![]() ![]() Grasp the pattern, read the trend No. 3, January/2023, 3
Brought to you by CPG ![]() Dear Readers, Welcome to this week’s issue of the Asia in Review (AIR) covering the latest events, developments and trends in domestic politics, international relations and geopolitics in East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Wishing you an informative read, I extend special greetings to everyone celebrating Ukraine’s Day of Unity.
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Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in East Asia ![]() China: Slowest GDP growth since 1970s (hg) Hit by the pandemic and the measures to confine it, China’s economy grew only 3% in 2022, the slowest growth since the mid-1970s after US President Nixon went to China. The rate is below the 5.5% targeted by the government at the start of the year and far away of the 8.1% rate of 2021, although still better than the 2.7% rate predicted by the World Bank earlier this month. However, with the end of the zero-COVID policy, economic growth is expected to expand again, if the opening course will be continued. [Nikkei Asia] [BBC] [The Guardian]
China: Huge COVID toll despite uncertain official numbers (ms/hg) China’s National Health Commission (NHC) announced on January 14 that between December 8, the start of the nation-wide relaxation of COVID restrictions, and January 12, there were nearly 60,000 covid-related deaths in Chinese hospitals. According to experts, the officially reported figures are far below the real numbers, especially in light of the fact that of these 60,000, 55,000 are classified as fatalities resulting from other ailments combined with COVID-19 and only the remaining 5,000 as COVID-19 deaths. Given an estimated number of new infections from Chinese government documents of more than 250 million between December 1 and December 20 alone, the official number of 5000 appears doubtful though [see AiR No. 52, December/2022, 4]. In addition, the NHC claims that the number of new infections and deaths has peaked and is now declining, a claim that international experts say is also difficult to confirm due to the lack of information about the situation. After the Chinese government decided to stop reporting official data on new infections during the lifting of restrictions, the publication of the figures comes amid increasing criticism of other countries as well as the WHO, which called on China to share data. [Associated Press] [Global Times] [The New York Times] In any case, the Chinese COVID toll highlights a new vulnerability of Chinese leader Xi Jinping who made the fight against the pandemic COVID one of his landmark policies which became proudly heralded as a prove of the Chinese system’s superiority over Western systems.
China: Debt risk persisting despite USD 67 billion for property developers (ms/hg) The Chinese government has drawn up a 21-point plan worth USD 67 billion to revive the heavily indebted property sector - to not much avail yet as it seems though. The property sector, which has been heavily affected by souring demand and mounting debt defaults, is one of the pillars of China's economic growth, accounting for one-fourth of the Chinese economy. According to official data, China's property investment fell 10.0% in 2022, the first decline since records began in 1999, while property sales by floor area dropped 24.3%, the most since data became available in 1992. While new construction starts measured by floor area declined 39.4%, funds raised by property developers slumped 25.9%. [Reuters 1] Under the government’s support plan about USD 22 billion are allocated for the acceleration of the disbursement of already announced loans, an additional USD 30 billion of special funds both for the completion of housing and an additional USD 15 billion to support rental housing loans. Only a select number of “good quality developers” are, however, said to have qualified for assistance. Neither names nor criteria for this classification are yet known, but it is assumed that the support is primarily provided to the largest companies in the country. [Reuters 2] [South China Morning Post] While some urgent duties of the biggest companies could be served a wave of offshore bond maturities is still to arrive with the less well performing companies left in the rain for now. [Reuters 3] Besides the post zero-COVID infections surge, the bursting of the property bubble highlights at another symbolically loaden failure of central policies of the Chines leader, undermining President Xi’s legitimacy in sharp contrast of the display of power at the 20th Party Congress.
China: Government buys “golden shares” from Alibaba (ms) The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has acquired golden shares in two national units of giant tech company Alibaba, expanding its strategy to increase its control over online content. Golden shares usually describe a one-percent stake in one of internet groups’ key entities, which are endowed with special rights in certain business decisions, often about the handling and regulation of online content. Since 2015, the Chinese government has acquired many such shares in various Chinese companies, especially in the tech and online sector, and used them as a tool to expand its control over online media. The same can be seen in the latest purchase, which was completed on January 4. One of the units of Alibaba in which the CAC has bought the golden share is said to be Guangzhou Lujiao Information Technology, which among other things is responsible for the streaming video unit Youku and web browser UCWeb. According to information from the Financial Times, the purchase of the share is also said to involve the appointment of a new board member in the deal, who according to information is probably an employee of the CAC. In addition to Alibaba, the Chinese government is said to be close to a similar acquisition of shares from the game developer Tencent. According to insider information, the exact details of the contract have not yet been finalized, but it is said to involve a share in one of Tencent’s most important subsidiaries. [Financial Times] [Reuters] [WIO News]
China: Test of government loyalty soon mandatory for journalists (ms) From July 1, it could be necessary for journalists in China to pass a test on their loyalty to the government in order to be allowed to carry out their work. To obtain or maintain the journalist certificate, which is often mandatory especially for native journalists to be allowed to engage in journalism, they will be required to pass a test that verifies their compliance with government policies and views, according to a directive issued by the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA), the country's media regulator, at the end of last year. According to the directive, “Applicants must support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, conscientiously study, publicize and implement Xi Jinping's thoughts on the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, resolutely implement the party's theory, line, principles and policies, and adhere to the correct political direction and public opinion guidance.” In addition to passing the test, one must qualify to write the test in the first place; the NPPA is supposed to be able to exclude individuals from the test if the journalist's previous work is classified as “unhealthy newsgathering and editing practices," meaning work that is not in line with Chinese government requirements. With similar tests having been introduced over the years, journalists and activists see a steady deterioration of press freedom in China. [Radio Free Asia]
China: Shenzhen introduces childbirth subsidies (ms) The 18 million city of Shenzhen in southern China's Guangdong Province has unveiled new incentives for having children. According to the new regulations, there will be an entitlement to subsidies in the amount depending on the number of children. For the first child, parents are entitled to the equivalent of USD 1100, for the second USD 1600 and for the third or more even around USD 2800 until the child's third year. [Global Times] [South China Morning Post] In the face of declining birth rates across the country, cities are beginning to offer various incentives to parents and potential parents to counteract the aging population. For example, in mid-September, Anhui Province, west of Shanghai, relaxed rights for single mothers and unmarried parents, allowing them to register their child under the household registration system, which is necessary to enroll children in schools and receive many medical treatments necessary for pregnant women and newborn children [see AiR No. 38, September/2022, 3].
China: Official calls for alignment of Hong Kong laws with NSL (ms) The director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Xia Baolong, stressed the importance of quickly implementing the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL), imposed by Beijing oy in 2020 as a result of the 2019 anti-government protests, in the former British colony and advocated aligning Hong Kong local law with the NSL. Xia’s comment comes after, in the wake of the farce over the work permit by a British lawyer in the high-profile National Security Case of Jimmy Lai, final decision-making authority in NSL cases was transferred away from the Hong Kong courts to John Lee Ka-chiu, the pro-Beijing chief executive of Hong Kong, and the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), a body under the State Council of the People's Republic of China [see AiR No. 1, January/2023, 1]. Although Xia’s comment does not call for any specific adjustments, there is an emerging fear among pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong that China will further expand its influence over Hong Kong and further dismantle the SAR’s autonomy with the distribution of powers and the accompanying undermining of the independence of Hong Kong courts. [Global Times]
China: Hong Kong delists Jimmy Lai’s Next Digital (ms) On January 12, the largest listed media company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) Next Digital, founded by incarcerated entrepreneur Jimmy Lai, was delisted. The official reason, according to the HKEX, was that Next Digital had not resumed trading its shares by the December 16 deadline, but there are many indications that the delisting was politically motivated. [Bloomberg] [Radio Free Asia] Jimmy Lai, whose pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily was already shut down after several raids by Hong Kong police in the middle of last year, is a vocal critic of the mainland Chinese-dominated Hong Kong government and was a supporter of the 2019 anti-government protests. He was sentenced to more than five years in prison for fraud in mid-December last year, a verdict which, at least in the view of his lawyer, was completely disproportionate in view of the offense being processed. [see AiR No. 50, December/2022, 2].
China: World’s first autonomous seaborne drone-carrier delivered (hg) With the Zhu Hai Yun, China has just put into use the world’s first seaborne drone carrier after a year and a half of construction. As an unmanned carrier, it can be controlled remotely or navigate autonomously in open water, supposedly for purposes of scientific research and other observations. The ship is 88.5 meter long with a displacement of about 2,100 tons and a top speed of 18 knots.
Japan: Formal indictment against former Prime Minister Abe assassin suspect issued (dql) Following a six-month psychiatric evaluation that concluded that the suspect in the killing of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was able to stand trial [see AiR No. 2, January/2023, 2], prosecutors in Japan have formally charged the 42-year-old man for murder and breach of the country’s gun laws. The man was arrested directly after he had shot Abe during a Upper House election campaign speech for the ruling Liberal Democratic in the city of Nara on July 8. In detention, he reportedly confessed that he shot the former Prime Minister because of his ties to the Unification Church that the suspect blamed for malign practices of soliciting donations from followers that led to the bankruptcy of his mother. [Channel News Asia]
Japan: Government set to submit immigration reform bill with controversial proposal for deportation of refugees (dql) Japan’s government and ruling parties - the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner Komeito - are reportedly about to submit a reform bill to the country’s immigration law which retains a contested proposal that in 2021 had prompted criticism and eventually resulted in the withdrawal of the bill. Under the proposal in question deportation would be allowed in cases in which foreigners apply for refugee status more than two times. Observers expect resistance against this proposal from the opposition and rights groups. Overall, the bill seeks to revise Japan’s detention system for illegal immigrants and to shift away from its current “detention-centered”model, for which the country has been criticized for a long time. Among others, the new system would permit detainees who overstay to temporarily leave immigrant detention facilities and live in society under “supervisory measures” which require supporters to oversee detainees. However, these supporters are not required to submit regular reports to the court. This was a condition in the 2021 bill. Further, the bill contains clear provisions on how to determine the eligibility of a person for “supervisory measures,” while also requiring a judgment every three months over whether an individual should continue to be detained. [The Mainichi]
Japan: New Self-Defense Force base underway (dql) The construction of a Japanese Self-Defense Force (SDF) base on the uninhabited Mageshima Island in sourthern Nishinoomote, Kagoshima Prefecture, kicked off last week. Expected to take about four years, the construction of the new base includes the building of two runways, a control tower and an explosives depot. The defense ministry intends to use the new base to defend the Nansei Islands and to conduct SDF training and exercises that will involve the SDF’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade and Osprey transport aircraft. [Kyodo News]
South Korea: Government seeks to sign more than ten free trade agreements in 2023 (sm) On January 11, Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun announced South Korea’s plan to secure more than ten free trade agreements (FTA) and trade promotion frameworks with more than 20 countries in 2023. According to the ministry of trade, industry, and energy, the focus of this year’s trade policy will be the diversification of its trade portfolio, strengthening cooperation on supply chains, and market deregulation to attract more foreign investors. Should bilateral FTAs with certain countries not be possible, the government will alternatively seek to sign over 20 Trade and Investment Promotion Frameworks (TIPF). Other projects for 2023 will be the government’s involvement in the ongoing Indo-Pacific Economic Framework negotiations, led by the US, and the conclusion of South Korea’s accession to the Digital Economic Partnership Agreement (DEPA). The DEPA constitutes the first global multilateral digital pact, implemented since January 2023. The agreement signed by Chile, New Zealand, and Singapore regulates international digital trade issues, such as cross-border data flows, AI, and digital IDs. [Korea Times]
South Korea: Vice chair of presidential committee sacked, to run for ruling party leadership race (sm) On January 14, South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol sacked Na Kyung-won, the vice chair of the presidential committee on aging society and population policy and ambassador for climate and environment, after she unilaterally announced a controversial policy to boost natality. Another member of the committee, Kim Young-mi, is set to replace four-term lawmaker Na, while Seoul National University professor Cho Hong-sik will take her position as climate ambassador. Yoon had criticized her handling of the committee after she allegedly announced a policy proposal, which allows young married couples to take out a loan that only needs to partly be repaid if they get children, without prior consultation. Na handed in her resignation on January 14, amid widespread suspicions that she is going to announce her bid for the upcoming ruling People Power Party (PPP) leadership elections. She commented on Facebook that she respects the president’s decision and wishes success to the Yoon administration. Yoon's silence has been interpreted by the public as an opposition to Na’s prospective PPP leadership candidature. Opinion polls show Na as a widespread favorite for the PPP chair elections set for March 8, gaining twice the support her rival PPP lawmaker Kim Gi-hyeon gathered. Her potential candidacy is predicted to split the pro-Yoon faction within the PPP, heightening the probability of electing a chair which will be less loyal to the current president. [Korea Times] [Yonhap News Agency_1] Other candidates include PPP lawmakers Ahn Cheol-soo and Yoon Sang-hyun. Five-term lawmaker and PPP representative Cho Kyung-tae furthermore declared his bid on January 16. The upcoming leadership race had sparked controversy as the election rules were changed in a bill in late December. The chair will presently only be elected by party members’ votes, excluding the previous public opinion survey as a decision-making tool. [see AiR No. 2, January/2023, 2] [Yonhap News Agency_2]
