Grasp the pattern, read the trend
No. 46, November/2021, 3
Brought to you by CPG
Dear Readers,
Wishing you an enjoyable read of the present AiR issue, I extend special greetings to everyone celebrating Latvia’s, Morocco’s, and Oman’s Independence Day respectively in this week.
With best regards,
Henning Glaser
Editor in Chief
Webpage: www.cpg-online.de, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CPGTU
Main Sections
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in East Asia
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in South Asia
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in Southeast Asia
International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia
Announcements
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in East Asia
China: Concerns over whereabouts of tennis star after her sexual assault accusation against former Vice Premier
(dql) AiR last week reported about Peng Shuai, a former number one ranked tennis doubles player, accusing former Vice Premier Zheng Gaoli of forcing her to have sexual relations with him, representing the first time such an allegation has been made against one of China’s most senior politicians and painful exposure of the fundamental fiction of a society and a governance system supposed to be based on meritocracy. [see AiR No. 45, November/2021, 2].
Now, concerns are rising about her whereabouts after she has not been publicly seen and heard from since she has posted the accusation online on November 2. [The Guardian]
China: CCP passes historic resolution cementing President Xi Jinping’s power
(tj) On Thursday, China’s ruling Community Party has approved a rare resolution that cemented President Xi Jinping’s ‘core position’ in the party, widely seen as a move in ensuring Xi’s political future in aspirations of securing a third 5-year term as President next year.
Occurring on the last day of the four-day Sixth Plenum of the CCP’s Central Committee comprised of about 370 leaders, the resolution affirmed the CCP’s ‘achievements and historical experiences’ over the past 100 years, whilst elevating Xi to the same standing as previous leaders such as Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, who similarly had resolutions passed to affirm their positions in 1945 and 1981 respectively.
Within the resolution, the CCP praised Xi’s “profound thoughts” and “significant theories”, hailing achievements including the crackdown on Hong Kong pro-democracy activism and the war on corruption. Likewise, the resolution attributed Xi’s “decisive significance” in rejuvenating China to achieve “the tremendous transformation from standing up and growing
prosperous to becoming strong”, the official summary reading that China had “made historic achievements and undergone a historic transformation”. [BBC] [Global Times] [The Guardian 1] [South China Morning Post 1]
Similarly, the resolution cited Xi as “the main innovator” behind one of the party’s ideologies, namely ‘Socialism with Chinese Characteristics’ described as “[a] new breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context”, the Central Committee members declaring Xi’s ideology the “essence of Chinese culture”, that the CCP would “fully implement”. [AP News] [Reuters] [Xinhua 1]
The resolution further cemented Beijing’s handling of Hong Kong and Taiwan, citing that Beijing has attempted to crush pro-democracy activism, amidst further calls for further and more robust control over Hong Kong and reunification of Taiwan, stating that issues in Hong Kong and Taiwan are to be dealt with immediately, rather than leaving these problems for future generations. [AP News] [South China Morning Post 2]
Notably, the resolution incongruously omitted any criticism of any past political figures compared to previous resolutions under Mao and Deng which explicitly castigated previous senior CCP members handling of particular domestic phenomena. [Jamestown Foundation]
With the CCP having abolished term limits on Chinese presidency in 2018, Xi faces no readily apparent rivals in his chase of a third five-year term, to which commentators have noted that this resolution solidifies Xi’s tightening grasp over the party’s members and asserting Xi’s dominance. [Al Jazeera] [CNN] In fact, commentators have since noted that this resolution infers Xi as ‘leader for life’, noting the significance of the resolution may even secure Xi a fourth five-year term, concluding that it would be ‘very probable that Xi will serve for ten more years’. [Jamestown Foundation]
Similarly, commentators have provided critical assessment of the resolution, noting the resolution stands in direct contrast with reality and that the resolution ‘rewrites’ China’s history. [The Guardian 2].
For example, with respect to economic policy, the resolution claims that “with regards to reform and opening up, the Party has consistently promoted broader and deeper reform across the board”, yet the resolution fails to address Beijing’s increasing crackdown on multinational Chinese corporations that has resulted in the diminishing of corporate agency and the increase of power of the
CCP over these firms.
Likewise, despite the resolution espouses that the Chinese economy has achieved satisfactory “comprehensive, balanced and sustained” growth, commentators have noted that the resolution fails to mention how the CCP has relied on injections of state finance towards infrastructure and real-estate to project the image of an auspicious GDP despite accumulating significant debt across all stratum of government and business. [Jamestown Foundation]
[For the full text of the resolution, see Xinhua 2]
China: Evergrande makes another eleventh-hour payment to avoid formal default
(tj) Fears over the expiry of a 30-day grace period for bond payments due Wednesday, November 10, have been quashed after Evergrande made a last-minute payment to avoid formal default.
Evergrande faced the overdue bond payments in the amount of $148m on Wednesday, however several bondholders reported they had received coupon payments. [Al Jazeera] [Reuters]
This represents the third time Evergrande has made an eleventh-hour payment, saving itself from default. [See, AiR No. 45, November/2021, 2; AiR No. 44, November/2021, 1]
Meanwhile, Chinese property developer, Kaisa, the property development’s second-biggest borrow on international high yield markets after Evergrande, faces two key payments on Friday in the amount of $88 million.
S&P lowered the company’s rating to triple C minus, citing that the company ‘may not be able to service its debt in time’. [Financial Times]
Similarly, commentators have noted that time is running out for Beijing to step in and resolve the Evergrande crisis. [Sydney Morning Herald 1]
Accordingly, commentators over the past months have indicated that Evergrande’s debts are ‘contagious’, even raising concerns for international markets should Evergrande enter formal default. [ABC News] [Sydney Morning Herald 2] [See, AiR No. 45, November/2021, 2]
China: Hong Kong museum faces criticism of self-censorship
(tj) A new modern art museum, M+, intended to be Asia’s largest gallery with a billion-dollar collection, has opened in Hong Kong despite fears it could be shut down under the Beijing-imposed national security law.
In response to the museum’s opening, a senior Hong Kong cultural official emphasised that freedom of expression did not override the national security law, rendering artists and curators at a difficult crossroad between expression and political censorship. The museum has been accused of self-censorship after it decided not to display works of Ai Wei Wei, a prominent Chinese artist and political dissent of the CCP, depicting Wei displaying a middle finger in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, after Beijing politicians stated the work was ‘spreading hatred against China’ and could violate the Beijing-imposed national security law. The work is now ‘under review’ by M+ and has been replaced by a logo on their website.
Despite self-censorship concerns, commentators have noted that the removal of this piece could be for the survival of the museum. [AP News] [Hong Kong Free Press] [Reuters] [Sydney Morning Herald]
The opening of M+ comes as the since disbanded the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Democratic Freedoms’ museum commemorating Tiananmen Square was raided in September. [See, AiR No. 37, September 2021, 2]
Hong Kong: Further jailing for pro-democracy activists
(tj) Dubbed the ‘Captain America 2.0’, Ma Chun-man, a Hong Kong activists involved in the 2019 pro-democracy protests has been sentenced to serve almost 6 years in jail for inciting secession under the Beijing-imposed national security law, for chanting slogans, holding placards, and making statements to the media that espoused an anti-Beijing sentiment whilst voicing support for the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.
Ma’s conviction was the second ruling made under the law, yet the first involving mere speech, Ma neither having used force, inflicted physical injury nor damaged property. The first ruling involved Tong Ying-kit, jailed for nine years for riding a motorcycle into a group of policemen displaying the slogan ‘Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times’.
Commentators such as Amnesty International’s Deputy Secretary General Kyle have responded to the ruling as “outrageous”, “dangerously disproportionate”, that has no regard to “human rights safeguards”. [BBC] [Global Times] [Hong Kong Free Press 1] [Reuters]
Likewise, a 22-year-old Hong Kong student has been jailed for 40 months after being charged with rioting associated with the storming of an MTR station in August 2019. Prosecutors accused the student, who was 19 at the time, of damaging station property whilst also threatening other individuals with a cane. The student has since pleaded guilty. [Hong Kong Free Press 2]
Similarly, three Hong Kong democrats who were charged regarding the Tiananmen crackdown vigil last year have been informed they are unable to challenge the police ban on the event by Hong Kong prosecutors.
The vigil was banned by Hong Kong authorities by reason of public health concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. [Hong Kong Free Press 3]
China: Journalists visa renewal rejected by Hong Kong
(tj) A journalist from The Economist, correspondent Sue-Lin Wong, has announced on Saturday that Hong Kong immigration authorities had declined to renew her work visa for reasons yet to be provided.
Despite freedom of speech guaranteed by Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, press freedom has been readily waning since the enactment of the Beijing-imposed national security law last year in June.
Wong represents the latest blow to press freedom suffered by journalists, only serving to solidify the trend of ousting foreign journalists by state agencies and tighter regulation of freedom of press by Hong Kong authorities. [AP News] [Hong Kong Free Press] [Reuters] [See, AiR No. 41, October/2021, 2; AiR No. 40, October 2021, 1]
China: Beijing cyberspace regulator proposes cybersecurity inspections of Hong Kong IPOs
(tj) On Sunday, published on the Cyberspace Administration of China’s WeChat account, the cyberspace regulator proposed requiring companies who are seeking to list shares in Hong Kong to apply for cybersecurity reviews should their data they handle concern national security or if their headquarters or operations are located abroad.
The cyberspace regulator further stated that large internet platforms with more than 100 million daily active users would be required to have any changed reviewed by third-party agencies and receive governmental approval. The proposal will remain open for public review until December 13.
The proposal represents another step towards Beijing’s tightening grasp and paternalism over the technology sector. [Reuters] [See, AiR No. 37, September/2021, 2; AiR No. 36, September 2021, 1]
On the same day, the cyberspace regulator posted draft regulation on data security in which it is considered creating a hierarchical data classification management and protection system to allow safer transfer of data, protecting the right of privacy and national security.
Placed into three categories, ‘general, ‘important’ and ‘core’, the proposed regulation seeks to classify data on their impact to national security, public interest, and rights of individuals and organisations. [Global Times]
China: Kangmei Pharmaceutical Co ruled liable in China’s first class-action lawsuit of corporate fraud
(tj) On Friday, the Intermediate People’s Court of Guangzhou found that Kangmei Pharmaceutical Co had engaged in intentional and systematic financial fraud amounting to 30 billion yuan between 2016 to 2018, resulting in the Court ruling that Kangmei must pay 2.46 billion yuan to investors to compensate their losses. The Court further ruled that that Kangmei former chairman Ma Xingtian, his wife, and four former executives liable.
China’s Securities Regulatory Commission noted that the case represented a ‘milestone’ lawsuit due to it represents the first class-action lawsuit against corporate fraud in China. [Reuters]
China: Beijing stock exchange launched
(tj) Opening on Monday, a stock exchange has been set up in Beijing to serve entrepreneurs of small and medium-seized by businesses amidst a crackdown on technology giants. 81 companies started trading upon the launch of the stock exchange.
The Beijing exchange is the third exchange in China, adding to the existing exchanges in Shanghai and Shenzhen. [AP News] [Reuters]
Japan takes steps back from climate leadership at COP26
(la) During the UN climate talks in Scotland, Japan, the third largest global importer of coal, refused to sign an agreement in which more than 20 countries committed to phasing out coal power, with Japanese officials citing the country’s need to keep all options open for power generation for this decision.
This disappointed many critics after Fumio Kishida, Japan’s current Prime Minister, promised to step up climate measures during the election campaign. Japan once took an assertive stance on climate action, leading the way to the Kyoto protocol which aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the country took a step back at COP26 last week.
Since the Fukushima disaster in 2011, Japan has steered away from nuclear energy, causing it to rely more on coal and other fossil fuels. Despite not signing the COP26 agreement, Kishida has pledged to contribute in other ways. These include cutting targets for coal power and raising aims for renewable energy. In addition, Japan has saved billions of dollars to support the strengthening of infrastructure for renewables and clean-burning fuels in Asia. [The Japan Times] [See also AiR No. 45, November/2021, 2]
Abe chosen as leader of the largest interparty bloc in Japan’s ruling LDP
(la) Shinzo Abe has recently been appointed the new head of the largest Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) faction. After resigning as prime minister due to deteriorating health conditions in 2020, Abe will replace, Hiroyuki Hosoda, a former Cabinet secretary. Founded in 1979, the faction is made up of around 90 lawmakers, including four former prime ministers: Yoshiro Mori, Junichiro Koizumi, Abe, and Yasuo Fukuda.
Abe was already involved in the LDP’s factional politics earlier this year, while officially factionless. He expressed his strong support for Sanae Takaichi in her bid to become Japan’s first female prime minister during the LDP leadership elections in September. [The Asahi Shimbun].
Opposition party realignment might revoke constitutional revision debate
(la) The constitutional revision that has been on the agenda of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for several decades is again a topic of political discussion, and seems to have gained momentum. Nippon Ishin no Kai and the Democratic Party for the People (DPP) have jointly started to push for a parliamentary debate to revise the Constitution. With support from Nippon Ishin and the DPP, the LDP and its coalition partner Komeito would command the supermajority of 310 seats in parliament, required for constitutional revision.
Both of the opposition parties agree that parliamentary debate around the revision is necessary, but they do not agree on what to amend: Nippon Ishi is more concerned about public education and fiscal decentralization, while the DPP is interested in the establishment of a constitutional court and national emergency provisions. The LDP appears to prioritize constitutional recognition of the national Self-Defence Forces and the introduction of an “emergency clause” to deal with COVID-like scenarios. However, the party will need to address the agenda points of Ishin and DPP if it wants the two-thirds majority needed for constitutional revision. [The Japan Times]
South Korea: Harsh court sentences against online sex crimes
(dql) South Korea’s Supreme Court on Thursday, November 11, struck final sentences of 34 years and 15 years in prison, respectively, for two people convicted for forcing more than 20 women and girls to share nearly 3,800 sexually explicit videos of themselves for distribution on a sexual exploitation online chat room.
The sentences follow a 42-year prison sentence for the lead organizer of the ring, which was confirmed last month by the Supreme Court.
The harsh sentences reflect the Moon administration’s announcement to take tough measures against digital sex crimes after the revelation of a string of sexual exploitation cases related to this chat room triggered massive public outcry last year. [Korea Times]
South Korea: President Moon pushes anti-harassment law amid continued controversy over anti-discrimination bill
(dql) President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday instructed a revision of laws to improve protect workers against workplace harassment in the civil service, calling for closing legal loopholes in the country’s occupational accident compensation system for civil servants.
The instruction comes in response to the death of a newly recruited civil servant at the city government of Daejeon, with family members claiming that death was caused by overwork, unfair instructions and workplace bullying. [Yonhap News Agency]
South Korea: Civic groups demand quick passage of anti-discrimination bill
(dql) In a fresh effort to push for a long-standing anti-discrimination bill, the South Korean Coalition for Anti-Discrimination Legislation, which consists of more than 160 civic groups, last week stage a protest to demand that the National Assembly passes the bill this year’s parliamentary session.
The bill, introduced in June, prohibits discrimination – both direct and indirect – based on grounds of gender, disability, medical history, age, origin, ethnicity, race, skin colour, physical condition, marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity, with the central government and governments required to introduce corresponding laws and policies.
Anti-discrimination bills have been tabled in parliament several times since 2007 but never passed the final legislative stage due to resistance from the conservative bloc and religious groups. The recent bill, has gained stronger public support, increasing its likelihood of being enacted. [Korea Herald]
South Korea: Government mulls emergency controls on production and provision of urea water
(dql) In South Korea’s ongoing urea shortage crisis, the administration of President Moon Jea-in has started to produce 2 million litres of urea solution to provide it to buses, garbage and freight trucks and announced limits on the purchase of this additive used to reduce emissions in diesel vehicles by passenger vehicle driver and commercial vehicle drivers, as part measures taken to control urea water production and provision in place aimed at tackling the supply crunch.
Furthermore, Seoul has dispatched military oil tanker to Australia to airlift 27,000 litres of urea solution, while confirming that it is able to secure a total of a five-month stockpile of urea solution through imports from Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and other nations.
China, meanwhile, has confirmed that the export process for a total of 18,700 tons of solid urea that was previously contracted to Korean firms, will be proceeded, with some 300 tons having cleared customs and leaving China this week.
China held back exports of urea to South Korea last month in the wake of its to address the country’s power crisis prompted by a coal supply shortage, leading to panic buying among drivers. Almost 97% of South Korea’s imports of urea come from China where it is primarily made with coal.
Since China effectively restricted exports of urea Korea has been grappling with a dire shortage, and many fear the tight supply could escalate into a major transportation and logistics crisis. Korea imports all of its urea from overseas, with China accounting for 97 percent. [Reuters 1] [Reuters 2][Yonhap News Agency 1] [Yonhap News Agency 2] [Korea Herald]
South Korea: umbrella union holds rally of 20,000
(aml) On Saturday, November 13, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KTCU) held a rally in Seoul with 20,000 of its members, despite not having permission for it. Originally, they had reported the demonstration as a rally in 20 groups with 499 members each, but the Seoul government considered it as a single event with 10,000 people and prohibited it.
After the police had blocked the original location, Gwanghwamun Square, the KTCU spontaneously relocated the rally to Dongdeamun market, a symbolic place of South Korea’s labour movement since activist Chun Tae-il burned himself to death in 1970 in protest of the poor working conditions.
Although the rally caused traffic jam and the police interfered, there were no major clashes between the protestors and the police. The KTCU demands a comprehensive reform of labour laws to achieve better working conditions. [The Korea Times]
South Korea: presidential candidates on South Korea-US relations
(aml) Both presidential candidates for the next year’s election, Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party (DPK) and Yoon Seok-youl of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) have expressed their views on South Korea-US relations, especially regarding the rivalry with China. Both met US Senator John Ossoff and the US diplomat for East Asia Daniel Kritenbrink in Seoul.
