the same day, two other members of the Military Council's infantry battalion (Kamara-2), including a captain, were killed, and two were injured. Fighting in the area has continued since July 27. [Radio Free Asia, Facebook, in Burmese]
Contemporarily, in the northern Sagaing Division, soldiers of the military council torched nearly two hundred shops and more than 50 houses with a convoy of nearly 100 military council vehicles. The locals have reportedly fled to the surrounding towns and forests. [Radio Free Asia, Facebook, in Burmese]
In the south, near the Thai border, Myanmar military and resistance Karen forces have also engaged in a violent fight forcing villagers to flee to the bordering Thailand or hiding in local temples.
Since 1948, when Myanmar attained its independence, the Karen hill tribe and other minorities have fought for autonomy. [The Thaiger]
Myanmar: Shadow government’s interim President requests international arms help
(jp) The acting president of Myanmar's civilian National Unity Government (NUG), Duwa Lashi La, has requested weapons from the international community in an attempt to enhance efforts to defeat the regime of military leader and current head of State Administration Council Min Aung Haling.
Duwa Lashi La also urged the international community to recognize the NUG as the legitimate government and to support its administration. He further recommended foreign countries to cut off any junta revenue source.
The National Unity Government (NUG) was formed as a parallel government on April 16, 2021, primarily by elected lawmakers from the deposed National League for Democracy (NLD) and their ethnic minority allies and has enjoyed domestic and international domestic and international support. Most of Myanmar's population recognizes it as their legitimate government, whereas the regime labels it a terrorist group. [The Irrawaddy] [National Unity Government, Facebook, in Burmese]
Myanmar: Military regime carries on more arrests of journalists and activists
(jp) On July 29, a military court sentenced Ko Maung Maung Wai, a freelance reporter to six years in prison under Section 52 (a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The man was arrested in May due to ‘incriminatory’ photos found on his phone by the military council. Following his arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) demanded the Myanmar government immediate release of journalist Maung Maung Kae and an end to the arrest and imprisonment of news writers and reporters.
In addition to Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code, journalists are alaso prosecuted for insulting the state under Section 124 of the Penal Code, which carries lengthy prison sentences, and anti-terrorism laws, according to attorneys who handle such cases. According to the list compiled by Myanmar journalists, more than a year after the coup, 140 journalists were arrested, and 55 are still being held in detention centers and prisons. [ Radio Free Asia, Facebook, in Burmese]
Meanwhile, another military court heard a sedition case of detained anti-regime protest leader Ko Wai Moe Naing, who strengthened his own legal defense after his two lawyers were unable to attend court hearings due to the detention of one and unknown whereabouts of the other.
The protest leader was beaten and arrested for leading anti-regime protests in April 2021. Ten charges have been filed against him, including murder, wrongful confinement, abduction with the intent to murder, sedition, unlawful assembly, and armed robbery. The six charges of sedition are for leading rallies, encouraging public anti-regime cooperation, condemning civil servants working for the regime, and establishing a public administration after the coup.
Ko Wai Moe Naing had decided beforehand that he originally did not intend to cooperate with the court because he did not recognize the junta's legitimacy. However, he changed his mind as he wanted to document that he committed no wrongdoing, even though he knew it would not affect the court's decision.
After the junta executed four pro-democracy activists on terrorism charges in July, the first political prisoners to be executed in nearly four decades, detainees' fears have increased.
Since the coup, the junta has arrested over 14,900 individuals, including elected officials, legislators, activists, students, peaceful protesters, and striking civil servants. About 11,815 are still incarcerated. [Irrawaddy]
Myanmar: Military administration extends state of emergency citing stability
(jp) Head of the State Administration Council and coup leader Min Aung Hlaing has announced the extension of the state of emergency across Myanmar for an additional six months, according to state media. The junta's national defense and security council has approved the extension. The military regime first declared a state of emergency in February 2021, when it took over the country with a military coup ousting the former civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi's party.
Since the coup, Myanmar has been in disarray, with conflict spreading throughout the nation. The military claimed that it had seized power due to election fraud in the general election held in November 2020. However, election monitoring groups discovered no indications of widespread fraud.
The military has pledged to hold new elections in August 2023, even though the schedule has already been pushed back, and opponents are skeptical that the elections will be free and fair. [Devdiscourse] [Reuters] [Shepparton News]
Philippines: President Marcos Jr. has no intention of rejoining International Criminal Court
(jd) The Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that he has no intention to make the Philippines rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the country ceased being a member state in 2019 under the leadership of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute, which is the ICC establishing treaty, followed a ICC preliminary examination into the alleged extrajudicial killings and abuse that the Philippines’ government had carried out as a part of the “war on drugs.”
Based on data from the government and police statistics, more than 6,000 people were killed during police anti-illegal drug operations, however these numbers do not include unreported street killings, which could raise the death toll to around 30,000, according to human rights groups. Police and Duterte’s government denied involvement and wrongdoings.
Marcos’ decision not to rejoin comes after he met with his top legal executives to discuss the government’s strategy on how to handle the announcement that ICC Prosecutor Karin Kham intended to resume the probe into Duterte's drug war after determining there were no genuine investigations at the domestic level. Prosecutor Khan stated that the government failed to demonstrate that any individual has been probed for being related to the killings and that there are no indications of domestic authorities investigating the “systemic nature of the killings .“
Marcos’ decision will not affect the ongoing ICC investigations since, based on Article 127 of the Rome Statute, criminal investigations that started before the country’s membership withdrawal can continue nonetheless.
ICC Prosecutor Khan is also investigating incidents that occurred in Davao City between 2011 and 2016 during Duterte’s time as mayor and vice mayor.
The Philippines is invited to submit a comment by September, however, according to Marcos, there are already ongoing investigations, thus there is no reason for the ICC to investigate. Marcos’ decision can however make ICC investigation on the Philippines difficult due to the lack of cooperation. The Duterte administration said that it would stop ICC investigators from having access to the country, and it is unlikely for the Marcos administration to adopt a different approach.
Although Marcos’ decision not to rejoin the ICC is in line with his pronouncements during campaign season, rights group In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND) affirmed that relatives of the drug war victims will continue to seek justice by engaging “the Court towards pursuing the investigation of willful killings under the war on drugs” and by submitting to the ICC additional reports through their legal representatives. [Philstar] [Rappler] [The Diplomat]
The Philippines: Activists criticize lack of human rights issues in Marcos’ first ‘State of the Nation’ speech
(pe) Following the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) by newly elected Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on July 25, there has been criticism by human rights analysts for his failing to mention key human rights topics, as well as not including the issue of corruption. [Al Jazeera]
Critics have pointed out the omission of issues by the president, such as the ongoing threat of communist and Islamic insurgency, allegations of extrajudicial killings, as well as the Marcos’ family’s failure to settle estate taxes.
Prior to the speech, thousands of protesters had gathered to demand justice for human rights victims under the rule of Marcos Jr.’s father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr, who was ousted as President in 1986. On the other hand, on the day of the SONA, thousands of Marcos Jr’s supporters had also gathered for a musical concert to celebrate his victory. [The Diplomat]
The Philippines: New vape law lowering the minimum legal age to purchase products causes debate
(pe) The Vaporized Nicotine and Non-nicotine Products (VNNP) bill has lapsed into law. This introduces regulations on the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and communication of vape products. It also transfers the regulatory powers over the products from the Food and Drug Administration to the Department of Trade and Industry. Furthermore, it lowers the age of legal purchase of vape products from 21 to 18 years old. [GMA 1]
This new law has drawn praise from some groups, who claim that vaping will help smokers move away from cigarettes, potentially saving millions of lives. Additionally, supporters claim that reducing the minimum age of purchase to 18, in line with the legal age to purchase cigarettes, will provide younger smokers with a less damaging alternative. [Asia News Network]
However, critics argue that providing young people with access to more nicotine-based products at a younger age will serve to harm their health. They suggest that the law has been introduced primarily to benefit commercial interests and call upon legislators to re-evaluate this approach. [GMA 2]
The Philippines: President’s son elected senior House leader
(pe) The eldest son of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been appointed as Senior Deputy Majority Leader.
Ferdinand Alexander Araneta Marcos, otherwise known as Sandro Marcos, is a first-time member of the House. Sandro Marcos has risen to public fame over recent years, making regular appearances on his father’s YouTube channel. Additional appointments with direct connections to the Marcos family include Marcos Jr’s cousin, Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez, has been appointed as the House Speaker. [ABS CBN News]
The Philippines: Suspect in city major assassination speaks of his motive
(pe) A murder suspect who was arrested on July 24 for shooting dead three people including the former Lamitan City Mayor, has spoken of his motive. Dr. Chao-Tiao Tumol, upon arrest, admitted to the shooting alleging that the former mayor Rose Furigay’s family were corrupt and had been involved in illegal drug operations.
He claimed that he chose to carry out the act in support of his fellow people of Lamitan, who have been disadvantaged as a result of their former mayor’s alleged activities. He claims to have evidence to back up his statements. Furigay’s legal team has denied these accusations.
The conflict between Furigay and Tumol is said to have started in 2018 when the Lamitan City Government, of which Furigay was mayor, implemented a “cease and desist” order against Tumol’s infirmary clinic. After his clinic was closed, Tumol started using social media to post malicious content against Furigay and other City Government officials. This activity led to more than 70 cyber libel charges being filed against him. [Sunstar]
In numerous social media posts over the past years, Tumol has shown support for former president Rodrigo Duterte and has attacked many opposition figures, as well as Furigay. In response to his arrest, a number of pro-Duterte figures have posted online to express their sympathies for Tumol. [Rappler]
Singapore: Parliament passes new bills, law amendments
(bs) During a Parliament session on August 1, Singaporean lawmakers passed a series of new amendments bills. Worth mentioning is the new amendment in the Registration of Criminals (Amendment) Bill, which would allow the authorities to collect DNA from suspects in criminal cases, including minor offenses such as obscene acts or drunk driving.
The amendment would enhance the scope of the police, which is currently entitled to collect non-DNA evidence in minor criminal cases and DNA information only for “serious” registrable crimes. [The Straits Times 1]
Another crucial change in the Singaporean legislation will be the new bill to establish a Public Defender's Office (PDO). The parliament has passed the bill with the aim to provide criminal legal aid to those who cannot not afford legal defense.
The bill governs the appointment of the Chief Public Defender and public defenders, and outlines the scope of criminal defense aid, the administration of aid, and a penalty framework to prevent abuse. [The Straits Times 2]
Singapore: Rights experts call for immediate cessation of executions for minor drug-related crimes
(bs) United Nations (UN)’s rights experts urged Singapore to implement an immediate moratorium on executions for drug offenses. The group of experts made the request public in a statement condemning the recent execution by hanging of another man for drug-related crimes. It was the fifth execution in 2022. The call extends to the immediate suspension of further death executions. The experts urge the Singapore government to ensure that those who are currently on death row will be granted a prison sentence instead.
The UN experts argued that Singapore, by hanging the detainees in minor drug trafficking cases, is in violation of international law as the death penalty should handed exclusively for the “most serious” crimes, which would involve intentional killing.
The released statement also voiced widespread concerns over the increased pressure and alleged intimidatory acts carried out by Singaporean authorities against anti-death-penalty activists, journalists, legal professionals and human rights defenders. [United Nations]
Thailand: Law amendments contested in lead-up to 2023 election
(td) In the lead up to the next general election, the incumbent government has strived to make certain amendments to laws surrounding the election process, ranging from the vote calculation method to ballot system.
These efforts are considered by the opposition as an unfair bid by the ruling coalition parties to have a better chance of re-election. One key bill discussed is the organic bill on the election of MPs. This bill was initially scrutinized by the House committee to stipulate that the 100 party-list seats up for grabs in future elections would use a calculation method dividing the population of voters by 100, thus determining how many list MPs each party would receive. Minority members of the vetting committee, mostly from small parties, insisted the electorate be divided by 500. This method of calculation is suggested by observers to give small political parties a better chance to win seats in the House of Representatives in the next general election.