South Korea: Results of police investigation into Itaewon crowd crush (sm) On January 13, the South Korean police concluded a two and a half months long investigation into the tragic Itaewon crowd crush, which killed 159 party goers on October 29. The investigation was launched on November 1 by a team of 501 police officials, looking into the police, fire, and city agencies related to the management of public crowd control and disaster management. The investigation team concluded that the crowd crush’s high death toll was caused by authorities’ failure to respect appropriate disaster prevention regulations and the belated response of emergency teams. In total, 23 government officials were referred to the prosecution on charges of professional negligence, including Yongsan fire station chief Choi Seong-beom, the chief of the Yongsan community health center, the chief of the Itaewon Subway Station, Yongsan ward office chief Park Hee-young, Yongsan police station chief Lee Im-jae, and four other officials of their offices. Officials from the Seoul metropolitan police agency, including chief Kim Kwang-ho, were referred on charges of deleting internal reports related to the incident. Finally, the heads of the Hamilton hotel were accused of illegally installing structures in the alley of the crowd crush. Officials from the interior ministry, national police agency, and Seoul city government were not held accountable. The second investigation, a parliamentary probe, was launched at the end of 2022 and is still ongoing, as it has been extended until the end of January. [Korea Times] [see AiR No. 2, January/2023, 2]
South Korea: Removal of satirical exhibition works on President sparks freedom of expression debate (sm) The take down of satirical works depicting South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and first lady Kim Keon-hee at the parliament’s office building has sparked a debate on freedom of expression. From January 2 to 7, the Seoul branch of the Federation of Artistic & Cultural Organization of Korea (FAC), together with lawmakers from the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), had planned to host an exhibition, showcasing some 80 pieces by 30 artists. The art displayed included two paintings featuring Yoon and Kim hinting at alleged embezzlement of funds over the president's decision to build a new presidential residence and office. The secretariat of the parliament demanded the removal of the paintings on January 8, sending three official letters to the organizers of the exhibition. As neither the FAC nor the DP lawmakers responded, the secretariat removed the artwork later on the day. According to National Assembly regulations, events which slander a person or an organization can be banned from the building, as they infringe on personal rights and public etiquette. The artists and DP lawmakers then held a press conference on January 9, criticizing the secretariat for infringing on their freedom of expression, demanding the resumption of the exhibition. Ruling People POwer Party (PPP) lawmaker Park Jeong-ha stated that the exhibition went beyond political satire and constitutes more of a personal attack on Yoon and Kim. A similar confrontation happened in 2017, when artists displayed satirical pieces of former president Park Geun-hye in the same building, sparking a debate over defamation, freedom of expression, and sexual objectification over the president which had been painted naked. The then organizer of the event, DP lawmaker Pyo Chang-won, was suspended for half a year after a hearing from the ethics committee. Yoon was also the object of a satirical expression last October, when a high schooler had won a national art competition by depicting the president as a train. The competition’s organizer had then received a warning by the ministry of culture, sports, and tourism. [South China Morning Post]
South Korea: Task force on improving workplace safety law launched (sm) On January 11, South Korea’s labor ministry launched a task force aimed at improving workplace safety by implementing a recently passed law which sanctions employers for serious industrial accidents. The law has been met with concern about its exceeding harshness and effectiveness from businesses. The objective of the task force, composed of eight experts in industrial safety, law, and economy until June, is to improve and implement the Serious Accidents Punishment Act passed this month. The labor ministry wants to shift the law’s focus from punishment to self-regulation and prevention. According to the act, business owners of companies with more than 50 employees are to receive the minimum sentence of one year in prison or a KRW 1 billion (USD 804,000) if they experience a deadly accident because of lacking safety measures. A grace period has been granted by the government to smaller businesses until the end of January. Businesses are questioning the effectiveness of the law, as the number of grave accidents has not been reduced since its implementation, and criticizing its vagueness, as it does not define clear criteria for punishment. [Korea Times]
Taiwan: Draft national security rules for political party leaders approved by Cabinet (dql) Taiwan’s Cabinet has approved draft amendments to the Political Parties Act under which those convicted of national security offenses would be barred from leading political parties in Taiwan. According to the Ministry of Interior, the amendments seek to prevent the infiltration of local political parties by foreign forces to interfere in Taiwanese politics. [Focus Taiwan] In a separate move, the Cabinet also passed 52 draft amendments to the island’s Immigration Act, largely related to a relaxation of visa requirements in a bid to attract foreign professionals to Taiwan and to improve the protection of family reunification rights of foreigners. The move comes as competition for overseas talent is becoming increasingly fierce in Asia and analysts expect that Taiwan’s domestic workforce will shrink as a result of an overall decline of population. [South China Morning Post] Meanwhile, the Parliament adopted a climate bill that allows for the establishment of a carbon fee system for large emitters and sets 2050 as the year to achieve net-zero emissions. [Focus Taiwan]
Taiwan: Vice President elected new leader of ruling party (dql) Taiwan’s Vice President Lai Ching-te has been elected new leader of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) after securing more than 99 percent of votes at the party leadership election on January 15 in which he was the sole candidate. The election comes months after the DPP suffered a crushing defeat in the local government elections in November when the party won only five of the 21 city and county leadership posts, marking the worst performance the party has delivered since the introduction of such elections in 1986 and prompting the resignation of Lai’s predecessor, President Tsai Ing-wen. [Focus Taiwan]
Taiwan: Minister sacked over sexual harassment (dql) Atomic Energy Council Minister Hsieh Shou-shing has been dismissed from his post after an investigation concluded that he is guilty of sexual harassment and other misconduct. The investigation, led by the Cabinet, was prompted by reports about verbal harassment and inappropriate physical contact with female subordinates came up in October. [Focus Taiwan]
Taiwan: Investigation into alleged classified intelligence leak (dql) Taiwan’s Investigation Bureau has revealed that a probe is being conducted into the sale of 10 Gigabyte of documents online for USD 150,000. The offered material is described by the seller as classified Taiwanese intelligence files. [Focus Taiwan]
Taiwan: Capabilities of new landing platform dock unveiled (dql) The Taiwanese Navy has presented the capabilities of its new Yushan landing platform dock (LPD). 153 meters long and equipped with 32 domestic-made Sea Sword anti-aircraft missiles, two Phalanx close-in weapons systems, and one MK-75 cannon, the LPD has a displacement of 10,600 tons and space to accommodate two S-70C anti-submarine helicopters. It can carry nine AAV7 amphibious assault vehicles and four mechanized landing craft. [Taiwan News 1] Meanwhile, army drills in the Southern city of Kaohsiung conducted last week involved a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Taiwan’s defense ministry expects to receive 50 of the locally developed drones. [Taiwan News 2] Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in South Asia ![]() Bangladesh: Government's misuse of Digital Security Act creates atmosphere of fear, experts say (az) According to experts’ opinion, the Digital Security Act has created a culture of fear in Bangladesh since the law's introduction in 2018. Analysis shows that an average of four cases have been filed per month under this law. Due to the lengthy process of the law, many accused are detained for a long time without beginning the trial process sooner. [The Business Standard] Study also shows that from October 2018 to August 2022, around 1,109 DSA cases have been filed against 2,889 people under the DSA, although the experts fear that the reluctance of law enforcement to conceal the data may have blanketed the actual number. Notably, hundreds of opposition party members and non-political people have been accused under this law for criticizing the government and ruling party representatives - but not a single police officer, government officer, or minister has yet been accused under this law.
Bangladesh: Prominent political figures put the environment at risk, observer say (az) As the political party leaders are out of the reach of justice, they are abusing their power at will and endangering nature, according to an opinion piece published in Prothom Alo. Added to the economic crisis that Bangladesh has been facing recently, people are facing the backlash for environmental degradation due to the illegal constructions ordered by the political leaders. Backed by these prominent political figures, some companies continuously deforest the wild and even put people’s lives at risk. [Prothom Alo]
Bangladesh: Government’s use of technologies to monitor social media raises concern among rights groups (az) Rights groups in Bangladesh have expressed their concerns over the government increasing monitoring power on social media platforms, which seriously violates the right to expression. Recently, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal stated that the government is using the tech to monitor social media, which is permitted by law, although the rights groups are worried that the tech was purchased from Israel, a country which Bangladesh has no ties with. According to the rights groups, using those technologies will violate not only the freedom of expression but also constitutional rights. Under the name of lawful spying and stability, the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre is handing over intel to other government agencies for electronic media surveillance. [bdnews24]
Bangladesh: Elite police unit engaged in abuse of Rohingya refugees, Human Rights Watch says (lm) The Armed Police Battalion (APBn), an elite Bangladesh police unit that operates in the country’s Rohingya refugee camps, is engaged in the rampant extortion, harassment and wrongful arrests of the refugees it has been tasked with protecting, Human Rights Watch said on January 17. The rights group said it had spoken to dozens of Rohingya refugees living in the sprawling and overcrowded camp network in Bangladesh’s southeast, documenting at least 16 cases of serious abuse by APBn officers. [The Straits Times] In separate developments six Rohingya men who had been abducted were released after a ransom of USD 2,800 was paid. One suspect was later arrested for alleged involvement in the case. [The Business Standard 1] [The Business Standard 2]
India: Supreme Court hears case on administrative control over civil servants in national capital (wr) India’s central government on January 17 told a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court that protests held by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) against alleged interferences by the lieutenant governor's office in the Delhi government's works were “undesirable”. [Business Standard] The AAP won a majority in elections to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in December last year. However, India’s central government claims authority over the administrative functions, bureaucracy with the notion that “all officers posted in the Capital belong to the central government”. Against this backdrop, the AAP told the Supreme Court last week that a government cannot function if it does not have control over services. [The Telegraph Online]
India: Government, Supreme Court on collision course over appointment of judges (lm) A confrontation is brewing between India’s central government and the country’s Supreme Court, after Law Minister Kiren Rijiju in a letter to the chief justice said that the apex court’s collegium that decides on judges' appointments should include government representatives. [The Straits Times] Under the current system, the appointments and transfers of judges to India’s higher judiciary are decided by a collegium of senior judges. Appointments to the Supreme Court are decided by the five most senior judges of that court, while appointments to the high courts are made by the three most senior judges of those respective courts. The Supreme Court collegium communicates decisions to the central government, which is expected to approve them. In recent months, however, Law Minister Rijiju has been openly criticizing the system of choosing judges, wanting the government to have more say in the choice of candidates. As a result, the appointment of more than 100 judges to India’s high courts and Supreme Court is pending approval by the government - despite being recommended by the collegium.
India: Leader of influential Hindu group hints at support for LGBTQ couples (lm) The leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party has backed LGBTQ rights but stopped short of advocating same-sex marriages while the country’s Supreme Court is hearing pleas for legal recognition of such unions. [Bloomberg] India decriminalized homosexuality when it scrapped a colonial-era ban on gay sex in 2018, but it remains a taboo topic in this socially conservative country of 1.4 billion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has in the past refused to legalize same-sex marriage. This month, India’s Supreme Court started hearing petitions to recognize same-sex marriages after four gay couples stated that without legal recognition, they cannot have access to rights such as those linked to medical consent, pensions, adoption or even club memberships [see AiR No. 51, December/2022, 3]. The hearing is set to resume in March. Against this backdrop, the leader of the RSS, Mohan Bhagwat, said last week that members of the LGBTQ community “should have their own private and social space as they are humans and have the right to live as others” - comments that could potentially force the Modi administration to reassess its opposition. [The Straits Times]
India: Government unveils green energy policy (lm) The Indian government has approved a USD 2.4 billion subsidy package and set consumption targets for some industries to develop a green hydrogen production capacity of 5 million tonnes a year by 2030 in its quest to reach net zero by 2070. [Reuters] India, one of the world's biggest emitters of greenhouse gasses, is chronically dependent on imported energy such as Russian crude or Middle Eastern gas. In light of this, New Delhi seeks to utilize the country’s vast sun-soaked lands to produce solar power, among others. The country aims to build 500 gigawatts of renewable electricity capacity by 2030. [Forbes]
India: Central government reactivates network of village guards in Kashmir after militant attack (wr/lm) India’s central government is reviving an almost defunct network of 26,000 so-called Village Defence Guards in the Jammu and Kashmir union territory, after a militant attack in the disputed region killed seven civilians earlier this month. [Reuters] The attack on January 1 alarmed authorities, concerned that it could be a sign that militants were looking to expand into Hindu-dominated Jammu because of a heavy military presence in the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley. Local politicians have condemned such an attempt to place weapons in the hands of locals as counterproductive for the region's way to normalcy.