During the meeting, Lee said that the US have played a part in Japan’s annexation of South Korea through the Taft-Katsura agreement in 1905 in which the US condoned Japan’s rule over Korea and Japan the US’s rule over the Philippines. Nevertheless, Lee acknowledged that the US contributed greatly to South Korea’s economic development after the Korean War.
Lee’s approach on the relations is considered as pragmatic and close to president Moon Jae-in since both seek to strengthen their ties with the US while still partnering with China for economic benefits. [The Korea Times 1]
Yoon, on the contrary, positions himself much more closely to the US, stating that “it is impossible to overemphasize the importance of a comprehensive South Korea-US alliance” and calling for a South Korean participation in the Quad, which is a US-led quadrilateral strategic network in the Indo-Pacific which is considered as a response to China’s growing influence. President Moon has distanced himself from joining the forum, despite of growing pressure from the US to join. [The Korea Times 2] [The Korea Times 3]
During a meeting with the Seoul Foreign Correspondent’s Club, Yoon presented his plans to encourage an upgrade of the US THAAD anti-missile system which is deployed in South Korea to protect it against missiles from North Korea. The system had been installed in 2017 in spite of China’s opposition. Moreover, he explained that South Korea needed to cooperate with the Five Eyes, US-led intelligence alliance to ensure safety on the peninsula. [The Korea Times 4]
Taiwan: Protest march to garner referendum votes
(dql) Organizers of the annual “Autumn Struggle” announced that protesters would conduct a march from Pingtung County to the Presidential Office Building in Taipei to express their opposition to “ractopamine pork, double standards and one-party rule.”
The action is aimed at mobilization support for a “yes” vote in two of the four national referendums to be held next month. The first of the two refers to a referendum calling for a ban on pork imports containing traces of the leanness-enhancing additive ractopamine. The government last year lifted this ban to allow such pork imports from the US as a door opener for negotiations on a trade agreement between Washington and Taipei. The second one seeks to prohibit the building of a liquefied natural gas terminal built near algal reefs off Datan Borough in Taoyuan’s Guanyin District. [Taipei Times]
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in South Asia
Bangladesh: Anti-Corruption Commission sentences ex-chief justice to 11 years in jail
(sk/lm) Bangladesh’s former Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha has been sentenced in absentia to 11 years in prison on two counts of graft in a case that opposition groups and supporters say is politically motivated. [Al Jazeera]
A court in the capital Dhaka last week found Sinha guilty of laundering approximately $471,000 in connivance with the officials of a private bank. Ten more people were indicted in the case, eight of whom have been convicted and handed down varying punishments.
Sinha headed the Supreme Court when it upheld a high court decision that parliament could not sack judges in 2017, a move that was hailed by lawyers as safeguarding judicial independence, but also publicly criticized by Prime Minister Hasina and members of her Cabinet.
He left Bangladesh later the same year, alleging he had been forced to step aside following the landmark ruling. Campaigners have said his departure was a massive blow to the credibility of the country’s judiciary, and accused the Hasina administration of going after the former chief justice.
In related developments, Bangladesh’s Law Minister Anisul Huq said on November 16 that the government had requested the top court’s Appellate Division to schedule a hearing in its appeal against the abolishment of the 16thamendment, which gave parliament the ability to remove top judges. [Bdnews24.com]
Bangladesh: Electoral system ‘in ICU’, member of outgoing election commission says
(sk) In the aftermath of the violent union council elections, Mahbub Talukder, a member of the outgoing Election Commission (EC), has commented that elections are “now in ICU,” and consequently, democracy is "on life support," in a bleak appraisal of the political process and the uncompromising attitude of the country's major political parties.
In February 2022, the present EC, led by KM Nurul Huda, will be dissolved. In the lack of a legal framework since the past 50 years, the president has twice formed an EC based on search committee recommendations. In 2016, Mahbub and his colleagues received similar appointments. Mahbub, therefore, not only advocated for quick passage of legislation governing the appointment of the EC, but also stressed upon the importance to safeguard the interests of all political parties in an impartial manner, to keep the country from devolving into “anarchy.”
He stated that the election was not more important than citizens’ lives, and suggested that these elections can be held by establishing a distinct municipal electoral body. [Bdnews24.com] [The Daily Star]
Bangladesh: PBI launches investigation into anti-Hindu violence
(sk/lm) Bangladesh’s Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has been handed over the cases filed over the series of deadly attacks on Hindu temples and homes earlier in October that left at least seven people dead and several injured.
Anti-Hindu mob violence began on October 15, when hundreds of Muslims protested in the country’s southeastern Noakhali district after rumors spread that the Quran had been insulted at a special pavilion set up for the annual Hindu religious festival, Durga Puja. Soon, the violence spread to other parts of Bangladesh. [AiR No. 42, October/2021, 3]
Bangladesh’s High Court earlier this month ordered authorities to conduct judicial inquiries, in response to multiple petitions filed seeking directions to ensure the safety of the Hindu community, rehabilitation and compensation for the victims, in addition to bringing to justice officials who failed to provide security. [AiR No. 44, November/2021, 1]
A total of 151 named and 562 unnamed individuals have been accused in the cases. Of them, police have so far arrested 21 people. [Dhaka Tribune]
In related developments, an elite anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit of the Bangladesh Police – the Rapid Action Battalion – has arrested four men in connection with their suspected involvement in the attacks and vandalism of Hindu places of worship. [Bdnews24.com]
Bangladesh: Seven killed, scores injured during second phase of union council elections
(sk/lm) Deadly violence broke out during the second phase of elections to Union Parishad (UP) – the smallest rural administrative and local government unit in Bangladesh – as supporters of Awami League (AL)-nominated and party rebel candidates clashed. [The Daily Star]
In the lead-up to the November 11 elections, AL party leaders had been trying to discourage rebel candidates from contesting the polls, foreshadowing organizational punishments such as expulsion from party bodies or disallowing them from party nominations. Yet nearly 1,000 AL rebel candidates decided to participate. [Dhaka Tribune]
In addition to the AL, candidates from the opposition Jatiya Party and others took part in the election. The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party refused to take part in the polls, so its candidates ran as independents. [Bdnews24.com 1] [Daily Sun]
There had been concerns over violence in the second phase as clashes took place in many places in the run-up to the election, leaving at least 18 dead. During the first phase of the UP polls, held in June and September, six people were killed. The third phase will start on November 28, and the fourth phase on December 23. [Bdnews24.com 2]
Bangladesh: Two arrested under Digital Security Act for ‘New Account Fraud’
(sk) The Counter Terrorism and Transnational (CTTC) unit of the Bangladesh Police has arrested two men accused of embezzling large amounts of foreign currency through fraudulent transactions at a foreign investment consulting firm, and filed a case under the Digital Security Act. [Dhaka Tribune]
This fraudulent group has so far initially admitted that it has embezzled thousands of US dollars through fraudulent transactions at a foreign investment consulting firm by creating numerous fake accounts. It was revealed that the detainees had taken advantage of the financial institution's account authentication process, during preliminary investigation.
Bangladesh: Opposition party calls on government to control fuel prices
(sk) The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has called on the Hasina administration to control prices of daily essentials, diesel, kerosene and LPG. [Dhaka Tribune 1]
The virtual meeting on November 9 elaborately discussed the overall impact of the LPG and diesel and kerosene price hike on the lives of the people as a whole and on the economy, said a press release signed by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on November 10. He said the BNP policymakers decided that BNP and its associate bodies will observe programs in protest against the fuel price.
BNP had earlier extended its support to a nationwide transport strike called in protest against the fuel price hike. [Dhaka Tribune 2] [United News of Bangladesh]
The BNP standing committee meeting also voiced concern over the recent killing of two Bangladeshis by Indian Border Security force (BSF) members along Dona border in Sylhet’s Kanaighat upazila.
India: Opposition demands JPC probe into Rafale jet deal amidst fresh kickback claims
(sr/lm) India’s main opposition party, the Indian National Congress (INC), has demanded that a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) be constituted to probe new allegations of kickbacks by a French defense manufacturer to secure a contract with the Indian Air Force for 36 Rafale omni-role fighter jets. [Radio France Internationale]
The $9.3-billion deal between the Indian government and Dassault Aviation has long been mired in corruption allegations.
The French manufacturer had initially won a contract in 2012 – when the INC was in power – to supply 126 jets to India and had been negotiating with Indian aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). By March 2015, those talks had almost reached a conclusion.
But one month later, after newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi had paid an official visit to France, the talks suddenly broke down to general surprise. Reliance Group, a conglomerate headed by billionaire Anil Ambani, who is close to Modi, replaced HAL and finalized a new contract for 36 jets.
A report by French website Mediapart now alleges that Dassault Aviation paid €7.5 million in instalments to an intermediary between 2007 and 2012 to facilitate the sale of jet fighters to India. The report also claims that Indian federal law enforcement agencies failed to conduct any investigations in spite of having access to documents that contained incriminating evidence regarding some payments since October 2018. [Indian Express] [NDTV]
Earlier in July, France’s National Financial Prosecutors’ office (PNF) ordered a judicial investigation into allegations of "corruption and favouritism" in the Rafale fighter jet sale after Mediapart had accused it of "burying" doubts surrounding the September 2016 deal. [AiR No. 27, July/2021, 1]
India: Supreme Court will hear plea to quash FIRs by Tripura police
(sr) India’s Supreme Court has assented to hear a petition filed by several people to quash First information reports (FIR) registered against them under the country’s anti-terrorism law for allegedly promoting communal disharmony with their social media posts about recent anti-Muslim violence in the Indian northeastern Tripura state. [The Hindu]
Earlier this month Tripura police registered a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against Supreme Court lawyers who were part of a fact-finding team which had visited the state following violent protests last month. Two members of the group in a report later noted that the state government and Tripura police forces did not take proper action to curb the violence. [AiR No. 45, November/2021, 2]
Additionally, Tripura Police booked 102 social media users, including journalists and activists, under the UAPA and accused them of criminal conspiracy and forgery. They also sent notices to US-based social media companies to freeze their accounts and sought information on them. [The Indian Express]
This decision by the Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, was given after lawyer Prashant Bhushan mentioned that the people against whom the FIRs were filed were anticipated to be in danger. It was also stated that the invocation of UAPA against journalists, activists and lawyers would effectively throttle the notion of free speech. [Economic Times]
India: Supreme Court seeks curbs to clean New Delhi’s toxic air
(sr/lm) India’s Supreme Court told authorities on November 15 to restrict vehicle movement and industrial activities in the capital, New Delhi, and nearby cities, to reduce hazardous air pollution, days after it had termed the situation as an emergency. Although the top court did not set a deadline for the steps, it will next take up the pollution issue on November 17. [Reuters] [The Straits Times]
New Delhi has been battling a toxic haze since early November due to crop waste fires in the neighbouring states of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, firecrackers being burst during Diwali, emissions from automobiles and coal-fired plants outside the city.
The top courts action came after city authorities took emergency measures on November 13, ordering the closure of schools for a week, and building work for four days, among others. That day, levels of poisonous PM 2.5 particulate matter topped 300 on the Air Quality Index. That is 20 times the maximum daily limit recommended by the World Health Organization. [The Guardian]
India: Minimum wage for workers in capital hiked; trade unions say raise “not enough”
(sr) The minimum wages for workers in the Indian capital New Delhi have been raised after the Dearness Allowance (DA) – a component of the wage structure – was increased. The raising of the DA is a bi-annual move done routinely in April and October by revising the rates of the Variable DA (VDA) component based on the average consumer price index number for the preceding period of six months. [The Quint]
However, Trade Unions located in the capital are arguing that the wage hike is not adequate and are organizing a one-day strike on November 25 to protest the hike which they deem insufficient. [HRM Asia]
India: 26 armed Maoist rebels killed by police in day-long gun battle
(sr/lm) At least 26 rebels belonging to Maoist groups known as Naxalites were killed on November 13 in a gun battle with Indian government forces in a remote forest, some 1,000 kilometers east of Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra state. [Al Jazeera] [The Straits Times]
Four police personnel were wounded in the hours-long encounter. A top rebel leader was suspected to be among those killed, domestic media reported. [The Hindu]
Inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, the Naxalite rebels trace their roots to an armed peasant revolt against the Indian government in 1967 and use violence against the state in the name of championing the cause of the country’s poor indigenous communities. The group once was able to assert control over vast swathes of land in central and eastern India, establishing a so-called "Red Corridor".
During India’s deadliest engagement with the far-left insurgent group since 2017, at least 23 Indian security forces were killed in an ambush earlier in April. [AiR No. 14, April/2021, 1]
India: Seven killed in ambush in Manipur; China back in focus
(sr/lm) Five soldiers and two civilians were killed in an ambush by two separatist armed revolutionary groups, the People's Liberation Army of Manipur (PLAM) and the Manipur Naga People’s Front, in the Indian northeastern state of Manipur. [Bloomberg, $]
The PLAM had been fighting a guerrilla-based warfare against the Indian Armed Forces since its founding in 1978, but had been lying low for about six years. [The Indian Express]
Thus, the instance has once again brought to focus the possible support that China gives to insurgent forces in Northeast India. Senior officials assume that certain insurgent outfits in India have links with groups like the Arakan Army and United Wa State Army in Myanmar from which weapons of Chinese origin are coming into the Northeast. [Hindustan Times]
Nepal: Chief Justice calls for a discussion with attorneys and judges
(ns) Nepal’s Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana is calling for legal professionals to have a sit down and discuss the urgency of the situation in the judiciary branch. [The Kathmandu Post 1]
The need for immediate attention in this instance didn’t go unnoticed by the international rights groups either. The independence and integrity of the judiciary in Nepal is being jeopardized by the crisis at its Supreme Court, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International (AI) said in a statement released on November 12. [Human Rights Watch] [The Kathmandu Post 2]
The day before, some members of the Nepal Bar Association (NBA) were reportedly injured when police prevented them from staging a protest within the Supreme Court premises. In response to this incident, the NBA, which represents the country’s lawyers, on November 12 staged a sit-in at the gate of the Supreme Court. [My República] [Seropati]
For the past three weeks, the NBA and 18 out of 19 Supreme Court justices have been demanding Rana’s resignation for allegedly undermining the integrity and independence of the judiciary. The justices point specifically to allegations of a relationship between Rana and the Prime Minister Deuba-led government. They also cite allegations concerning the allocation of cases for hearing to specific justices, and the failure to list for hearing a number of writs against constitutional appointments that the chief justice had participated in making. [AiR No. 44, November/2021, 1]
Rana, however, has refused to budge. He has rather gone on the offensive, assigning cases to justices.
As per constitutional provisions, as much as filling an impeachment motion would restrict the chief justice from further performing in his function. However, Parliament is not in session. President Bidya Devi Bhandari, acting on the recommendation of the government, prorogued the last session late last month, amidst continued obstruction of proceedings by the main opposition Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML). [AiR No. 44, November/2021, 1]
Moreover, the parties in the ruling coalition lack the numbers to even file an impeachment motion against Chief Justice Rana.
The only party that has enough numbers to file such a motion is the CPN-UML, but it has, albeit indirectly, rallied behind Rana. For it believes that if the chief justice were to be impeached, four other judges who were members of the Constitutional Bench that ordered Deuba’s appointment as prime minister in July [see AiR No. 29, July/2021, 3], also need to be impeached.
Prime Minister Deuba’s ruling Nepali Congress, for its part, is said to fear that the chief justice could take revenge if the impeachment motion fails, and he returns to preside over the Supreme Court. [The Kathmandu Post 2]
This is because one of the cases still awaiting a hearing in front of the top court is concerned with a case connected to the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) (CPN (Unified Socialist)), a constituent party of the ruling coalition government.
Nepal: Prime Minister Deuba warns former king not to get involved in country’s politics
(ns) With the elections approaching, current Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is warning the formal Nepali King, Gyanendra Shah, not to interfere with its process during the Ganeshman Memorial Foundation on November 10. [My República]
Shah, whose reign as the King of Nepal ended in 2008, have previously – most recently in 2017- made remarks about the country lacking leadership and appeared to be interested in getting involved in its politics again.
As a part of his ruling, Deuba was imprisoned for defending democratic values in Nepal in the past. The PM is now very clear about further protecting the electoral process as well as the current governing system.
Nepal: Conflicting claims by ruling leaders complicate MCC ratification
(ns) Claims were made by Nepal’s Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba that a letter containing a guarantee of a prompt ratification of the MCC compact was sent to the MCC Headquarters by him and the chair of the Communist Party of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Problematically, Dahal stated he is unaware of this letter being sent but didn’t directly oppose Deuba’s claim. [The Kathmandu Post]
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a government desigend program from the US. In the case of its passing thorugh the parliament a $500 million grant would be given to Nepal. However, there has been a large controversy surrounding the compact among the political parties and the final decision on its endorsment is still unclear.
The main oppostion party CPN-UML demands the publication of the letter as its leader -the formal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli- suspects either Deuba or Dahal from misleading the public.
Letters as such are subjected to be sent via official channels like the Ministry of Finances or the Ministry of Foreign Ministry, yet none of the relevant ministers has no knowledge of the particular letter being sent. The current government is led by a coalition in which Deuba and Dahal are both vital actors as the chairs of their parties. Clashing between their allegations places the party leadership in a unstable position for it seems one of the officials is being dishonest.
Due to the confusion worries are arising in the US about the delay or all together reffered approval of the MCC by the parliament.
Nepal: Chinese intelligence agency official involved in anti-MCC propaganda, report claims
(ns) After an extensive investigation several individuals affiliated with the Chinese intelligence agency who have promoted a hostile propaganda against the US in Nepal, were identified in a secret report. There is now a list composed by an anonymous security agency with information on multiple Chinese nationals partaking in this incentive.
Namely, Ning Lin -originally from China- is said to have been acting under the MSS authority and spreading anti United States disinformation specifically about the MCC compact. The MSS is a vital intelligence agency acting under the Chinese government. It is said to have taken part in espionage and ‘counterintelligence operations.’