The vetting committee later settled for 100. But when the bill was put to the final reading, most MPs in the House of Representatives voted for 500 instead, which indicates that the bill contents did not reflect the preference of the House. As a result, the bill has been withdrawn from parliamentary deliberation and sent back for another round of preliminary scrutiny by the vetting panel.
Second, following a former push to amend the law to clear the way for a two-ballot system, it is reported that a dozen of the ruling coalition parties are set to float a fresh charter amendment to keep the one-ballot system intact for competitiveness at the next poll, preventing a landslide victory to be claimed by the opposition camp.
Overall, it is the opposition Pheu Thai Party that has been spearheading in pushing back against the incumbent government for concerns about its extended grip on power. [AiR No. 28, July/2022, 2][Bangkok Post 1][Bangkok Post 2]
Thailand: Bangkok calls on House standing committee to reintroduce district council elections
(td) With growing calls for the reinstatement of district councilors, the Bangkok City Hall has recently discussed with the House standing committee on power decentralization, local administration, and special administrative management, to immediately resume elections for the district councilor position, which was put on hold since 2014. It is regarded as a bid to convince the panel in charge of law amendments to clear the way for the district council election to be held.
As the City Hall has no authority to make any amendments to the City Administrative Code Act published in the Royal Gazette in 2019, which scrapped the position of district councilor, intra-agency cooperation is crucial to the introduction of new district council elections. Furthermore, the Bangkok governor insisted that the city councilors would better perform their duties in response to the local demand with the helping hand of district councilors.
Under the 2019 Act, there could be more than one city councilor, depending on the number of local residents in each district. [AiR, No. 30, July/2022, 4][Bangkok Post]
Thailand: Parliament to amend Civil Partnership Bill to allow same-sex marriage registration for foreigners
(td) Following the Cabinet approval of the Civil Partnership Bill in June, the House Committee is set to amend the bill to include foreign same-sex couples allowing them to register their marriage in Thailand. By doing so, an amendment will be made to Section 8 of the bill. According to local sources, such a move might be aimed at increasing the tourism economy in the country.
Despite concerns from religious groups, the House scrutiny committee has deliberated in favor of the mentioned law amendment. The Civil Partnership Bill is now pending a final deliberation by the Parliament before it enters into force. In addition, the recent push for the “Marriage Equality Bill”, proposed by the opposition Move Forward Party, has been underway after the pass of first reading to advance gender equality. [AiR, No. 24, June/2022, 2][Thai PBS World]
Thailand: Panel of lawmakers suggests that Thai government considers liberalization of casinos
(td) As another means to stimulate economic growth in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, a panel of lawmakers has submitted a blueprint concerning the legal operation of casinos to the Parliament for deliberation. In this regard, the panel suggests that Thailand issue a decree to legally allow the building and inclusion of casinos in entertainment complexes in key cities across the country.
All those efforts are considered to help strengthen the tourism industry of Thailand which is likely to generate billions of dollars from foreign investors, tourists, and Thai gamblers.
Consequently, should the blueprint be adopted, the panel envisages a great deal of economic prospects from attractive tourism, as well as the collection of hefty taxes to shore up the Thai economy in recession for years. To realize its objectives, the government could build on the Gambling Act of 1935 which authorizes it to issue decrees or licenses required to formalize gaming activities with less or without legal barriers and prohibitions. [Bloomberg]
Thailand: Former ruling party member given suspended sentence in defamation case
(td) A former ruling party Member of the Parliament (MP) has been convicted of defaming the leader of opposition Seri Ruam Thai Party. He has been fined and given an eight-month jail term, which has been suspended for two years.
Sira Jenjaka was convicted of defaming opposition leader Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, due to allegations made that he had been promoted to the position of police chief through his involvement in the 2006 coup to oust the Former Prime Minister. The court ruled that Sira’s accusation was false. Sira had previously been disqualified from running for a seat in the House of Representatives in 2021, due to a historic fraud conviction that he had received in 1995. [Nation Thailand]
In Thailand, defamation can be tried as both a criminal and civil offense. This is the subject of debate, with several NGOs seeking to decriminalize the offense. [Thai PBS]
Thailand: Local administrative court dismisses calls for demolition of controversial housing project
(td) Following the public calls for a demolition of the housing project on a plot of land at the foot of Doi Suthep in the northern province of Chiang Mai, the provincial Administrative Court dismissed a controversial case filed by a group of local conservationists to reclaim the forest reserve area.
On the one hand, the administrative court ruled that the building of residential complexes on the land of 13.6 hectare in question was by no means illegal. Not only is it outside the boundaries of the national forest reserve and the national park, but the Treasury Department has also granted a permission to the Office of the Judiciary to go ahead with the about USD 27 million housing project to accommodate judicial officials.
The project dates back to 1997, when the Justice Ministry assigned the Chief Justice Office Region 5 Office to use a plot of that contested land for a residential project, which back then was under the military’s authority. It was not until after 2000 that the project received approval from the Chiang Mai Governor and Treasury Department before it embarked on the three-phased construction in 2014.
On the other hand, to a vast majority of locals, Doi Suthep is meaningful in terms of spirituality and culture as the ancient city of Chiang Mai. Specifically, in light of the Chiang Mai World Heritage Initiative Project, it has pushed the province to be listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. The preservation of traditional values is thus integral to achieving such a goal. Likewise, environmental degradation is another far-reaching issue of concern.
Overall, in regards to environmental concerns, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment argues that the land is classified in watershed categories 2, 3 and 4, which has to date exempted it from the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a result. Nevertheless, a range of local networks is likely to continue striving for the peaceful settlement of the long-standing dispute to conserve natural resources in addition to customary rights. [Bangkok Post][Thai PBS World][The Nation Thailand 1][The Nation Thailand 2]
Thailand: Government promises assessment of power plant project, ending protests
(td) A local group of activists, the “Save Na Bon Group,” have concluded days of protests against the government and other related state agencies, concerning a controversial biomass power plant project.
The group claims to represent the interests of people living in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat and argues that the government had not followed through with their agreements to set up a commission to conduct Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of a proposed power plant project.
The protesters also claim that local villagers have been deprived of their land although they had been told that the area would be developed as a market to advance economic opportunities for their benefit. However, it came to light that the land would be used to construct two new biomass power plants, leading to claims of deception. Critics state that the harmful ecological impacts of power plant construction would far outweigh any possible benefits.
Despite these criticisms, Absolute Clean Energy Public Company, which funds the project, has signed a contract with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to supply 21.5 megawatts from each of the two Na Bon power plants for 20 years. They state that the power plants promote clean energy generation.
According to the protesters, the Office of the Prime Minister has informed them that a new committee would be formed to oversee a strategic environmental assessment in response to their demands, and as a result have ended their protest activities. [Climate Tracker][Prachatai 1][Prachatai 2][Thai PBS World]
Thailand: Parliament’s subcommittee rejects budget for Air Force to procure F-35 combat jets, petition filed
(td) The parliament’s subcommittee in charge of scrutinizing procurement projects of state agencies dismissed a request from The Royal Thai Air Force to allocate a budget worth 7.4 billion Thai baht (around USD 203 billion ) for the agency to procure two United States (US)-made Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets. The Thai Air Force has then followed up the decision by filing a petition to the House.
According to a opposition Pheu Thai member, who also serves as deputy chair of the House subcommittee, the procurement plan is unnecessary for the time being, citing a priority to alleviate the hardships of Thai people constantly battered by the Covid-19 pandemic, besides burgeoning socio-economic problems.
In addition, he argued that it has been unknown up to date whether the US Congress would approve the sale of F-35 jets to Thailand, adding the decision-making process may take up to 20 months. The Thai Air Force, in contrast, rebutted such a claim as they deem the Pre-Negotiation Agreement (PNA) is likely to be in place by the early 2023. As a result, Thailand is set to officially inform the US of her intention to proceed with the plan.
Nonetheless, the Air Force chief of staff insists that it requires about 700 million baht (19.3 million USD) in the 2023 fiscal year as initial sum to help convince the US to accelerate the decision-making process, while the rest of the budget could be carried over to later fiscal years by 2026. [Bangkok Post 1][Bangkok Post 2][Thai PBS World]
Vietnam: Academic under house arrests for filing recommendations to Communist Party
(bs) A prominent Vietnamese academic was placed under house arrest and forbidden to leave the country after being accused of “abusing democratic freedoms” in violation of Article 331 of the Criminal Code. The former director of the Southeast and North Asia Institute of Technology Research and Development is facing a criminal probe for filing a number of recommendations to enhance the ruling Communist Party. [Radio Free Asia]
Vietnam: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City to build key economic corridor
(fe) Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) are expected to develop into vibrant, innovative metropolises that are fiercely competitive on a national and international scale and play a significant part in Southeast Asian urban networks. Both would function according to the smart city paradigm and act as entry points for Vietnam to connect with the surrounding area and the rest of the globe. The fundamental goal of the master plan would be to mobilize funding for the development of important economic corridors and zones that have a strong potential to assist overall economic growth. [Hanoi Times]
In order to address the challenges and barriers that arise during the growth of the city, Prime Minister Chinh proposed the creation of a task force made up of leaders of ministries, sectors, and the People's Committee of HCM City and headed by the Minister-Chairman of the Government Office. 13 of the 16 categories of responsibilities given to the city by the prime minister have already been finished, while work is continuing on the other three. [Vietnam Plus]
International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia
Foreign ministers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization gather in Uzbekistan
(jw/sg/tj) Foreign ministers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), an eight-member organization that aims to promote stability across Eurasia, met in Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent last week for their annual summit. The meeting set precedence for the upcoming Heads of State SCO Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in September this year.
Notably, the SCO foreign ministers’ gathering was preceded by an international two-day conference on Afghanistan – also hosted by Uzbekistan – with delegates from the country’s Taliban ruler and the United States among the participants. Officially the conference was to center on security and economic development; however, according to reports, the real focus had shifted towards counterterrorism. This comes after a report by the United Nations Security Council noted that terrorist groups, including al Qaeda, now enjoyed Taliban protection in Afghanistan and that al Qaeda now had greater freedoms than at any time in recent history. [UN 2]
Meanwhile, the Taliban came to the conference with an entirely different agenda, highlighting the need for investment in Afghanistan. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi told attendees that Taliban-led Afghanistan is open for business. Muttaqi also pushed for the US to free frozen Afghan funds and to establish direct ties with his country. However, these demands may be futile; the US Special Envoy for Afghan women, girls, and human rights underlined that “no one expressed support for Taliban recognition”. A major hindrance to any international support are regressive Taliban policies which prevent women from gaining education and employment, and repression against minorities. [Foreign Policy,$ ] [Rina Amiri via Twitter] [Voice of America]
The Afghan situation is challenging for its immediate neighbors, including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran, and Pakistan, all of which have been hit by clashes and militant activity in their border regions since the Taliban took over Kabul. While the conference hasn’t yielded any significant results, it did result in constructive talks at the SCO, and multiple countries, including China and India, hinted at the resumption of infrastructure and developmental projects in the country.
China at SCO summit
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pressed the SCO members to deepen cooperation, arguing that solidarity and cooperation are necessary to face the “arduous tasks of development and stability”. Wang put forward five points ranging from supporting mutual development and ensuring regional security to rejecting unilateral sanctions and opposing “the false narrative of ‘democracy against authoritarianism,’” which are supposed to be instrumental in enhancing cooperation within the SCO. Wang also mentioned Afghanistan, stating that SCO members should support the struggling country in eliminating terrorism and finding peace and stability. [CGTN] [Xinhua]
On the sidelines of the SCO summit, Wang met his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. In a further show of support amid the ongoing Ukraine war, Wang emphasized China’s readiness to “strengthen strategic communication in a timely manner” Lavrov made similar comments, stating that “Russian-Chinese relations have withstood the test of international storms, fully demonstrating the traditional friendship and strategic mutual trust between the two countries.” [Chinese Foreign Ministry] [South China Morning Post]
In further bilateral meetings between Wang and counterparts from Central Asian countries Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, all parties agreed to cooperate on advancing the development of Central Asia amid economic problems caused by the Ukraine war. According to Wang, conditions for constructing a China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, a project planned since 1997, are getting ripe. [Global Times 2]
India at SCO summit
Indian Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, held bilateral talks with his counterparts from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan on the side of the SCO conclave. Jaishankar’s address to the other delegates concentrated on the global energy and food crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, Jaishankar made the issue of connectivity to central Asian countries a crucial part of his visit, speaking about a future India - Central Asia link to connect the subcontinent to the broader Eurasian region. [The Economic Times]
The SCO summit coincided with a trip by Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and minister of investment & foreign trade, Jamshid Khodjaev, to India on 28 July. As part of negotiations between the two countries, India and Uzbekistan pledged to improve connectivity and economic collaboration through a hybrid land-sea route connecting Tashkent and New Delhi.
