Grasp the pattern, read the trend

No. 4, January/2023, 4

Brought to you by CPG

Dear Readers, 

The Asia in Review (AiR) team wishes you a Happy Lunar New Year and is pleased to present you this week´s AiR issue with the latest events, developments and trends in domestic politics, international relations and geopolitics in East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

I hope you have an informative read and extend special greetings to everyone celebrating India’s Republic Day in this week. 

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: Annual economic report 2022

(ms) The National Bureau of Statistics of China has released the 2022 economic report. Among the key findings is a 3 percent GDP growth, confirming the failure to achieve the target of 5.5 percent set at the beginning of last year [see AiR No. 31, August/2022, 1].

Other than the 2.2 percent at the start of the pandemic in 2020, the economic growth in 2022 marks the weakest since 1976.  However, it surpasses forecasts of economists, fueling expectations for a stronger recovery of the economy in 2023 than in 2022 as the government has abandoned its zero-COVID policy that had been in place for almost three years and has been widely seen as the main cause for last year’s poor economic performance.

Further, the report confirms a decrease in the country’s population by 850,000, marking the first decline since the 1961 Great Famine. Coming ten years earlier than the government and the United Nations had forecast, the decline signals the failure of the government’s efforts in encouraging people to have more children through incentives such as tax deductions, extended maternity leave and housing subsidies.  The real estate sector, meanwhile, continues to pose a challenge. Affected by the real estate crisis that had begun in mid 2021, in 2022, home sales declined every month by up to more than 40% compared to the previous year.  The government has announced further support for at least the largest real estate companies in the country [see AiR No. 3, January/2023, 3], but it remains to be seen whether it will succeed and if so how long it will take to reach the pre-pandemic real estate sales figures. [National Bureau of Statistics of China] [Deutsche Welle] [Financial Times] 

China: New internet crackdown to target "Bad Culture”

(ms) The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced on January 18 a month-long campaign to crack down on influencers as well as possible government-critical or harmful content. 

To run until the end of February, the campaign targets what the internet watchdog calls “unhealthy” content and content that conveys “bad culture.” This includes influencers who present themselves in a too revealing or provocative manner and content that depicts food waste or ostentatious behavior, reports from “ex-criminals” who report on their imprisonment or the spread of COVID-related rumors.

The last point is seen by observers as the main intention behind the campaign, who assume that the Chinese government probably wants to prevent too much information and content about outbreaks from being spread over the Internet across the country in the face of an expected second wave of COVID infections amid the mass return of Chinese citizens back to their respective homelands to celebrate Lunar New Year with their families, coming shortly after the ending of the zero-COVID policy in early December. [Sixth Tone] [South China Morning Post]

China: Evergrande presents restructuring plans

(ms) Heavily indebted property developer Evergrande is said to have presented a restructuring proposal to its creditors with two options to extend payment terms for unsecured offshore debt, according to insider information.

In both options, maturities for the company’s large debt would be extended through installment payment plans. In the first option, a time to repay of up to 12 years would be requested. The extension would be made through the issuance of new bonds to replace those that have existed to date, and the coupons on the new securities would be set in a range with a lower end of about 2 percent. 

Under the second option, the issuance of new hybrid securities such as convertible bonds, parts of the debt would be exchanged for shares in Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKES)-listed company and related automobile company Evergrande New Energy Auto with the coupons set at 6 to 7 percent with a shorter maturity than under the first option. [Bloomberg 1] [Reuters]

The news of the plans comes after Evergrande just missed its self-imposed deadline to publicly unveil such restructuring plans late last year. Among other things, debtors demanded in advance that Evergrande founder Hui Ka Yan invest at least USD 2 billion in the company from his own assets. However, new reports cast doubt on whether or how long Hui would be able to pay these sums. His fortune is said to have shrunk from USD 42 billion to USD 3 billion since Evergrande's predicament. In addition, with Hui's recent non-appointment to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top advisory body of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), not only his monetary backing but also his political backing in China is at risk. [Bloomberg 2] [CNN] 

China: Didi Global allowed to relaunch 

(ms) 18 months after the Chinese government ordered app stores in China to remove the app of ride-hailing company Didi Global, the company was allowed to register new users again on January 16. 