According to the report China is attempting to disable Nepalese international relations and is actively interfering with its affairs. Its biggest target is currently the MCC program designed by the US government. The Chinese government is allegedly vigorously campaigning against the State’s involvement in Nepal. The document covers Chinese aims and main concerns as well as everyone associate with their intelligence agency on fifty pages.
Claims were also made in the report about the increased activity of Lin following the appointment of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba by the Supreme Court in July. Some worry about the ethicality of their politicians and country officials. [Khabarhub]
Nepal: Sky-rocketing prices for petrol leadin to protests
(ns) The latest rise in the prices for petroleum commodities were met with an outrage. As a response to the surge enacted by the government on November 10, the CPN (Communist Party of Nepal) is planning to hold a protest across the country.
The plan announced on November 11, entails the demonstrations to last at least until November 16. If, by then the issue is prevailing and conditions are not satisfied a ‘nationwide shut-down’ is scheduled in the program. [My República]
Nepal: Army plans to establish a university
(ns) A university of national defence is to be founded by the Nepali Army. Nepal Army Chief General Prabhu Ram Sharma announced the news October 11, the same day he received honorific recognition as the General of the Indian army along with a ‘Scroll of Honour’ at the National Defence College in India. [The Hindu]
Pakistan: Government calls joint sitting of parliament to get electoral reform bills passed
(lm) The Imran Khan-led government has decided to convene a joint session of parliament on November 17 to pass a crucial electoral reform bill, among other legislation items – a week after a similar session had to be put off after three coalition partners of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had refused to back the bills. [Dunya News]
The introduction of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the provision of voting rights for roughly nine million overseas Pakistanis are among comprehensive electoral reforms the Khan administration wants to pass before the country goes into elections again in 2023.
Earlier in June, the ruling coalition had bulldozed legislation in parliament’s lower house by getting 21 laws approved, including the Elections (Amendment) Bill, which was first tabled in October of last year and comprises 49 amendments to the 2017 Elections Act. Another bill – the Elections (Second Amendment) Bill – which was originally promulgated as an ordinance earlier in May – was also passed without any debate. [AiR No. 25, June/2021, 4].
In September, however, the government faced a major blow to its electoral reform agenda when the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs rejected key amendments to the 2017 Elections Act, forcing the government to send the legislation to a joint session of parliament, where it enjoys majority support.
But on November 10, the Khan administration was met with yet another a series of rude shocks when two motions seeking introduction of bills were defeated in the joint sitting of parliament, forcing the coalition to call off the session before introducing the Elections (Amendment) Bills. Crucially, people familiar with the discussions alleged that the allies were not consulted on the reform issue and before convening the joint session. [Dawn 1]
Against this backdrop, the opposition in parliament’s lower chamber on November 14 proposed the formation of a parliamentary committee comprising members from both houses of parliament to consider and approve with consensus a complete package of electoral reforms. Moreover, the joint opposition rejected the changes in the panel on the appointment of the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) after the Senate chairman included federal ministers Fawad Chaudhry and Azam Swati in the committee. [Daily Times]
To gain support for the legislation, Prime Minister Imran Khan convened a meeting with representatives of his PTI’s allies – the Grand Democratic Alliance, Balochistan Awami Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Pakistan Muslim League-Q — on November 15.
Following the meeting, however, the coalition partners remained uncertain about supporting the bills. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, by contrast, insisted that the government allies had expressed confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Khan and assured him of voting in favor of the bills. [Dawn 2]
Pakistan: Afghan foreign minister confirms Kabul ‘mediating’ talks between government, local Taliban
(lm) The Afghan Taliban are acting as a mediator between the Pakistani government and the country’s leading Taliban group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister confirmed. In an interview on November 14, Amir Khan Muttaqi said his group had stepped in at the “request” of both parties. [Al Jazeera]
Earlier this month, the Khan administration announced a "complete ceasefire" was agreed with the banned Islamist group that claimed responsibility for at least 55 attacks against military and civilian targets between July and mid-September [see AiR No. 45, November/2021, 2].
The TTP have fought to overthrow Pakistan's government for being insufficiently Islamist since 2007. They are a distinct group from the Afghan Taliban, though they are closely linked – as well as with al Qaeda – and share a religious extremist ideology.
Pakistan: Five security personnel killed, seven injured in attacks near Afghanistan
(lm) At least five security personnel were killed and six civilians were injured in three separate attacks in Pakistan’s restive western region bordering Afghanistan, security forces said on November 13. [Reuters]
Recent attacks came after the Khan administration on November 3 announced it had reached a cease-fire agreement with the country’s leading Taliban group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), that will expire on December 9 [see AiR No. 45, November/2021, 2]. Between July and mid-September, TTP militants had claimed responsibility for at least 55 attacks against military and civilian targets [see AiR No. 38, September/2021, 3].
A local Taliban spokesman denied responsibility for the attacks, saying the militant group will abide by the ceasefire.
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in Southeast Asia
Cambodia: Authorities release union leader and activists
(tl) The Cambodian authorities released popular trade union leader Rong Chhun and two activists after the Phnom Penh Appeals Court upheld their convictions but released them in light of the sentences already served for other cases.
The three will be on probation and face restrictions on their travel and political activities for two years. The court also upheld an order for the three activists to each pay 2 million riel (US $500) in fines, and jointly pay 400 million riel (US $100,000) in damages.
Although the court did not specify the reason for its decision, analysts believe it is an attempt to improve Cambodia’s international image, prior to President Hun Sen taking over the ASEAN presidency in 2022.
Authorities arrested Rong Chhun for a statement he made in July 2020 about the alleged loss of land near Cambodia’s border with Vietnam after he visited the area and spoke with residents. The other two activists were arrested during peaceful demonstrations in August and October 2020 respectively.
Court officials also released five women from a group known as the “Friday Wives” for their weekly rallies on behalf of their husbands from the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). The five were arrested for demanding the release of Rong Chhun and CNRP activists during a protest in front of Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh. The women had already spent 12 to 20 months in jail. [Radio Free Asia]
Parallelly an activist member of the Khmer Thavrak youth organization was released after serving 14 months in prison for demonstrating for the release of Rong Chhun.
According to the activist’s statement, prisoners were suffering from health problems due to precarious sanitary conditions, poor quality of food, insufficient water, and overcrowded cells. Additionally, prisoners with means could pay prison staff to be put in a cell with better conditions. In addition, the activist described numerous cases of ill-treatment in prisons, including inmates who contracted Covid-19 and died soon after being inoculated.
While the conditions apply to all prisoners the same, according to the activist, they are a ploy by the government to silence opponent and control the inmates. In September, the World Justice Project, a Washington-based independent group that promotes rule of law, ranked Cambodia next to last -- ahead only of Venezuela -- in its global Rule of Law Index for 2021. [Radio Free Asia ]
Cambodia: Court orders sale of former opposition leader’s property
(tl) A Cambodian court in Phnom Penh has ordered the confiscation and forced sale of property owned by the country’s former opposition leader Sam Rainsy to pay defamation judgements against Prime Minister Hun Sen and other government figures.
The court issued four orders this month to sell off the former headquarters of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). The money from the sale of the property will go to the government and to Hun Sen, House Speaker Heng Samrin and Interior Minister Sar Kheng, all of whom won defamation cases against Sam Rainsy.
Sam Rainsy, 72, has lived in exile in France since 2015. In March, he was sentenced in absentia to 25 years for what supporters say was a politically motivated charge of attempting to overthrow the government. The Supreme Court, viewed as beholden to Hun Sen, banned the CNRP on November 15, 2017.
CNRP activists and political analysts said the judge’s decision to sell Sam Rainsy’s property was a sign that there was no relenting in Hun Sen’s campaign to crush the opposition, which marked the fourth anniversary of its ban on November 15. [Radio Free Asia]
Indonesia: Constitutional court rules internet restrictions legal amid social unrest
(ms) Indonesia’s Constitutional Court has ruled it is lawful for the Indonesian government to restrict internet access during times of social unrest in accordance with Indonesia’s Electronic Information and Transactions Law (ITE Law). The law allows the government to curb internet access to prevent the dissemination of prohibited electronic content deemed to disturb the public or disrupt public order. [Reuters]
The ruling overturns a previous ruling made by the Jakarta State Administrative Court in June 2020 that ruled the government’s decision to throttle internet access and impose an internet blackout on the island of Papua during pro-independence protests and demonstrations in 2019 was unlawful. In its reasoning, the court stated that the restrictions were a violation of free expression used to suppress civil unrest. [The News Lens]
The internet restrictions in Papua were implemented along with restrictions of social media and news coverage and the deployment of about 6,000 police and military personnel to the provinces of Papua and West Papua after some large protests turned violent. [See AiR No. 35, August/2019, 4] The government justified the restrictions by citing a need to curb the spread of fake news and misinformation, which they claimed had sparked the violence. Some have argued, however, the decision to restrict the spread of information in the region was used to cover up human rights violations by the Indonesian police and military against protestors. [East Asia Forum] [The News Lens]
Papua, Indonesia’s easternmost province, has seen decades of sporadic acts of guerrilla warfare in the struggle for independence. A former Dutch colony, Papua declared independence in 1961, but was annexed by Indonesia two years later. In 1969, a UN-backed referendum formally incorporated the region into Indonesia, but the vote was widely considered as rigged due to its low participation rate. Indonesian authorities have consistently squashed and censored the independence struggles, deploying government troops and regularly restricting foreign media and NGO access to Papua, citing national security. [The News Lens]
Government-sanctioned internet blackouts have also been used elsewhere in Indonesia in recent years. Internet access was cut in Jakarta in 2019 after violent protests erupted in response to a divisive Presidential election. [See AiR 4/5/2019] In 2020, it was cut again amid protests against the controversial 2020 omnibus law, seen by many as favoring business interests and investors over labor and environmental protections. [See also AiR No. 41, October/2020, 2]
The internet cut-outs come amidst wider concerns amongst civil society groups that freedom of speech and digital rights are being eroded in Indonesia under the guise of curbing the spread of COVID-19. The Lowy Institute, an Australian research think tank, for example, has criticized the authoritative nature of the recent Ministerial Regulation 5 (MR5), which requires digital services and platforms to provide the government access to their systems and data, thereby allowing the government to block or restrict any online content it deems offensive based on the rather vague wording of the ITE Law. [The News Lens]
Indonesia’s actions follow a growing trend among Southeast Asian countries removing internet content and restricting access. Earlier this year, Singapore passed the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act, which gives the government significant leverage over social media platforms and enables users to issue corrections or remove posts it finds to contain falsehoods, [See AiR No. 21, May/2021, 4] Cambodia, meanwhile, is planning a national internet gateway, which could give authorities increased powers to crackdown on online free-speech. [See AiR No. 8, February/2021, 4]. The launch date has not yet been announced but Internet service providers in Cambodia have until February 2022 to reroute their services through the gateway. Myanmar also has repeatedly cut internet access in response to anti-government protests. [See AiR No. 8, February/2021, 4] [See also AiR No. 14, April/2021, 1]
Indonesia: Police arrest five suspected members of terrorist group in East Java
(ms) Indonesian National Police’s counterterrorism squad Densus 88 arrested five suspected members of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militant terrorist group during separate raids in East Java province on November 9. The five suspects have been accused of illicitly trafficking guns and providing military training for JI recruits. [Jakarta Globe]
With cells in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, JI seeks to establish an Islamic state extending across Southeast Asia. The group was responsible for a string of high-profile attacks through the 1990s and early 2000s, including the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed over 200 people in the tourist district of Kuta. It is considered a state opponent in Indonesia and has been designated a terrorist group by other countries and the United Nations. [Stanford Centre for International Security and Cooperation]
The group has been relatively quiet in Indonesia in recent years. Rather, a new terror group, Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), has been the most active in the country, with a series of attacks targeting churches. The government has launched a major crackdown on JAD. Densus also arrested 20 suspected members with alleged links to the global terror network Islamic State in separate operations in East java in March. [Jakarta Globe]
Indonesia: President Jokowi's ambition on Defense industry
(dw) Modernization of the Indonesian Military (TNI) has become the mandate of President Jokowi's government as Prabowo Subiato was appointed as the Minister of Defense of the country. On the TNI Anniversary on 5 October, President Jokowi addressed the importance of the modernization strategy for TNI. He encouraged the minister to acquire the best defense technology and emphasized investment in this sector. [The Jakarta Post 1]
Earlier this year, the Defense Ministry explained that the objective of offset programs was to support the development of Indonesia's defense companies, including to enhance cooperation between domestic companies and foreign suppliers. The partnership will help local firms to achieve, inter alia, self-sufficiency for Indonesia in terms of defense equipment procurements, for less dependence on foreign suppliers. To a greater extent, this policy also aims to increase Indonesian defense companies' contributions to the country's GDP in the manufacturing sector.
Indonesia already ratified Law No.16/2012 that provides a path and a legal basis for Indonesia to invest in its defense modernization program. According to observers, the implementation of this law has not been very significant due to the big cost of the operation and lack of human development factors of the industry itself. [The Jakarta Post 2]
Laos: Locals seek compensation over land occupation
(bs) The Lao National Assembly (NA) urged the government to act on the urgent need to provide compensation to locals who lost their land due to development projects.
Several development plans, including hydropower projects and construction of dams and bridges, have never provided the due compensation to the affected local communities since the beginning of the constructions. Many of the concerned families have been waiting for their reimbursement for over five years.
Farmers also requested to receive compensation for the lost crops, which are often their primary life sustenance. Therefore, the NA exhorted Lao authorities to create jobs for those who lost their financial stability because of land occupation for development projects. [Vientiane Times]
Malaysia: British journalist alleges to be target of UMNO smear campaign
(nd) Clare Rewcastle Brown, editor of the Sarawak Report, claims the UMNO-led government revived a defamation case to target her politically. In 2018, Rewcastle Brown published a book revealing information on the 1MDB financial scandal. The arrest warrant states Rewcastle Brown did not appear in court in September 2021 in relation to the case, and was charged in absentia under Section 500 of the Malaysian Penal Code for criminal defamation by a Terengganu court. The Sarawak Report is known for its reporting about corruption in Malaysia. Recastle Brown resides in the UK.
The United Malays National Organization (UMNO) returned to power this August when Muhyiddin Yassin’s coalition collapsed due to a lack of majority support. The former party president Najib Razak was sentenced to 12 years in prison on corruption charges in connection with 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a state investment fund he established while in office. [Benar News]
Malaysia: Melaka State election preparation for non-physical campaigns
(my) Nominated candidates for the Melaka State Election range between 21 and 68 years of age. Some parties such as Barisan Nasional (BN), Perikatan Nasional (PN), Pakatan Harapan (PH), and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (PUTERA) have several candidates running for the election. The total nominations amount to 112, compared to last year's 85 nominations. [Malay Mail 1]
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, speeches, rallies and conventional physical campaigns were replaced by non-physical campaigns, including social media posts and leaflets distribution to avoid rising infection rates. Earlier, equally distributed television and radio airtimes slots for all candidates on the government's official media were discussed by the Malaysian government. [Malay Mail 2]
Myanmar: Former chief minister sentenced to 75 years in prison
(tl) Former National League for Democracy (NLD) chief minister of Kayin state, Nang Khin Htwe Myint, was sentenced to 75 years in prison for corruption by a military court in Myanmar.
She was tried on five separate charges and handed the maximum sentence of 15 years for each, alongside her former cabinet member, sentenced to 90 years in prison. Both waived their right to appeal.
One of her charges included using and failing to return 1.3 million kyats (U.S. $720) in state for medical treatment following a car accident. While under previous governments, such similar cases of misappropriation of funds occurred, the respective were only made to return the money.
As a supporter of deposed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, she was arrested shortly after the coup. According to a political analyst, “the junta is using long prison terms to undermine the leadership of the NLD party”. To date, 45 NLD cabinet members were arrested under Myanmar’s Anti-Corruption Law. Nyan Win, a top NLD official and Aung San Suu Kyi’s personal lawyer, died in detention on July 20. [Radio Free Asia]
Myanmar: Junta to charge Aung San Suu Kyi with electoral fraud
(tl) The Military junta charged deposed State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi with “election fraud and lawless actions” in relation to the November 2020 election. The National League for Democracy’s (NLD) landslide victory, which the military alleged contained voter fraud, was used as the reason for the February 1 coup. Fifteen other officials—including former president Win Myint and the chairman of the election commission—face the same charge.
Detained since the putsch, Suu Kyi, 76, faces a raft of charges including illegally importing walkie talkies, sedition and corruption, and faces decades in jail if convicted. Also, the former leader is currently on trial for flouting coronavirus restrictions while campaigning ahead of the election.
More than 1,250 people have been killed by Myanmar junta security forces since the coup and over 10,000 arrested. [France24]
Myanmar: Operations by the junta continue to displace people
(tl) Military operations conducted from 8-9 November in Myanmar’s southern Shan state and Sagaing region forced around 40000 to flee their homes. During the raids, government troops set fire to various buildings and arrested an unknown number of civilians, according to members of the pro-democracy People’s Defense Force (PDF).
The villages affected by the army operations are among the centers of resistance against the junta. Since the military seized power in the 1 February coup, junta forces have continuously launched offensives against resistance forces, invading and burning villages in every region of the country, forcing thousands of people from their homes.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 120,000 people have been displaced due to fighting since May 21 in Kayah and southeastern Shan states, adding to tens of thousands in Chin, Kachin, and Kayin states, and Magway and Sagaing regions. It added, nearly two million people in Myanmar need humanitarian aid following the military coup.
These latest numbers are added to the over 500,000 refugees from decades of conflict between the military and ethnic armies, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, a Norwegian NGO. [Radio Free Asia]
Myanmar: United Nations denied Burmese delegations access to COP26
(tl) The United Nations denied a five-member delegation from Myanmar access to the climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland, known as COP26. Junta representatives were also barred from taking part in the conference virtually.
Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG) had also attempted to send a delegation to COP26 but was rejected. The NUG’s Deputy Foreign Minister said that the decision by the UN was a “victory for the people of Myanmar” as the junta was once again denied formal international recognition.
Nine months after the February 1 coup, the junta’s security forces have killed 1,252 civilians and arrested at least 7,091, according to the Bangkok-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Many of the deaths and arrests have occurred during crackdowns on anti-junta protests. [Radio Free Asia]
Myanmar: Mining of rare metals increases the junta's resources
(tl) The huge increase in raw material prices and China's clampdown on production could result in a huge increase in the revenue needed to strengthen the country's ruling military junta. Myanmar is one of the countries where most of the rare metals needed to produce electric vehicles are mined.
According to the London-based resources watchdog Global Witness, rare metals mined in the country would have to be classified as minerals from a conflict zone, which would force buyers to verify that their extraction is not in contravention of human rights. To date, US and European laws passed in the aftermath of the war over raw materials in Congo recognize only gold, tungsten, tantalum and tin as such.
The mined metals are used in transport, communications and military equipment and are becoming a factor of geopolitical rivalry between China and the West. China dominates the global industry and about half of its supplies come from Myanmar. Much of the extraction takes place in areas of Kachin State controlled by the Kachin Border Guard Force (BGF), a militia under the command of the Myanmar Army.
Additionally, a central element to improve the strength of magnets, Dysprosium, is mined in Myanmar. Magnets are necessary for the construction of motors of electric vehicles and wind turbines, and are majorly made in China. [Myanmar NOW]
The Philippines: Commission on Elections issues summons to presidential candidate following petition
(lt) The Philippine Commission on Elections has issued to presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos, son of the infamous dictator Ferdinand Marcos, summons following a petition calling for the cancellation of his certificate of candidacy. Groups such as Kapatid, Balay, as well as the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights have filed a petition questioning Marcos’ eligibility for presidential candidacy due to his past conviction of tax evasion. [ABS-CBN News]
The Philippines: Daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte to run in vice-presidential race
(lt) Following her withdrawal from the mayoral race, Sara Duterte-Carpio, daughter of current President Rodrigo Duterte has filed her certificate of candidacy with the intent of running for vice president. This has ended speculations regarding her plans for the 2022 elections, with members of the public suspecting the Davao City mayor would run for a national position prior to the announcement.
On Saturday, November 13, the Davao City mayor filed her petition for substitution and certification of nomination and acceptance before the Commission on Elections with her lawyer. Under rules established by the Commission on Elections, political parties supporting a candidate can substitute them in the event that the candidate in question dies, withdraws, or is disqualified. In this case, Duterte-Carpio is a substitute for Lyle Fernando Uy, a former placeholder for Lakas-CMD. [Manila Times] [Rappler 1]
Earlier, Duterte Carpio joined the national political party Lakas-CMD after her withdrawal from the mayoral race and resignation from Hugpong na Pagbabago, a local party founded by herself in 2018. [Rappler 2] Duterte-Carpio has enjoyed popularity and support as a politician in the south of the Philippines. Following her withdrawal, her attempt to seek a national post in the upcoming 2022 elections was expected. [Rappler 3]
Meanwhile, President Duterte announced to run for vice president. The President has backtracked on claims made in October, where he announced he would retire from politics altogether. [Rappler 4] On November 15, however, he filed his certificate of senatorial candidacy with the Commission on Elections an hour before the expiration of the deadline, contradicting previous claims. [CNN Philippines]
Parallelly, Senator Bato Dela Rosa has chosen to withdraw from the presidential race in the 2022 national elections. Stating that it was the decision of his political party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, Dela Rosa withdrew his certificate of candidacy before the Commission on Elections on November 13.
He was accompanied by President Rodrigo Duterte as well as Senator Bong Go, the latter of whom has chosen to withdraw from the vice-presidential race in favor of running for president. In the past, Dela Rosa has indicated his intent to withdraw should Sara Duterte-Carpio, Davao City mayor, intend to run for a national post. [Manila Times] [CNN Philippines]
The Philippines: Former chief of Philippine National Police to run in senatorial race
(lt) Recently retired Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, former chief of the Philippine National Police, has been confirmed to run in the 2022 senatorial race alongside Senate President Vicente Sotto III. The news was confirmed by presidential candidate Ping Lacson, just three days before the Commission on Elections’ substitution deadline.
Eleazar served as chief of the Philippine National Police for six months, retiring earlier last week. Prior to this, he was head of the Metro Manila regional police office, and also served as the commander of the Philippine National Police Task Force COVID Shield. [ABS-CBN News]
The Philippines: Limited immunity granted by the International Criminal Court to whistleblower
(lt) The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has granted Arturo Lascañas, a former Davao City cop participating in ongoing investigations into President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, limited immunity. Lascañas has confessed to his involvement in what he calls Duterte’s Davao Death Squad, a vigilante group notorious for committing extrajudicial killings in Duterte’s native Davao. Lascañas made headlines for testifying against the President’s campaign of extrajudicial killings in 2017 under oath to the Philippine Senate.
Lascañas signed the International Criminal Court’s Third Agreement on Limited Use of Information on November 11, 2020 – six months prior to former prosecutor Fatou Bensouda’s request for permission to open the investigation. The document affirmed that the Office of the Prosecutor would not use Lascañas’ carrying out of the killings and cover-ups ordered by the President as evidence in the investigation.
Ruben Carranza, a senior expert at the International Center for Transitional Justice, notes that this is a narrow form of immunity as Lascañas’ testimonies will not be used against him. However, Carranza also acknowledges that the immunity granted is not “blanket,” and excludes perjury. [Rappler] [The Guardian]
The Philippines: New chief of Philippine National Police appointed
(lt) President Rodrigo Duterte has named LtGen. Dionardo Carlos as the new head of the Philippine National Police. Carlos will succeed Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, who is retiring from his position. Carlos currently serves as the Philippine National Police’s chief directorial staff. He has also previously worked as the director of the Integrated Police Operations in the Visayas and Southern Luzon regions of the Philippines. [Manila Times]
The Philippines: Senate proposes budget cuts to anti-communist task force
(lt) The Philippine Senate has proposed to slash the budget of the nation’s anti-communist task force, a sector dedicated to fighting the ongoing communist insurgency in the south of the Philippines. Instead, funds would be redistributed to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this week, the Senate’s finance committee announced the allocation of 4 million pesos (US $80 million) to the anti-communist task force’s 2022 budget. This cuts around 24 million pesos (US $480 million) from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s proposed budget. [Benar News]
The Philippines: Senate asks Supreme Court to allow Executive officials in Senate hearings
(lt) The Senate’s Blue Ribbon Committee has asked the Supreme Court to declare Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea’s memorandum unconstitutional. The memorandum prevents Executive officials from being present during hearings conducted by the Senate’s Blue Ribbon Committee.
The Senate’s Blue Ribbon Committee is investigating the government’s multi-billion-peso transactions made towards Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation for the purpose of purchasing COVID-19 medical resources. Based on a report by the Commission on Audit, President Rodrigo Duterte had verbally prohibited members of the Executive from attending the Senate’s hearings. This verbal prohibition was issued by Medialdea through a memorandum.
In the form of a petition, the Supreme Court was asked to end the implementation of Medialdea’s memorandum through a temporary restraining order. This would immediately end the effectiveness of the memorandum, which according to the Senate affects the separation of powers.
The Senate’s Blue Ribbon Committee has noted the Executive’s attempts at sabotaging their ongoing investigation, citing the President’s statements as evidence for this. The Committee has requested that all Executive officials “... acting for or on their behalf or interest,” specifically naming Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, from complying with the memorandum in question. Duque’s position as Secretary of Health in President Rodrigo Duterte’s cabinet has placed him at the center of the COVID-19-focused investigation. He, along with Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Eduardo Año, have been accused of incompetency and misuse of government funds throughout the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. [Manila Bulletin] [Rappler]
The Philippines: Son of mayoral candidate, employee killed as a consequence of alleged political violence
(lt) Sherwin Uy, son of Congressman Roland Uy, and his employee Samuel Tabalan have been shot dead in what appears to be the first acts of violence linked to the May 2022 elections. Sherwin’s father, Roland Uy is leaving the Philippine legislature to run as a candidate in the 2022 mayoral race. Though he has faced backlash from his political opponents due to rumors of drug use, Roland Uy is currently the frontrunner in the 2022 mayoral race. Police are investigating the case from multiple perspectives aside from Uy’s political connections, with a particular focus on rivalries incurred during his time as a businessman.
Elections in the Philippines have been traditionally marred by acts of political violence, with many candidates and their supporters resorting to criminal acts to gain political leverage. According to statistics from the Philippine National Police, at least fifty people died in poll-related violence during the 2016 elections. [Benar News]
The Philippines: Supporter of Philippine presidential candidate detained in Macau
(lt) Supporters of presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos, son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, have been arrested by Macau authorities after organizing a rally in favor of Marcos’ presidential candidacy. Filipino nationals in support of Marcos distributed fliers with Marcos’ face and Macau special administrative region symbols. Due to the prohibited nature of the event Filipinos involved in the rally have been subject to questioning by authorities. Those questioned by police have reportedly spent over 20 hours at the police station, deprived of food.
The arrests come after supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo, a presidential candidate in the upcoming 2022 elections, were similarly subject to questioning after organizing an unauthorized gathering in support of Robredo. [Filipino Times] [South China Morning Post]
The Philippines: Military chief issues warning to militants, pledges to safeguard voting rights in the Philippines
(lt) Newly-elected Lt. Gen. Andres Centino has issued a stark warning vowing to crush the remaining forces of the Philippines’ communist insurgency and safeguard the voting rights of Filipino citizens in his new role as chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. His appointment occurred just a day after the killing of Sherwin Uy, son of Congressman Ronald Uy, in what appears to be the first politically-motivated act of violence related to the 2022 elections. [See article above]
A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, Centino has stated that his focus is on the 2022 elections as well as the communist insurgency in the nation’s south. “We must unleash our full force for the final blow that will ultimately destroy and defeat the enemies of the state,” Centino said in a statement regarding the communist rebels that remain in the Philippines. He has also affirmed the need to support the government in ensuring “... fair, honest, peaceful and secure national elections.” [Benar News]
Thailand: Court deems monarchy reform seeks to overthrow the monarchy as representative defends lèse-majesté at UN
(kk) The Constitutional Court has ruled that calls for a reform of the institution by three pro-democracy leaders is an attempt to overthrow the monarchy. [Reuters 1]
According to the court’s ruling, handed down on November 10, any actions seeking to “weaken the monarchy” reflect intentions to overthrow “the democracy system with the king as head of state”. In August 2020, the pro-democracy activists announced a 10-point manifesto for reforms of the institution at a rally at Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus, which was picked up by other protesters despite the topic being a taboo subject. [See AiR No. 32, August/2020, 2]
Without rendering a sentence, the court ordered the activists and other organizations to cease further actions against the royal institution. [The Diplomat]
Analysts expressed that the ruling ultimately prevented public discussion of the monarchy and could eventually have the three activists charged with treason, which carries life imprisonment and potentially the death penalty. [BBC News]
Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul – the pro-democracy activist indicted – said she had no desire to topple the monarchy as repeated by the other two leaders, Anon Nampa and Panupong "Mike" Jadnok, who are currently in prison pending trials over lèse-majesté and other charges.
After the verdict, #reformnotabolishment became a trending hashtag on Thailand’s Twitter as many Thais, especially youth, were enraged by the court’s ruling and statements. A day after, the Constitutional Court’s website was hacked and renamed as “Kangaroo Court”. [Thai PBS World]
The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration issued a statement refusing to accept the court’s decision, saying the judges denied the three protesters’ request to present additional evidence in their defense. [Bangkok Post 1] Student organizations from other major universities in Thailand also issued a joint statement rejecting the court’s ruling, arguing a reform would prevent further criticism of the monarchy as the monarchy would exist separate from politics.[Bangkok Post 2]
Following the decision, protesters marched to the German Embassy in Bangkok to submit a statement opposing “absolute monarchy”.
During the march, police attempted to block the protesters from reaching the embassy by firing rubber bullets. A protester was shot in the chest and was sent to a nearby hospital. At least three protesters were injured from the clash with police. [Bangkok Post 3]
Prior to the rally, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, the government’s legal expert, warned protesters to be careful since the court has ruled that actions against the monarchy were not an exercise of rights and freedom under the Constitution. [Bangkok Post 4]
Meanwhile, the Thai government’s representatives defended the royal defamation law as twelve United Nation member states, including the US, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, and Norway, had expressed concerns over lèse-majesté-related arrests of young protesters. During a Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a number of states recommended Thailand to amend the lèse-majesté law for it restricted freedom of expression. The Thai Foreign Ministry representative responded that the existence of the law is closely linked to protecting the key institutions of the country and national security. [Reuters 2]
Earlier, Thailand’s political parties have publicly announced their position on the amendment of the lèse-majesté law after the main opposition, the Pheu Thai party, proposed a parliamentary review following the call from protesters. Over 120,000 people have signed an online petition to submit a bill proposing the repeal of lèse-majesté. [See AiR No. 45, November/2021, 2]
Thailand: Thailand questioned over torture and enforced disappearance bill and SLAPP laws at UN
(kk) UN member states questioned Thailand’s law on torture and enforced disappearance, Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), and human rights at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
The process and timing of the enactment of Thailand’s law against torture and forced disappearance were discussed.. Thailand has yet to provide the exact enactment time of the law as the four draft bills were only approved in the first reading in September 2021. The necessity for the bills rose, inter alia, after the abduction of a prominent activist in Cambodia and the alleged torture and murder of a drug suspect by police force caught on a surveillance camera. [See AiR No. 38, September/2021, 3]
Canada urged to stop the use of SLAPP, including lèse-majesté, sedition, and the Computer Crime Act. SLAPP is a pattern of lawsuits filed to silence critics or political opponents who voice out their criticism in public by imposing legal costs until they abandon criticism. The term was invented by Professors George W. Pring and Penelope Canan who conducted a study of this pattern in the 1980s. [HBS Southeast Asia]
Several countries such as Belgium and the UK urged Thailand to protect the rights to assembly and freedom of expression especially for minors, who participated in anti-government protests, that have been charged and arrested. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, there are currently over 200 children in police custody. [Bangkok Post]
The Permanent Secretary of the Thai Foreign Ministry said the people’s freedom of expression and rights to peaceful assembly have to be exercised in constructive and appropriate manners, considering the pandemic situation. [Thai PBS World]
Thailand: Thai academics indicted for historic books on monarchy
(kk) Historian Nattapol Chaiching was sued for a mistake in his famous history book based on his PhD thesis about Thai politics during the Cold War. The granddaughter of Prince Rangsit – a son of King Chulalongkorn – accused Nattapol’s books of containing misinformation about her grandfather. Initially, she requested a temporary injunction to stop the circulation of the books, but later withdrew the request since the books were already widely circulated.
Nattapol‘s thesis focuses on US intervention in Thai politics during the Cold War including its support of the Thai military and the resurgence of the monarchy in Thai politics. According to his thesis, the US intervention led to the military coup in 1975 and the establishment of a royalist authoritarian regime lasting decades after.
His books have been among the best-selling academic books as youth-led movement has been publicly critical of the country’s royal family. [New Mandala]
Former Chulalongkorn University professor and supervisor of Nattapol’s thesis, Kullada Kesboonchoo Mead, who was also sued, called the lawsuit “a violation of freedom of expression and academia freedom”.
Experts said the case is one of many Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) cases in Thailand.
Earlier, a royalist lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, demanded a revision of Nattapol’s thesis, arguing Nattapol falsified the information to damage the monarchy. However, the school’s investigation committee found the error was unintentional.
According to the publisher of the books, the mistake has been removed from the two books, adding that the overall content had not been affected. [Prachatai English]
Thailand: Coalition to hold unity event amid dispute over rice price policy
(kk) Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-Cha will attend the coalition parties’ dinner amid rising tensions over the rice price guarantee policy between the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and the Democrat Party.
The dispute was sparked by a remark by Deputy Finance Minister Santi Promphat that the rice price guarantee campaign initiated by Democrat Party “weakens farmers” by making them dependent on the state’s help. While the Democrat Party spokesman insisted that the program, which offers subsidies when the rice price is lower than guaranteed rates, provides financial security for Thai farmers. The Democrat Party deputy spokesman said the policy was one of the conditions for the party to join the PPRP-led coalition government, adding that if the PM had not accepted the policy proposed by his party, the party would not agree to form the government with the PPRP.
The event led by PPRP will include the coalition parties’ members including the Democrat Party.
Earlier, PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwan said he had invited the PM and Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda, along with the cabinet, to the upcoming event to discuss the country’s issues. [Matichon, in Thai]
Prawit, Prayuth, and Anupong were seen as the “three pillars of the government”. The three have been in close ties since their early days coming from the same Army faction - Burapha Phayak. [See AiR No. 41, October/2021, 2] Despite rift rumors being denied several times, many suspect that there might be friction between them as some factions of the PPRP were allegedly dissatisfied with Prayut and Anupong. [See AiR No. 39, September/2021, 4] [Bangkok Post]
In October, Thammanat Prompao, a close ally to Prawit, was dismissed from the cabinet by Prayuth following accusations of plotting against the PM. [See AiR No. 37, September/2021, 2]
The United Nations demand immediate release of Vietnamese journalist
(bs) The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has called for the immediate release of detained Vietnamese journalist Pham Doan Trang describing her arrest as “arbitrary”.
The journalist was arrested in October 2020 for violating Article 117 of the Vietnamese Penal Code by allegedly “making, storing, distributing, or disseminating information, documents and items against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.” [AiR No. 43, October/2021, 4]
According to the document, the arrest was performed without a warrant from an independent judicial authority, violating Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Ms. Trang was also denied the right to challenge the arrest in a formal trial. The Report, furthermore, argues that the vagueness of Articles 88 and 117 of the Vietnamese Penal Code in defining “conducting propaganda” or “defaming the government” constitutes a breach of Article 16 of the Covenant. [Radio Free Asia]
Vietnam to reinforce repression against online ‘state criticism’
(bs) Vietnamese police would intensify its efforts of online “crime” repression, a Southern Vietnamese police chief said on November 15.