During his visit, Khodjaev met up with Indian commerce minister Piyush Goyal for the 13th session of the India-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission, focusing mainly on cooperation in agriculture and textiles. While connectivity has always remained a problem, the two have now agreed to funnel trade through Chabahar Port, Iran’s only port with direct access to the Indian Ocean that is being jointly developed by India, Iran and Afghanistan. [The Business Standard]
Pakistan at SCO summit
While India pushed for the Chabahar Port project, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari promoted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for regional trade. Concerning this, Bilawal met up with Chinese counterpart Wang YI; the two discussed CPEC expansion and Afghanistan. The bilateral China-Pakistan project is the flagship of China’s Belt and Road Initiative; just weeks ago, the two countries announced that they would welcome any third country to join the corridor [see AiR No. 30, July/2022, 4].
As part of CPEC outreach, Bilawal talked with Taliban Foreign Minister Muttaqi. The two emphasized the need for closer economic cooperation and connectivity, and Bilawal noted the need for a peaceful Afghanistan. Pakistan, who had assisted the Taliban by providing funding and arms in the past, has lost control of the group with the Pakistan Taliban affiliate Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) staging attacks around Islamabad’s north-western border regions [see AiR No. 27, July/2022, 1]. [Daily Pakistan] [Dawn]
Bilawal attended meetings with all SCO foreign ministers except Sergei Lavrov of Russia and Jaishankar of India. [The Express Tribune]
Nepal
Nepal is about to move up from being a dialogue partner to an observer in SCO. In addition to Nepal, press sources state that Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Cambodia will also be granted observer status.
Since the SCO also discusses political, military, and security engagements, a senior official stated that Nepal's rule of engagement would be to take benefit of economic collaboration, and since India and China are SCO members, the platform is a secure venue for Nepal. [The Kathmandu Post]
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons review conference kicks off
(sb) The 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons kicked off on August 1 and will run August 26, with 145 governments and organizations expected to deliver statements in the general debate until August 4. The conference comes against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and fears of a nuclear escalation of the conflict, as reflected in the statements of U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the US, Germany and Japan.
Guterres warned in his opening of an “nuclear danger not seen since the height of the Cold War,” and added that “[t]oday, humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation,” citing some 13,000 nuclear weapons stockpiled across the globe and festering crises “with nuclear undertones”, ranging from the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula, to Russia invasion of Ukraine and other factors around the world. [UN]
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Russia of using Ukraine’s recently seized Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as a “military base to fire at Ukrainians,” bringing “the notion of having a human shield to an entirely different and horrific level.” With reference to AUKUS, the trilateral security pact between Australia, the U.K. and the U.S concluded in September last year, Blinken insisted that submarines that Australia will acquire through this partnership “will be nuclear powered, not nuclear armed.” [State of Department, USA]
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock lashed out against Russia’s “reckless nuclear rhetoric,” and “nuclear signalling,” that threaten the achievements of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) since it took effect in 1970. [Federal Foreign Office, Germany]
Fumio Kishida, Japan’s first Prime Minister to attend the NPT review conference, stressed in his statement that Russia’s threat to use nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine has raised worldwide concern over a “real possibility” of “yet another catastrophe by nuclear weapon,” adding that “recent attacks on nuclear facilities by Russia must not be tolerated.” Kishida also unveiled the “Hiroshima Action Plan, under which Japan will provide USD 10 million to a U.N. fund to enable young people to learn about atomic bombs through the visit of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which devastated by the U.S. atomic bombs in August 1945. [Japan Today]
Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, stated in a letter to conference participants, that Russia proceeds “from the fact that there can be no winners in a nuclear war and it should never be unleashed,” adding that his country “stand[s] for equal and indivisible security for all members of the world community." [Reuters]
Accord with IMF pushed back until September after unrest, Sri Lanka's president says; World Bank offers nothing
(kh/lm/jw) Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on July 30 that an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been pushed back to September due to the unrest over the past weeks. A day earlier, the World Bank said it would not offer new funding to Colombo unless the bankrupt island nation carried out “deep structural reforms” to stabilize its economy. [NDTV] [Deutsche Welle] [ZAWYA]
Sri Lanka defaulted on its USD 51-billion foreign debt In May after a 30-day grace period expired. The South Asian nation needs about USD 5 billion in the next six months to cover basic necessities for its people, who have been faced with a severe shortage of medicines, fuel and other essentials.
The same month, the World Bank told Colombo that it would disburse USD 700 million by repurposing existing loans to finance urgently needed essentials. But the Washington-based lender also made clear that it was not planning to provide any new financing until an adequate economic policy framework has been put in place. [AiR No. 22, May/2022, 5]
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s bailout talks with the IMF began in April under then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled to Singapore and resigned in mid-July as public frustration spilled over to raging street protests [see AiR No. 16, April/2022, 3]. But an Extended Fund Facility program, which would be the multilateral lenders’ 17th plan for Sri Lanka, requires countries to make structural economic reforms. In light of this, the discussions for a bailout could last months despite the urgent need.
Importantly, the IMF said on July 26 Sri Lanka should kick off debt restructuring talks with China, one of Colombo’s two largest foreign creditors, along with Japan. The island nation owes Beijing some USD 6.5 billion in financing including development bank loans and a central bank swap. [Reuters]
Indeed, many observers agree that China’s willingness to provide substantial debt relief to Sri Lanka will be vital to accelerate the debt restructuring and in helping the country get out of its current situation. For several months the two countries have been in talks for a USD 4 billion aid package, consisting of a loan of USD 1 billion to allow Colombo to repay a roughly equivalent amount of Chinese debt due this year. The South Asian nation is also asking for a USD 1.5 billion credit line to pay for Chinese imports, and hopes to persuade Beijing to activate a USD 1.5 billion bilateral currency swap.
In an interview with Reuters, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Beijing confirmed that his country has already reached out to China to ask for help with trade, investment and tourism. The envoy also said President Wickremesinghe has plans to visit China to discuss cooperation on these matters. [New Straits Times]
But China, which accounts for 10 percent of Sri Lanka’s debt, has so far resisted offering a debt cut. In light of this, the head of the US Agency for International Development, Samantha Power, called on Beijing on July 27 to help Colombo and other nations that had borrowed heavily from Beijing with debt restructuring, not just with lines of credit and emergency loans. Power was on a visit to India, which has provided Sri Lanka with nearly USD 4 billion in support this year alone. [Associated Press]
Bangladesh to hold talks with IMF after applying for bailout; seeks assistance from World Bank, ADB
(sg/ka/lm) Bangladesh is to hold talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after seeking a financial rescue package from the Washington-based lender – the third South Asian nation to seek such support after Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Negotiations about loan conditions are expected to start in September, while the earliest date for any agreement is suspected to be in January 2023, when the IMF executive board meets. [Reuters]
Dhaka is understood to want USD 4.5 billion from the IMF after it was hit hard by high import prices, especially for gas, and a fall in exports as the global economy slowed down. This includes support under the IMF’s new Resilience and Sustainability Trust aimed at helping countries face climate-change challenges. The facility caps funds at 150 percent of a country's quota or, in Bangladesh's case, a maximum of USD 1 billion. [The Daily Star]
Bangladesh would join a growing list of countries that have recently requested credit lines with the IMF. South Asian neighbor Pakistan has just signed a USD 4 billion loan to curb its worst economic crisis since independence [see AiR No. 29, July/2022, 3]. At the same time, bankrupt Sri Lanka continues to face its worst economic crisis in seven decades. [see entry in this edition]
The South Asian nation continues to exhibit moderately strong economic growth up to 2020, with growth rates above 7 percent. Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have taken their toll on the country’s economy. Last week, the government imposed scheduled power outages to combat high energy prices – Bangladesh relies on imports to fulfill its energy demand. In addition, inflation has dealt a further blow to Dhaka’s trade deficit, and the country must now shore up its foreign reserves to import highly prized fuel. [Al Jazeera] [The New York Times, $] [Voice of America] [World Bank]
In light of this, Bangladesh has also requested USD 250 million for each of the next three fiscal years from the World Bank, and another USD 750 million in funding assistance. Dhaka also asked for USD 1 billion budget aid from the Asian Development Bank. [bdnews24]
With the budget aid, Bangladesh will seek to create a buffer as foreign reserves this year dropped from USD 6 billion to USD 40 billion in just twelve months. This effect is set to accelerate as Bangladesh’s premier textile industry struggles amid the global recession. [Arab News]
Pakistan’s army chief appeals to United States for help in IMF talks
(sg) In a rare outreach, Pakistan’s army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has contacted the United States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, seeking Washington’s help in securing an early release of a crucial USD 1.17 billion installment from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to his country. Bajwa also spoke by phone with the head of U.S Central Command in the Mideast, General Michael Kurilla. [Associated Press] [Voice of America]
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have led to rising inflation and increased fuel prices. Pakistan, which imports most of its energy demand, was already struggling with meager foreign reserves at around USD 10 billion.
Earlier last month, the Pakistani government reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF to revive a USD 6 billion loan package initially signed in 2019 [see AiR No. 29, July/2022, 3]. Pakistan had hoped for a release of the nearly USD 1.2 billion tranche which had been on since earlier this year; however, the agreement is still subject to approval from the IMF’s board of directors – which is not scheduled to meet until later this month. [Reuters]
Against this backdrop, the phone conversation between General Bajwa and Sherman assumes added significance. Relations between Islamabad and Washington had soured under Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April [see AiR No. 15, April/2022, 2]. Khan had antagonized the US throughout his tenure, welcoming the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan last year and accusing Washington of being behind the attempt to oust him – a claim consistently dismissed by the US and Pakistan’s National Security Council, a body of top civil and military leaders.
Apart from the IMF, Pakistan has also contacted other nations to aid its economic difficulties, including close partner China. Beijing financed a USD 2.3 billion loan to Pakistan last month. Pakistan’s tight-knit partnership with China has angered the IMF, which regards payments to Chinese energy producers in Pakistan as excessively high. The lender has even considered a loan ban from China as a condition of the agreement. [NDTV] [Republic World]
International human rights group seeks ex-Sri Lankan president’s arrest in Singapore
(lm) An international human rights group, the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP), has filed a criminal complaint with the attorney general in Singapore, seeking the arrest of former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for alleged war crimes during his country’s civil war, which ended in 2009 and killed 100,000 people, according to conservative United Nations estimates. [France24]
The ITJP alleges Rajapaksa committed grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions and argues “that these are crimes subject to domestic prosecution in Singapore under universal jurisdiction.” [Associated Press]
Rajapaksa fled to Singapore and resigned in mid-July as public frustration in Sri Lanka spilled over to raging street protests [see AiR No. 16, April/2022, 3]. The accusations leveled against him by the ITKP date from late 2008 onwards, when he was defense secretary and head of the armed forces while his older brother Mahinda served as president. Together, they oversaw the ending of Sri Lanka’s 26-year-long civil war between the Tamil separatist militant group known as the Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankan government forces.
In 2019, a US civil action was brought against Rajapaksa for his alleged role in human rights abuses during the war against separatist Tamil fighters. But Rajapaksa was elected president later the same year and granted immunity from prosecution. [The Guardian]
China defends military ship's planned visit to India's neighbor Sri Lanka
(kh/sg/lm) India has lodged a verbal complaint to Sri Lanka to protest the planned visit of a Chinese research and survey vessel to a strategic port in the South Asian island nation.