The reason for the ban of the app at the time was the Initial Public Offering on the US stock exchange that preceded the ban and resulting accusations by the Chinese government that Didi would “illegally collect user data”. The ban has been seen as part of the government’s crackdown on the country's major tech companies. 

With the end of the zero-COVID policy and a renewed focus on economic growth, the permission seems to be in line with current developments. Didi Global has been available again since January 20 in both the Apple store and its Android counterpart. [Global Times] [Reuters] [TechCrunch]

China: All theater commands equipped with J-16 Jets

(ms) With a recent delivery of J-16 fighter jets to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theater Command, all five military regions in China are now reportedly equipped with the fourth-generation jet.

The J-16 is expected to replace the third-generation J-7 fighter in the long term, which dates back to the 1960s. Chinese military experts consider this step a necessity, saying “Chinese old generation military aircraft like the J-7 and J-8 are not enough to deal with the increasing security challenges around its periphery.” In the Western theater, the J-16 would prospectively be deployed along the Sino-Indian border in the Himalayas, for instance.

In addition to modernizing the military with fourth-generation jets, the PLA is already working to further integrate the J-20, the first Chinese fifth-generation jet, into the Chinese military which, together with the Russian Su-57 and the American F-22, ranks among the most modern jets worldwide. 

For both the construction and the equipping of the PLA with fourth- and fifth-generation jets, the construction of the homemade WS-10 jet engine will be essential. At the end of November last year, the PLA already presented the engine in a J-15 jet and announced to rely more on the WS-10 engine in the future [see AiR No. 48, November/2022, 5]. This  would allow China to push forward the development and modernization of the PLA more independently. [South China Morning Post]

China: Former Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam not part of advisory body to Chinese Communist Party

(ms) Former Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam will not be part of the new line-up of the 14th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China’s advisory body to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

There are no official statements on the non-appointment, but experts suspect that, on the one hand, Lam is simply no longer of any use to the CCP and its united front approach, which includes factions that are not part of the CCP but are practically under the party's control and are to be used to expand the CCP's influence beyond its own party borders. On the other hand, Lam may have been too critical of the CCP during her tenure, including her public quote “love of the country does not necessarily mean love of the party,” which is difficult or impossible to reconcile with the CCP's ideology of the inseparable unity between the party and the country. [The Epoch Times] [The Straits Times]   

China: Arrests of “white paper" protesters

(ms) Chinese security authorities have reportedly begun arresting people since December for their participation in the so-called “white paper" protests against the zero-COVID policy of the Chinese government late last year, which were followed by the sudden reversal of that policy [see AiR No. 48, November/2022, 5; AiR No. 49, December/2022, 1].

Videos are increasingly being shared on social media reporting on alleged arrests of protesters. One widely circulated video features 26-year-old Zhixin [see video], who recorded the video and asked that it will be posted in the event of her own arrest. She reports in the video that four of her friends with whom she attended the mourning ceremony for the victims of a fire in Urumqi, the capital of China’s western Xinjiang province, which was the trigger for the nationwide protests, have already disappeared in mid-December and are believed to have been detained by Chinese police.

Human rights organizations report that at least 40 people are known to have disappeared and are believed to be in police custody. Also, accusations of torture have been made, people who were released after their arrest reported to have been tortured by the Chinese police or to have seen such practices on other arrestees. [Deutsche Welle] [Radio Free Asia] 

China: Arrests over “seditious” books in Hong Kong

(ms) The sale of a 400-page book at a lunar new year shopping fair consisting of images and texts related to the 2019 anti-government protests led to a raid by the Hong Kong police on December 18, during which six people were arrested.

According to the police, the book as well as other undefined products sold at the stall contained materials that it called “seditious”.

Hong Kong's police referred to those arrested, including the founder of the independent news agency Free HK Media, as “members of an anti-government organization,” arrested and detained on suspicion of them engaging in “acts with seditious intent.”

Although no charges have yet been filed against the accused, the Hong Kong government has since the protests increasingly resorted to the previously unused Sedition Law, which dates back to British colonial times, with observers expecting that it will be applied in the current case if it comes to trial. [Hong Kong Free Press]

Japan: Increase in number of suicides

(dql) Data of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare have revealed an increase in the number of suicides in Japan in 2022, campared with the previous year, with a total of 21,584 self-killing recorded by the National Police Agency. 