India: Defense Acquisition Council approves USD 522 million budget for weapons purchases (wr/lm) The Defence Acquisition Council, India's apex procurement body, on January 10 approved a budget of USD 522.17 million to acquire weapons solely from domestic companies, including the purchase of portable air defense missiles to be deployed along the borders with China. [South China Morning Post] [Bloomberg] The meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted a so-called acceptance of necessity for three capital acquisition proposals. The approved projects are for Helina anti-tank guided missiles, very short-range air defense systems for the Army, and the Brahmos missile launcher and a fire control system for Navy ships. However, neither the quantities nor costs for each program have been confirmed by the defense ministry. [Defense News] The purchase of all weapons systems will fall under the Buy Indian IDDM procurement category. This category requires the procurement of arms from an Indian vendor that were indigenously designed, developed and manufactured while containing at least 50 percent locally made technology.
Pakistan: Punjab assembly dissolved on orders of former Prime Minister Imran Khan (lm) The provincial assembly in Pakistan’s Punjab province has been dissolved, in a move orchestrated by former Prime Minister Imran Khan as part of a bid to force snap elections. [The Straits Times] [Bloomberg 1] The dissolution took effect after a 48-hour deadline for Governor Baligh ur Rehman to respond to the advice of Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi – a coalition partner of Khan’s – passed on January 14. According to Pakistan’s constitution, a legislature must be dissolved if the governor doesn’t act on a chief minister’s advice before the deadline lapses. Against this backdrop, Rehman asked Elahi and Hamza Sharif, the opposition leader in the Punjab assembly, to consult on the appointment of a caretaker chief minister within three days. If they fail to agree on an appointment, a parliamentarian panel will try to select one or the Election Commission will name an interim chief minister. Earlier, Elahi had won a crucial confidence vote as chief minister in a session that was boycotted by members of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ruling coalition. The voting happened despite the chief minister holding the office temporarily amid a court case. [Bloomberg 2] Khan, who was removed from power in a no-confidence vote in April last year, last month announced his plans to dissolve two of the nation’s four provincial assemblies that he holds a majority to force early elections. Besides Punjab, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led coalition holds a majority in the provincial assembly in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Pakistan: Ruling coalition party secures majority in local elections in opposition PTI’s stronghold Karachi (lm) The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a the second largest party in Pakistan’s ruling coalition, won a majority of seats in local government elections in the southern port city Karachi, upsetting former Prime Minister Imran Khan in his stronghold. [Bloomberg] The PPP, co-led by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, secured 93 seats of the 235 up for grabs in polls held on January 16, followed by hard line religious group Jamaat-e-Islami with 86 seats, according to results announced by the Election Commission on January 17. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party was a distant third with 40 seats, followed by the Pakistan Muslim League (N) of Prime Minister Sharif with seven seats. [DAWN]
Sri Lanka: Supreme Court orders former President Sirisena to pay victims of 2019 Easter Sunday attacks (sn) Ruling on a Fundamental Rights petition, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has ordered the country’s former president and several of his senior officials to pay nearly USD 850,000 in compensation to the families of the victims of terrorist attacks on Easter Sunday in 2019. In its ruling on January 12 the apex court observed that Maithripala Sirisena, the president of Sri Lanka from 2015 to 2019, and his top security officials had failed to prevent the series of coordinated suicide attack despite detailed intelligence reports suggesting such attacks had been imminent. [News First] [The Straits Times]
Sri Lanka: Government to slash military by a third to cut costs (lm) Crisis-hit Sri Lanka will slash its army by a third to 135,000 personnel by next year and to 100,000 by 2030, the state minister of defence said on January 13, as Colombo seeks to cut costs against the larger backdrop of the country’s worst economic crisis since independence. [The Straits Times] In related developments, the government has ordered state departments to reduce their spending by 5 percent. [BBC News]
Sri Lankan prime, state finance ministers meet with top United States security official (sn/lm) Sri Lanka’s president and state minister of finance on January 11 held separate meetings with visiting Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher, the Senior Director for South Asia at the United States National Security Council, and Washington’s ambassador to Colombo. [Colombo Page] [EconomyNext] Laubacher’s visit to the island nation comes as Sri Lanka is struggling to agree with all its creditors on a debt restructuring to secure a USD 2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund. [see entry in this edition] Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in Southeast Asia ![]() Cambodia: Opposition Candlelight Party deputy leader arrested (th) On January 16, the deputy leader of Cambodia’s opposition Candlelight Party, Thach Setha, was arrested in a check bouncing case [VOD]. The arrested happened just hours after the Candlelight Party threatened to pull out of the national elections coming in July 2023 [Twitter].
Cambodia: Poipet Casino Company to pay compensation to the December 28–29, 2022 fire break-out victims (sn) On January 9, 2023, the spokesman of Banteay Meanchey provincial administration announced that the local government and the casino authorities are working to pay compensation for the 57 Cambodian citizens injured in the Grand Diamond City Casino fire accident. The spokesman, Sek Sokhom, noted that there are 2 types of compensation for Cambodian people: for those who received hospital treatment and for employees who have a contract with the company. The Cambodian human rights and development association (ADHOC) said that the state should also conduct a more thorough investigation, as many victims seek justice in finding their lost family members. [Khmer Times], [AinR No. 3, January/2023, 3]
Cambodia: Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation official arrested over fraud accusations (sn) On January 10, a Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation senior official and the deputy director of the Department of Finance and Supply – Lay Samnang, was seized for misappropriation of funds from 11 ministry projects. After 13 months of investigation, the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) president approved the arrest of a senior ministry official. The state agent has misused his right to manage the ministry's funds and made unauthorized withdrawals. The deputy director has paid approximately USD 166.351 and must pay USD 203.252 more. After Lay Samnang confessed in 2020, the court ordered him to repay the money taken from various projects. Indeed, later – the ACU found him guilty of alleged embezzlement in more projects. The defrauded programs included financial aid for poor people with disabilities, an orphan, a national medical center facility, and other projects. [Cambodianess]
Cambodia: The Ministry of National Defense discusses the Royal Armed Forces’ combat results of drug crimes (sn) On January 9, 2023, General Chay Saing Yun held a meeting to summarize the results of the work on combating drug crimes by the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) in the Ministry of National Defense. The General, who is also a Chairman of the Anti-Drug Commission, led the discussions with the participation of senior officers from the General Command, Army, Navy, Infantry Air, and Military Police. The report at the center of discussions outlines that: in 2022, the departments arrested 1,534 suspects and curbed 619 drug offenses. Notably, out of a total of 4,870 drug-related charges with 349,304 participants – 10,450 responders were women. Ministry of National Defense took measures for the drug rehabilitation of the 2,286 victims captured through crackdown operations. An Infantry Brigade under the 3rd Army Division reports that following treatment – 2,089 people returned to society, and 62 women recovered substantially. 197 people will continue receiving treatment, with approximately 56 women in the remaining pool. [Cambodian Ministry of National Defence]
Cambodia: PM Hun Sen dismisses arrest order for Tycoon Seang Chanheng over the land dispute with his sister (sn) On January 10, 2023, Cambodian PM Hun Sen announced his decision to revoke the instruction for the arrest of the real estate developer tycoon – Seang Chanheng, who got charged with illicit land acquisition on several occasions. In November 2022, the businesswoman attempted to seize the land of PM’s sister by using counterfeit documents. Hun Sen elucidated his new order: “The new decision on the fate of Seang Chanheng will be made after the Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction – Chea Sophara, provides recommendations to me.” On January 5, 2023, the Council of Ministers ordered the Kandal Province executives to arrest the general director of Heng Development Company, tycoon oknha Seang Chanheng, to face charges following the law of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The project led by the Heng Development Company in the Kandal Province is the new Phnom Penh airport construction. The project received 2,600 hectares from the state, yet the developer received criticism for displacing the farmland of local villagers. A land Dispute between the Cambodian PM’s sister, Hun Bunthoeun, and the realty estate development tycoon – Oknha Seang Chanheng, escalated to the point of the prosecution. The court defined a verdict against Mrs. Seang Chanheng for misappropriating Hun Bunthoeun’s land by using forged public documents. [Khmer Times], [Cambodia Daily] [VOD News]
Indonesia: Papua governor arrested on corruption charges (os) Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested Papua governor Lukas Enembe after he failed to comply with several summonses by the KPK in relation to bribery accusations. The arrest triggered riots, which resulted in the detention of 19 people. [The Jakarta Post 1] [The Jakarta Post 2] [Tempo] Lukas, who has been the head of the Papua province since 2013 and boasts a considerable number of supporters in the region, allegedly accepted bribes of around USD 64,000 from a private party. There have also been allegations of money laundering and mismanagement of the province’s funds. He had previously failed to show up for several summonses, citing health reasons [see AiR No. 40, October/2022, 1]. Papua Province Regional Secretary Muhammad Ridwan Rumasukun has been appointed as caretaker governor of Papua to manage the province’s administration on an interim basis. [Antara News] [Jakarta Globe]
Indonesia: Protests against presidential decree on job law (os) Thousands of workers have taken to the streets in Jakarta and demanded the House of Representatives to reject a presidential decree that replaces a controversial job creation law. [Reuters] The decree was issued by Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) as an emergency regulation in December 2022 [see AiR No. 1, January/2023, 1]. The regulation takes the place of a job creation law that was previously deemed not to be in line with the constitution. Protesters particularly criticize new regulations on outsourcing and the new calculation of the minimum wage. They claim that workers could lose their jobs now more easily. Protesters also point out that the decree was not justified since there is no emergency situation. The House of Representatives will examine the decree in its current session. The Constitutional Court has also been asked to conduct a judicial review of the decree.
Indonesia: President expresses regret over country’s past human rights violations (os) Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has expressed his regret over Indonesia’s human rights violations during its post-colonial era, but victims demand accountability. [BBC] [Reuters] [The Jakarta Post 1] [The Jakarta Post 2] [The Jakarta Post 3] On January 11, Jokowi mentioned 12 events that he regrets as the country’s leader. The events cited include a massacre of communists in the 1960s which killed more than 500,000 people. He also mentioned the killing and abduction of students and activists during a protest against former dictator Suharto in the 1990s. The incidents named span over a period between 1965 and 2003 before Jokowi became president. Jokowi claimed that the government aims to “rehabilitate” the rights of victims and families of the victims of the violations. The government is allegedly contemplating measures such as paying out reparations in the social and health sector and handing out scholarships. Currently, the president is planning on conducting a tour to several regions in Indonesia to hold meetings with victims and families of victims. The move is helping Jokowi in fulfilling the pledges from his campaign in 2014 to settle past human rights violations. Several victims and activists claim that Jokowi’s current efforts do not suffice. They call for an apology from the president and demand the cases be brought to court. Amnesty International Indonesia said that the perpetrators of the violations have to be held accountable. The organization also criticized that several cases of human rights abuse, such as a mass shooting in Papua in 2014, have not been mentioned. Recently, a soldier allegedly involved in the mass shooting has been acquitted in a human rights trial [see AiR No. 50, December/2022, 2].
Indonesia: Two deaths of workers in clash at nickel smelter (os) Two people have died in a violent clash of workers at a nickel smelting facility of a Chinese company in the region of Sulawesi. [Al Jazeera] [Jakarta Globe] One Indonesian and one Chinese worker were killed in the clash between Indonesian workers and their Chinese employers. The clash came after a protest of workers demanding better working conditions and higher wages. According to local police, there have been detentions of 71 people. The smelting facility is operated by PT Gunbuster Nickel Industry, which is a unit of Jiangsu Delong Nickel Industry Ltd of China. The company and law enforcement expressed their plans of investigating the incident.