The vessel – Yuan Wang 5 – is en route to Hambantota Port and due to arrive on August 11. Sri Lanka formally handed over commercial activities at the port to a Chinese company in 2017 on a 99-year lease after struggling to repay its debt. [BRISL] [Reuters 1]
India’s anxieties about the arrival of the ship were first on display last week, when the foreign ministry said it “carefully monitors any development having a bearing on [India’s] security and economic interests”. Subsequently, the Chinese foreign ministry told Reuters that it hoped that “relevant parties will view and report on China’s marine scientific research activities correctly and refrain from interfering with normal and legitimate maritime activities”. [Reuters 2]
On July 31, the Sunday Times reported that Colombo was discussing with both China and India to reach an “amicable solution” over the arrival of the Chinese vessel. It also reported that clearance to the ship was granted by the Sri Lankan government several weeks ago before Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as president. [The Sunday Times]
For India, the ship’s arrival is extremely sensitive. With an aerial view of around 750 kilometers, the Yuan Wang 5 could track six large South Indian ports and gather details about military installations along India’s southern coast and the possibility of spying on multiple nuclear power plants and atomic research centers. In 2014, the government of then Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa allowed a Chinese submarine and a warship to dock at its port in the capital Colombo, triggering tensions between India and Sri Lanka. [The Economic Times]
The matter comes at a delicate time for Sri Lanka, which is seeking substantial debt relief in order to get out of its worst economic crisis since independence. [see entry in this edition]
India, UAE, France hold trilateral talks to boost cooperation in Indo-Pacific
(sg) Focal points of India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and France held their first-ever trilateral summit on July 28 to bolster mutual collaboration. The three nations shared views and insights on developments in the Indo-Pacific, maritime security, humanitarian assistance as well as food and energy security among other topics. [India Today] [The Economic Times]
The meeting marks the second time the UAE and India have met in a similar configuration in recent months. Last month the two sides met up for the maiden summit of the I2U2 grouping, which also includes Israel and the United States [see AiR No. 29, July/2022, 3].
Ms. Varshinya Varadhachari contributed research to this article.
India calls for UN Security Council meeting after attack on Indian, Moroccan peacekeepers in DR Congo
(sg) India has called for a meeting of the United Nations Security Council following multiple attacks on peacekeepers serving in the Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Two Indian and one Moroccan peacekeeper were killed when the UN base in North Kivu came under attack on July 26. [NDTV] [The Indian Express]
India is a significant contributor to the MONUSCO mission, which has been active in the DRC since 2010. With 1,888 soldiers deployed in the mission, India forms the second largest contingent after Pakistan. [United Nations]
Ms. Varshinya Varadhachari contributed research to this article.
ASEAN chair calls for reforms in regional policy towards Myanmar following international condemnation of activists’ executions
(bs/fe) Cambodia, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has strongly criticized the execution of four political detainees by Myanmar calling the action “highly reprehensible” and suggesting a potential change in the bloc's policy toward Myanmar. [The Diplomat 1]
Cambodia’s claims were also followed by an international outcry which led India, Malaysia, as well as the United Nations (UN) Security Council to join the condemnation of Myanmar executions [The Diplomat 2]. Besides condemning the country for the four executions and calling for full implementation of the Five-Point Consensus regional peace agreement, in an official statement, the UN Security Council urged Myanmar to immediately release former civilian leaders including President Win Myint and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and the High Representative of the European Union also condemned the executions. [Radio Free Asia]
Although ASEAN is seeking to review its Five-Point Consensus peace policy to better engage with the military government in Myanmar, foreign affairs experts and political analysts in Cambodia believe that "nothing can be done" to pressure the junta to stop its widespread human rights violations [Khmer Times]. These analysts also claim that ASEAN has no influence on the current political situation in Myanmar since none of the important Five-Point Consensus goals—including an immediate stop to the country's violence, the special envoy's visit to meet with all parties, and inter party dialogue—were ever achieved.
The State Administration Council (SAC), the country's executive body, reportedly declared on July 25 that it had murdered four opposition activists who were charged with supporting "terrorism." [Phnom Penh Post]
Taliban engaging with Malaysia, Indonesia as Muslim nations to build legitimacy, say analysts
(pe) The Afghan Taliban regime has been engaging with Muslim countries in Asia, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, in efforts to build international legitimacy, analysts say. For example, the Taliban recently met Malaysia’s special advisor on Afghanistan to discuss banking, education, bilateral cooperation, as well as scholarships for Afghan children.
Analysts also suggest that the Taliban is seeking to demonstrate to the international community that an increasing number of countries are engaging with their regime. This may be to strengthen their case for recognition as a legitimate government. Although the Taliban has been pushing for this recognition, no country has yet taken this step. However, a number of countries have now accepted Taliban-appointed diplomats. Some suggest that targeting Muslim countries for engagement may eventually lead to a lobbying of Western governments to follow suite.
It is suggested that Malaysia, along with other Muslim countries, are attempting to influence the Taliban to improve their human rights records by engaging with them, as opposed to relying on sanctions. Those opposing engagement with the Taliban state argue they have violated numerous human rights commitments and show little sign of change in their approach, rendering such engagements fruitless. [South China Morning Post]
Bangladesh, Nepal to hold fourth meeting on power cooperation later this month
(lm) Bangladesh and Nepal are expected to hold the fourth meeting of a joint working group and joint steering committee on power cooperation later this month. [The Kathmandu Post]
Bangladesh, which is facing growing energy demand and is energy-deficient, has confirmed that it intends to import around 500 MW electricity from the Upper Karnali Storage Hydropower Project, an under-construction hydroelectric plant with an estimated future capacity of 900 MW. Thus, during the third round of meetings held in September last year, the two countries had agreed to develop a dedicated transmission line by taking India on board [see AiR No. 38, September/2021, 3]. Moreover, during the visit of Energy Minister Pampha Bhusal to Bangladesh in April, Bangladesh had also proposed Nepal to buy its power in the winter, while it would buy Nepal’s power in the rainy season [see AiR No. 17, April/2022, 4].
However, as India lies between Nepal and Bangladesh, electricity trade between the two countries cannot happen without New Delhi’s support. As per the Joint Vision Statement on Power Sector Cooperation released in early April during Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s visit to India, the two South Asian neighbors agreed to expand cooperation in the power sector by incorporating other partner countries under the BBIN framework, which also includes Bhutan and Nepal. [AiR No. 14, April/2022, 1]
Separately, representatives of the two countries have met in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu last week for talks on floods, inundation control and agriculture development, among other issues. Notably, the two-day bilateral talks were taking place after a 14-year hiatus. [MyRepublica]
Ms. Vaishnavi Deegwal contributed research to this entry.
Cambodia, Vietnam to further advance their friendship while pledging to intensify cooperation in drugs and human trafficking fight
(fe) A senior team from the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, a group of mass movements aligned with the Communist Party, visited Cambodia from July 28 to 30. The trip was to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the two nations' diplomatic ties and their 2022 Friendship Year.
Do Van Chien, the president of the VFF Central Committee, stated that Vietnam has always placed a high priority on strengthening its historical relations with Cambodia. Consistently, Vietnam has supported a prosperous, autonomous, and peaceful Cambodia. He emphasized that it always wants to work with Cambodia to firmly maintain security and defense while building autonomous, self-sufficient economies that have vast and successful international integration. [Vietnam News]
The two parties also agreed to collaborate to develop and maintain an implementation plan for the memorandum of understanding on the cooperation program among the Fronts of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam as well as the three Fronts' joint communiqué on the results of an international conference at the working session with Cambodian high representatives.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed his satisfaction with the stability of the countries’ bilateral relations, particularly the completion of 84 percent of the land border demarcation, and agreed to speed up work on the remaining 16 percent in order to have a stable borderline and facilitate cross-border travel, to the Vietnamese delegation during a separate meeting. [Vietnam Plus]
Contemporarily, in a sideline meeting, Cambodia and Vietnam have pledged to intensify bilateral cooperation in fighting against narcotics and human trafficking. The parties committed to the cause on July 27, during a meeting between the Vietnamese deputy foreign minister and the Cambodian interior minister.
During the encounter, the Cambodian minister added that the country was also working to stop both the spread of weapons of mass destruction and the crime of money laundering. He recommended that all parties investigate the potential of determining an acceptable time to open the Meoun Chey border crossing between the Vietnamese provinces of Tay Ninh and Prey Veng. Due to delays brought on by Covid-19, an opening of the border crossing has not yet been scheduled. [Phnom Penh Post]
Authorities rescue Indonesian nationals captured in Cambodia
(fe) The Indonesian authorities reported that 55 out of the 60 Indonesian citizens who were kept prisoner in Cambodia after falling for an employment scam have been freed.
The Cambodian authorities are currently interrogating the Indonesian nationals who were duped by a phony investment firm with offices in Sihanoukville, in south-west Cambodia.
The situation of the Indonesian citizens imprisoned by a fictitious investment firm was initially made public by a social media account which pleaded with the authorities, in particular Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, to rescue the detained Indonesian nationals. Following the plea, the authorities began investigations and found that 60 Indonesian people were being kept hostage, as opposed to the 53 reported on the social media account. [Tempo]
US President Joe Biden calls Chinese President Xi Jinping as tensions rise over Taiwan
(jw) In a two-hour phone call on July 28 between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the dispute over Taiwan dominated discussions. According to the Chinese readout of the call, Xi warned Biden “not to play with fire” over Taiwan and reminded him that China “firmly opposes separatist moves toward ‘Taiwan independence’ and interference by external forces, and never allows any room for ‘Taiwan independence’ forces in whatever form”. He urged the US to adhere to the One-China principle and honor China’s territorial integrity. According to the less detailed US readout, Biden reiterated that the US position toward Taiwan remains unchanged and that the US “strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait”.
The ongoing dispute over Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, got more contentious after reports indicated that US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who is second in the US presidential line of succession plans to visit Taiwan in August. Even though Biden indicated that he does not back Pelosi’s plans, China threatened “firm and strong measures” in case of a visit of such a high-ranking US official to Taiwan [see AiR No. 30, July/2022, 4]. After the Xi-Biden phone-call, the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry announced that Taiwan would continue to cooperate closely with the US. [Reuters 1]
Tensions are not only running high in the Taiwan strait but also in the South China Sea where both China and the US seek to increase their presence to substantiate their own perspectives on who should control the waters that are rich in resources. Reacting to increasingly assertive behavior by Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, multiple US officials voiced their concerns, claiming that it is only a matter of time till an accident could provoke an escalation of tensions between the US and China. In turn, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi claimed that the US “deliberately escalated conflicts and provoked tensions” in the South China Sea, asserting that the waters are not a “safari park” for non-regional powers. [Reuters 2] [Voice of America]
Besides Taiwan, Biden and Xi attempted to hash out certain areas of cooperation, speaking about climate change and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Chinese statement, the two heads of state also exchanged views on other global issues such as the Ukraine war, food and energy security as well as supply chain disruptions. Biden reportedly also raised the issues of genocide and forced labor in the Chinese province Xinjiang.
Both Biden and Xi expressed the wish to meet in person, possibly on the sidelines of the G20 summit or the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November. [Associated Press] [Chinese Foreign Ministry] [CNN] [White House]
China tried to gain intelligence on US Federal Reserve Bank, Senate report finds
(jw) A Senate report released by Republican staff members of the US Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on July 26 claims that China has tried to recruit economists working at the Federal Reserve Bank (FED) of the US for more than a decade, in an attempt to obtain intelligence on and influence over the economic policymaking of the US. Even though the report provided no details on how successful the Chinese attempts were, it lamented insufficient counterintelligence capabilities and called on Congress to enact legislative measures that support the protection of economic and financial research. The report described close contacts between FED employees and Chinese institutions such as the Bank of China or various Chinese media outlets. It further highlighted the role of single employees, for example, a FED employee who was detained multiple times on a trip to China as Chinese authorities tried to blackmail him into releasing economic information and providing assistance for Chinese espionage efforts.