While the number of suicides had been decreasing for ten consecutive years until 2019, when there were 20,169 cases, it has remained high since the pandemic began in 2020.

Outstanding is the number of suicides among unemployed people which almost double to 1,038. [The Mainichi]

Japan: Lawmaker group to be set up to promote sale of defense equipment and technology

(dql) Lawmakers of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) are reportedly about to establish a group to push the government’s efforts to expand defense-related exports.  

The group is said to seek to relax the so-called “three principles,” strict guidelines on the overseas transfer of defense equipment and technology under the country’s pacifist constitution adopted in 2014 under then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,  in support of the government’s efforts to enable the country to export lethal weapons to countries that are under an armed attack. 

Japan has signed defense equipment and technology transfer agreements with 13 countries. However, the export of air defense radars to the Philippines remains so far the only agreement for a finished product under the current principles. 

Komeito, the LDP’s junior ruling coalition partner, appears to be reluctant towards this move, out of concerns that it could provoke international conflicts. [The Japan Times]

Japan: New prefectural police headquarter set up to combat 'quasi yakuza' gang

(dql) In a bid to respond to recent developments in organized crime in Japan, Fukuoka Prefectural Police have established a headquarter to crack down on what has become commonly known as “hangure,” loosely organized “quasi crime syndicates. ”The new police HQ is the first of its kind in the country.

Over the past few years, these quasi syndicates have been expanding their influence in the greater Tokyo area, Osaka, and other parts of the country, at the expense of yakuza crime syndicates. Their characteristics is that they repeatedly assemble to commit crimes after which they disperse, all without a central base. [The Mainichi]

North Korea: Key parliamentary meeting decides on normalization of economy after the pandemic

(sm) On January 17 and 18, North Korea held the eighth session of the Supreme People’s Assembly, a key parliamentary meeting usually focusing on nuclear development and foreign influence issues. The meeting focused on plans to normalize industrial production and achieve the goals cited in Pyongyang’s five year plan. 

In this session, domestic issues, such as the state budget and the adoption of a law on the protection of the cultured Pyongyang dialect were major points on the agenda, according to the North Korean Central News Agency. 

The meeting was hosted by the premier of the cabinet, Kim Tok-hun, who called for increased production in metal factories, iron mines, steel, and chemical plants. Efforts to boost coal production will also be made. 

The new legislation aims at preserving the North Korean language and other aspects of Pyongyang culture, in an apparent attempt to limit the influence of foreign cultures. The law comes as US and South Korean manners of speech have increasingly been incorporated into the slang used by young North Koreans, following their exposure to foreign media. 

Concerning the budget, the assembly decided to increase the overall national spending by 1,7 percent in 2023, specifically raising the economic sector expenditure by 1,2 percent. The proportions of the budget allocated to defense and economic development remains the same, 15,9 and 45 percent respectively. [North Korean Central News Agency] 

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was not present during the assembly, and also did not disclose further comments. In the past, the meeting has been an occasion for the leader to make major announcements on weapons’ development, or send messages to Seoul or Washington. Kim has recently announced Pyongyang’s plan to exponentially develop its nuclear arsenal in 2023. 

North Korea’s economy has however been considerably weakened by international sanctions due to its nuclear program and the COVID-19 pandemic. [Reuters] [Yonhap News Agency] 

North Korea: Chinese exports triple in 2022

(sm) According to the Chinese General Administration of Customs, Chinese exports to North Korea increased by 247,5 percent (USD 894 million) over the last year. 

As freight train operations between the two countries resumed after eased pandemic restrictions, the main items traded were food supplies, such as sugar and soybean oil, medical supplies, tobacco, and tyres. Over the last year, North Korea had stored large amounts of Chinese medical equipment, such as masks, thermometers, rubber gloves, and ventilators in response to the pandemic. 

Despite declaring the successful containment of the pandemic in August 2022, a significant amount of medical supplies was still bought in December 2022. In a recent parliamentary meeting on January 18, the premier of the cabinet Kim Tok-hun lauded the country for its successful management of the worst crisis to hit North Korea since its foundation. [Reuters] 

South Korea: Government to reform overtime work law

(sm) South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol’s government has announced its intention to reform the country’s overtime work law, allowing for more flexibility in hope to raise its low birth rate. 