Indonesia: Soccer stampede trail begins with five people facing charges (os) A trial against five people in relation to the deadly soccer stampede taking place in October 2021 began on January 16. The suspects face charges of criminal negligence. [Reuters] [The Seattle Times] The five people encompass three police officials, one security officer, and a match organizer. They face charges for their part in the stampede which took left 125 people dead and took place in Malang, East Java during a soccer match [see AiR No. 40, October/2022, 1]. The maximum sentence for the suspects would be imprisonment of five years. Due to security reasons, the trial is being held virtually. Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) previously found that the unwarranted amount of tear gas used by police was the main factor in bringing about the stampede. It was also identified that the stadium was filled over its capacity, which had a detrimental impact on the situation.
Malaysia: Opposition chief Muhyiddin to take legal action in controversy over Sabah lawmakers (lm) Malaysia’s opposition politician Muhyiddin Yassin said on January 17 that his Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) will take legal action over a decision by Parliament’s Speaker to allow four lawmakers to keep their seats, instead of holding fresh by-elections to replace them after their recent defections. The four lawmakers, all representing eastern Sabah state, claimed that they had defected from BERSATU to an umbrella organization, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), before Malaysia’s general election last year. Under Malaysia’s new anti-hopping law, lawmakers who defected from one party to another after the general election last year would automatically lose their seats and fresh by-elections must be called. The controversy arose after GRS, of which BERSATU was a member, switched sides after the general election to support the incumbent government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Malaysia: 2023 budget to consider rising debt level, Prime Minister Anwar says (lm) Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who also holds the finance portfolio, said on January 17 his administration seeks to expedite priority projects while plugging leakages in its review of the 2023 budget amid rising sovereign debt levels. [The Straits Times] Debt and liabilities are at about USD 346.4 billion currently, the prime minister said at a budget dialogue held in the administrative capital of Putrajaya, adding the budget deficit was about 5.8 percent of gross domestic product in 2022. [Bloomberg] The previous government presented a tighter budget for 2023 last October, seeking to narrow the fiscal deficit. But Parliament was dissolved to make way for last November’s general election before lawmakers could approve that spending plan. Now, Prime Minister Anwar works to table the revised 2023 budget to Parliament on February 24.
Malaysia: Prime Minister Anwar tells Cabinet, civil servants to ditch ‘culture of contentment’ (lm) Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged his Cabinet members and civil servants to move away from a “culture of contentment” and be more responsive to the need for reform. In his first monthly address to the staff in the Prime Minister’s Department in 2023, the prime minister also encouraged civil servants not to hold back from pointing out any violation of laws by the government, even if he or she is the one at fault. [The Straits Times]
Malaysia: Annual meeting of ruling UMNO party agrees to no-contest for president, deputy president (lm) Delegates of Malaysia’s ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) at their annual assembly on January 14 passed a resolution on no-contest rules for the party’s top two positions at the upcoming internal election, which must be held before May 19. [The Straits Times] The no-contest resolution means that UMNO President Zahid Hamidi, and Deputy President Mohamad Hasan, cannot be challenged at the polls. Zahid is Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister in the Anwar Ibrahim administration, and Seri Mohamad is the defense minister. Prior to the vote, Zahid - who led UMNO to its worst-ever electoral performance last year - said he would let his party decide whether his presidency should be open for contest. [Bloomberg]
Myanmar: Assets belonging to Children of Junta Leader found in Thai drug raid Thai officials reportedly found assets belonging to the adult children of junta leader Min Aung Hlaing during a raid on the apartment of a prominent Myanmar arms broker charged with drug trafficking, according to seizure records reviewed by activist group Justice for Myanmar. In their raid on the apartment of Tun Min Latt, Thai police recovered the title to a four-bedroom Bangkok apartment belonging to Min Aung Hlaing’s son Aung Pyae Sone, and two Siam Commercial Bank passbooks belonging to Min Aung Hlaing’s daughter Khin Thiri Thet Mon. Despite calls from advocacy groups to investigate Tun Min Latt’s ties with Min Aung Hlaing and his children, Thai authorities currently do not consider the junta chief’s children relevant to their case against Tun Min Latt. [Bangkok Post] [The Irrawaddy 1] [The Irrawaddy 2]
Myanmar: Anti-Junta forces bomb infrastructure for upcoming election On January 12, anti-regime forces bombed five locations in Mandalay where the junta has been compiling household registration data in preparation for the upcoming 2023 election. Responsibility for the attacks was claimed by urban People’s Defense Force (PDF) No More Dictatorship, who further stated that while the bomb attacks were deliberately non-lethal, future attacks would likely be lethal. Two bomb attacks were also launched in Yangon as a final warning to junta officials against carrying out an election, according to the PDF groups that claimed responsibility. [Thai PBS] [The Irrawaddy]
Philippines: 95 percent of top cops submit courtesy resignation (jd) Around 95 percent of top officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have submitted their courtesy resignation after the Department of the Interior and Local Government secretary requested the measure in order to remove illegal drug trade links from the organization. Out of 953 generals and colonels, 904 have already submitted their resignation. The remaining 49 high ranking officers are expected to resign before the end of the month. [CNN Philippines]
Philippines: 61 killed during anti-drug operations since inauguration of President Marcos Jr., police claims (jd) The Philippine National Police has sought downplay the number of killings in the so-called “war on drugs” since President Marcos Jr. took office in 2022, reporting that 61 people were killed during anti-drug operations since Marcos took office in June last year. But this is far below the estimate of the University of the Philippines’ Third World Studies Center, whose Dahas program monitors “drug war” violence. The program tallied that at least 175 people were killed in “drug war” incidents from July 1. [Inquirer] In her analysis for Foreign Policy, Margaret Simons argues that President Marcos Jr. has not been able to full his election promise of a continuation of the “war on drugs” but with a change in focus to catching “bigger fish”. [Foreign Policy]
Philippines: CHR vows to improve human rights situation (tjb) The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has defended its new officials from critics who are questioning their track record and independence, assuring the public that the commission will respond to rights abuses. [Philippine Star] Mounting criticism of the commission came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., appointed key officials of the CHR, a move mandated by the constitution. Recently, Human Rights Watch deputy director for Asia Phil Robertson expressed dismay at the appointment of CHR commissioners without a background in human rights work. [Philippine Daily Inquirer]
Philippines: CHR calls Facebook to review suspended pages of activists (tjb) The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) called on Facebook to review its decision to take down the pages of progressive groups in the Philippines, urging the social media giant to respect human rights. The commission stressed that censorship could stop people from speaking out and stifle criticism and dissent. [CNN] [Manila Bulletin] The Facebook pages in question were from the trade union Kilusang Mayo Uno, activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, and youth organization Anakbayan. Their Facebook pages were reportedly shut down due to their posts about the death of Jose Maria Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines. [Philippine Star]
Philippines: National Security Adviser urged to show maritime policy (tjb) The newly appointed National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año was challenged by fisherfolk groups to show his security policy for the West Philippine Sea. PAMALAKAYA, an organization of fishers in the Philippines, insisted that Año should lay his foundation for the protection of the country’s maritime territory amid “threats from China” to Filipino fishers. [Philippine Star] Año, a former military chief and secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, replaced Clarita Carlos, the former head of the NSA. The appointment received polarizing responses. The military welcomed Año and praised his leadership in the army while activists condemned the alleged human rights violations under his former positions. [Manila Bulletin] [Rappler] [CNN]
Singapore: Teacher becomes first-ever civil servant arrested under security act for terrorism-related offences (ih) A teacher has been arrested under Singapore’s Internal Security Act (ISA), the first ever case of a civil servant being detained under the colonial-era law or terrorism-related offences. The teacher in question was arrested after allegedly developing an interest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and making plans to travel to Palestine in order to join Hamas. He is the second Singaporean to be arrested under the ISA for attempting to carry out armed violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [CNA]
Timor-Leste: Government to enforce Portuguese in schools (tjb) Timor-Leste is enacting a policy that would make the Portuguese language mandatory in schools across the country. Armindo Maia, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports is leading the proposal to amend the nation’s education law. Should the proposed change be accepted, students and educators will be forced to use Portuguese as a medium of instruction. [UCA News] Alongside the native Tetun, Portuguese is one of the national languages in Timor-Leste after it was introduced to the country during Portugal’s colonization period. Since becoming a country in 2002, Timor-Leste has been facing hurdles in enforcing Portuguese, with only a small percentage of people speaking the language.
Thailand: House of Representatives accepts report on economic impact of opening legal casinos (fj) The House of Representatives has approved a report on the potential fiscal and economic benefits of setting up legal casinos and other gambling activities as part of a big entertainment complexes. The report, which was commissioned following a parliamentary vote to investigate the implications of developing integrated gambling and entertainment complexes, found the project to have high potential to attract tourists and increase state revenues through taxation on gambling activities. However, critics have noted that the report, despite having taken 240 days to prepare, only has a very limited scope, by looking at purely economic implications and ignoring social impacts of legalized gambling. [Bangkok Post 1] Supporters of the project are underlining the strictly limited number of such complexes, with up to five locations under review as potential sites. They also point to the successful implementation of such projects in countries like Malaysia and Singapore and note that legalization could be a way to undercut the popularity of illegal gambling dens and online gambling. [The Nation Thailand] With parts of the population strongly opposed to a legalization of gambling and the house’s term coming to an end on February 28, the crucial decisions on the proposed entertainment projects are expected to lie with the next government. [Bangkok Post 2]
Thailand: Election Commission ensures transparent result process (ts) The Election Commission (EC) has ensured that nearly 100 percent of the coming election’s results will be read out within a day considering its transparency. The EC claims it recognizes the rule of law and voters' rights while supporting voters’ monitoring of the results. Added to this is MPs’ concern over the designation of constituencies on which EC is working. Seen as late by MPs, the completion of the designation vexes them, landing in hardship on the parties’ candidacy choices. Concerns expressed are also extended to the oversight of vote buying and the use of technology to improve results accuracy. [Thai PBS World]
Thailand: Senate’s proposal to amend PM term limit under fire Senate Committee on political development and public participation plan to propose the amendment of a maximum eight-year PM’s term limit, contradicting the claim about a positional extension for the sake of PM Prayut Chan-ocha. Apart from the United Thai Nation Party where Prayut belongs, the amendment attempt received criticism from political pundits and politicians. They claim that the proposal is intended to only help Prayut in his tenure as it tends to draw out the PM's eight-year chair limit. Among the critics of the like is also Cholnan Srikaew of the opposition Pheu Thai while the voice from Prayut’s former cohort, Palang Pracharath Party, goes in line with disagreement. [Bangkok Post] It is claimed that the senator referred to China Xi Jinping's extending two-year term limit as a justifiable example under study for this proposal. Moreover, the senate committee argues the proposal targets no specific person and applies to any party. [Thai Enquirer]
Thailand: THB 100 million planned for salvaging corvette Sukhothai (ts) Royal Thai Navy (RTN) plans to salvage the corvette HTMS Sukhothai after almost a month of tragedy whereas the search for bodies continues, given that five crew are still missing. The retrieval operation should, however, cost THB 100 million. The navy committee requires a flawless operation inviting bids from suitable companies on the condition that the corvette remains unchanged. Such a delicate operation makes up a huge budget number while it is believed to take a long time. 12 companies so far are claimed to satisfy RTN’s specifications, yet RTN will finalize the selection and see the later process of proposing. [Bangkok Post] [Thai PBS World]
Vietnam: Vehicle registry agency chief arrested on bribery charges (ih) On January 11, Dang Viet Ha, head of the Vietnam Register, the Ministry of Transport Department responsible for registering vehicles, was arrested on charges of bribery. The arrest came as part of a crackdown in the Vietnam Register, which has so far involved investigations at 13 registration centres and of 83 suspects. The same day, the Vietnam register announced it would close 30 registration centres due to ongoing investigations. [RFA]
Vietnam: CPV Central Committee Secretariat imposes disciplinary measures on officials on January 13 meeting (ih) On January 13, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong chaired a meeting of the CPV Central Committee Secretariat to impose disciplinary sanctions on officials. Mai Tien Dung, former CPV Central Committee member, Secretary of the Party Committee, and Minister-Chairman of the Government Office, was given a warning for failing to prevent officials in the Government Office from taking bribes in actions surrounding the country’s COVID-19 repatriation flights. Chu Xuan Dung, Party Committee member and Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, was expelled from the CPV for taking bribes Ma The Quyen, Party Committee Secretary and Director of the Department of Education and Training of Bac Kan province, was expelled from the CPV fro mismanagement resulting in losses to the state. Multiple senior officials in An Giang province were also expelled from the CPV. [Vietnam+] International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia ![]() India hosts first Voice of Global South Summit (fj) Pursuing its goal to leverage its G20 presidency to strengthen the role of developing countries in global governance, India has hosted the first-ever Voice of the Global South Summit in a virtual format on January 12-13. In his opening address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the continuity of India’s advocacy for better representation of the countries of the Global South. He noted that developing countries are often the ones that are hit the hardest by the world’s problems, even though they are rarely to blame for their causes. [The Hindu] The summit, that engaged participants from 125 countries, was attended by the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh, Cambodia and Thailand and the President of Vietnam, among others. Coming away from Thailand’s hosting of the APEC summit in 2022 and speaking against the background of Thailand’s current chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha commended to consider Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model (BCG) and India’s approach of Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) as blueprints for deepening South-South cooperation. [Kyodo News] [MEA India] The outcomes of the Voice of the Global South Summit are expected to form part of the discussion at the G20 Summit scheduled to take place in New Delhi in September 2023. [MFA Thailand]
Indians view United States as biggest military after China, before Pakistan, survey shows (lm) Indian adults view the United States as the biggest military threat after China and place greater blame on NATO and Washington than on Russian President Vladimir Putin for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, according to a survey conducted last October by a US-based global business intelligence company. [Morning Consult] [The Straits Times] A near majority (43 percent) of the 1,000 respondents perceived China – with whom India has a long-lingering border dispute in the Himalaya and has seen tensions flare again since 2020 – as the greatest military threat. In a striking find, however, 22 percent saw the US as the second-most significant security threat, ahead of India’s historic arch-rival Pakistan – although New Delhi’s conflict with Beijing has in some ways pushed the South Asian nation closer to Washington.