FED Chairman Jerome Powell voiced “strong concerns about assertions and implications in the report”, stating that the report contains “unfair, unsubstantiated, and unverified insinuations”. Furthermore, Powell defended the international connectedness of the FED, claiming that the FED collaborates with international scholars “with the aim of deepening and broadening our understanding of critical issues”. [CNBC] [Politico] [United States Senate]
The Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the report, arguing that it is based on a “political lie fabricated by a few Republican lawmakers who harbor ill intentions”. According to the Ministry, the release of the report is a result of “China-phobia and persecution mania.” [Associated Press]
US House approves bill on subsidies for domestic semiconductor industry facing Chinese competition
(jw) In an attempt to secure the position of the US as leading technological power, both legislative chambers passed the “Chips and Science” act which includes USD 52 billion in subsidies for chip manufacturing as well as an investment tax credit for chip plants estimated to be worth $24 billion. Additionally, the bill which US President Joe Biden is expected to sign in early August sets out USD 170 billion of funding for US scientific research over the next five years. The funding which is directed at sectors dealing with heavy competition with China will however have to be approved through different voting procedures by Congress.
China’s embassy in the US voiced its disapproval of the bill, stating that it was “entrenched in the Cold-War and zero-sum game mentality and runs counter to the common aspiration of people from all sectors in China and the US to strengthen exchanges and cooperation” [CBS News] [Reuters]
Semiconductors and computer chips have been on the US agenda as a decisive factor in the US-China competition for technological dominance due to their various civil and military applications and the speed of China catching up on the newest technological developments. In order to face China, the US proposed a so-called “Chip4” alliance to East Asian allies South Korea, Japan and Taiwan to facilitate closer technological cooperation in the semiconductor industry [see AiR No. 30, July/2022, 4].
Chinese Foreign Ministry rejects assertion that US diplomats’ rights were violated by strict lockdown rules
(jw) On July 26, the Chinese Foreign Ministry responded to a column published in the Washington Post rejecting the claim that the strict lockdown rules imposed under China’s “dynamic zero-COVID” strategy violated the rights of US diplomats, insisting that China has always complied with international treaties on consular relations and “has always provided them [foreign diplomatic and consular personnel in China, including the US] with the necessary assistance and facilities to perform their duties.”
US diplomats had previously complained about harsh quarantine measures, living in “constant fear” according to The Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin who described quarantine centers as “resembl[ing] prisons”. In April, the US State Department allowed most of its personnel in Shanghai to leave the city due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws and COVID-19 restrictions” [see AiR No. 15, April/2022, 2]. [Global Times] [South China Morning Post] [The Washington Post]
UK Conservative Party leadership contest candidates vow hard line on China
(jw) In the race to succeed current British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who promised to step down after his party manages to elect a new leader, the two remaining candidates Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and former Chancellor Rishi Sunak aim to both depict themselves as hawks on China.
While Truss positioned herself as a fierce critic of China during her time as foreign secretary, critics of Sunak allege that the former Chancellor had a friendly stance toward China for a long time and only started to change his attitude at the beginning of the leadership contest.
In his efforts to present himself as tough on China, Sunak promised to close all Confucius Institutes in the UK, protect tech startups from Chinese investment and strive to establish an international alliance to counter Chinese cyber-attacks should he be elected. Meanwhile, Truss reportedly announced that she would formally recognize China’s actions in Xinjiang as genocide. The tough rhetoric of both candidates indicate that there will be a shift toward an even more confrontational China policy under the new Tory government.
Commenting on the remarks of the two candidates, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the UK politicians “can’t solve their own problems by frequently using China to make arguments and hyping the ‘China threat’ and other irresponsible statements”. [Financial Times] [Politico] [The Guardian]
China sends troops to Russia to participate in military games
(jw) For the first time since the beginning of the Ukraine war, China sent troops and tanks to Russia to participate in the annual International Army Games. The games which are dubbed “War Olympics” are organized by the Russian Defense Ministry with about 40 countries participating. China, which has been a regular participant since 2015 will also host three competitions.
The participation of China shows once more that China is willing to continue military cooperation with Russia even after the invasion of Ukraine. China and Russia already held joint patrols near Japan during the Quad summit in May [see AiR No. 22, May/2022, 5] [South China Morning Post]
India inks six pacts with Maldives, announces USD 100 million line of credit, during Solih visit
(sg) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on August 2 that his country will extend another USD 100 million to the Maldives, following bilateral talks with the archipelago’s president, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, which resulted in the two leaders signing six pacts to facilitate cooperation in various sectors. Ahead of Solih’s visit, Maldives defense force chief Major General Abdulla Shamaal met with Indian officials in New Delhi to talk about expanding military ties and collaboration. [Avas] [The Hindu 1] [The Indian Express]
President Solih traveled to New Delhi on August 1 for a four-day visit. The visit marks the second time Solih has traveled to India since assuming office in 2018. Prior to his engagement with Prime Minister Modi, the Maldivian leader met with new Indian President Droupadi Murmu and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for separate talks. [The Economic Times]
India sees the Maldives as being in its sphere of influence and has provided considerable funding to the island nation’s largest infrastructure project – The Greater Male Connectivity Project – which will connect islands surrounding the capital Male to boost transport and economic prospects.
But the Maldives has been rocked by “India Out” protests, which take a critical and even hostile position towards India’s military presence and political influence in the island nation. The current government banned the campaign in April, after it had been gaining steam – particularly after the country’s Supreme Court overturned a money-laundering conviction against former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen [see AiR No. 17, April/2022, 4]. [ANI] [The Wire]
Last month, a mob charged into a soccer stadium in Male and attacked people taking part in an event organized by the Indian embassy. Police used tear gas and pepper spray to stop the attackers before any serious violence took place. [AiR No. 26, June/2022, 4]
Furthermore, Solih’s visit to India comes against the backdrop of a number of controversies back home, including a heightened political tussle with Mohamed Nasheed, a former ally of his and the current Speaker of Parliament's lower house. Last week, police arrested Nasheed’s brother and two other men accusing them of homosexuality – criminalized under the Penal Code of the Maldives – in what Nasheed called a “selective” prosecution “motivated to appease hardline extremists in the coalition”, referring to the right-wing Islamic conservative Adhaalath Party. Furthermore, members of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) are currently working to submit a motion of no-confidence against Nasheed. [The Hindu 2]
Head of US government aid agency visits India
(sg/lm) The head of the United States government’s aid agency (USAID) arrived in New Delhi on July 25 for a three-day visit that featured meetings with food security and climate experts, civil society, and government officials. [USAID]
During her visit, USAID administrator Samantha Power praised the Indian government’s global leadership in various issues, including the Sri Lankan economic crisis. She also said that “India’s voice and its diplomacy” was crucial in brokering the grain export deal that cleared the way for the export of millions of tons of desperately needed Ukrainian grain — as well as some Russian grain and fertilizer — across the Black Sea. Power hailed India’s multiparty and multiethnic democracy and its “tolerance for diversity and dissent that has allowed reforms to take hold, and institutions to progress.” [Business Standard] [Hindustan Times]
Washington had criticized New Delhi after it banned wheat exports in May, citing its own food security. [AiR No. 20, May/2022, 3]
Ms. Varshinya Varadhachari contributed research to this article.
Indonesian President on East Asia tour
(jw/jvk/sb/my) Indonesian President Joko Widodo visit China, Japan and South Korea on his East Asia tour from August 25-28.
China:
Between July 25 and July 26, Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited Chinese President Xi Jinping in China, discussing economic cooperation and the G20 summit Indonesia will host in November. Widodo was the first head of state hosted after the Beijing Olympic Winter Games in February 2022, as China drastically limited visits of foreign dignitaries due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Widodo held talks with Xi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, discussing ways to advance combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral infrastructure projects and trade.
According to a joint statement on the meetings, talks were “cordial and friendly” and produced agreements on further increasing the bilateral trade volume as well as enhancing cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Global Maritime Fulcrum (GMF). Furthermore, the statement said that cooperation documents on “research and development of vaccine and genomics, green development, custom information exchange and enforcement, cyber security capacity building, marine, and importation of Indonesian pineapples” were signed. Specifically, China vowed to advance the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project and pledged to increase its imports of Indonesian Crude Palm Oil by a million tons.
Additionally, China expressed its support for Indonesia hosting the G20 summit in November. Widodo also used his visit to Beijing to formally invite Xi to the summit which he might attend in person, and his first foreign trip since 2020. Previously Chinese politicians repeatedly put pressure on Indonesia, urging it to keep the Ukraine war off of the G20 summit’s agenda and insist on purely discussing economic issues [see AiR No. 12, March/2022, 4]. [Associated Press] [Chinese Foreign Ministry] [South China Morning Post] [The Jakarta Post] [AiR No. 30, July/2022, 4]
Japan:
On July 27, the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida welcomed President Joko Widodo in Tokyo and discussed ways to build closer cooperation in maritime security, climate change and investment between nations.
Widodo asked for Japan's help in technology, clean energy, medicine, agriculture, and natural resources, citing for his request the extension of the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit system, a liquefied natural gas plant on the offshore Masela Block and the development of Nusantara, the new capital.
The Indonesian President has also told that all the restrictions on imports of Japanese food products, imposed in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear crisis in 2011, have been lifted. Both nations agreed to change the Indonesia-Japan economic partnership agreement for wider access to Japanese markets and reduced tariffs.
Kishida, for his part, announced that Japan will provide a loan of about USD 320 million to Indonesia for infrastructure projects and disaster prevention, the reinforcement of Indonesian maritime capabilities and a stronger relation between the countries in preparation for the G20 Summit this November in Bali.
During the meeting, both sides agreed for the first time on the participation of Japanese defense forces in the Garuda Shield joint military exercises which Indonesia is hosting with the U.S and which started on August 1, with participation also of Australia, Singapore. [The Associated Press] [Nikkei Asia] [Japan Today] [Reuters] [Benar News]
South Korea:
Following his visit to Japan, President Joko Widodo travelled to South Korea for a two-day visit on August. In addition to a summit with President Yoon Suk-yeol, he had a roundtable with the heads of Korean business corporations.
During a business roundtable held on the morning of the 28th, President Widodo expressed willingness to ease regulations toward investors, and resolve difficulties faced in investments, such as permits and migration procedures. [Antara]
During the meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, the two presidents discussed directions to enhance practical cooperation in the economic and security sectors; stabilize the major mineral supply chain; collaborate on new capital construction projects in Indonesia; lay the foundation for ASEAN-South Korea diplomacy; and improve cooperation on global issues.
Widodo’s visit comes at a time when the Yoon administration is seeking to succeed in existing diplomacy with ASEAN countries called New Southern Policy. This comprehensive foreign strategy toward the ASEAN countries and India was initiated by the former Moon Jae-in administration in 2017. The policy was aimed to broaden diplomatic horizon by pursuing regional diversification and set a firm diplomatic direction away from existing diplomacy that had concentrated on China and the US. [The Korea Times] [Yonhap News Agency]
Indonesia, United States begin Garuda Shield military exercise
(jvk) Around 4,000 soldiers from mostly the United States and Indonesia have begun a two-week military exercise amid heightened Indo-Pacific tensions. The annual exercise is referred to as the ‘garuda shield’. The exercise takes place from August 1 to 14, with troops from Singapore and Australia, among others. This year also marks the Japanese military’s first time partaking in the Garuda Shield exercise.
This years ‘garuda shield’ occurs against the backdrop of China’s growing assertiveness in the region. Washington has said that the drills were not aimed at any country although they would involve more troops than previous exercises. [The Straits Times][Reuters]
Indonesia lifts restrictions to send migrant workers to Malaysia
(pe) Indonesia lifted its restrictions on the entry of its workers into Malaysia on August 1, integrating existing systems to create a single channel for the recruitment and entry of migrant workers.
A pilot project will be implemented for a period of three months once the system’s integration is completed to ensure the smooth execution. Those due to benefit from the system will include migrant domestic workers as well as laborers for other key industries in which foreign workers can legally be employed. [The Star]
The ban lifting came after, on July 13, the Indonesian ambassador announced a temporary halt in sending Indonesian workers to Malaysia citing violations from the Malaysian side of their bilateral recruitment agreement.