The police arrested about 40 people for political dissent since the beginning of 2021. The last sentence was on November 15, when a farmer was sentenced to seven years in prison for opposing the state by propaganda. The court found the man guilty of gathering a group of “reactionary friends” on a Facebook page and protesting a draft law on Special Economic Zones in 2018.
The country’s legislations on anti-state propaganda and online speech are vague and without uniform interpretation, creating uncertainty among the population. [Radio Free Asia]
International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia
China-US relations: Conciliatory tones at Xi/Biden virtual meeting after climate agreement at COP 26
(dql/tj/pm) In an online conversation on Tuesday, November 16 – widely seen as the most substantial since President Joe Biden assumed office – Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart discussed a wide range of issues, including North Korea, Afghanistan, Iran, global energy markets, trade and competition, climate, military issues, the pandemic and other areas where they frequently disagree.
While the talks did not yield immediate results, they presented both sides as being ready for engagement and communication to cool down tensions. [Reuters 1] [The New York Times]
Xi is cited as saying that “China and the U.S. need to increase communication and cooperation, […] and work together to advance the noble cause of world peace and development. Calling on Biden to “exercise political leadership to return the United States’ China policy to a rational and pragmatic track,” he re-assured that he was ready to work with Biden “to build consensus and take active steps to move China-U.S. relations forward in a positive direction.” [Xinhuanet 1]
Biden, for his part, reiterated that both sides need “to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict and to keep lines of communication open,” emphasizing the importance of substantive and concrete conversations.” [White House, USA]
Despite these conciliatory tones, Taiwan remains a critical issue, with both leaders forcefully defending their positions. Biden – while confirming adherence to the “One-China” policy – underscore the US opposition to any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Xi, in response, reiterated warnings that seeking Taiwan independence and supporting secessionist forces in Taiwan was “playing with fire,” adding that “[w]hoever plays with fire will get burnt.” [Xinhuanet 2]
The virtual meeting between Xi and Biden came a week after China and the US – the world’s two largest emitters of carbon dioxide – reached an agreement at the UN Cop 26 climate conference, sending a strong signal of their willingness to cooperate on climate. Under the agreement, both sides agreed to cooperate in various climate-related actions, including cutting carbon dioxide and methane emissions as well as combatting illegal deforestation. Both sides also announced to step up efforts to limit the increase in global average temperature to 1.5 degrees C, a goal set in the 2015 Paris climate agreement. [Bloomberg] [Al Jazeera].
In a latest development of the UN climate talks in Glasgow, which ended on Saturday China, India and other coal-dependent developing countries, rejected a clause in the agreement calling for a "phase out" of coal-fired power. The last-minute intervention led to the wording "phase down" in the agreement which, for the first time, targets fossil fuel as major driver of global warming. [Reuters 2]
China: Xi Jinping warns of return to cold war era in Asia Pacific
(tj/pm) Chiense Xi Jinping warned in a video address to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit against developments that would cause the Asia-Pacific return to “confrontation and division of the cold war era,” citing “attempts to draw ideological lines or form small circles on geopolitical grounds,” while calling on the international community to deepen cooperation in fighting the pandemic and climate change.
Despite not specifically naming the US, Xi’s warning was widely viewed as a response to the increasing tensions in Taiwan, the United States’ past and recent affirmation it would defend Taiwan should Beijing invade, and novel alliances including AUKUS and the Quad to curtail Beijing’s influence. [Xinhuanet 3] [France 24].
China’s navy, meanwhile, has conducted a series of night bombing drills in waters off the southern island of Hainan in the South China Sea to boost assault training and combat readiness. According to the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Southern Theatre Command dozens of bombers from a naval aviation regiment conducted patrols earlier this month, including H-6J bombers practicing fending off ship and ground attacks as well as firing tactics. [South China Morning Post]
China’s Interpol nominee faces resistance
(dql) China’s nominee Hu Binchen for an oversight position in the executive committee of Interpol has met rejection by over four dozen lawmakers from 20 countries citing concerns over China’s attempts to enforce its laws abroad as well as alleged misuse of Interpol’s red notices, or alert system, to persecute dissidents in exile.” The election of Hu would in the eyes of the lawmakers allow the Chinese government “to continue their misuse of Interpol and would place the tens of thousands of Hongkonger, Uygur, Tibetan, Taiwanese and Chinese dissidents living abroad at even graver risk.”
The election for the committee is scheduled for next week during Interpol’s general assembly in Turkey. The committee meets three times a year and sets organizational policy and direction.
Hu is deputy director general of the international cooperation department of the Ministry of Public Security for which he has worked for more than 20 years. [South China Morning Post]
China: Third aircraft carrier to be launched soon, plan for new icebreaker for the ‘polar silk road’
(pm) Satellite imagery of Jiangnan’s Shipyard indicates that China’s third aircraft – widely known as the Type 003 – might the launched in the coming months as pictures taken in October reveal the near completion of the installation of the carrier’s main external components. [CSIS]
At the same time, China’s Ministry of Transport has released plans to develop a new heavy icebreaker and semi-submersible heavy lift ships over the next five years to support the country’s expanding maritime activities. The heavy icebreaker is expected to be used for rescues along China’s “Polar Silk Road” trade route, which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative.
The plans reflect China’s ambitions and growing presence in the polar regions which has led to increased geopolitical tensions and rivalry with the US and Russia. [South China Morning Post]
China and Russia develop heavy-lift helicopter
(pm) Russian Helicopter, a Russia state-owned helicopter design and manufacturing company, revealed that Russia and China signed in June a contract to jointly develop a multipurpose heavy helicopter, a latest sign of increasingly close technological cooperation between Moscow and Beijing.
Under the deal, Russia will provide parts for the aircraft including its transmission, steering screw and anti-icing system, while China will design, test, and develop the aircraft prototype, as well as handling certification, serial production, and marketing. [Reuters] [The Defense Post]
EU lawmakers warn against Beijing’s growing interference and disinformation
(cm) At a hearing on 9 November 2021 in Brussels, a special committee investigating outside interference and disinformation at the European Parliament called on the European Union to do more to counter “Beijing’s growing efforts to disrupt democratic processes in the EU,” citing 40 references to China in its draft report, which is more than twice the number of mentions made of Russia. Moscow has long ranked top in the debate on foreign interference and disinformation in Brussels and other European capitals.
The committee demanded the creation of a special task force for “monitoring interference coming from China”. The recommendation comes after the committee sent a delegation to Taipei last week to “study Taiwanese experiences in addressing interference and manipulation campaigns” [South China Morning Post].
Egypt and China sign economic deal
(pm) China and Egypt signed an agreement under which Beijing will provide funding to support development projects in the African country, including the satellite project “Misr Sat II”, Egypt’s second remote sensing Earth observation satellite, and the Satellite Assembly, Integration and Test Center (AITC). Furthermore, a vocational training center in the Suez Canal Authority Economic Zone will be established, while other projects to develop the transportation sector will be continued [Egypt Independent].
China’s support in highway construction in Kyrgyzstan
(pm) On 9 November 2021, Akylbek Japarov, Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan and, Du Dewen, Ambassador of China in Kyrgyzstan celebrated the completion of the construction of the North-South highway and use of grants issued by the Chinese government for irrigation and reconstruction of city roads” [24 kg]. On 10 November 2021 took place a completion ceremony for the second phase of the highway in Kazarman, Jalalabad Region of Kyrgyzstan. The highway will be an important international transport channel in Central Asia as said officials of Kyrgyzstan and China [Xinhua].
China-UK relations: Currency swap extension for five years
(pm) The Bank of England and the People’s Bank of China have renewed the currency swap with a maximum value of 350 billion yuan ($54.85 billion) to “support an effective and resilient renminbi market in the City of London, reflecting its role in renminbi trading,” according to Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England. [Euronews].
Japan: New Foreign Minister promises to defend peace and stability
(ec) Yoshimasa Hayashi promised to defend peace and stability in both Japan and the wider world, following his appointment as new Foreign Minister last week. Hayashi took office after his predecessor, Toshimitsu Motegi, was appointed Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Hayashi has previously served in several offices, including Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy, and Minister of Defense. [The Mainichi]
Hayashi also confirmed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave him assurances that the United States of America would defend Japan in the event of an attack. The scope of this included the contested territories in Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty to the Senkaku Islands. Hayashi and Blinken also both agreed to a visit by Prime Minister Kishida as a first summit. [Reuters] [See AiR No. 45, November/2021, 2]
For more information on Hayashi’s appointment, consider reading this article from the Japan Times, in which contributing writer Kuni Miyake disputes the common assumption that Hayashi, formerly the head of a parliamentary group dedicated to improving Sino-Japanese relations, is pro-China. [The Japan Times]
Japan: Former defense minister appointed new human rights adviser
(ec) Former Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has been appointed by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as special adviser on human rights. The appointment comes after Kishida’s pledge to establish the position during the LDP leadership race.
Nakatani is an advocate for sanctions on foreign officials thought to have infringed upon human rights. He has drafted legislation similar to US Russia and Moldova Jackson–Vanik Repeal and Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act, 2012.
The introduction of the human rights adviser position and Nakatani’s appointment is seen as a test for Sino-Japanese relations, strained by Tokyo’s growingly hardened stance towards China’s human rights record in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. [The Kyodo News] [South China Morning Post]
Japan: American Commander of Pacific Fleet Meets with Japanese Prime Minister
(ec) Commander of the US Pacific Fleet Admiral John Aquilino met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday, November 12. During the 20-minute meeting they agreed on the need for greater cooperation between Japan and the United States to protect peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific area. Aquilino also met Japan’s Minister for Defense Nobuo Kishi, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi. The meeting followed a three-day joint session with Chief of Staff Koji Yamazaki where they observedJapan Self-Defense Force exercises in the southern islands. [Kyodo News]
Aquilino’s visit comes shortly after the visit of the German Navy frigate Bayern, which conducted joint exercises with Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Since Thursday, November 11, the JMSDF has also been engaged in the annual Exercise NICHI GOU TRIDENT with the Royal Australian Navy, during which Japanese submarines entered Australian waters for the first time since the Second World War. [The Diplomat] [See AiR No. 45, November/2021, 2]
The increase in diplomatic activity is indicative of the growing global concerns over China’s moves in the South China Sea and towards Taiwan, as well as North Korea’s nuclear program and missile tests. It also demonstrates the role of Japan in perpetuating the established order in the Indo-Pacific area. [Japan Today] [See AiR No. 45, November/2021, 2]
Japan: South Korean arrests traced to North Korean agent
(ec) Two South Korean citizens arrested in Autumn have been classified as contributors in North Korea’s foreign currency acquisition. Unnamed sources from the National Policy Agency confirmed that the South Koreans, arrested on charges of violating immigration laws, were involved in the scheme to obtain foreign currency, which is a means for Pyongyang to circumvent economic sanctions. The pair, who are believed to answer indirectly to an agent from the Reconnaissance General Bureau, have not been indicted by prosecutors and have been released from custody. [The Mainichi]
The Reconnaissance General Bureau is North Korea’s intelligence agency in charge of the state's clandestine operations.
Japan to Establish Second Space Operations Unit
(ec) The Air Self-Defense will be looking to establish a second space operations unit, Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi stated on Sunday, November 14.. The launch of the second unit, which will watch for electromagnetic wave interference, was part of the Defence Ministry’s budget requests for the 2022 fiscal year. Japan’s first space operations unit was created to monitor the threat debris and asteroids pose to satellites in May 2020. The unit will operate from Hofu Kita Air Base in Yamaguchi Prefecture, where a space surveillance radar is being built for operation by in the 2023 fiscal year. [Kyodo News] [Japan Today]
For more information on satellites and electromagnetic damage, consider reading this summary from the European Space Agency. [The European Space Agency]
South Korea-US relations: Agreement on semiconductor and energy cooperation
(dql) South Korea’s Industry Minister Moon Sung-wook last week visited the US for talks on deepening bilateral cooperation.
He held talks with his US counterpart Gina Raimondo in Washington on Tuesday, November 9, during which both ministers agreed to launch new bilateral talks on enhancing their countries’ cooperation on the semiconductor supply chain, with December 8 set as date for the inaugural meeting which will involve director-level officials, along with officials and representatives from businesses and other related organizations. [Korea Times]
Similarly, Moon also agreed with US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm a day later on the launch of the Energy Policy Dialogue (EPD), a ministerial-level dialogue to strengthen cooperation on clean energy and climate challenges. [Korea Herald]
South Korea, Colombia deepen ties
(dql) During talks held in Seoul on Wednesday, November 10, South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Colombian Vice President and Foreign Minister Marta Lucia Ramirez agreed to deepen cooperation in multiple areas, including health care, digital transformation and climate change, while also discussing a wide range of bilateral and regional issues.
Ramirez’s meeting with Chung was part of her participation in the Korea-Pacific Alliance Green Economy Forum held earlier in the day, which was also joined by three other Pacific Alliance members, Chile, Peru and Mexico.
The Pacific Alliance is a Latin American trade bloc, formed by Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, established in 2012. South Korea, which is currently an observer country, has been seeking to become an associate member. [Korea Herald]
Meanwhile, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) – South Korea’s governmental organization in charge of enhancing the effectiveness of the country’s grant aid programs for developing countries – concluded last week an agreement with the Colombian Ministry for Commerce, Industry and Tourism under which Seoul will provide $5 million to support shipbuilding industry in the South American country. [Maritime Executive]
South Korea-Russia relations: Direct military hotlines to be established
(dql) South Korea and Russia concluded on Thursday, November 11, an agreement on the establishment of direct bilateral hotlines between the two countries' Navies and Air Forces, in a bid to strengthen communication to prevent accidental clashes at sea and in the air.
The agreement, signed by Kim Sang-jin, Director General for International Policy of the South Korean Defense Ministry, and Viktor Kalganov, Deputy Director of Russia's National Defense Control Center, comes against the backdrop of Russian military aircraft having entered South Korea’s air defense identification zone multiple times in the past without prior notice. [Yonhap News Agency]
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has launched the frigate Cheonan on Tuesday, November 9. The seventh of eight Daegu (FFX-II)-class guided-missile frigates on order for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN), the Cheonan is a 122.1 m-long warship, equipped with 5-inch guns, ship-to-ship guided missiles, tactical ship-to-surface guided missiles, and a close-in weapon system (CIWS). It is expected to be handed over to the service in 2023. [Hankyoreh]
South Korea-Indonesia relations: Jakarta ends speculations over withdrawal from joint fighter development project
(dql) South Korea and Indonesia signed a final agreement on the cost-sharing for their joint fighter development project, ending year-long speculations of Indonesia’s exit from the project.
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) confirmed on Thursday, November 11, that Jakarta had reaffirmed its earlier pledge to contribute to 20 percent of the cost for the 8.8 trillion-won (US$7.4 billion) KAI KF-21 Boramae/Fighting Hawk project, while furthermore agreeing to make 30 percent of its total payments in kind. [Korea Times]
The joint project is 4.5 generation fighter aircraft development program aimed at producing an advanced multirole fighter for the two countries’ air force, with the airframe stealthier than other fourth-generation fighters. The program is led by the South Korean government, which holds 60% of the program's shares. Indonesia took a 20% stake in the program in 2010. The remaining 20% is held by private partners including the manufacturer Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI).
South Korea, Middle East seek post-Covid-19 cooperation
(aml) At the 17th Korea-Middle East Cooperation Forum, the countries discussed ways to strengthen their cooperation after the Covid-19 pandemic.
South Korea’s Vice Minister of foreign affairs Choi Jong-kun held a speech in which he presented his visions on cooperation in new fields such as green energy, smart agriculture and health and medical care, while Bader Mohammad Al-Awadi, ambassador of Kuwait called for “a roadmap that includes a clear vision for the areas of cooperation for the next five years”.
The Forum is organised by the Korea-Arab Society, the Jeju Peace Institute, and the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research of the UAE and aims to promote mutual understanding between the countries and to develop a network of human resources. [The Korea Times]
Moon calls for common standards on recognition of vaccine certificates in APEC summit
(aml) On the occasion of the 2021 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, South Korean president Moon Jae-in urged the other leaders to establish common standards in the mutual recognition of Covid-19 vaccine certificates. He emphasized that enhanced and facilitated cross-border movement of goods and people is essential for a return to normal life and stressed the importance of free trade and a multilateral trading system. [The Korea Times]
Furthermore, Moon called for a greener economy which reduces carbon emissions and relies only on renewable energy and urged the APEC members to support underdeveloped countries in the process. At the UN climate summit in Glasgow, Moon had vowed to cut South Korea’s carbon emissions by 40% in 2030 and be carbon-free in 2015.
The APEC nations include among others New Zealand, Russia, US and Chile and makes up almost 40% of the world’s population as well as 60% of the global economy. [The Korea Herald]
US congressional delegation makes unannounced visit to Taiwan
(zh) Last week, a six-member delegation of US lawmakers made an unannounced three-day visit to Taiwan. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs later confirmed the visit, explaining it was arranged by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the de facto US embassy on the island.
The delegation has reportedly met with President Tsai Ing-wen at the Presidential Office and visited the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense and of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chipmaker. [CNN] [Focus Taiwan]
In an immediate response to the visit, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command conducted a joint combat readiness patrol near the Taiwan Straits, saying the drill was “targeted at a certain country’s seriously wrong moves and remarks on the Taiwan question and Taiwan secessionists’ activities”. [Global Times]
In a separate development, asked at a forum hosted by the New York Times whether Washington would come to Taiwan’s defense should China attack Taiwan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US and its allies would take unspecified “actions” in the contingency. [Reuters]
For an account of increased US military presence in Taiwan, see Jack Detsch and Zinya Salfiti in [Foreign Policy] analyzing Biden’s continuation of Trump’s “porcupine strategy” to bolster the island’s defense capability.