India hosts online summit to amplify voice of Global South (wr/lm) India’s Prime Minister on January 12-13 hosted a virtual summit of about 120 countries of the Global South to discuss their priorities and perspectives on a common platform. “Most of the global challenges have not been created by the Global South, but they affect us more,” Modi said during the inaugural leaders' session of the “Voice of the Global South Summit” attended by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Thailand's Prayut Chan-ocha and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, among others. Many observers argue that the virtual summit has to be seen in the context of India’s G-20 presidency as New Delhi wants to highlight concerns of lesser-developed countries on a global stage. In in light of this, it is noteworthy that Modi in his summit address observed that three-fourths of humanity lives in the Global South, and “we should also have an equivalent voice.” [The Indian Express] [ThePrint] [Yahoo]
Rights watchdog urges India to prevent Myanmar warplanes from violating neighboring airspaces (wr/lm) Fortify Rights, an international human rights group has urged India to stop Myanmar’s warplanes from entering Indian airspace during operations by the military junta to bomb targets in areas near India’s border. This comes after Myanmar’s military regime launched a series of airstrikes on January 10 and 11 against the headquarters of the Chin National Front, one of the key revolutionary groups that has a formal agreement with the National Unity Government. Multiple eyewitnesses later claimed that two bombs had been into Indian territory on January 10; however, New Delhi has yet to respond. [Al Jazeera] [The Diplomat] [The Guardian] Last July, a Myanmar fighter jet crossed into Thai airspace on a bombing run along the border between the two countries, forcing authorities to evacuate hundreds of schoolchildren and scramble air force jets to the area.
Pakistan must act to end coerced religious conversions, child marriage, United Nations expert say (lm) Independent United Nations rights experts on January 16 appealed to the Pakistani government to combat abductions, forced marriages and conversions of girls from the country’s religious minorities. The rights experts - who report to the Human Rights Council – cited reports suggesting the involvement of religious authorities and the complicity of security forces and the justice system; but they also acknowledged that Islamabad had already made efforts to pass legislation prohibiting such illegal practices. [The Straits Times] [UN News]
Philippine Supreme Court voids 2008 South China Sea energy deal with China, Vietnam (jd/lm) The Supreme Court in the Philippines on January 11 declared the country’s 2005 energy exploration agreement with Chinese and Vietnamese companies in the West Philippine Sea was illegal, ruling the constitution stipulates that the Philippines government must control and supervise activities and companies involved must be majority Philippine-owned. [CNN] The decision, on the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking agreement that expired in 2008, could complicate efforts by China to revive oil and gas exploration talks with the Philippines in areas of the South China Sea that are not in dispute, according to observers. During President Marcos Jr.’s recent state visit to Beijing, the Philippine president and his counterpart President Xi Jinping agreed to resume the halted negotiations [see AiR No. 2, January/2023, 2]. [Inquirer.net] Against the backdrop of the recent ruling, China stated that it is committed to handle the disputes concerning the South China Sea with the nations involved through dialogue and consultation in order to reach maritime cooperation and joint exploration agreements. [The Star]
Bangladesh, Nepal seek approval from India to use transmission link for energy trade (az) Bangladesh and Nepal are seeking approval from India to export 40-50 megawatt electricity from the Himalayan nation to Dhaka through India’s existing transmission infrastructure. Bangladesh and Nepal signed a wide-ranging energy cooperation deal last August, agreeing to jointly develop hydropower plants, transmission lines and build capacity for the two countries’ energy sector. But a request by Kathmandu to India to transfer energy to Dhaka through the high-voltage Baharampur-Bheramara cross-border power transmission link was not approved. As the case is now in the Supreme Court of Nepal, experts fear complications in the issue of exporting energy to Bangladesh. On the other hand, Indian authorities already complained against the officials of the Investment Board of Nepal, making the situation more strained. [The Kathmandu Post]
Bangladesh welcomes two visiting Indian Coast Guard ships (az) Two Indian Coast Guard ships arrived at Bangladesh’s Chattogram Port on January 13 for a six-day visit to the South Asian neighbor. Equipped with advanced and multipurpose systems the two vessels mark a new chapter of bilateral cooperation between India and Bangladesh. [The Daily Star]
Bangladesh pledges to ‘reform’ elite force sanctioned by United States (az/lm) Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told a visiting United States official on January 15 that his government would do its best to address human rights-related allegations against the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite force of Dhaka’s security apparatus that was sanctioned by Washington late in 2021. The visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, confirmed that the RAB has made “tremendous progress in the area of reducing extrajudicial killings”, citing a report by rights advocacy groups. [Voice of America] On December 10, 2021, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the RAB, as well as seven of its current and former officers due to serious human rights violations. These actions came on the last day of the virtual Democracy Summit organized by the White House, to which Bangladesh was not invited. [AiR No. 50, December/2021, 2] Notably, discussions between Lu and Momen also included Dhaka’s interest in joining Washington’s Indo-Pacific Strategy to work together on peace-building in the region. Besides that, discussions also covered the issues of trade, investment, labor rights, democracy and development between the two countries. [UNB]
Bangladesh, Nigeria aspire to extend collaboration in multiple sectors (az) Bangladesh and Nigeria have agreed to sign a framework agreement on a free trade agreement (FTA) or preferential trade agreement (PTA), an agreement between the apex chambers of the two countries, and establishing cooperation in the IT and ICT sectors. These decisions were made during a meeting between representatives of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority and a visiting eleven-member Nigerian delegation in Dhaka on January 15. As part of the collaboration, both sides agreed to explore the possibilities of development in mutual farming, food processing, freelancing, and digital services. Pointing to the remarkable achievement of Bangladesh in the socio-economic sector, the Nigerian delegations are also interested in meeting with private sector representatives like Beximco, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry. [UNB 1] [UNB 2]
Bangladesh, Rwanda sign air services agreement to facilitate various air transport systems (az) Bangladesh and Rwanda on January 12 signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement to enhance connectivity, trade and people-to-people relationships between the two countries. As per the agreement, both countries will enjoy the increased movement of people and smoothen the shipment of cargo and mail. [The Business Standard]
Cambodia: UN Specialist on LGBT Rights visits Cambodia for the assessment of social conditions (sn) An independent UN specialist on protection against discrimination based on sexual and gender identities arrived in Cambodia for a 10-day tour in response to the request made by the state government. Cambodian Human Right Committee spokesman said the visit is an opportunity for Cambodia to promote LGBT rights. The specialist, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, will visit Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang to meet with national and provincial authorities, human rights advocates, and religious leaders. The assessment will provide a foundation for the recommendations to the state government and other stakeholders. [Phnom Penh Post]
Cambodian Deputy PM & Foreign Affairs Minister welcomes UK Ambassador to the Kingdom in the State (sn) On January 12, 2023, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister – Prak Sokhonn met with the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Southeast Asian State, Dominic Williams. Both sides positively emphasized bilateral relations and welcomed the increasing trade volume between the two states. The Kingdom of Cambodia and the United Kingdom proposed a dialogue on enhancing cooperation in education, defense, energy transition, and climate change dimensions. The Deputy PM and Ambassador also considered conducting events to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the countries. [Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation]
China-Russia trade rises 34.3% in 2022 to record high (hg) Bilateral trade between China and Russia rose 34.3 percent year-on-year to a record high of 1.28 trillion yuan (USD 190 billion) in 2022, compared with 7.7 a percent rise for China's overall foreign trade. While China's exports to Russia soared 17.5 percent according to Chinese customs data, imports from Russia jumped 48.6 percent. However, bilateral trade with Russia accounted still only for 3 percent of China's trade volume last year.