According to Indonesian officials, Malaysian authorities continued the usage of the online recruitment system for domestic work, the Immigration Department's System Maid Online (SMO), previously linked to the allegation of trafficking and forced labor. The system was banned in the Malaysia-Indonesia labor agreement signed on April 1. The agreement states that recruitment of Indonesian workers could only be done through the One Channel System (OCS) under the Indonesian government’s oversight. [AiR No. 29, July/2022, 3]
Japan, US to deepen economic security cooperation
(sb/dql) U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Japanese Trade Minister Koichi Hagiuda, launched a new high-level economic dialogue on July 29 in Washington, the so-called economic "two-plus-two" ministerial meeting, during which the two sides agreed to set up new joint research center for next-generation semiconductors.
The move aims to counter what Blinken described as “coercive and retaliatory economic practices of the People’s Republic of China,” and Hayashi referred to as attempts “to use economic influence unfairly and opaquely to realize ... strategic interests and to modify the existing international order," while Hagiuda added that the planned research center would be open for participation of other "like-minded" countries. [Reuters]
In a separate meeting on the same day Hayashi and Blinken agreed to continue close communication to uphold the reliability and strength of extended deterrence, including a nuclear umbrella, as well as response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance. Both ministers also affirmed their opposition any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the Indo-Pacific region, and close cooperation in addressing China-related issues related to China, stressing that it was important to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. In addition, they exchanged grave concerns over North Korea's nuclear and missile development, agreeing to work close with South Korea to pursue the complete denuclearization of North Korea. [Nippon.com]
Japan to provide support for Africa to face food crisis
(sb) Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will take part in the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8) on August 27 and 28 in Tunisia. The conference is held regularly and aims to enhance high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and development partners, with Japan being a co-host of these conferences.
The meeting will be held against the backdrop of a food crisis in Africa and the Middle East, areas dependent on grain imports from Ukraine.
According a draft aid package, to be presented at the conference, Japan is committed to doubling rice production in African countries. Japan will also help African countries to avoid drowning in massive debt to China, assist in training experts in fiscal management, and will invest in start-up businesses and renewable energy in the region. [Kyodo News]
Japan expressed is concern for Vostok 2022 plan
(sb) Russia has rejected a request of Japan to exclude the disputed Kuril Islands from the territories where the Russia’s Armed Forces will conduct the Vostok 2022 (East 2022) war games, a series of military exercises scheduled for August 30 to September 5 and aimed at "ensuring military security" in the country's eastern region. Moscow cited the “need to strengthen the defense potential in the area of the Kuril Islands" for its decision. [Reuters] [NHK World] [News360]
Japanese filmmaker arrested by Myanmar authorities
(jp)The Japanese government has confirmed that a Japanese national was detained after filming a demonstration in Myanmar on July 30. Tokyo has demanded his immediate release.
The Japanese embassy in Myanmar has been requesting the man's release from the ruling State Administration Council. Japanese media reports identified the detainee as documentary filmmaker Toru Kubota. According to his website, Kubota has reported for Al Jazeera and VICE Japan focusing on ethnic conflict and refugee issues.
Kubota would be the fifth foreign journalist to be detained, after Nathan Maung and Danny Fenster from the United States, Robert Bociaga from Poland, and Yuki Kitazumi from Japan. The four individuals were ultimately expelled from the country.
Since the military coup that overthrew the Myanmar civilian government in February 2021, violence and arbitrary arrests in the country have alarmingly escalated. Since the coup, at least 135 journalists have been arrested in Myanmar, according to Reporters Without Borders. [Al Jazeera] [Reuters]
Senior United States official visits Nepal while premier’s Washington visit still uncertain
(lm) The United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Affairs, Donald Lu, arrived in Nepal on July 28 for meetings with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, among other senior officials. This is Lu’s second visit to Nepal since November last year and first since Nepal’s Parliament ratified the USD 500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation compact this February after months-long controversy. [The Himalayan Times]
The timing of this second trip is notable: Just five days earlier, Kathmandu officially communicated to Washington its decision to back away from an agreement on the State Partnership Program (SSP) – a key US security cooperation program – over fears that joining it might antagonize neighboring China. The Nepalese government had initially asked to join the program in 2015 and 2017, with the US finally agreeing to work towards Nepal joining in 2019. But Kathmandu announced in June that it had decided to back away from the program [see AiR No. 26, June/2022, 4].
Kathmandu’s decision to not join the SSP is believed to have caused the delay in a long-planned visit to the US by Prime Minister Deuba. The Nepalese premier was initially supposed to travel to Washington in mid-July in the first official visit by a sitting prime minister in two decades.
Ms. Vaishnavi Deegwal contributed research to this entry.
Malaysia’s former Prime Minister hails Indonesia’s ‘proactive steps’ to deepen China ties
(pe) Malaysia’s former prime minister (PM) has hailed the Indonesian President’s recent visit to Beijing as exemplary diplomacy. He has also taken aim at criticism that he had received in the past when taking similar steps.
Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak stated that Malaysia’s neighbors were overtaking economically as a result of their trade and investment decisions. In an online post, he argued that China is one of Malaysia’s closest partners in trade and investment, and that building a close relationship with the Chinese leadership is crucial. However, when he was prime minister he had been publicly criticized for the perceived promotion of foreign economic interests as a result of his allyship with China, allowing investments that critics deemed of little benefit to Malaysia.
Analysts suggest that these remarks were made in an attempt to take aim at the past and current administrations in Malaysia. Furthermore, they could be seen as an attempt to rehabilitate his image, given the fact that he is currently on bail pending an appeal over a prison sentence for his alleged involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption scandal. Najib has indicated that he would not rule out re-election to parliament in the next election, arguing that rules barring convicted persons from running are subject to interpretation. [South China Morning Post]
Nepal sends new ambassadors to Spain, Russia and Denmark
(lm) Nepal on July 26 appointed new ambassadors to Spain, Russia and Denmark. Separately, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari assigned the Nepali envoy to India to also work as a non-residential ambassador to Bhutan. [Online Khabar]
Ms. Vaishnavi Deegwal contributed research to this entry.
Philippines cancels helicopter acquisition deal with Russia due to fear of United States sanctions
(jd) The Philippine government has canceled a deal to acquire 16 Mi-17 helicopters from Russia due to the fear of facing United States (US) sanctions in light of the worsening conflict with Moscow.
The PHP 12.7-billion (USD 227 million) acquisition agreement was signed in November 2021 under the Duterte administration and was supposed to provide the first batch of helicopters in 2024. However, on July 26, former Philippines’ Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced that the deal was canceled in a decision approved by former president Rodrigo Duterte before the end of their terms in office on June 30.
The Philippine Ambassador to Washington stated that if the government decided to proceed with the deal, the Philippines would have risked a sanction under a US federal law called the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CATSA).
According to a Philippine military official the deal would undergo a “termination process” and the Russians can appeal, however there is little room for the Philippines to reconsider. Lorenzana also affirmed that American security officials were aware of Manila’s decision and could offer heavy-lift helicopters for the Philippine military. The Philippines is a treaty ally of the US, which has already imposed sanctions to pressure Russia to pull back from the war in Ukraine.
The multi-purpose helicopters would have been used not only for combat and military modernization, but also for search and rescue operations and medical evacuations in view of the country’s need for a stronger response to typhoons and other natural disasters. [Associated Press News]
China urges South Korea maintain “Three Nos” policy
(my) China demands South Korea to maintain the “Three Nos” policy, as the Yoon Suk-yeol administration appears to discontinue the previous administration’s policy toward China and shift to a more assertive stance.
The “Three Nos” cover firstly no additional deployment of the US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system in Korea; secondly, no participation in a US-led missile defense network; and thirdly no involvement in a trilateral military alliance with the US and Japan.
President Yoon Suk-yeol has opposed the Three Nos policy even since his presidential campaign, claiming that the policy was only a position of the Moon administration, not a policy made through consultation with the opposition parties. Foreign Minister Park Jin also hinted at withdrawing the previous administration’s position. During an interpellation session at the National Assembly on July 25, he stated that the Three Nos policy was not a promise or agreement built with China.
China’s Foreign Minisrty called on South Korea to adhere to the previous administration’s policy for mutual trust between the two countries, urging that a “commitment made should be a commitment kept despite a change of government,” while warning that “[w]hen it comes to major sensitive issues concerning the security of its neighbors, South Korea needs to continue to act prudently and find a fundamental solution to the issues,” he said. [The Korean Herald]
South Korea, US agree on resuming military policy dialogue format
(dql) During talks held on July 29 in Washington, South Korea Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and his U.S. counterpart, Lloyd Austin, agreed on reinforcing policy and military measures aimed at boosting their countries’
readiness to counter North Korea’s evolving nuclear and missile threats
Among these measures is the resumption of the high-level Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) meeting, a key policy dialogue of the vice-ministerial defense and diplomatic officials of the two countries, which was suspended in 2018 under former President Moon Jae-in in a bid to promote diplomacy with North Korea.
Further, both ministers agree to strengthen the Table Top Exercise (TTX) and to hold this year’s "Ulchi Freedom Shield," under the concept of an "all-out" war, scheduled for August 22 to September 1.
The "Ulchi Freedom Shield" involves the computer simulation-based command post training, field maneuvers and Ulchi civil contingency drills, exercises designed to practice responses to possible emergencies, such as cyberterrorism and an artillery attack. [Korea Times]
Margot Renard contributed research to this article.
Inter-Korean relations: Kim Jong-un sends first warning to President Yoon
(my) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made his first direct stance toward South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and his administration, in his speech to mark the armistice that ended fighting in the Korean War, known in North Korea as “Victory Day”.
Referring to a possible preemptive strike of the Yoon administration against North Korea, he warned that such “dangerous attempts will be punished immediately,” and that “the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and the military will be annihilated.”
South Korea’s National Security Council expressed regret about Kim’s speech, adding that South Korea “is always on alert to respond forcefully and effectively to any provocations from North Korea.”
Kim made his first public appearance in 19 days at the ceremony. He encouraged the North Koreans who experienced the COVID-19 crisis and expressed a strong determination to pursuing security. While openly criticizing President Yoon, he denied that North Korea was a “threat” to its neighbors. [HanKyung, in Korean] [KCNA Watch] [Yonhap News Agency]
South Korea and US carry out combined Marine drills
(my) The US military has released photos disclosing joint training for an operation to replenish military supplies at front-line units of between South Korean and US marines from July 19 to July 22. The exercise is known as the Korean Marine Excise Program (KMEP), that aims to strengthen interoperability and the combined capabilities of the two countries’ marines.
The drill was reportedly the 10th exercise of this year. [Seye Ilbo, in Korean] [The Korea Herald]
US House of Representatives Speaker Pelosi visits Taiwan
(dql) Defying China’s warnings and threat as well as concerns of the US Department of Defense, US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi landed on August 2 in Taipei, marking a profound demonstration of support for Taiwan and the first visit of a US House speaker in Taiwan in 25 years.
She and her delegation are expected to visit the parliament and meet President Tsai Ing-wen on August 3 before travelling to South Korea and Japan to complete her Asia tour. .
In a statement released after landing Pelosi emphasized that the visit “honors America's unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan's vibrant democracy," further adding that the “discussions with [the] Taiwan leadership will focus on reaffirming our support for our partner and on promoting our shared interests, including advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region." [Speaker of the House, USA] [CNN]
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said that Pelosi’s visit "fully demonstrates the great importance the U.S. Congress attaches to Taiwan, and once again demonstrates the U.S.' 'rock-solid' support for Taiwan." [Focus Taiwan]
China’s Foreign Ministry, for its part, decried the visit, calling it a “a serious violation of the one-China principle,” that “has a severe impact on the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and seriously infringes upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.” It added that visit “gravely undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces for ‘Taiwan independence’.” [Xinhua]
Prior to Pelosi landing, Chinese Foreign Minister expressed in rare harsh words his discontent, saying that US politicians are “openly playing with fire” on the Taiwan issue and “becoming enemies of the 1.4 billion Chinese people, which will never end well.” [AA]
China’s Defense Ministry, meanwhile, announced that the Chinese military has been put on high alert and will carry out “targeted military operations”, while the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command said it will conduct joint military exercised near Taiwan from Tuesday night, including joint air and sea drills in the north, southwest and southeast of Taiwan, long-range live firing in the Taiwan Strait, in addition to missile test-launches in the sea east of Taiwan. [Reuters]
Pelosi’s to Taiwan follows her visits to Singapore and Malaysia on August 1 and August 2, the first two stops of her Asia tour in this week.