Taiwan issue prioritized in Xi-Biden meeting
(zh) The issue of Taiwan was put on the table in the virtual meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. In the meeting, Biden underscored Washington’s adherence to one-China policy and expressed strong opposition to “unilateral efforts” to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Xi, on the other side, has warned that China was prepared to take “decisive measures” if Taiwan moves toward independence, saying the US support for Taiwanese independence would be “playing with fire” and “those who play with fire will get burned”. [The Guardian]
Ahead of the virtual meeting, top diplomats from China and the US had traded warnings of the Taiwan issue in a phone call. While Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi warned the US not to send wrong signals to Taiwan’s leaning-independence forces, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns over Beijing’s “continued military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan” and urged China to “engage in meaningful dialogue” over the Taiwan issue. [Taipei Times]
Taiwan not included among participants of US-hosted ministerial meeting on COVID-19
(zh) Washington has cited “time and format constraints” as reasons preventing the inclusion of Taiwan at a virtual COVID-19 ministerial meeting hosted by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on November 10. The meeting, attended by around 40 countries, was set to address issues such as vaccine distribution and global health security.
Among the participants was the Chinese Ambassador to the US, Qin Gang, which led to speculations that China successfully objected Taiwan’s participation with the US State Department describing Taiwan’s exclusion as “unfortunate,” while Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Taipei was told that only a small number of counties would be invited. [Focus Taiwan]
In September, Taiwan’s former Vice President Chen Chien-jen, an epidemiologist-turned politician, was invited to a virtual Global COVID-19 Summit held by US President Joe Biden alongside the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) [see AiR No. 39, September/2021, 4].
Taiwan’s NTHU office opened to help poach tech talent to China
(zh) Top officials at Taiwan’s National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) had allegedly set up an illegal operation of the Beijing-funded Cross-Strait Tsinghua Research Institute (CSTRI) to poach Taiwanese technology talent for China. After being reported by local newspaper, Liberty Times, the island’s National Security Bureau (NSB) later confirmed the establishment by the Chinese government at NTHU, saying the NSB was fully aware of the situation.
The CSTRI was founded in Xiamen, China, in 2015 by the alumni association of Taiwan’s NTHU and Beijing’s Tsinghua University. A branch office was later opened at NTHU and recruited information technology talent for China. The recruiters did not obtain permission from Taiwan’s government, violating the Act governing relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. NTHU is a crucial incubator of high-tech talent for Taiwan’s IT sectors, including the semiconductor industry. [Focus Taiwan 1][Taipei Times]
In response, Taiwan’s Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung has warned that all Taiwan-based tertiary institutions should not engage in activities with Chinese individuals, groups or agencies outside the confines of Taiwan’s regulation without permission from the government. [Focus Taiwan 2]
In related news, two executives from a Hong Kong company who were arrested on the grounds of conspiring with Chinese intelligence will not be indicted for violating Taiwan’s National Security due to lack of evidence. Despite being released, China Innovation Investment Ltd. CEO Xiang Xin with his wife and alternate board member, Kung Ching, are still barred from leaving the island, pending the court’s review of a case alleging the couple being involved in money laundering that targeted the 2020 elections in Taiwan. [Focus Taiwan 3]
Cross-strait relations: Taiwanese defense ministry warns of China seizing the island without fight
(zh) The annual report of Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) suggests that China’s gray zone threats are to ultimately seize Taiwan “without a fight”. According to the report, China has been diversifying its gray zone tactics via military and non-military approaches. The Chinese strategies listed include frequent warplane intrusions into the island’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), cyber warfare that gathers and steals intelligence, cognitive warfare to isolate Taiwan and weaken the island’s will to fight, and the use of economic leverage to lure Taiwan’s business sector. [ROC National Defense Report 2021] [Focus Taiwan 4]
Contradictory statements on Australia’s engagement in the event of China’s attack on Taiwan
(zh) Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating has urged Canberra to prevent being drawn into a military conflict between China and Taiwan, arguing that the Taiwan issue is “fundamentally a civil matter” for China and “not a vital Australian interest”. He added that Australia would not have any treaty obligations to join the conflict. [ABC]
Contrary to Keating’s call, Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton said it would be “inconceivable” for his country not to support US action in the contingency of war over Taiwan, referring to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s comments a few days earlier on Wednesday, November 10, that the US and its allies would take unspecified “action” in the event of China’s attack Taiwan. [Reuters] [South China Morning Post]
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs later lashed out at Keating’s remarks, saying Taiwan and Australia are important partners that share common values and strategic interests and emphasize the security across the Taiwan Strait is vital to the prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region. [Taipei Times]
Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez visits “real friend” Taiwan
(zh) Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez has made a three-day trip to Taiwan beginning on November 12. When meeting with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, who described the visit as “significant”, Hernandez said Taiwan and Honduras are “real friends” and expressed hope to strengthen personal and diplomatic relationships during and after his presidency
Honduras is one of Taiwan’s 15 diplomatic allies and this year marks the 80th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two sides. The Central American state’s upcoming presidential election on November 28 is a critical point of the bilateral relations, as one of the two candidates, Xiomara Castro, had pledged to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China if she wins the election. [Focus Taiwan][Diplomat][Reuters]
Taipei has apprehensions about the growing Chinese influence in the Caribbean and Latin America, a region that traditionally hosts the largest bloc of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies. In February, Guyana had called off the plan for Taiwan to open a representative office in its capital succumbing to China’s pressure [see AiR No.6, February/2021, 2]. Faced with mounting pressure from Beijing, three Latin American states, El Salvador, the Dominican Republican, and Panama, had cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan within the last two years.
Pakistan hosts United States, Russia, China for talks on Afghanistan
(lm) Against the backdrop of growing alarm over a possible economic collapse and a looming humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan, Pakistan hosted a meeting of special envoys from the so-called Troika Plus comprising Pakistan, China, Russia and the United States on November 11. [Reuters]
Inaugurated by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the Troika Plus meeting was the first to bring together all parties since the Taliban seized power of Afghanistan in August. Moscow hosted similar talks in October, but Washington stayed away from the meeting, citing logistical reasons. A day before the talks, the then-US special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, had resigned and officials said his successor, Thomas West, was not prepared to attend the Moscow huddle.
Crucially, last week’s gathering came a day after India on November 10 held a security dialogue on Afghanistan that was attended by security officials of India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. No representative from the erstwhile Afghan government or the Taliban had been invited to the consultations; China and Pakistan had declined the invitation. [see entry in this edition]
Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who was on a three-day visit in Pakistan, did not attend the Troika Plus talks but later met with the special envoys on the sidelines of the meeting. He also met separately with Foreign Minister Qureshi and other Pakistani officials to discuss a range of issues, including how to help Kabul overcome a deepening economic crisis and avoid a refugee crisis. [see entry in this edition]
The meeting between the special envoys released a joint statement appealing for the international community to urgently provide humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. It also urged the Taliban to form an inclusive and representative government that respects the rights of all Afghans and provides for the equal rights of women and girls to participate in all aspects of the Afghan society. [U.S. Department of State]
According to media reports, during the meeting, Pakistan called on the US to unfreeze Afghanistan's foreign assets of nearly $9 billion and allow Taliban to use those funds to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and the socio-economic collapse of the country. [Global Times]
The next meeting of the group is due in Beijing, where the Taliban representative will be invited, Pakistan’s foreign minister said after the meeting. [ABC News]
Pakistani Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa held separate meetings with the envoys of the United States, Russia, and China. [The Times of India]
India hosts talks on Afghanistan unattended by Pakistan, China
(rs/lm) India on November 10 hosted senior security officials from Russia, Iran and five Central Asian countries to discuss the situation in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the country in talks that were boycotted by Pakistan and China. [Al Jazeera] [Associated Press]
The Third Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan – the first two editions of the meeting were hosted by Iran in 2018 and 2019 – was chaired by India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Participating nations included Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. No representative from the erstwhile Afghan government or the Taliban was invited.
Pakistan was invited but refused to participate in the New Delhi-led talks, with Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf last week calling India a “spoiler” and not a “peacemaker” in Afghanistan. China, for its part, bowed out of the session as well, citing “scheduling reasons.”
During the meeting, India sought to emphasize regional concerns about the risks of an unstable Afghanistan, including terrorism and drug trafficking. Furthermore, the security officials stressed the necessity of forming an inclusive government that represents the will of all the people of Afghanistan and has representation from all sections of their society. [The Times of India]
Observers note that India considered the conference as an opportunity to put itself back into the conversation by conveying its core concerns to friendly regional actors that still enjoy influence in Kabul. For New Delhi has only limited relations with the Taliban, after it had kept its distance from the Islamist group, given its proximity to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence. [Foreign Policy, $]
This reluctance had left India with little leverage in the emerging situation, and is believed to be the reason why it was again left out when Pakistan last week hosted China, Russia and the United States last week for talks on Afghanistan under what is known as the “Troika Plus” format. [see entry in this edition]
Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister visits Pakistan to discuss trade, connectivity
(tj/lm) A high-level ministerial delegation led by the Afghan acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, completed a three-day visit to Pakistan on November 13, as the Taliban seek global recognition and the unfreezing of assets to curtail a deepening humanitarian crisis on the ground. [Reuters] [The Nation]
Muttaqi’s visit, a follow up to a trip to the Afghan capital Kabul by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in late October, marked the first visit of a Taliban leader to Islamabad since the Islamist group seized power in August.
Crucially, the visit coincided with Pakistan hosting a meeting of special envoys from the so-called Troika Plus comprising Pakistan, China, Russia and the United States on November 11. Muttaqi did not attend the meeting but later met with the special envoys on the sidelines of the meeting. [see entry in this edition]
Wide-ranging discussions between Foreign Minister Qureshi and his Afghan counterpart included ways to facilitate transit trade, cross-border movement and support for Afghan people.
Some 95 percent of the 38 million population are in desperate need of food, the $20 billion economy could shrink by $4 billion or more, and 97 percent of the Afghans are at risk of sinking into poverty, according to the United Nations Development Programme. Making matters worse, multiple reports say that several areas in Afghanistan are facing droughts as winter approaches. [CNBC]
Against this backdrop, Pakistan’ Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi During, while underlining Pakistan’s commitment to peace, stability and progress in Afghanistan, also highlighted Islamabad’s continuing efforts for facilitating humanitarian assistance and economic support to Afghanistan.
In recent months, Pakistan has repeatedly called on governments, including the United States, to allow development assistance to flow into its war-torn neighbor to prevent collapse [see AiR No. 38, September/2021, 3]. It has also discussed the idea of Afghanistan joining the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure project, the single largest project of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) [see AiR No. 40, October/2021, 1].
India’s army chief in Israel on maiden visit to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation
(rs/lm) The Indian Chief of the Army Staff, General MM Naravane, arrived in Israel on November 15 for his maiden five-day visit during which he will meet with the country’s senior military and civilian leadership to discuss avenues for further enhancing Indo-Israel defense relations. [Livemint]
General Naravane’s arrival follows on a five-day swing through Israel in mid-October by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishanka, during which the Indian top diplomat lauded bilateral commercial ties, saying that India regards Israel “in many ways as perhaps our most trusted and innovative partner”. But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Jaishankar’s visit was a four-way Zoom call he conducted with his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. [AiR No. 42, October/2021, 3]
It also follows hot on the heels of a visit to Tel Aviv two weeks ago by the director-general of the Indian Defense Ministry, Ajay Kuma. That visit resulted in both countries agreeing to form a task force charged with developing a 10-year cooperation plan to identify new areas in defense cooperation.
Israel has been among India’s top three arms suppliers for the last five years, according to a report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) in March 2021, accounting for 13 percent of India’s imports in the period between 2016 and 2020.
In September, India purchased four Heron medium-altitude long-endurance drones from Israel Aerospace Industries in a deal worth some $200 million as part of New Delhi’s plans to upgrade the military amid its ongoing ongoing border dispute with China in the Himalayan heights of Ladakh [see AiR No. 42, October/2021, 3].
More recently, the research and development agencies of both countries signed on November 9 a Bilateral Innovation Agreement for the development of dual use technologies, such as drones, artificial intelligence and more. [The Jerusalem Post]
Divergence between India’s defense chief, foreign ministry on Chinese construction in border region
(lm) Tens of thousands of troops and weaponry that India rushed to secure its disputed Himalayan border last year will not be able to return to base for a long time, Defense Chief General Bipin Rawat said last week, adding that a lack of “trust” and growing “suspicion” were coming in the way of resolving the border dispute with China. [Bloomberg, $]
Speaking at a media event on November 11, the Indian defense chief confirmed that China was creating civilian settlements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de-facto boundary between the two countries, potentially to reinforce its territorial claims along disputed Himalayan frontiers. However, he said that no village had been built inside Indian territory. [Voice of America]
Crucially, General Rawat’s comments contradicted the official position of India’s Ministry of External Affairs which earlier the same day said stated that “India has neither accepted such illegal occupation of our territory nor has it accepted the unjustified Chinese claims”. [The Hindu]
The ministry was responding to queries on the 2021 edition of the US Department of Defense annual report, Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China, which referred to construction activities by China along the India-China border areas.
The report references a village of about 100 homes that Chinese forces had constructed in 2020 on what had been an empty hillside two years ago [see AiR No. 5, February/2021, 1]. The construction had been red-flagged by security experts in New Delhi because it lies inside disputed territory between China’s Tibet Autonomous Region and India's northeastern Arunachal Pradesh state.
Bangladesh, France sign Letter of Intent on defense cooperation
(sk/lm) Bangladesh and France have signed a Letter of Intent on defense cooperation during a five-day official visit to Paris by Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina that concluded on November 14. [The Daily Star] [Prothom Alo]
Prime Minister Hasina arrived in the French capital on November 9 after attending the World Leaders Summit at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Scotland and other events [see AiR No. 45, November/2021, 2]. She was being accompanied by Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and high-ranking others.
Of particular note is a joint statement endorsing the “free and open” vision of the Indo-Pacific region articulated by the members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) – the multilateral grouping joining Australia, India, Japan, and the United State – and rejected by China. In May, Beijing’s ambassador to Bangladesh warned that Dhaka participating in the Quad – which the envoy called a “narrow-purposed” grouping – would “substantially damage” ties between Bangladesh and China [see AiR No. 20, May/2021, 3]. [Embassy of France in Bangladesh]
The nations also agreed to develop their cooperation in other areas including trade and investment, sustainable development and climate change, education and cultural exchange. To this end, both sides signed three agreements to increase financial assistance and technical support for the South Asian country's battle against COVID-19 and the implementation of water supply and aviation projects. As per two agreements, France will provide EUR 330 million to Bangladesh to support its development projects. [Dhaka Tribune]
During her visit, Prime Minister Hasina also attended the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and distributed the first-ever UNESCO-Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Prize for Creative Economy.
Pakistan says it will ‘favorably consider’ India’s request for transit of wheat to Afghanistan
(rs/lm) Pakistan has reportedly agreed to allow India to send 50,000 tons of wheat through its territory to neighboring Afghanistan, seven weeks after New Delhi sought permission. [Bloomberg] [The New York Times, $]
Responding to an appeal for assistance by the World Food Program, India earlier this year prepared a 50,000-tons wheat donation and, on October 7, sought Pakistan’s permission to dispatch the consignment using the land route via the Wagah-Attari border near Amritsar in Punjab.
But there was no response from Pakistan to India’s request, although Pakistani diplomats acknowledged to foreign media that New Delhi had approached them with a request to enable the overland transfer. Meanwhile, Islamabad dispatched at least two rounds of relief goods to Afghanistan, most recently on November 2. [AiR No. 45, November/2021, 2]
Last week then, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a meeting on November 12 with the Afghan acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said his government would “favorably” consider an Afghan request for transportation of the wheat offered by India. [The Hindu]
The announcement came a day after Pakistan hosted a meeting of special envoys from the so-called Troika Plus comprising Pakistan, China, Russia and the United States. Muttaqi did not attend the meeting but later met with the special envoys on the sidelines of the meeting. [see entry in this edition]
Over the past two decades, as droughts led to repeated grain shortages in Afghanistan, India – which produces a grain surplus – often came to its aid. Last year, New Delhi used the Chabahar Port in Iran to send 75,000 tons of wheat to Afghanistan. But that was prior to the collapse of the democratically elected Afghan government this August.
Senior United States, Indian officials to visit Nepal
(ns) High-priority visits are to take place in Nepal this month. Kathmandu will welcome the US official Donal Lu on November 17 and the Indian Minister for Road, Transportation and Highways Nitin Gadkari on November 18. [The Kathmandu Post 1] [The Kathmandu Post 2]
Mr Lu is the assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. His visit acts as an inauguration to the region as he was only appointed into the function in September. The significance of his trip is founded in the current controversy between the officials over endorsement of the US designed program MCC.
Minister Gadkari who is simultaneously the senior leader of Bharatiya Janata party, will also be traveling to Nepal this month. Meetings with the Nepali Prime Minister and other high officials are thus far planned but more detailed schedule is still unclear.
His trip was initiated by the extended invite of Patanjali Yogpeeth Nepal and its prepared commence of two TV programs come November 19. As a part of this event Acharya Balkrishna of the Patanjali Ayurved and the ‘Yoga guru’ Ramdev are expected to arrive too. Prime Minister Deuba is scheduled to introduce the channels.
In addition, the hosting of France and Switzerland as a part of upkeeping diplomatic relations with the European Union is on the docket as well.