Islamic scholars visit Chinese Xinjiang Region (ms/hg) More than 30 Islamic scholars from 14 countries visited the Uyghur-populated Xinjiang region and praised China’s handling of the province, prompting criticism from foreign Uyghurs and human rights organizations. On January 8, scholars from countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), led by the chairman of the World Muslim Communities Council, began their visit. The scholars expressed their support for China’s handling of the region, saying that “China is right to do everything it needs to do to protect its national interests and people.” [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China 1] [Global Times] [Xinhua] Human rights organizations and Uyghurs from around the world condemned the delegation’s visit and statements, calling them “propaganda.” [Middle East Eye] [Radio Free Asia] In August last year, the then High Commissioner of Human Rights published the Xinjiang Report, which classified China’s treatment of the Uyghurs as serious human rights violations, which in their entirety could be classified as crimes against humanity [see AiR No. 36, September/2022, 1]. Beijing’s interest in underlining its Islam-friendly stance despite the situation in Xinjiang is an important element of its attempt to align with the Muslim world where possible. Fittingly, according to a press release of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Qin Gang noted at a press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo that “the Palestine issue is the core of the Middle East situation”. The release also notes that “President Xi Jinping has put forward a number of times the initiatives on solving the Palestine issue […]” emphasizing “that injustices the Palestinian people encountered in history should not be indefinitely left unattended”. Qin Gang demanded that the “international community should enhance the sense of urgency, prioritize the Palestine issue […] encourage Israel and Palestine to resume peace talks, properly handle the final status of Jerusalem and other problems, and promote the just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question on the basis of the ‘two-state solution’ at an early date. Major countries with influence should shoulder responsibility for this.” [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China 2]
UK publishes biannual report on Hong Kong (ms) The UK government in its January 12 bi-annual report on Hong Kong accuses the Chinese government of systematically eroding the freedom of the people of the former British colony, cracking down on freedom of expression and the press and declining the city’s autonomy. [UK Government] [Reuters] In response to the report, the Hong Kong government called on the British government to halt the reports, urging it to “mutual[ly] respect the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and not to smear or slander the successful application of such principle nor interfere with the affairs of the HKSAR," and “vehemently refut[ing] the slandering remarks and ill-intentioned political attacks,” contained in the report. [Hong Kong Free Press] [Xinhua]
German coalition party leader threatens China with termination of relations in case of invasion of Taiwan (ms) Lars Klingbeil, leader of Germany’s coalition leading Social Democratic Party (SPD), admitted in an interview that in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, Germany would be forced to end relations with China, as it did with Russia during Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. The statement comes, among other things, ahead of Germany’s planned new China strategy, which the German government has been working on for several months. The war in Ukraine and the dependence of Germany on Russian fossil fuels it has shown was also decisive for the planning of the strategy, as Germany seeks to counteract a similar economic dependence on China. Under the new strategy, German firms which are especially exposed to China would be required to disclose details on their business with the Chineses government and undergo regular assessments. Coinciding with Klingbeil’s statements, Chinese ambassador to Germany accused the new China strategy of reflecting “a Cold War mentality that could put cooperation between the world’s second- and fourth-largest economies at risk," adding warned that Germany “is forfeiting its independence and is instead following the U.S. completely in matters of China policy.” [Reuters 1] [Reuters 2] [Handelsblatt, in German]
US, Chinese military hold military exercises in South China Sea (ms) The US Navy disclosed on January 12 that the U.S. Nimitz Carrier Strike Group had carried out routine operations in the South China Sea that included “maritime strike training, anti-submarine operations, integrated multi-domain and joint training between surface and air elements, and flight operations with fixed and rotary wing aircraft”, according to reports. [The EurAsian Times] Only days later, Chinese state media announced that the second Chinese aircraft carrier, the Shandong, completed a series of exercises in the South China Sea that included night drills with J-15 jets launched from the Shandong and were described as “confrontational drills,” by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). [Global Times]
Chinese navy in the eyes of US naval intelligence commander (hg) The commander of the US Office of Naval Intelligence reiterated the US perception of a growing threat by the People’s Liberation Army’s Navy (PLAN) at a recent online event, stressing that “China is the number one challenge to America”. The intel commander, Rear Adm. Michael Studeman, noted that a possible invasion of Taiwan would be “something we need to take very seriously”, and informed that he had shared with Taiwanese counterparts lessons the United States has learned from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Staudeman also reported that PLAN’s ability to transform basic technology from anti-ship ballistic missiles into hypersonic weapon systems was the most surprising thing occurring to him during his more than 30 years of service. The admiral concluded that the rise of China “is not [just] a regional dominance issue but a global issue”. [USNI]
China-United States: US Secretary of State Blinken to visit Beijing (hg) Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Beijing to meet his counterpart Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Feb. 5-6. The visit, which is reported by POLITICO, will come as a follow-up to President Joe Biden’s meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping at the G20n summit in Bali last November. [Politico]
China-France: Phone conversation between Wang Yi and Diplomatic Advisor to President Macron (hg) Polit Bureau member and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and French President's Diplomatic Advisor Emmanuel Bonne had a talk over telephone to discuss bilateral relations. In their talk, former foreign minister Wang Yi noted “that the world today is full of turbulence and transformation,” thus the sound and steady development of China-France relations is of special significance”. Therefore, so Wang Yi, “China is willing to tighten high-level exchanges and deepen strategic mutual trust with France to open up new prospects for the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership”. Bonne, according to the Chinese release, “said that France attaches great importance to its relations with China and is ready to strengthen high-level exchanges […], deepen cooperation […] and jointly draw a blueprint for future development. France opposes the Cold War mentality and bloc politics and stands ready to play an active role in expanding the EU-China dialogue […].” [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China] The telephone talk comes after French President Macron has signaled a visit to China early this year on the sidelines of the G 20 summit in Bali. For more context see [South China Morning Post]
China-Uganda: Kampala terminates contract with Chinese company (ms) The government of Uganda has terminated a contract with a Chinese firm on the construction of a 273-kilometer railway project due to China’s unwillingness to provide funding. In 2015, the Ugandan government signed a construction contract with the Chinese company China Harbour and Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) to build the country’s first phase of standard gauge railway (SGR), estimated to cost about USD 2.2 billion. The railway is supposed to connect the Ugandan capital Kampala with the border with Kenya and the Kenyan standard gauge railroad leading to the port city of Mombasa on the Indian Ocean. The government of Uganda justifies this decision with a lack of willingness of CHEC and the China Exim Bank to finance the project, as the Chinese side doubts that the construction project in Kenya, with which the planned construction project is to be connected, would be completed. This was the main appeal of the project for the Chinese side. Uganda is said to have already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi, which is currently working on a similar project in Tanzania. [Reuters] [TheEastAfrican]
China’s new foreign minister visits Africa (ms/dql) During one of his first overseas visits, the new Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang attended the inauguration of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters completed in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. The Chinese government was not only mainly responsible for the financing, but a Chinese company, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corp (CCECC), also undertook the planning and execution of the prestigious construction project. In Qin’s speech during the inauguration [see full speech], he emphasized the importance of China-Africa friendship and the intensification of the relationship between China and the African Union (AU), with the construction project as a manifestation of this. Furthermore, he spoke in favor of China's desire for unity and cooperation among developing countries, further supporting China’s desired position as a leader of the global South. [Addis Standard] [Xinhua] China already financed other projects in Africa, for example in 2012 they financed and built the AU headquarters for about USD 200 million also in Addis Abeda. In 2018, however, reports emerged regarding this construction project claiming that China had bugged the building and that data from computers had been transferred to Chinese servers daily. Both China and the AU denied these allegations, which are said to be based on anonymous sources within the AU. [The Guardian] Meanwhile, in a press conference held together with Chairperson of the AU Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, Qin called for joint efforts of China and Africa to further promote the development of Belt and Road cooperation in Africa, while rejecting allegations of China creating a “debt trap” in Africa. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1] [Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2] The statements were made during the foreign minister’s tour in Africa which led him also to Egypt [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China 3], Angola [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China 4] and Benin [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 5]
Chinese Foreign Minister calls for implementation of first China-Arab summit outcomes (dql) During a press conference held on January 16 with Secretary-General of the League of Arab States (LAS) Ahmed Aboul Gheit in Cairo, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang called for the implementation of the results of the first China-Arab summit outcomes, as reflected in the Riyadh Declaration of the First China-Arab States Summit, the Outline of the Comprehensive Cooperation Plan Between the People’s Republic of China and Arab States, and a document on Deepening the Sino-Arab Strategic Partnership for Peace and Development. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China] In another press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry a day earlier, Qin Gang reaffirmed China’s willingness to continue to support the Middle East countries “in independently exploring a development path,” and to further “advance Belt and Road cooperation, implements the Global Development Initiative and jointly pursues development and revitalization [of the Middle East countries].” [Chinese Consulate General, Alexandria]
India, Japan conduct first joint air drill (wr/lm) India and Japan on January 16 launched their first first-ever joint air drills in an area outside of Tokyo exercise as both countries seek to boost military cooperation against the larger backdrop of China’s growing assertiveness in the region. [Bloomberg] [Japan Times] India is fielding Russian-made fighters, Su-30Mki and US-made C-17 Globemaster heavy lift transport aircraft in the maiden exercise; Japan will be contributing about four F-2 and four F-15 fighters in the drills that will run until January 26. India is the fifth nation besides the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany to conduct such bilateral air combat exercises with Japan. The joint drills grew out of a security meeting in New Delhi in November 2019 but had been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
India, United States establish new trade and finance facilitation group (wr) India and the United States have established a new working group to build sustainable supply chains and boost bilateral trade during a meeting co-chaired by the countries’ trade representatives. The Trade Policy Forum, held in Washington DC on January 12 after a four-year hiatus, will reconvene on a ministerial level before the end of 2023. [Hindustan Times] [Reuters]
Guyana might sign oil, gas exploration deal with India (wr) India's petroleum minister met on January 12 the president of Guyana, a country on the northern mainland of South America, to discuss bilateral oil and gas exploration deals. Guyana, home to one of the largest oil discoveries in the last decade, has offered 14 offshore exploration blocks under its latest global auction round; Indian companies can bid in the auction. [Business Standard] [Reuters] India is the world's third biggest oil importer and consumer, buying nearly 85 percent of the oil it needs from overseas. In light of this, Indian companies are scouting for acreage overseas and want to secure oil supplies through long-term deals. Against this backdrop, India and Guyana have formed two technical groups to look into details of bilateral cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector including oil supplies to India under long term deals. Details will be finalized during a visit by Guyana's Vice President H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo to India this February.
India, Israel leaders hold phone conversation, discuss strategic partnership (wr) India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 11 held a phone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the rapid progress in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership in recent years and agreed on the potential for further strengthening strategic cooperation in a variety of areas. [First Post] [Outlook India]
Armenia seeks Indian missiles for its Russian-built fighter jets, reports claim (wr/lm) Armenia is reportedly seeking Indian missile and pilots' assistance for its Russian-built Su-30SM Flanker fighter jets. However, at the time of writing, no such arrangement has been confirmed. [Indian Defense News] [Forbes] Last November, Armenia signed a three-year contract with a leading private Indian defense equipment manufacturer for the supply of 155 mm artillery systems worth USD 155.5 million. The order followed closely on a government-to-government deal between the two countries to supply Armenian armed forces with PINAKA multi-barrel rocket launchers, anti-tank munitions, and wide-ranging ammunitions and warlike stores worth USD 250 million, which made Armenia New Delhi’s first international customer of the indigenously developed PINAKA system.
India, UAE to sign close to signing ‘major agreement’ on renewable energy transfer, minister says (wr) India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are finalizing a “major agreement” on a renewable energy interconnection between the two countries, India's power minister said on January 15, without providing additional information on a time frame. Raj Kumar Singh, who was visiting the UAE for the International Renewable Energy Agency's (IRENA) assembly in Abu Dhabi, of which India is currently president, said the deal would be under the “One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG)” initiative by a group of countries to create renewable energy networks. [Alarabiya] [Reuters]
Indonesia, Timor-Leste talk economic cooperation, land borders (os) Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi has met with her counterpart from Timor-Leste Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno to discuss economic cooperation and land borders. [Antara News] The two countries expressed their willingness to start discussions on a free-trade zone agreement between Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province and Timor-Leste’s Oecusse district. They also pointed out their plans to expedite completing agreements in the areas of investment and communication and information. Issues regarding two segments of the land border between the two countries were also discussed. Currently, Timor-Leste is pursuing ASEAN membership. In 2022, its membership was accepted in principle by ASEAN [see AiR No. 46, November/2022, 3]. Previously, Indonesia had already emphasized its support for the acceptance.
Indonesia sends warship to monitor Chinese vessel in territory claimed by both (os) Indonesia has sent a warship to monitor a Chinese coast guard vessel in Indonesia’s North Natuna Sea, a territory that is claimed by both countries. [Al Jazeera] [Reuters] Since December 30, 2022, the vessel is sailing in the territory near an Indonesian gas field. According to the Indonesian navy, the vessel has not displayed suspicious behavior. However, a warship, maritime patrol plane, and drone have been sent to monitor the vessel. The area is rich in resources and is claimed by China and Indonesia to belong to their respective territories. China says the area falls under its large territorial claim in the South China Sea. Indonesia views the territory as one of its exclusive economic zones (EEZ). In 2017, it renamed the area as the North Natuna Sea in a move to counter the Chinese claims. The vessel’s activity in the area comes shortly after Indonesia and Vietnam reached an agreement on their EEZ boundaries in the area [see AiR No. 52, December/2022, 4].