During her meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, both sides discussed the US Indo-Pacific Economic Framework as a way among other to deepen US economic engagement, in addition to international and regional developments, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, cross-strait relations and climate change. [Channel News Asia]
In Malaysia Pelosi meet with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, with both sides agreeing to continue working together based on common security interests, economic priorities, trade, human trafficking and climate issues. [Malay Mail]
Taiwan to support women’s empowerment in Latin America and the Caribbean
(dql) Taiwan and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) have concluded an agreement that aims to promote women’s post-Covid 19 pandemic economic recovery and empowerment in Latin America and the Caribbean, including providing them with technical assistance and inclusive financing.
Under the agreement, signed by Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and CABEI President Dante on August 1 in Taipei, the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) will establish Credit Guarantee Fund worth USD 10 million as well as provide a US$16 million preferential loan to CABEI.
Mossi, who is currently on a six-day visit to Taiwan, is expected to officially open the CABEI office in Taiwan on August 3.
CABEI is a regional multilateral development financial institution that supports projects that seek to enhance regional development, tackle poverty and inequality, and boost regional integration. It was founded in 1960 by Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. While Guatemala and Honduras maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the other three countries have severed ties with Taiwan over the past 15 years.
Taiwan has been one of the seven nonregional member country of the CABEI since 1992, holding an 11.09 percent stake in the bank, the highest among the nonregional members. [Focus Taiwan]
Thailand, Saudi Arabia discuss framework of cooperation, multi-sectoral investments
(td) A high-level Thai delegation, led by the Energy Minister and Thai trade representative chairman, was in Saudi Arabia on July 25-26 to discuss a framework cooperation on multi-sectoral investments with their counterparts. A range of potential areas encompasses clean and alternative energy, electric vehicles, wellness tourism, creative economy, and sustainable agriculture. They explored opportunities for Thai investors as well.
According to the Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, the synergy between Saudi Arabia and Thailand in those areas of mutual interests is in line with the latter’s development plan so-called “Saudi Vision 2030” – which contributes to decreasing dependence on oil, economic diversification, and improved public services of the country. Also, the Thai delegation made the most of this occasion in discussing with several Saudi agencies.
The recent visit came as Thailand has normalized the bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia since early 2022 when Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made a state visit to the Middle East country at the invitation of the Saudi Crown Prince. Afterwards, both sides have spared no efforts in strengthening two-way trade and investments, energy, labor which is regarded as a key area, political relations, and none-economic areas: social and cultural.
Overall, the Commerce Ministry will lead another batch of Thai trade delegation to Saudi Arabia with a view to reinforce business partnerships next month, resulting in a foreseen expansion of Thai exports by 20 percent. Although Thailand has a large trade deficit due to its reliance on energy imports, the bilateral trade value now increases significantly with the positive diplomatic relations; Thai exports are thus expected to outperform from now on. [AiR, No. 5, February/2022, 1] [AiR, No. 14, April/2022, 1] [Bangkok Post] [Thai PBS World]
Taiwanese deputy leader of call-center gang to face charges for deceiving Thai citizens extradited from Albania
(td) With close cooperation between the Thai Office of the Attorney-General and the Interpol, a Taiwanese man nicknamed ‘Ayan’ has been extradited from Albania to Thailand following fraudulent crimes committed against Thai nationals over the voice-over-IP (VOIP) calls for several years. The Thai court had filed a criminal lawsuit against him and his fellow accomplices in 2018, but it was not until 2021 that he was arrested in Albania.
The accused acted in many cases masquerading as government officials from various agencies to inform the victims about their misleading involvement in drug cases and lure them into transferring an amount of money.
Being it a transnational criminal issue, as the call-center gang operates from the United Arab Emirates and targets Asian nationals, the Interpol has stepped in to prosecute them along with the related Thai officers to prevent any further damages caused to the global public . After Ayan’s arrest, a France-based international organization ruled that he would undergo a trial in Thailand since the majority of his former victims were Thais. [Bangkok Post][Thaiger][The Nation Thailand]
Australian court asked to allow secrecy of documents on spying operations over Timor-Leste’s government in 2004
(bs) On July 27, a group of lawyers for Australian attorney general Mark Dreyfus, who decided to drop the prosecution of lawyer Bernard Collaery over his role in exposing Australia’s 2004 spying of Timor-Leste’s government, announced that they seek to have a new Australian Capital Territory (ACT) court hearings to amend parts of the October 2021 judgment.
The ACT court ruled that Australia had to lift the secrecy over documentations regarding the spying operations on Timor-Leste during the 2004 negotiations over oil and gas reserves.
The lawyers are now pushing the court to review the judgment by allowing such documents to remain secret. [The Guardian]
Vietnam to boost security and defense ties with United States and United Nations
(ntan) From July 26 to 30, a delegation from Vietnam’s National Assembly Committee for National Defense and Security had a working visit with representatives from the United States (US) and the United Nations (UN).
The leader of the delegation indicated that the US has played a role in the independence and prosperity of Vietnam as a leading partner and highly values US support. Meanwhile, the US officials reaffirmed that the US will continue supporting Vietnam’s economy, defense, and security sectors, mainly concentrating on fixing the war consequences consisting of environmental remediation of dioxin contamination and unexploded ordnance clearance and helping disabled soldiers.
At the meeting, Vietnam also reported that the country expects continuity in its relations with the UN, especially it values the UN’s held in the settlement of international relationships and providing more opportunities for Vietnam in participating in peacekeeping operations. [Vietnam Plus]
Vietnam, Cuba strengthen bilateral relations
(ntan) On July 29, the Vietnamese Ambassador had a working visit to the western Cuban province of Pinar del Rio and joined various activities to promote the two nations’ relationship. It is emphasized that Vietnam and Cuba aim at strengthening their bilateral relation in all fields, especially in agriculture such as beef, poultry, and citrus fruit goods. Besides, Vietnam values Pinar del Rio’s potential to participate in projects with Vietnamese partners. [Vietnam Plus]
Announcements
Upcoming Online Events
03 August 2022 @ 10:00 a.m (GMT+7), ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute (Thailand)
Laws and Capital: What’s Restraining Freedom of the Press in Thailand
Thai media have struggled with digital upheaval. Competition in television and the rise of Internet media have shaken advertising revenues and pushed the media into a resource-constrained condition. Political and economic pressures also push many Thai media toward sensationalism. Some media outlets are looking for solutions to these challenges. One such solution is small media outlets’ efforts to raise independent financing. This event throws more light on press freedom specifically in Thailand.
This [page] has further details.
03 August 2022 @ 10:00 a.m. (GMT-3), Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) (Brazil)
Webinar | The Use of Price Indicators as a Success Factor for the Automotive Industry
This event addresses the impact of price change on the automotive sector and how the use of specific economic indicators can support decision-making in this industry. Follow André Braz and Guilherme Feltrim in an analysis of price behavior in the sector as they take an overview of the challenges and solutions in the current economic scenario and the effects for the final consumer.
Get access to more details about the event [here].
03 August 2022 @ 14:00 (GMT-3), Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) (Brazil)
Webinar | New Sanitation: The transformation of the sector and companies
This webinar proposes the discussion of the macroeconomic and political scenario and its impacts on the sanitation sector, through the analysis of success cases and new opportunities for attracting investments in the sector.
For more information, check out this [page].
03 August 2022 @ 18:00 (GMT-3), Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) (Brazil)
Webinar | | Chat Roberto Rodrigues Talks with Ambassador Alexandre Parola
The Center for Agribusiness Studies (FGV Agro) of the São Paulo School of Economics (FGV EESP) offers Chat with Roberto Rodrigues, a monthly interview program that brings together great names of Brazilian Agribusiness. This week's guest is Ambassador Alexandre Parola, Permanent Representative of the Mission of Brazil to the WTO – Geneva. The theme discussed is: Agricultural and International Trade.
See [here] for more details about this event.
03 August 2022 @ 12:00 p.m. (GMT-4), Urban Institute (United States)
Baby Bonds in Context: A Systems Approach to Closing the Racial Wealth Gap
Join the Urban Institute for a discussion with leading wealth experts and practitioners that will situate baby bonds within the context of other wealth-building and income-supporting policies, assess where baby bonds fit in an overall strategy for addressing the racial wealth gap, and show how state and local practitioners are developing systems approaches to tackling racial wealth gaps in their communities.
This [page] has further details.
03 August 2022 @ 18:00 (GMT-3), Consejo Argentino para las Relaciones Internacionales (CARI) (Argentina)
Uruguay's Position on Mercosur's Trade Agenda
Ignacio Bartesaghi is a consultant specialized in international trade, economic integration and international business, disciplines that he addresses from the legal, economic, and commercial perspective. He has a post-doctorate in Economic Integration, a PhD in International Relations, a master’s degree in International Trade and Integration, completed postgraduate degrees in logistics, international business and integration, foreign trade and commercial enterprise management. He graduated in international relations. At the work level, he has experience in academia, international organizations, and business chambers. He is a columnist, professor and analyst in international affairs, and he will be speaking on the said topic.
Get more details [here].
03 August 2022 @ 10:00 a.m. (GMT-4), American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI) (United States)
The Congressional Budget Office’s Long-Term Budget Forecast
The Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) long-term budget forecasts have become an increasingly important source of information about the state of the nation’s fiscal health. The agency’s 10-year baseline projections provide the basis for estimating the budget impact of legislative proposals, but they do not fully capture the pressures that will be building from an aging population and rising health care costs. An expert panel will then discuss what the new estimates might portend for the nation’s economy and for government spending and tax policy in the coming years.
Find additional information on this [page].
04 August 2022 @ 10:00 a.m. (GMT-3), Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) (Brazil)
Webinar | Dialogues on the Management of Education Networks and Schools
This action is part of the Project Literacy Trails, a partnership of FGV DGPE, Vale Foundation, Government of the State of Maranhão and the Municipalities of 24 municipalities of Maranhão, whose objective is to expand the learning possibilities of 70,000 students from the first three years of elementary school, favoring the development of reading, writing and logical reasoning skills. The webinars will mark the beginning of the training of the second semester of 2022 for school managers and technicians of the 24 municipal secretariats participating in the project.
More details can be found [here].
04 August 2022 @ 18:00 (GMT-3), Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) (Brazil)
Webinar | Current Affairs in Business Law: What has Changed, and You Need to Know
Among all the legislative innovations that have occurred in the last 4 years, stand out the Economic Freedom Law, the Legal Framework of Startups and Innovative Entrepreneurship and the Law of Improvement of the Business Environment. In this webinar will be addressed the concrete effects of these laws and how they have transformed the business market.
Access more details on this [page].
04 August 2022 @ 9:00 a.m. (GMT-4), Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) (United States)
Towards a 4th Taiwan Strait Crisis?
The prospective trip to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has exposed cleavages in the U.S.-China relationship, with many now worried that the two countries could begin hurdling towards a diplomatic, political, or even military crisis. What is driving Beijing’s decision-making? How does the upcoming 20th Party Congress impact Xi Jinping’s calculus? What are America’s and Taiwan’s foremost interests?
Join this event for answers to these questions and more by registering [here].
04 August 2022 @ 10:00 a.m. (GMT-4), Wilson Center, FKA Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (United States)
Herder-Farmer Conflicts and Food Security in Southeast Nigeria: Plugging the Gaps in the Peacebuilding Policy Framework
This event will assess the challenges the Herder-Farmer conflict in parts of Africa poses to food security and the response efforts by Federal and State governments. It will discuss the environmental, governance, and developmental drivers of the conflict to provide a fuller picture of the security challenge. Finally, it will discuss gaps and opportunity areas for restoring and advancing peace and security in the region and offer practical policy options and recommendations to that end.