China delivers frigate to Pakistan in ‘important milestone’
(lm) China has delivered a Type 054A/P frigate to Pakistan, the largest and most advanced warship Beijing has ever exported, the shipbuilder said, calling the contract an “important milestone” for the sale of Chinese warships. [Global Times]
The PNS Tughril is the first of four frigates that China is building for the Pakistan Navy under a deal signed in 2017. The other three ships are in different stages of construction and will be inducted into the Navy's fleet soon. [Defense News]
Beijing has long been a defence partner to Islamabad. In addition to the Type 054A/P frigates, the Pakistan Navy sealed a $5 billion deal with China in 2016 for the acquisition of eight Chinese Yuan-class type-041 diesel submarines by 2028 to "address force imbalance" with its arch-rival India.
India, France to hold 6th edition of bilateral Army exercise
(rs/lm) Military personnel from the Indian and French Armies are currently participating in the sixth edition of the joint biennial EX SHAKTI 2021 exercise. Held in the French port town of Frejus, the 12-day long drills will run until November 26. [The Indian Express]
A platoon strength of a Gorkha Rifles Infantry Battalion is representing the Indian Army, while the French side is being represented by troops of the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade.
India-Vietnam hold virtual meeting on Strategic Partnership; agree to enhance cooperation
(rs) India and Vietnam have agreed to expand bilateral cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific in line with the vision for the region by New Delhi and the 10-member bloc ASEAN. Ways to reinforce bilateral ties featured prominently during the 11th round of Political Consultations and the 8th round of Strategic Dialogue between the foreign ministries of both countries, held virtually on November 12. [MEA]
Cambodia: US imposed sanctions against government’s officials concerning Ream Naval Base
(tl) The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Cambodia’s Navy Commander Tea Vinh and Defense Ministry Director-General Chau Phirun on November 10. Condemned under the Magnitsky Act, the two officials were accused of conspiring to illegally profit from the refurbishment of the Ream Naval Base. The sanctions will freeze any assets Vinh and Phirun have in the US and prohibit all American citizens and companies from doing business with them. The US State Department also issued complementary travel bans prohibiting entry to the US for the official’s families. [United States Department of State 1]
The government of Cambodia described the sanctions as 'politically motivated' and 'an injustice to Cambodia'. According to its spokesman, the sanctions were only related to the financing of the Ream naval base, a project that had raised US concerns about possible Chinese involvement. [The Diplomat]
On the same day, the US State, Treasury and Commerce Department issued a joint note, urging US companies doing business in Cambodia "to be mindful of interactions with entities in corrupt business practices, criminal activities and human rights abuses." Such risks include dealings in the financial, real estate, gambling and infrastructure sectors, as well as with entities involved in trafficking people, wildlife and narcotics and related risks in timber and manufacturing.[United States Department of State 2]
Speculations on construction works at the naval base passed a sore point in the US-Cambodian relations. In 2019 an article published in the Wall Street Journal claimed that a secret treaty had been signed granting the Chinese navy the right to use the base for 30 years. At that time a Cambodian governmental spokesperson deemed it “fake news”, but suspicions have remained, given statements by a Cambodian official the project has the support of the Chinese government.
The US last month accused Cambodia of lacking transparency on Chinese construction activities at the base and urged the government to disclose the full scope of Beijing's involvement. [Reuters 1] Tensions between the two countries had already risen last June after a US officer was not allowed to fully access the naval base. [AiR No. 24, June/2021, 3] Since then, the US remained concerned that China is securing a military presence within the base. [Reuters 2] [Radio Free Asia]
Myanmar: US journalist released by the junta
(tl) The Myanmar junta released US journalist Danny Fenster and turned him over to US authorities on November 15 after holding him for more than five months in Insein Prison. The 37-years old’s release came only five days after being sentenced by a Special Court to eleven years in jail for spreading false information and violating the immigration law.[Myanmar NOW] [The Diplomat 1]
The former US ambassador to the UN, Bill Richardson, who held talks with the junta leadership to convince them to release Fenster, said that the journalist had been handed over to him in Myanmar and was due to board a flight home via Qatar. [The Diplomat 2]
Parallelly, Yohei Sasakawa, Japan’s special envoy to Myanmar and the chair of the Nippon Foundation, meet with the junta chief and the leaders of some political parties, hinting at his involvement in mediation efforts for Fenster’s release.
Fenster’s sentence, which would have included a period of physical labor, was the harshest given to any of the seven known journalists convicted by the military junta. Fenster’s charges were in part based on his former work at Myanmar Now News, not on his work for news outlet Frontier Myanmar, for which the journalist had stopped working in July 2020.
For the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, “Journalists have been under attack since 1 February, with the military leadership clearly attempting to suppress their attempts to report on the serious human rights violations being perpetrated across Myanmar as well as the extent of opposition to the regime.” Thirty-four journalists who were arrested in Myanmar following the military coup remain in custody. Majorly, they are charged with defaming Myanmar’s military or suspected to entertain ties to the opposition National Unity Government or the local People’s Defense Force. [Radio Free Asia]
Myanmar: Coup leader meets officials from China, Japan and Thailand
(tl) Senior officials from China, Japan and Thailand were received in the Myanmar capital over the weekend by junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing.
The Special Envoy of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China arrived unannounced, while details to the visit were not made public. Analysts said it might be in connection with efforts to urge the coup leaders to implement the five-point consensus agreed to with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and renew calls for a dialogue between the involved parties in Myanmar.
Japan’s special envoy for national reconciliation in Myanmar, according to junta sources, discussed with Min Aung Hlaing the country's pacification process and economic aid for Myanmar.
The five-member Thai delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, is believed to have discussed sensitive issues with the junta leader, including anti-regime military activities taking place on the Myanmar-Thailand border. No press release was issued following the visit. [Irrawaddy]
Indonesia: Government makes $4.18 billion investment in sovereign wealth fund
(ms) The Indonesian government has invested Rp 60 trillion (US$4.18 billion) into the country’s sovereign wealth fund, the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA). This includes Rp 15 trillion in state capital injection from this year’s state budget and Rp 45 trillion in equity from Bank Mandiri and Bank Rakyat Indonesia and is part of the government’s commitment to inject Rp 75 trillion into INA this year. [The Jakarta Post, $]
The Indonesian government launched the INA in February to strengthen the country’s economy by diversifying into new asset classes. It aims for the INA to expands its assets to more than $100 billion to fund infrastructure development. To do this, the INA seeks to attract co-investors who are able to place money in sub-funds that then invest in local infrastructure, health care, tourism, technology sectors, and the development of Indonesia’s new national capital city on the island of Borneo. So far, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States have committed a total of $19.8 billion to INA. This includes a recent partnership with the Dubai-based logistics company DP world worth $7.5 billion to invest in seaports in Indonesia. The fund also recently pledged $500 to $800 million of investment in the telecommunications infrastructure company PT Dayamitra Telekomunikasi’s initial public offering. [The Jakarta Post, $] [See also AiR No. 44 November/2021, 1]
Indonesia: Government to help fund Belt and Road Initiative railway
(ms) The Finance Ministry has committed Rp 4.3 trillion (US$300.1 million) from the state budget to ensure the continued construction of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project, part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The funds will cover the capital that the consortium of four Indonesian state-owned enterprises that are involved in the project did not provide at the beginning of the project in 2015. Acting as lender for the project, the China Development Bank has requested this equity from the Indonesian side before providing the necessary funding to proceed with construction. [The Jakarta Post, $]
The Rp 4.3 trillion commitment follows the presidential authorization last month to use Rp 2.6 trillion from the state budget to cover the project’s overrun budget, which has rose to U.S. $7.9 billion from an estimated $6 billion. This decree overrode a previous regulation passed in 2015 prohibiting the use of any state funds for the project. [See AiR No. 42, October 2021/3]
The Jakarta-Bandung rail line is the leading project in Indonesia to be part of China’s estimated U.S. $1 trillion-plus Belt and Road Initiative. It is Indonesia’s first venture into constructing a high-speed rail line, which has been touted as an important marker of being a modern country. Experts and lawmakers have warned, however, that contributing financially to the railway project could deplete state coffers and lead Indonesia into a debt-trap. Indonesia’s state budget is already burdened due to the pandemic, with this year’s budget deficit projected to reach 5.82 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). The government has set a target for the deficit to return to normal, around 3 percent of GDP, in 2023. [Benar News]
Indonesia, UK discuss closer cooperation on trade, investment, security
(ms) British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has met with Indonesia officials in Jakarta to seek closer ties on areas including trade, investment, and security, amongst others. During her visit, Truss announced the UK’s intention to invest more in Indonesia, particularly in areas like the green economy and green energy, and to forge a stronger partnership with Indonesia on maritime and cyber security and counterterrorism. A roadmap for closer cooperation is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Truss also visited Malaysia and Thailand during her weeklong visit to Southeast Asia, as part of the UK’s efforts to deepen ties with the region after leaving the European Union. [ABC News] [Jakarta Globe]
The UK and Indonesia recently established the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) to help promote and develop trade and investment and address existing market access barriers. The trading relationship between the two countries is already worth about US$4 billion and has remained robust despite the COVID-19 pandemic, rising 14.69 per cent to August 2021 in comparison to the same period last year. British investors, meanwhile, recently announced their commitment to invest US9.29 billion to support the transition to a green economy in Indonesia. [Jakarta Globe]
In regard to cooperation on maritime security, the UK Carrier Strike Group recently visited Jakarta, and the British frigate HMS Richmond conducted a joint exercise with the Indonesian Navy last month. Additionally, under a recent license agreement with UK-based defense company Babcock, the state-owned enterprise PAL Indonesia will build two UK-designed Arrowhead 140 frigates for the Navy. [Jakarta Globe]
Indonesia secures $44.6 billion investment commitment from UAE
(ms) Indonesia has secured a commitment of $44.6 billion from investors following President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 3-4 November. The investment commitments are 36 per cent higher than the figure announced by officials last week. [See AiR No. 45, November/2021, 2] They come from UAE businesses in various sectors to be made in agriculture, healthcare, digitalization, downstream mining, renewable energy, infrastructure, and development of the Southeast Asian country's new capital in East Kalimantan. Major investments include a $15 billion deal with American industrial gas maker Air Products and Chemicals to build a goal gasification facility in Indonesia, as well as a $10 billion to develop the new capital city through the Indonesian Investment Authority wealth fund. The Indonesian government aims to realize the total committed investments by 2024. [Jakarta Globe] [The Jakarta Post, $]
During Jokowi’s visit, the Indonesian and UAE governments also agreed to accelerate talks on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement to boost bilateral trade. Last year, UAE’s non-oil trade with Indonesia was valued at $2 billion and has totaled over $11 billion in the last five years. Previous UAE investments in Indonesia, meanwhile, have been predominately made in the crops and plantation sectors, with a total of $109 million having already flowed into these industries. [Jakarta Globe] [Jakarta Globe 2]
Indonesia: Shipowners pay to free vessels detained by Indonesian navy near Singapore
(ms) Shipowners have reportedly had to pay about $300,000 each to release around 30 vessels detained by the Indonesian navy for anchoring illegally in Indonesian waters near Singapore over the last three months. Shipowners and crew have said they were detained for long periods, sometimes lasting for weeks, until they delivered cash or made a bank transfer to an intermediary of the navy. [Reuters]
Navy officials have confirmed that there has been an increasing number of detentions made in the past three months, in accordance with Indonesian law, for anchoring without permission in Indonesian waters. However, they have denied that payments were made to the navy and said that intermediaries are not employed in legal cases. Rather, they say some detained vessels were released without charge due to insufficient evidence. Meanwhile, five ship captains are being prosecuted and two others have been given short prison sentences and fined Rp 100 million ($7,000) and Rp 25 million respectively. [Reuters]
In the past three months, the majority of ships detained by the navy were anchored without a license in Indonesian waters off Bintan Island east of the Singapore Strait waiting to dock at Singapore. One of the busiest waterways in the world, the strait has been crowded due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Often vessels anchor in Indonesia’s territory here believing they are still in international waters and therefore not responsible for any port fees. [Reuters]
The Indonesian Navy commenced a focused campaign in 2019 to crackdown on vessels illegally operating in Indonesian waters. Indonesia has also pursued fishing vessels illegally fishing in its waters. While serving as the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia in 2014-2019, Susi Pudjastuti implemented a crackdown on illegal fishing, authorizing the seizure and destruction of hundreds of boats, even blowing up some of them as a warning. [West of England P&I]
Currently, Vietnamese fishing boats in particular are increasingly encroaching into Indonesia’s waters. From June to October this year, 21 of the 31 foreign-flagged shipped were from Vietnam; and in October, 200 Vietnamese fishermen were finally repatriated from Indonesia after spending months in a detention center on charges of poaching in Indonesian waters. [See AiR No. 40, October/2021, 1] Vietnam and Indonesia are currently engaged in dialogue to clearly delineate their EEZs and reduce tensions. [South China Morning Post]
Indonesia-Japan's bilateral relations under Kishida’s rule
(dw) Fumio Kishida's victory as the new Prime Minister of Japan will affect diplomatic relations with Indonesia. In this regard, PM Kishida will likely carry on the programs of his two predecessors, Shinzo Abe and Yoshihide Suga, on the Quad's military cooperation with the US, India, and Australia. Japan will surely step up its presence and role in the Indo-Pacific. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won 261 seats in the 465-member Lower House. Without revising Japan's pacific policy, it will also be easier for the former foreign minister to implement the LDP's plan to drastically increase Japan's defense budget from 1 to 2 percent of gross domestic product, enabling Japan to be more active with respect to regional geopolitics. [see AiR No. 43, October/2021, 4][see AiR No. 44, November/2021, 1]
According to observers, Indonesia should be concerned about this issue as it will directly impact bilateral relations between the two countries. A more vital personal trust between President Jokowi and Prime Minister Kishida will be crucial to boost economic and political ties between Jakarta and Tokyo. Considering Japan's key role for the Indonesian economy and development, Indonesia should give more opportunities to Japan to participate in its ambitious infrastructure plan, including railways and seaports. Indonesia has decided to give the ongoing Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project to China, whose construction started in 2015. [The Jakarta Post] [The Diplomat]
Malaysian Prime Minister to visit Indonesia
(dw/my) Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yakoob arrived in Jakarta on 9 November for his first international trip since he assumed the position in August.
The two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral topics, from the protection of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia, over maritime and airspace border control, to post-pandemic economic recovery. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on education and customs.
They also discussed regional issues, such as Myanmar’s participation in ASEAN meetings, the Rohingya crisis, and the situation in the South China Sea. PM Sabri also expressed Malaysia's interest in getting involved in Indonesia's new capital city project in East Kalimantan Province, with which the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah share a border. [The Jakarta Post][Strait Times][Medcom.id, in Indonesian][CNBC Indonesia, in Indonesian][Pikiran Rakyat, in Indonesian]
Laos: Thailand disregards NGOs’ environmental concerns over buying electricity from Lao hydropower
(bs) Thailand officially announced the intention to buy electricity from Lao hydropower projects despite environmental NGOs’ concerns over a threat to the ecosystem.
The Lao authorities started negotiating with Thailand on a potential partnership in the electricity export market after Vietnam’s offer proved to be insufficient.
Thai NGOs also shared their concerns about the negative effect that the operation would have on the people living in the region, who have already been drastically affected by the droughts and floods that followed previous dam constructions. [ Radio Free Asia ]
Vietnam receives $81-million loan for hydropower plant project from France
(bs) The French Development Agency (AFD) granted a loan of $81 million to the Vietnam Electricity group for the expansion of a Vietnamese hydropower plant project to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the withdrawal from the use and production of fossil fuels. Thereby, the parties also anticipated a reduction in operating costs in the long term. [Nhân Dân 1]
With similar objectives, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) granted a $1-million fund to Lao Cai province to develop eco-sustainable projects in forest management. The plan aspires to invest in advanced technologies to preserve local biodiversity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2026. [Nhân Dân 2]
Furthermore, three onshore Japanese co-funded wind power plants have started their operation. In May 2021, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) invested $25 million USD in a wind power plant project in Vietnam, which is also supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Export Finance Australia (EFA). [Vietnam Plus]
Announcements
Upcoming Online Events
17 November 2021 @ 3:00-5:00 p.m. (GMT+1), Clingendael Institute, The Netherlands
Guns, Seats and Protests: Political Reform in the Middle East
Expert dialogue #3 – Interventions and expectations matter
Clingendael will continue with the third and last session of its expert dialogue series. The webinar will explore how the mechanism of interventions could bring effective political changes and conditions that should be expected in successful reform.
If you want to know more about the event, visit [Clingendael].
17 November 2021 @ 3:00-4:30 p.m. (GMT+1), Egmont Institute, Belgium
The Resurgence of the Taliban: Plotting a New EU Course of Action for Afghanistan
Due to the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, this online panel will address the Ghani administration’s mistakes that led to its collapse, the developing security difficulties in the country, as well as the region’s important geopolitical implications.
If you interested in the answers to these questions, register at [Egmont Institute].
17 November 2021 @ 9:00 a.m.-5:30 a.m. (GMT+5:30h), Institute of Policy Studies
of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
Policy Dialogue on Regional Cooperation for Sustainable Development in South Asia
To strengthen the region’s cooperation towards sustainable development in South Asia, the event will focus on key potential areas that could bring inclusive growth and sustainable development outcomes from the linkages, including trade and investment relations, transport and energy connectivity, regional cooperation mechanisms, and the agenda for SANS.
For more event details, visit [IPS].
17 November 2021 @ 5:30-7:30 p.m. (GMT+5:30), Centre for Policy Research, India
Discussion on: Unpacking the outcomes of the Glasgow COP
Following the COP26 in Glasgow last week, the Centre for Policy Research will arrange a COP debrief to discuss potential outcomes and implications of the conference for India and the world, and share their views on whether the COP has served its purpose.
For more details, see [CRP].
17 November 2021 @ 7:00-8:30 p.m. (GMT+9), Institute for Policy Studies, Korea
Korea’s Green New Deal: Myths and Realities
This webinar will focus on the Korean government’s newly adopted program, the Green New Deal, and what to expect from this new development.
For more details, see [IPS].