Indonesia announces corn exports to Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia (os) Indonesia’s National Food Agency (Bapanas) has announced the country’s plans to export corn to Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. In the first quarter of 2023, the exports are estimated to sit at 200,000 tonnes of corn. Indonesia still faces several roadblocks in pursuing the exports. For instance, certain technology is needed to move corn from one ship to another. The Indonesian government plans to fund this investment with about USD 130 million. [Tempo] [Vietnamplus]
Indonesian Foreign Minister to lead office of the ASEAN Special Envoy on Myanmar (ih) On January 11, Foreign Minister of Indonesia Retno Marsudi announced that she would lead the newly-formed office of the ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar. The office is intended to drive ASEAN’s response to the crisis in Myanmar. [The Irrawady]
Kishida, Biden reaffirm US-Japanese alliance at meeting in Washington (dql) On January 13, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US President Joe Biden met in Washington to discuss deepening security cooperation and economic ties between their countries. According to the joint statement, the two leaders hailed the US-Japanese security alliance as “the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific,” and have instructed the intensification of cooperation on the development and “effective employment of Japan’s counterstrike and other capabilities.” In another statement, Biden reaffirmed that the “United States is fully, thoroughly, completely committed to the alliance and more importantly to Japan’s defense.” [The White House] [The New York Times] [Channel News Asia] This comes after Japan adopted in December three new security documents - National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy and Defense Buildup Program - whose centerpiece is the acquisition of enemy base strike capabilities for the Japanese military in a massive USD 320 billion military build up plan over the next five years aimed at strengthening deterrence against China and North Korea [see AiR No. 51, December/2022, 3]. On the same day, the two countries also concluded an agreement that lays out the terms and conditions for further cooperation between the two countries in space exploration. However, new initiatives were not announced. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan 1] [Space News] Two days earlier, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada met with their U.S. counterparts Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin at the ‘2+2’ conference and agreed to deepen their countries’ strategic alliance, announcing actions aimed at deterring Chinese military threats in the East China Sea and around Taiwan. This includes the establishment of a new Marine Littoral Regiment by 2025 in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan’s southernmost and westernmost prefecture, where the bulk of U.S. forces are stationed in Japan, accounting for 70 percent of the total acreage exclusively used by U.S. military facilities in the country. [VoA] Kishida's meeting with Biden was the fifth and last leg of a week-long tour in the past week that also led him to France, the UK, Italy, and Canada. The visits come as Japan is holding the G7 presidency. In Ottawa, Kishida and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau agreed to deepen economic cooperation in various fields such as energy and food, development finance and economic security. The latter includes responses to economic coercion. As members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, the two countries vowed to maintain the high standards of the agreement. They also reaffirmed their commitment to upholding sanctions against Russia, to cooperate on the denuclearization of North Korea, and to oppose “unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas,” as well as to maintain “close coordination in addressing various issues related to China.” [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan 2] Kishida, in addition, highlighted during his stay in Canada the importance of liquefied natural gas for his country’s energy transition, and expressed hope that Canada’s LNG export terminal, expected to open by 2025, will contribute to Japan’s clean energy policy. [CTV News] During his visit to the UK, Kishida and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) under which procedures will be established that will provide the basis for increasing bilateral military exchanges and training, including the deployment of armed forces in one another’s countries. It is Japan’s first RAA with a European country and comes after the two countries along with Italy reached an agreement in December to cooperate in the development of next-generation fighter jets [see AiR No. 50, December/2022, 2]. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan 3] [The Diplomat] In Italy, Kishida and Italian Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reached an agreement on the elevation of the relations between their countries to a level of a strategic partnership and on deepening cooperation in economy, trade, and defense. [Reuters] In France, the first leg of the tour, Kishida and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, with the latter reaffirming France’s “unfailing support to face” Pyongyang’s “flagrant breaches to international law.” Kishida, for his part, called France a top partner in the creation of a free and open Indo-Pacific and announced that Tokyo would intensify joint military drills with Paris. The two leaders, further, pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields, such as nuclear and renewable energy, care manufacturing and defense [see AiR No. 2, January/2023, 2]
Ten bilateral agreements signed as Vietnamese Prime Minister visits Laos (fj) A two-day visit by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the invitation of Laos’s new Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has served as an affirmation of the close relations between the two nations as it has yielded the signature of ten bilateral agreements. During their meetings, the leaders of the two countries noted increasingly close collaboration in the fields of national defense and foreign affairs. Signed agreements concern cooperation on economic diplomacy, research, the training of diplomats and officials of Laos’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, financial innovations, and other areas. [Lao News Agency] During his visit, the Vietnamese PM also met with Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith and President of the National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane. Furthermore, the visit also included the ceremonial conclusion of the Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year. [Laotian Times]
Laos enjoy South Korea’s support in food security (ts) The beneficiary Laos Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Baykham Khattiya received tons of rice from the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Yung Soo Jung, with great appreciation. 1,314 tons of rice worth USD 1.26 million given to Laos since last year have continued to help Laos against food emergencies and malnutrition problems. This year, it is intended to support Laos amidst the mounting food and fuel crisis resulting from the ongoing war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic when the country has already been challenged by natural disasters as adverse effects of climate change. On this occasion, the minister expressed appreciation while assuring country-wide benefits from this rice donation, citing the relationship between the two countries will continue to be well-enhanced. [Lao News Agency]
UAE extends USD 2 billion loan, offers 1 billion more, as Prime Minister Sharif visits sheikhdoms (tj) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed on January 12 to lend USD 1 billion to cash-strapped Pakistan and roll over an existing USD 2 billion loan in a boost to the South Asian nation that continues to struggle to recover from devastating floods this summer and a dire economic crisis. [The Washington Post] The loan announcements came as Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif kicked off a two-day visit to the. Sharif’s visit to the UAE marked his third since becoming premier last April. Pakistan announced on January 9 that donors had pledged to donate more than USD 8 billion to assist Islamabad in recovering from last year’s devastating floods. Officials from some 40 countries as well as private donors and international financial institutions had gathered at a conference organized by the United Nations where Pakistan asked for USD 8 billion over the next three years. [AiR No. 2, January/2023, 2] Later last week, then, Saudi Arabia floated investing USD 10 billion in Pakistan and increasing its deposits in the State Bank of Pakistan to USD 5 billion. [AiR No. 2, January/2023, 2]
Singapore, Uzbekistan sign eight MoU to deepen cooperation (lm) Singapore and Uzbekistan signed eight agreements on January 17 to deepen bilateral cooperation in areas such as transport, trade, education and healthcare capabilities. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who was on his first state visit to Singapore, witnessed the exchange of the pacts. [The Straits Times]
South Korea secures USD 30 billion in investments from United Arab Emirates and signs 13 key partnerships (sm) According to Seoul’s presidential office, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) decided to invest USD 30 billion into South Korean nuclear, energy, and arms sector during a summit between South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan on January 15. [Reuters] Yoon secured the investment which will be led by sovereign wealth funds during his four-day visit to Abu Dhabi, highlighting the Sheikh’s high opinion of South Korean investors' reliability during the pandemic and tendency to keep promises. The investment will be equally divided between the nuclear, arms, hydrogen, and solar sectors among others. Yoon vowed to closely supervise the investments to guarantee their returns and positive impact on UAE’s mid- and long-term development. The two leaders furthermore assisted the signature of 13 memoranda of understanding (MOU), promoting the expansion of economic cooperation in investments, arms, climate change, nuclear power, and energy. Most notably, they include a MOU on strategic defense industry cooperation, a MOU on increasing their energy cooperation through a comprehensive strategic energy partnership, and a joint oil reserve project agreement. Other MOU noted the two countries' agreement on an accelerated transition to a carbon-zero economy (Voluntary Carbon Market Partnership), joint plane development, and a strategic investment partnership between Seoul’s KDB Bank and Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala state-run sovereign wealth fund. [Yonhap News Agency_1] The summit constituted the first visit of a South Korean president to the Emirates since the inception of their ties in 1980. Yoon was accompanied by a delegation representing 100 major South Korean firms, including Samsung executive chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK group chairman Chey Tae-won, and Hyundai motor group chairman Chung Eui-sun. The visit is meant to elevate the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership at the highest level, and is aimed at the spillover of the relationship into other sectors, such as health, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. [Korea.net] [Yonhap News Agency_2] South Korean unification minister Kwon Young-se, who also traveled to Abu Dhabi, met with UAE’s minister in charge of tolerance and coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan to talk about the security situation on the Korean peninsula and gained support for Seoul’s plan to offer economic aid in exchange for North Korea’s denuclearization. [Yonhap News Agency_3]
South Korean, US senior officials discuss key minerals, supply chains, and US Inflation Rate Act (sm) On January 10, South Korean second industry minister Park Il-Jun and US under secretary of state for economic growth, energy, and environment Jose Fernandez discussed how to strengthen cooperation, exports, and investments in energy and key minerals. Park highlighted South Korea’s adherence to the US-led Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), which aims at ensuring stable supply chains and encourages investments in key minerals. South Korea is a member of the 2022 MSP together with Finland, France, Germany, Australia, Canada, Sweden, Britain, Japan, the European Commission, and the US. He also asked for the support for South Korean business investments into the US renewable and nuclear energy industries. Fernandez and Park also talked about ongoing consultations on the implementation of the US Inflation Rate Act (IRA), which gives tax advantages to EV makers who assemble their cars in the US, and the CHIPS and Science Act, which will bolster the US semiconductor chip industry by encouraging corporate investments, research and development. It also bans tax benefit recipients from investing into Chinese chips for ten years. The IRA has been worrying for South Korean car makers, such as Hyundai and Kia, who fear losing their ground on the American market. Fernandez further discussed IRA concerns with Seoul’s second vice foreign minister Lee Do-hoon on the same day. He reassured Lee o that the US is taking South Korean concerns seriously, while insisting that the IRA’s intent is to tackle climate change. [Korea Times_1] [Korea Times_2] [South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy]
Visa suspension for Chinese travelers to South Korea causes tensions and retaliatory measures (sm) On January 11, South Korea foreign minister Park Jin voiced his deep regret over China’s decision to suspend short-term visas for South Korean travelers in retaliation to South Korean COVID-19 restrictions for Chinese travelers. The Chinese embassy in Seoul announced the decision a day earlier in retaliation to Seoul’s measures. Some tourists and Chinese newspapers have called the measures discriminatory. South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol responded that there was no reason for the two countries to suffer diplomatic tensions over purely scientific measures to protect the population, which weren’t targeted at any country in particular. He argued that COVID-19 border restrictions represent a sovereignty issue on which no other country is suited to comment. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency called the measures inevitable and temporary. [Korea Times] While China has completely suspended short-term visas, including visa transit exemptions, South Korea still issues visas to Chinese travelers for humanitarian and urgent business reasons. Chinese visitors must take a PCR test taken less than 72 hours before the flight. Flights between South Korea and China, including Hong Kong, are moreover restricted to Seoul’s Incheon airport. [KBS World_1] [Reuters] Park asked Beijing to take visa restriction decisions based exclusively on scientific grounds, a request which was echoed by the UN’s call for adherence to WHO guidelines grounded in scientific justifications. During a phone call on January 9, Park had further explained South Korea’s reasons for the travel restrictions to his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang, not wanting the move to affect diplomatic relations. [KBS World_2] [South China Morning Post] [South Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
India, South Korea hold ministerial talks to secure special strategic partnership (sm) On January 16, South Korean vice foreign minister Cho Hyung-dong held talks with his Indian counterpart Saurabh Kumar to strengthen their special strategic partnership launched in 2015, on the occasion of 50 years of diplomatic ties. Cho and Kumar agreed to expand cooperation in the defense, culture, and development aid sector among others. They also condemned North Korea’s recent ballistic missile launches and other provocations as threats to the peace and stability of the region, which require a united response from the international community, according to the South Korean foreign ministry. [Yonhap News Agency]
South Korea, Lithuania seek to improve ties (sm) On January 13, South Korean and Lithuanian foreign ministers Park Jin and Gabrielus Landsbergis met in Seoul to discuss their bilateral ties. Both remarked that their relationship has consistently deepened due to shared values of democracy, human rights, and market economy and wish to further expand it. Landsbergis praised South Korea’s stance and sanctions against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and commented that the war had been the trigger for like-minded partnerships. [Korea Times]
Sri Lanka’s debt negotiations with China, India 'successful’, prime minister tells parliament (sn/lm) Sri Lanka’s debt negotiations with China and India “are successful”, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the island nation’s lawmakers on January 17, bringing the crisis-hit country closer to clearing a major hurdle to unlock a USD 2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). [Bloomberg] [Daily Mirror] Until recently, debt negotiations yielded little progress since Sri Lanka defaulted in May, with creditors bickering on the size of losses they are willing to accept and whether local debt should be included in the restructuring. Against this backdrop, the governor of Sri Lanka's central bank on January 12 urged India and China to reduce the country’s billions of dollars of debt. Colombo had initially hoped to agree a new payment plan with the two Asian giants by the end of 2022. [Economy Next] [BBC] On January 16, then, India formally notified that it would support Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring plan, ahead of a visit by New Delhi’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar later this month. Earlier on the same day, a visiting delegation of China’s Communist Party led by Vice Minister Chen Zhou assured Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena that Beijing would stand by Sri Lanka during this crisis. [ADA derana] [Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka Twitter] [Investing] However, Sri Lanka still needs similar assurances from Japan and so-called Paris Club members before the IMF board can approve the loan program. Colombo concluded debt restructuring talks with Japan, Wickremesinghe said last week, without sharing details. But even if the major economies do ultimately agree to write down their loans to Sri Lanka another potential problem looms in the form of private creditors, who account for 40 percent of the country's external debt stock. [South China Morning Post]
Canada sanctions former Sri Lanka presidents Mahinda, Gotabaya Rajapaksa over human rights violations (sn/lm) Canada has imposed sanctions on former Sri Lankan presidents Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, over “gross and systematic violations of human rights” during the country’s 26-year civil war that ended in 2009. Notably, the enactment of the sanctions signals a departure from Canada’s approach to sanctions designations, whereby regulations are enacted during, or shortly after an enumerated circumstance occurs. [Al Jazeera] [Government of Canada] Two military officials – Staff Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake and Lieutenant Commander Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi – are also on the sanctions list. Both of them were earlier sanctioned by the United States for committing serious crimes. Ratnayake, who was sentenced to death in 2015 for the killing of eight civilians, was pardoned by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2020.