This [webpage] gives more details.
04 August 2022 @ 11:00 a.m. (GMT-4), Atlantic Council (United States)
Coalitions of the Weak: Elite politics in China from Mao’s stratagem to the Rise of Xi
For the first time since Mao, a Chinese leader may serve a life-time tenure. Xi Jinping may well replicate Mao’s successful strategy to maintain power. If so, what are the institutional and policy implications for China? Coalitions of the Weak investigates how leaders of one-party autocracies seek to dominate the elite and achieve true dictatorship, governing without fear of internal challenge or resistance to major policy changes.
Find out more [here].
04 August 2022 @ 5:00 p.m. (GMT-4), Atlantic Council (United States)
Should Overseas Pakistanis have a Vote in Pakistan?
On May 26, 2022, Pakistan’s National Assembly passed a bill to abolish election reforms passed by the government of former prime minister Imran Khan that gave overseas Pakistanis the right to vote through the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs). On May 27, the Senate officially passed the elections (amendment) bill, reversing EVM use and, in turn, overseas voting. The use of EVMs has been much debated in Pakistani politics over the past decade. The skills needed to operate the untested machines led the current government to reconsider its country-wide launch. However, some argue that these amendments are intended to deprive overseas Pakistanis from voting in the upcoming general elections. Questions thus loom about whether overseas voters will regain their right to vote, either using EVMs or other more reliable mechanisms. Join the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center and the Muslim American Leadership Alliance (MALA) for a conversation about the history, politicization, and future of overseas voting in Pakistan.
See this [page] for further details.
05 August 2022 @ 9:00 a.m. (GMT-4), Atlantic Council (United States)
The Petro-Márquez Presidency: What to Expect?
Gustavo Petro’s inauguration as Colombia’s 34th president on August 7, 2022, will mark the start of his four-year term, ruling alongside Francia Marquez, the first-ever afro-Colombian vice president. Petro and Marquez will face important economic, security, and social challenges, stemming from historic inequalities, poverty, soaring food, fuel, and energy prices, a devalued peso, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. How will the Petro-Marquez administration address these issues? What can we expect from their economic, social, and security policy? What are the biggest areas for opportunity for US-Colombia cooperation in the years ahead?
Get answers to these raised questions and further information via this [link].
05 August 2022 @ 9:00 a.m. (GMT-4), Atlantic Council (United States)
Energy Diversification, from near-term to Long-Term: The EU-Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership
Europe has redoubled its commitments to energy diversification in wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, exemplified by its new REPowerEU plan. Increasing the supply of natural gas from the Caspian Basin through the Southern Gas Corridor is one facet of the strategy to decrease dependence on Russian energy, a key goal in the interests of both the Europe and the United States. An idea decade in the making and the product of work and cooperation between transatlantic and regional partners, the Southern Gas Corridor has since 2020 provided an alternative supply of natural gas to Europe through the Southern Caucasus Pipeline, across Turkey through the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline and culminating in the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline. The new memorandum of understanding will increase utilization of the Corridor, calling for gas supplies to be doubled by 2027. Meanwhile, the EU-Azerbaijan strategic partnership also delivers commitments to cooperate on methane abatement and renewable energy deployment, which can advance in tandem the European Union’s energy security and net zero ambitions. In this public virtual event, experts will discuss the implications of deepening energy and climate cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan.
Additional information about this event can be accessed [here].
05 - 07 August 2022 @ 1:00 p.m. (GMT+2) Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) (Germany)
People on the Move. Exhibition on Migration from a Global Perspective
The newly revised exhibition of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation illustrates various forms and causes of migration and flight from a global perspective. “Why do people leave their homeland?" is the key question that the exhibition explores on seven panels on the basis of selected country examples. If you are only away for a short time, go shopping or go on holiday. If, on the other hand, someone leaves their home country for more than six months, this is referred to as migration. Historically, migration is not the exception, but the rule. Migration has many faces – in Germany as well as worldwide. Since March 2022, the exhibition has been available in its updated form.
Get more information to join this exhibition by visiting this [website].
08 - 12 August 2022 @ 8:00 a.m. (GMT+2) Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) (Germany)
Britain and Europe: Scenes of a Failed Marriage? - Perspectives of Political and Economic Cooperation after Brexit
In June 2016, the United Kingdom voted to withdraw from the European Union. "Brexit means Brexit" was then a formula often repeated on the British side, which should give the impression of a clear course. However, it was led to absurdity by the sometimes-chaotic conditions and seemingly haphazard action. What difficulties did Britain face on its way to leaving the EU? What are the political and economic consequences of Brexit for the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and neighbouring European countries? What role do divided societies play in central political decision-making processes? With Experts from both sides of the English Channel, we will take stock in the seminar and develop perspectives for cooperation between the UK and the EU.
For more details, see [here].
09 August 2022 @ 10:00 a.m. (GMT-4), Wilson Center, FKA Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (United States)
The Awakening of Rare Diseases in Latin America
There are some 7,000 conditions generally recognized as rare diseases. Worldwide, these disorders affect about 350 million people, 40 to 50 million of whom reside in Latin America. Although increasing awareness of rare diseases has pushed several countries in the Americas to approve laws that ensure access to diagnosis and management for rare disease patients, many lack the resources and capacity to provide adequate care. Moreover, constraints on public health budgets generate pressure on health and finance ministries across the hemisphere in the context of spending on orphan drugs and other treatment options. As a result, public health officials are faced with difficult decisions as they seek to treat both rare and widespread diseases, which impact their populations
See this [webpage] for additional details.
Recent and upcoming book releases
Katie Stallard, Dancing on Bones: History and Power in China, Russia and North Korea, Oxford University Press, 304 pages, published on May 2, 2022. A review is available at [Diplomatic Courier].
Geoff White, The Lazarus Heist: From Hollywood to High Finance: Inside North Korea's Global Cyber War, Penguin, 304 pages, to be published on August 9, 2022. The book is review in [Foreign Policy].
Eve Darian-Smith, Global Burning: Rising Antidemocracy and the Climate Crisis, Stanford University Press, 230 pages, published on April 19, 2022, reviewed in [LSE].
Helen Thompson, Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century, Oxford University Press, 384 pages, published on March 24, 2022. For a review, visit [Literary Review].
Nelly Lahoud, The Bin Laden Papers: How the Abbottabad Raid Revealed the Truth about al-Qaeda, Its Leader and His Family, Yale University Press, published on April 12, 2022, with a review in [Diplomatic Courier].
Calls for Papers
BRIGHT Network welcomes chapter proposals for a new book titled “Empowering Women in the Digital Economy: A Quest for Meaningful Connectivity and Access in Developing Countries”. The book will be published by Taylor and Francis). The closing date for submission is September 30, 2022. For more information, see [BRIGHT].
The French Research Center in Humanities and Social Sciences (CEFRES). Prague, invites pager proposals for its international conference “Conservative mobilizations in Central Eastern Europe in transnational perspective,” to be held on December 8-9, 2022, in Prague. Deadline for abstract submission is September 5, 2022. Further details are available at [H Net].
Jobs and positions
The East Asian Institute (EAI) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is looking for a Visiting Senior Research Fellow. For more information, visit [Times Higher Education].
Lingnan University, Hong Kong, invites applications for a Senior Project Officer position at its Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies. Find more about the position at [Lingnan University].
The School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics (HAPP) at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) is looking for a Lecturer (Education) in International Relations. Application closing date is August 8, 2022. If you are interested, access further details via [QUB].
The Department of Politics, International Relations & Philosophy at the Royal Holloway University of London is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct research in the frame of the European Research Council grant project “New Parties on the News”. Applications must be submitted by September 13, 2022. See [Royal Holloway University] to learn more about the job offer.
The School Government and International Affairs at Durham University, UK, is recruiting a Teaching Fellow in East Asian politics and/or East Asian International Relations. The closing date for application is August 16, 2022. More information is available at [Durham University]
The Department of Political Science at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, welcomes applications for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the field of International Relations to teach courses and conduct research primarily in the field of International Relations and Asian Politics. Candidates specializing in Chinese politics will be preferred in the selection. Application deadline is September 13, 2022. For more details, visit [Gonzaga University].
The Department of Political Science at Morgan State University, Maryland, seeks to applications for a full-time tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, with a focus on International Relations. If you are interested, find the full job offer at [Morgan State University].
The Department of History at Texas Christian University (TCU) is offering a tenure-track position in the History of Africa/Global South. This position is at the rank of Assistant Professor. Application deadline is September 30, 2022. Further information is accessible via [TCU].
Amnesty International is looking for its 2022 China Fellow to work on U.S. federal policy advocacy on human rights issues in China, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang. The position will be based in Washington, D.C., commencing in October 2022. For more details, see [Amnesty International].
Internews is hiring a Program Associate to provide support in the implementation of its Greater Internet Freedom (GIF) project. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. If you are interested, visit [Internews] for further information.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is seeking a Program Specialist (Reproductive Health), to be based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Core responsibility is to oversee project formulation and evaluation, joint programming initiatives and national development frameworks. Applications are accepted until August 17, 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UNFPA].
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is recruiting a Child Protection Officer. This position is based in Recife, Brazil. The application closing date is August 10, 2022. See [UNICEF] to find more details.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is looking for a Program Officer to be based in Geneva, Switzerland, with a core responsibility being conducting the program management and coordinating the administrative and technical program support initiatives related to monitoring and evaluation, budget, work planning, and resource mobilization allocation of public health programs. Application deadline is August 22, 2022. Full information can be found at [WHO].
Action against Hunger invites applications for a Deputy Area Coordinator position. This position is based in Dnipro, Ukraine. Main responsibility is ensuring the overall implementation of the projects within the area. If you are interested, look out for more details at [Action against Hunger].
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) welcomes applications for the position of Director – Development, Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration. This position is based in New York, USA. For a full job description, see [IRC].
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is seeking a Protection Team Leader to be responsible for the implementation of protection and risk education activities in Aleppo, Syria. Applications must be submitted until August 10, 2022. Visit [DRC] to learn more about the vacancy.
The World Bank is looking for a Senior Public Sector Specialist – Governance to be based in Washington, D.C., USA, and to support the Governance Practice’s work program on institutional reforms in the areas of planning, public policy, and public financial management in countries across Latin America and the Caribbean. Deadline for application is August 3, 2022. For further information, see [World Bank Group].
Fusion for Energy – F4E, the European Union (EU) agency responsible for the EU’s contribution to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), invites applications for the position of Director. The Director is responsible for the F4E’s day-to-day management and is its legal representative. The closing date for application is September 23, 2022. More details are available at [European Commission].
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work is offering the position of Executive Director of the Agency. Application deadline is September 26, 2022. See [European Commission] and find further information.
The European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre, an executive agency of the European Union, is looking for an Executive Director of the Centre. September 6, 2022, is the application closing date. Find more about the vacancy at [European Commission].
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is hiring a Program Officer – Eastern Europe to provide support in designing and implementing projects and activities for the Regional Europe Program, with focus on the countries of Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Applications must be submitted by August 14, 2022. Visit [Euro Brussels] for details.
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is seeking a Director, EU Agriculture Program. Application deadline is September 23, 2022. A full job description is provided at [EDF].
Team:
Afif Zaman (az), Beatrice Siviero (bs), Duc Quang Ly (dql), Faryal Qazi (fq), Francis Ezeh John (fe), Henning Glaser (hg), Jennifer Marie Domenici (jd), Jessica Pierre (jp), Joanna V. Kumendong (jvk), Julian Wendt (jw), Kashif Ali Hadi (kah), Lucas Meier (lm), Margot Renard (mr), Mary Osei (mo), Mashal Shahid (msh), Minyoung Yoo (my), Nguyen Thi An Nhan (ntan), Oshin Pandey (op), Peer Morten Strantzen (ms), Phoebe Ewen (pe), Sebastian Gräff (sg), Sofia Bertolino (sb), Tarapoom Panpin (tp), Theerapon Damrongruk (td), Tomwit Jarnson (tw), Vaishnavi Deegwal (vd), Varshinya Varadhachari (vv), Venus Phuangkom
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