17 November 2021 @ 3:30-5:00 p.m. (GMT+8), East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Dairy and Diaspora: Detour Reform of the Guangming Farm in Shenzhen
Although the state-directed Guangming farm was an economically promising space, it was paradoxically initiated when the rest of Shenzhen and China began to implement market reform. In this webinar, the speaker will argue that the delay was intended by the state to achieve its interests.
Find more about the webinar at [NUS].
17 November 2021 @ 12:00 p.m.-12:30 p.m. (GMT-5), The Heritage Foundation, USA
How Government Intervention is Hurting Competition in Hospital Markets, Increasing Patient Costs, and Limiting Choice
In this webinar, two senior experts will demonstrate how hospital market consolidation and US government interference slow competition among the nation’s hospital markets and, as a result, limit patient choice and raise medical expenses.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [The Heritage Foundation].
17 November 2021 @ 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (GMT-5), The Heritage Foundation, USA
Abortion Providers Took PPP Loans They Weren’t Eligible to Receive. Here’s What Happens Next.
The Paycheck Protection Program was initiated to ease business owners’ burdens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many businesses have access to these loans, including abortion providers. This webinar features Senator Rand Paul, who will elaborate on how abortion providers receive what they weren’t eligible for.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [The Heritage Foundation].
17-18 November 2021 @ 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (GMT-5), The Stimson Center, USA
Hashing the Atom: Exploring Blockchain Solutions for Global Security
This two-day informative discussion will provide insights on distributed ledger technology (DLT) and its potential to not only accelerate productivity in the enterprise ecosystem, but also create accountability and clarity in nonproliferation and global security.
More information is available at [Stimson].
17 November 2021 @ 11:00-14:00 a.m. (GMT+9), ADB Institute, Japan
Ocean Risk Vulnerability Index for Climate Change Assessment: Cases of Fiji, the Philippines, and Bangladesh
Climate change has increased its intensity and caused more severe damage to the coastal areas of many countries in Asia and the Pacific. This webinar will present results from the Climate Change and Ocean Risk Vulnerability Index Survey and its benefits for identifying climate threats.
For more details of the event, see [ADB].
17-19 November 2021, ADB Institute, Japan
Conference on Rural Economic Transformation: Pathways to Inclusive and Sustainable Prosperity in Post-COVID-19 Asia
This virtual conference will present new research on accelerating post-COVID-19 rural economic growth in Asia. During the session, several topics will be discussed, including underlying factors, opportunities, threats, and consequences.
For more information, visit [ADB].
17 November 2021 @ 9.00 – 10.00 a.m. (GMT-5), Center for Strategies & International Studies, USA
Philippine Elections and the U.S. Alliance: What Lies Ahead?
This online panel discussion will feature experts who will be discussing the 2022 presidential elections in the Philippines and the implications of the partnership between the U.S. and Philippines.
More information is available at [CSIS].
17 November 2021 @ 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (GMT-5), Pacific Council on International Policy, USA
Edgerton Series: China’s Belt and Road Initiative
As part of the Edgerton series on Responding to a Rising China, this online session will explore China’s prominent diplomatic policy, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and examine the U.S.’s attempts to develop plans to counter China’s BRI.
Follow [Pacific Council on International Policy] to learn more about the event.
17 November 2021 @ 10:30-11:30 p.m. (GMT-5), Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, USA
Nuclear Peace in South Asia?
Negotiations on future nuclear arms regulation between the United States and Russia, as well as another possible one between the United States and China, raise the question of whether the other two nuclear-armed competitors in Southern Asia, India and China and Pakistan and India, will be included in this effort to reduce nuclear dangers.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [Carnegie Endowment].
17 November 2021 @ 2:00-3:00 p.m. (GMT-5), Brookings Office of Communications, USA
Russia, China, and the Future of Strategic Stability
This webinar will present updates on new developments in Russia, China, and the United States’ attempts to modernize nuclear initiations and focus on the implications of these developments for strategic stability in years forward.
More information is available at [BROOKINGS]
18 November 2021 @ 2:00-3:00 p.m. (GMT+1), Bruegel, Belgium
Covid Recovery and the Green Transition What Can Promotional Banks Do?
This webinar will focus on the roles of promotional banks in creating financial stability to finance the green transition by creating accepted standards for green bonds and ensuring decarbonization through public investment cost reductions.
For further event details, see [Bruegel].
18 November 2021 @ 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. (GMT+1), German Institute for Global and Area Studies, Germany
Franco-German Observatory of the Indo-Pacific
In this lecture series, experts and key contributors will present the economic interdependence and independence in the Indo-Pacific and the region’s expectations towards the West.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [The GIGA].
18 November 2021 @ 8:00-9:30 a.m. (GMT+1), Geneva Center for Security Sector Governance, Switzerland
Climate Change and Security Sector Governance in East Asia
Against the background of COP26, this webinar will discuss on what roles security sector actors in East Asia could play out in response to climate-related security risks in the region.
Visit [DCAF] to find more event details.
18 November 2021 @ 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. (GMT+9), Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan
Satellite Imagery Analysis - Status of naval shipbuilding and shipyard facilities of the Chinese Navy
At this fourth session of the Satellite Imagery Analysis Project, Japanese experts will present their findings, which are the results of analyzing satellite images, on the status of naval shipbuilding in the Chinese Navy.
Visit [SPF] to learn more about the event.
18 November 2021 @ 1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. (GMT+9), Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan
Transport Corridors on the East Coast of Africa in the context of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision
In this session, Japanese researchers will offer and exchange their insights and suggestions on transport corridors in East Africa, ways for Japan to approach the region's development, and how to ensure smooth operation of the sea lanes.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [SPF].
18 November 2021 @ 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (GMT+10), Strategic & Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University, Australia
Guardians of the Nation? The Indonesian military’s collective memory of defeat in East Timor
This webinar will explore the Indonesian military’s collective memory in East Timo and analyze the institute’s constructed perceptions toward the defeat and how this rationalization impacts its sense of identity.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [SDSC].
18 November 2021 @ 10:30-12:15 p.m. (GMT-5), The Heritage Foundation, USA
2021 Antipoverty Forum: Roadmap for a New Generation of Welfare Reform
This conference will focus on the antipoverty agenda, a roadmap for welfare reform in the years ahead, as well as crucial factors that need to be addressed to achieve the goal.
For more details, see [The Heritage Foundation].
18 November 2021 @ 10:00 – 11:00 p.m. (GMT+1), The German Marshall Fund of the United States, Belgium
Implementing COP 26: The Need for Subnational Collaboration
Following the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), much work and cooperation will be required to put the crucial policies and agreements made at the summit into place. The session will focus on subnational collaboration in achieving climate change goals.
Visit [GMF] to learn more about the event.
18 November 2021 @ 10:00-11:00 a.m. (GMT+00), Overseas Development Institute, UK
Getting back on track to end poverty in South Asia
As the poverty rate in India has largely increased (+78%), the webinar will address the underlying factors of such circumstances and analyze the situation in Bangladesh and India based on household surveys and past observations.
Find more about the webinar at [ODI].
18 November 2021 @ 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. (GMT-5), Center for Strategies & International Studies, USA
Pulling Back the Curtain on China’s Maritime Militia
This webinar will present recent findings from the report, Pulling Back the Curtain on China’s Maritime Militia, which will show China’s maritime militia’s framework, grants, and shareholding networks in the South China Seas and methods to identify China’s naval militia vessels.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [CSIS].
18 November 2021 @ 10:00-11:00 p.m. (GMT+8), ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore
The Winding Road to US – Vietnam Reconciliation: Reflections from Ambassador Ted Osius
In this online webinar, Ted Osius, former American ambassador to Vietnam, will share insights on the US-Vietnam reconciliation since 1995 and the past obstacles that these two partners have tackled and overcome.
Find more at [ISEAS].
18 November 2021 @ 10.00 a.m. (GMT-5), Atlantic Council, USA
Bangladeshi Perspectives on Regional Economic Cooperation
Regional economic cooperation across South Asia has been highlighted by COVID-19. This webinar will feature a conversation with Ambassador M. Shahidul Islam of Bangladesh to the United States, who will share his unique views on Bangladesh’s contribution to South Asian economic unification.
More information is available at [Atlantic Council].
19 November 2021 @ 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (GMT+1), Egmont Institute, Belgium
Annual Conference on Belgian Foreign Policy
This annual conference, cohosted by The Egmont Institute, UCLouvain, and Universiteit Gent, will present major issues for Belgian foreign policy, including the future of Europe and European Democracy, the Stability in the Sahel region, and non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [Egmont Institute].
19 November 2021 @ 4:30 p.m. (GMT-5), Center for South Asian Studies, University of Michigan, USA
CSAS Lecture | Scaffolding of the Rule of Law: Legal Violence, Policing, and Scientific Interrogations in India
This lecture will feature Jinee Lokaneeta, professor and chair of political science and international relations at Drew University, whose recent book, The Truth Machines: Policing, Violence, and Scientific Interrogations in India, proposes a theory of the relationship between state power and legal violence and questions the nature of such frameworks. The speaker will share the results from her book in this webinar.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [CSAS].
19-21 November 2021 @ 8:00-10:30 p.m. (GMT+8), East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
International Conference on CPC Futures
During this two-day conference, international and local experts in China will discuss on the Communist Party of China (CPC) during Xi Jinping’s New Era, the future of the party in the 21st century, and clarify current key issues that CPC politics are facing.
Find more about the webinar at [NUS].
19 November 2021 @ 2:00-3:15 p.m. (GMT+2), Finnish Institute of International Affairs, Finland
Are Social Media Platforms Uniquely Responsible for Democratic Backsliding?
Social media platforms have lately been widely argued to be responsible for the regressing of liberal democracy. This webinar will address concerns about social media algorithms, platform regulation, and content surveillance.
Follow [FIIA] to learn more about the event.
19 November 2021 @ 1:30-3:00 a.m. (GMT+1), European University Institute, Italy
Italy Embraces the Belt and Road Initiative: Threats and Opportunities through the Lens of Five Case Studies
After the Italian government officially agreed upon the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), it became the first and only G7 country to accept this highly debatable program. The hybrid event will examine whether outcomes from the MoU have been as expected, using five fields of partnership between China and Italy as case studies.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [EUI].
19 November 2021 @ 1:00-2:15 p.m. (GMT-5), Belfer Center, Harvard Kennedy School, USA
Afghanistan and Its Consequences
At this online event, Ryan Crocker, former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon, will exchange valuable points of view on Afghanistan and provide insight on the ramifications of the resurgence of the Taliban.
For more details, see [Belfer Center].
19 November 2021 @ 6:00-7:00 p.m. (GMT+9), ADB Institute, Japan
Indonesia Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati on G20 2022 Host Vision and Priorities
This webinar will feature Indonesia's Finance Minister, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, who will share his perspectives on Indonesia’s plans and goals for the 2022 G20 Bali summit.
For more details of the event, see [ADB].
19 November 2021 @ 9:00-11:00 a.m. (GMT-5), The United States Institute of Peace, USA
Beyond AUKUS and the Quad: What’s Next for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy
This online session will feature a conversation with Kurt Campbell, National Security Council Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, who will offer insights on new U.S. diplomatic policies towards the Indo-Pacific, including the AUKUS and the Quad, and explore the intention of the cooperation.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [USIP].
19 November 2021 @ 10:00-11:15 a.m. (GMT+8), ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore
The Courteous Power: Japan and Southeast Asia in an Evolving Indo-Pacific Order
Japan and the Southeast Asia region have a long-established relationship. Yet, the significance of the partnership has been even more critical for both parties in these times. This webinar will discuss the past and present relationships between Japan and Southeast Asian countries and examine Japan’s new Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida’s approach to the region's development.
Visit [ISEAS] to learn more about the event.
22 November 2021 @ 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. (GMT+1), The German Marshall Fund of the United States, Belgium
Women and the Climate Crisis: COP26 and Beyond
One of the most pressing worldwide problems of the twenty-first century is climate change. Its effects, however, differ depending on gender. Therefore, it is crucial to accommodate gender balance in climate actions. This informative webinar will explore what happened, what was addressed, decided, or missed in the summit, and how the world will progress, with a particular emphasis on women's issues.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [GMF].
23 November 2021, @ 9:25 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore, Singapore
IPS-RSIS Conference on Identity
This online event will discuss a timely debate in Singapore due to its citizens' growing engagement in complex social issues: Singapore identities. The speaker will discuss the development of such notions and their connotations for the country's nation-building in this century.
If you want to know more about the event, visit [IPS].
23 November 2021 @ 12:00-1:00 p.m. (GMT-5), Hudson Institute, US
AUKUS: A Model for Other US Allies and Partners?
This online event will feature a conversation between the executive director of the Hudson Institute and senior experts from the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center (NPEC) about the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) technology transfer agreement and its subsequent effects on military innovation development, power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, and even on the big picture of relations of US allies and partners.
More information is available at [Hudson Institute].
23 November 2021 @ 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. (GMT+1), The German Marshall Fund of the United States, Belgium
Turkey-Russia Relations: Between Competition and Cooperation
Despite conflicts in the Balkans, Caucasus, Central Asia, and the MENA region, Turkey and Russia have managed to settle most of the regions and find opportunities for trade and economic cooperation.
Visit [GMF] to learn more about the event.
25 November 2021 @ 6:00-8:00 p.m. (GMT+1), Barcelona Centre for International Affairs, Spain
What EU Foreign Policy in a More Contested World?
The rivalry between great powers has posed a greater challenge to Europe's goal of normative power and the expansion of liberal and democratic norms than ever before. In addition, the south and east of the European Union have faced difficulties, which have led to the regions’ instability. This roundtable will discuss on the new role of the European Union in this challenged and fractured world.
Further information is accessible via [CIDOB].
Recent Book Releases
Dan Jones, Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages, Viking, 656 pages, published on November 9, 2021, reviewed in [The New York Time].
Linda Greenhouse, Justice on the Brink: The Death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Rise of Amy Coney Barrett, and Twelve Months That Transformed the Supreme Court, Random House, 336 pages, published on, November 9, 2021. A review is available at [The New York Times].
Gordon S. Wood, Power and Liberty: Constitutionalism in the American Revolution, Oxford University Press, 260 pages, published on September 1, 2021, with a review in [Kirkus].
Ray Takeyh, The Last Shah: America, Iran, and the Fall of the Pahlavi Dynasty, Yale University Press, 336 pages, published on January 26, 2021, reviewed in [Foreign Affairs].
Fernanda Pirie, The Rule of Laws: A 4,000-Year Quest to Order the World, Basic Books, 576 pages, published on November 9, 2021. For a review, visit [Foreign Affairs].
Matthew Rose, A World after Liberalism: Philosophers of the Radical Right, Yale University Press, 208 pages, published on August 3, 2021. A review is available at [Publishers Weekly].
Harold James, The War of Words: A Glossary of Globalization, Yale University Press, 368 pages, publishe on September 21, 2021, with a review in [Foreign Affairs].
Thane Gustafson, Klimat: Russia in the Age of Climate Change, Harvard University Press, 336 pages, October 27, 2021, reviewed in [Asian Review of Books].
Stuart Jeffries, Everything, All the Time, Everywhere: How We Became Postmodern, Verso, 384 pages, published on October 26, 2021. For a review, see [The Guardian].
Ryan Hass, Stronger: Adapting America’s China Strategy in an Age of Competitive Interdependence, Yale University Press, 240 pages, published on March 9, 2021, reviewed in [Foreign Policy].
Michael E. Mann, The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet, Public Affairs, 368 pages, published on January 12, 2021. A review is available at [Earth Org].
Peter Hartcher, Red Zone Paperback: China’s Challenge and Australia’s Future, Black Inc., 370 pages, published on May 24, 2021, with a review in [Australian Institute of International Affairs].
Brad Williams, Japanese Foreign Intelligence and Grand Strategy: From the Cold War to the Abe Era, Georgetown University Press, 296 pages, published on March 1, 2021. Visit [The Cipher Brief] for a review.
Richard C. Bush, Difficult Choices: Taiwan's Quest for Security and the Good Life, Brookings Institution Press, 429 pages, published on April 13, 2021, reviewed in [Council on Foreign Relations].
Calls for Papers
The Asian Legal History Second Annual Conference, scheduled for July 23-24, 2022 at the Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, invites researchers, scholars and students to submit paper proposals on the topic of “Legal History in Asia”. Closing date for submissions is January 14, 2022. For more information see [Faculty of Law, Thammasat University]
The Institute for Cultural Relations Policy (ICRP), Kodolányi János University (KJU) and the International Alliance for Cultural Relations (IACR) invites paper proposals for the international online conference “Security and Sovereignty in the 21st Century”, to be held on December 18, 2021. Deadline for abstract submission is December 15, 2021. Visit [Cultural Relations]
Jobs and Positions
The United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) is hiring a Director of Mission Support to be based in Mogadishu. Core function is acting as the principal adviser to the Head of UNSOS and the Special Representative of the Secretary- General Somalia on all matters related to the administrative and technical operational support activities of the Mission. Closing date for applications is December 1, 2021. For further information, see [UN Careers].
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic is offering a position of Director of Mission Support, with the main function in acting as the principal adviser to the Head of Mission on all matters related to administrative and technical support activities. Applications will be accepted until November 19, 2021. Details are provided at [UN Careers].
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development is seeking a Director, Economic Affairs, with core responsibilities in directing and managing the Organization’s major programs. Deadline for applications is November 20, 2021. Learn more about the vacancy at [UN Careers].
The European Commission’s Secretariat-General invites application for the position of Director (Head of Protocol Service in the Secretariat-General) to be responsible for organizing and running all protocol activities. Closing date for applications is December 6, 2021. If you are interested, find more information at [Eur-Lex].
The European Commission’s Directorate-General Research and Innovation is hiring a Principal Adviser – President of the Board of the European Innovation Council. Deadline for applications is November 26, 2021. Visit [Eur-Lex] for further details.
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!