Sri Lanka receives USD 11.7 million in humanitarian aid from Qatar after ban revocation (sn/lm) Qatar announced it would provide USD 11.7 million in humanitarian aid to crisis-hit Sri Lanka in 2023 during a reopening ceremony of offices of the Gulf nation’s charitable arm in Colombo last week. Last year, the Sri Lankan government designated Qatar Charity a terrorist entity and accused it of funding terrorism related activities in relation to the prominent case of Hijaz Hizbullah, a prominent lawyer who had been in prison for 22 months over charges filed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act without bail. Sri Lanka lifted the ban after its energy minister met with Qatari authorities in June last year. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka] [News Wire]
Ombudsmen of Sri Lanka, Türkiye sign bilateral cooperation MoU (sn/lm) Sri Lanka’s Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman) and the Ombudsman Institution of Türkiye have signed an agreement to deepen cooperation on the sidelines of the International Ombudsman Conference held in Ankara last week. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka]
Taiwan, Japan conclude marine waste cooperation agreement (dql) Taiwan and Japan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on maritime waste disposal under which both sides will promote more exchanges and collaboration on marine waste research and cleanup technologies. [Taiwan News]
Taiwan to assist Ukraine in digital reconstruction after war (dql) Taiwan’s Digital Minister Audrey Tang has confirmed in an interview that the island is willing to assist Ukraine in upgrading its digital infrastructure as part of post-war rebuilding efforts. Tang made the statement during his visit to Lithuania. [Reuters]
Taiwan to purchase US missiles and weapons systems (dql) Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has disclosed that it will buy 100 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, along with 60 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and a large number of unnamed long-range weapons systems for the F-16V from the U.S. [Taiwan News]
Chinese military aircraft enters Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (dq) According to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense, eight People Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and three PLA Nany vessels were spotted around Taiwan on January 16. One aircraft entered Taiwan’s southwest air defense identification zone. [Ministry of National Defense, Taiwan]
France launches new cultural exchange program to promote Thai French relations (fj) An exchange program called “Sawasdee France” has been launched by the Embassy of France in Thailand, with the aim of bringing the broad scope of bilateral engagement between Thailand and France to broader attention. The new program replaces a previous format called “La Fete”, which used to focus more exclusively on cultural and artistic exchange between the two nations. Following the French President’s attendance as a guest of honor during Thailand’s hosting of the APEC leaders in Bangkok last year, this initiative by the French embassy forms part of the pursuit of a more visible partnership between the two nations. The French embassy has also announced the opening event for the “Franco-Thai Year of Innovation” on January 26, where the technological and research dimensions of their relationship will take center stage. [Bangkok Post] [Ambassade de France en Thailande]
Thai Securities and Exchange Commission signs MoU with UK government (fj) The Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of the United Kingdom, which is aimed at facilitating Thailand’s efforts towards a greener and more sustainable economy and strengthening its regulatory capacity in the financial technology sector. Examples of focus areas of the MoU include green bonds and climate risk disclosure for companies listed on the stock market. Funding for the cooperation will come from the UK’s ASEAN Economic Reform Programme and the UK’s Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions Programme. The agreement follows up on a previous MoU on financial technology dating back to September 2020. [UK Government]
Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs visiting Thailand (fj) Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, João Gomes Cravinho, is visiting Thailand on January 16-17, where he is scheduled to meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai. Foreseen talking points focus on the two nations’ mutual economic interests as well as their regional and global cooperation more broadly. Cravinho’s visit comes in the wake of the signing of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Thailand and the European Union in December 2022. [MFA Thailand]
Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs meets Japan's Special Envoy for National Reconciliation in Myanmar (fj) Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai has met with Sasakawa Yohei, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation and the Special Envoy of the Government of Japan for National Reconciliation in Myanmar to discuss ongoing efforts to make progress on Myanmar’s internal peace and stability. [MFA Thailand] Following a coup d’état on February 1, 2021, that deposed the democratically elected government under Aung San Suu Kyi and installed a military-led junta in its place, Myanmar has seen internal instability and violence that has been characterized as a civil war. As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been unable to take effective measures in bringing the violence in Myanmar to a halt, other regional powers such as Japan are seeking to make their contribution to stabilizing the situation.
Myanmar, Thailand reopens major land point of entry to ensure legal crossings (td) Myanmar and Thailand have officially reopened the Myanmar-Thai Friendship Bridge No. 1, the major land crossing channel, in the eastern and northern region of respective countries in three years after the coronavirus pandemic. It connects Tak province of Thailand with Kayin state’s Myawaddy township in Myanmar. Considering the reopening, the two neighboring nations expect it to stimulate economic growth and facilitate the legal mobilization of people along their border – particularly for migrant workers in search of job opportunities. In addition to the second Thai-Myanmar bridge opened earlier, dozens of Myanmar workers had to rely on the assistance of brokers in order to enter Thailand through irregular routes along the 2,400-kilometer-long border between Myanmar and Thailand, in which they could be subjected to abuses. Myanmar workers in Thailand, meanwhile, will be able to reunite with their family in Myanmar in the wake of the coup in 2021. As a result, the long-anticipated reopening does not only resume the border crossing legally, but also ensures fairer opportunities for the masses. [Radio Free Asia]
Timor-Leste President Ramos-Horta urges Australia to release Balibo records (tjb) Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta has called on the Australian government to release secret documents related to murder of five journalists by Indonesian special forces in Balibo in the lead-up to the invasion of then Portuguese Timor in 1975. [Sydney Morning Herald] Intelligence reports showed that Australian officials were aware of the order that resulted in the killings, but the vast majority of documents related to the Balibo massacre, the invasion of East Timor and the resulting 24-year occupation are shielded from the public eye on national security grounds. Announcements ![]() Upcoming Events 18 January 2023 @ 4:00-5:00 p.m. (GMT-5), Brookings Institution, USA The future of liberalism Against the backdrop of renewed criticism of liberalism, this hybrid event will see a debate between thinkers with opposing intellectual and political orientations on the prospects for the long-term viability of liberalism and pluralist liberal societies. Visit [Brookings Institution] for further details of the event.
19 January 2023 @ 2:00-3:00 p.m. (GMT+8), ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore The ‘Tao’ of China’s Digital Economic Transformation and Lessons for Southeast Asia This webinar will discuss the question of how the Southeast Asian countries could accelerate the digital transformation of their economies, which also includes the issue of the pre-conditions and necessary adjustments in the respective countries prior to an emulation of China’s successful digital transformation. Learn more about the event at [ISEAS].
19 January 2023 @ 10:00-11:00 a.m. (GMT-5), Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), USA CSIS Commission Report on North Korea Policy & Extended Deterrence At this online event, the CSIS 15-member Commission on the Korean Peninsula will present its “Report on North Korea Policy & Extended Deterrence,” and explain the recommendations for strengthening U.S. extended deterrence with South Korea and reexamining North Korea policy. For more information, see [CSIS].
19 January 2023 @ 10:00-11:00 a.m. (GMT-5), Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), USA Sanctions and the Russian Economy This webinar will discuss the current state and future of the Russian economy amid sanctions that are unprecedented in scale and scope are unprecedented in recent history. The panel will also explore major potential implications of the sanctions not just for the course of the war in Ukraine, but also for Russia's broader geopolitical position. Find more event details as [CSIS].
24 January 2023 @ 9:30-11:00 a.m. (GMT-5), Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), USA China Power Debate series: US-China Economic Cooperation This online event in the China Power Debate series will feature a discussion between two leading economists on the question whether China can work with the United States to provide cooperative global economic leadership. If you are interested in joining the event, you can register at [CSIS].
24 January 2023 @ 12:00-1:00 p.m. (GMT-5), The Heritage Foundation, USA The Iran Threat: What to Expect in 2023 At this hybrid event, experts will examine the global threats Iran is expected to pose in the year ahead. More event information is available at [The Heritage Foundation].
Recent Book Releases Nikhil Gulati, The People of the Indus Hardcover, India Penguin, 192 pages, to be published on February 10, 2023. A review is available at [Asian Review of Books]. Tim Christiaens, Digital Working Lives: Worker Autonomy and the Gig Economy, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 170 pages, published on November 2, 2022, reviewed in [LSE]. Jillian Schwedler, Protesting Jordan: Geographies of Power and Dissent, Stanford University Press, 392 pages, published on April 19, 2022. For a brief review, see [Foreign Affairs].
Calls for Papers Ovidius University of Constanța, Romania, invites paper proposals for its 14th annual conference on Baltic and Nordic Studies, to be held on May 11-12, 2023. This year’s conference theme is “Cooperation and Controversy”. Deadline for abstract submission is March 1, 2023. For more information, go to [Hypotheses]. The Sydney Southeast Asia Centre at the University of Sydney and Humanitarian and Development Studies at Western Sydney University invite paper proposals for the Indonesia Council Open Conference 2023, scheduled for September 26-27, 2023. The hybrid event will gather academics and postgraduate researchers from across the disciplines with an interest in Indonesia. The closing date for abstract submission is February 22, 2023. More details are available at [University of Sydney] The European Union co-funded European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (EMA) is open for scholarship applications. Application deadline is February 13, 2023. Details are provided at [Global Campus of Human Rights].
Jobs and positions The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is looking for a Deputy Representative, Operations, to be based in Cairo, Egypt. Application deadline is January 27, 2023. For more information, visit [UNICEF]. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is recruiting a Social Policy Officer. The position is based in Tunisia. Among the core responsibilities is improving data collection and analysis on child poverty & vulnerability for increased use for policy and programme action. Applications must be submitted by February 3, 2023. More details are available at [UNICEF]. The World Food Programme (WFP) is hiring a Programme Policy Officer (Additional Team Leader) to be based in Uttar Pradesh, India. Main duty will be to support the project management in the overall implementation of the take home rations THR project in Uttar Pradesh. This position is open for Indian nationals only. The closing date for application is January 30, 2023. Visit [Careers 5] for further information. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking a State Coordinator for its “Ending Violence Against Women” program in India. Among the main responsibilities is to create a multi-stakeholder coalition/women safety and empowerment platform to identify and implement women’s wellness and safety solutions. The position is based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA. Only Indian nationals can apply for this position. Application deadline is January 28, 2023. Find more about the vacancy at [UNDP]. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is looking for three National Consultants/Gender Specialists to be based in Timor Leste. Applications are accepted until January 27, 2023. If you are interested, learn more about the position at [UNDP] The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is hiring an Immigration Legal Assistant. The duty location is in the U.S. See [IRC] for more details. The United Nations Secretariat (UN) invites applications for the position of Resident Coordinator Uzbekistan. Applications can be submitted until January 27, 2023. Go to [UN] for further information. The United Nations Secretariat (UN) is seeking a Senior Legal Officer to provide expert advice to the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar. The duty station is Geneva, Switzerland. Applications are accepted until January 18, 2023. Find more about the position at [UN]. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is recruiting a Senior Legal Officer to be in Nairobi, Kenya. The closing date of application is February 11, 2023. Details are available via [UNEP]. Plan International welcomes applications for the position of Country Director Thailand. Application deadline is February 11, 2023. If this job opening looks interesting to you, go to [Plan International] to find more information. The European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) is looking for a Policy Officer – Market Data Analytics. The position is based in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The closing date of application is January 20, 2023. Details of the vacancy are provided at [ACER]. The Circular Biobased Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) - a EUR 2 billion partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) that funds projects advancing competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe - is hiring a Legal Assistant. Applications are accepted until January 23, 202. See [CBE JU] for more information. Total Politics, a leading political lifestyle website in the UK, is recruiting a Political Reporter. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For details, visit [Total Politics]. Total Politics, a leading political lifestyle website in the UK, is looking for a German Political Consultant. Deadline for applications is January 27, 2023. Find more information at [Total Politics]. Oceana, a nonprofit ocean conservation organization, is hiring a Senior Policy Advisor, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), to provide support in building, developing and implementing the organization’s strategy for marine conservation in Europe. The position is based in Madrid, Spain. Applications must be submitted before January 20, 2023. If you are interested, go to [Oceana]. Team: Duc Quang Ly (dql), Felix Jonas Jantz (fj), Henning Glaser (hg), Ian Hollinger (ih), Jennifer Marie Domenici (jd), Lucas Meier (lm), Natalie Svinina (ns), Ole Stark (os), Peer Morten Strantzen (ms), Sheikh Afif Bin Zaman (az), Silke Marian (sm), Thammasorn Sangiamjit (ts), Theerapon Damrongruk (td), Tim Hildebrandt (th), Tomwit Jarnson (tj), Tristan James Biglete (tjb), Venus Phuangkom, Wardah Rehman (wr) We would greatly appreciate your feedback! Please send any feedback you have regarding this newsletter to: info@cpg-online.de Also, don't forget to Like CPG on Facebook, and browse our website for other updates and news!
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