The new law would increase the maximum work time in a week from 53 to 69 hours, in exchange for more time off in other weeks. It aims at boosting productivity and offering more flexibility to people wishing to start a family. Under the current law of 2018,  South Koreans are able to work 40 hours regularly and twelve hours of overtime in a week. 

Supporters of the law proposal argue that working less overall will help families have more children, as the birth rate in 2020 was 0,84 and keeps decreasing. Opponents are concerned that the passing of the new law would further remove safeguards against the pressure of companies for their employees to work long hours. 

Indeed, more than 18 percent of workers had a week with more than 50 hours in 2021. Others say that the flexible hours would promote an irregular rhythm disruptive for raising a family, and the proposal ignores nuances in the South Korean work culture. 

The limited participation of workers in labor unions (14 percent of the workforce) could facilitate the adoption of the new law. It however has to be passed by the parliament which is dominated by the opposition Democratic Party (DP), which views the policy negatively. Business lobbies, such as the Korea Enterprise Federation, have been supportive of the law. 

South Korea is the country with the lowest birth rate in the world, causing its population to rapidly get older. The working-age population is predicted to decrease by more than 9 million by 2040, potentially creating problems in the pension and health care system. [Reuters] 

South Korea: Financial, monetary policy to aim at stabilizing the economy and meeting to global standards

(sm) On January 18, Bank of Korea chief Rhee Chang-yong announced South Korea’s 2023 monetary policy will need to strike a balance between economic growth, managing inflation, and financial stability. The remark was followed by Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho’s announcement of financial reforms to better fit international standards on January 20.

Rhee stated that the decrease in bond yields was the natural consequence of the central bank’s interest rate hike in early January, but did not elaborate on long-term interest rate trends over the year. He was hesitant about big capital outflows from South Korea, considering the low interest rates in Japan and China. On January 13, he had announced a bigger slowing of the economy than expected at the end of 2022, in accord with a slower inflation.

Since August 2021, the South Korean central bank has raised its interest rate from an all-time low of 0,5 percent to 3,50 percent in an effort to tackle inflation (325 basis points). [Reuters]

Rhee's statement was followed by Choo’s disclosure of a financial policy update to attract more foreign investors at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The registration system, which forces foreigners who want to purchase stocks to register their personal information with the finance supervisory service, should be abolished. Foreign-exchange trading hours should also be extended from 3:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m, starting from mid 2024, and South Korea will integrate the World Government Bond Index, which measures the performance of government bond markets.

According to the finance ministry, South Korea will run a USD 20 billion current account surplus in 2023. [Yonhap News Agency]

South Korea: Eased tax regulations for the property market

(sm) According to the ministry of economy and finance, South Korea is planning to reform its tax regulations for the property market to tackle a slump in the housing market.

As people are exposed to higher borrowing costs, the government will give long-time owners of multiple houses tax advantages. It also raised the ceiling for tax credits on monthly rents for housing costing up to KRW 300 million (USD 244,000) to housing costing up to KRW 400 million (USD 322,000). The ministry will also disclose the information on delinquent taxes of landlords to tenants having payed a deposit higher than KRW 10 million (USD 8130). This measure should avoid landlord’s defaulting on deposits due to unpaid taxes.

As the Bank of Korea has kept raising its interest rates, the latest hike going from 3,25 percent to 3,5 percent, the housing market has been suffering from the higher borrowing prices. The new regulation should give the property market a well-needed boost. [Yonhap News Agency]

South Korea: Three former ministers indicted over blacklist scandal

(sm) On January 19, three ministers of the former Moon Jae-in administration were indicted over allegations of forcing several chiefs of state agencies to step down.

According to the prosecution, former industry minister Paik Un-gyu, former unification minister Cho Myoung-gyon, and former information, communication, and technology minister You Young-min were all charged with abuse of power in relation to the blacklist scandal, in which Moon administration officials forced the resignation of state agency heads appointed by the previous Park Geun-hye administration. The former senior secretary and secretary of personnel affairs Cho Hyun-ok and Kim Bong-joon respectively were also indicted over the incident.

Together, they would have caused the resignation of the chiefs of eleven national energy companies, the chief of the Korea Hana Foundation, which deals with North Korean refugees, and the chief of the Korea Institute of S & T Evaluation and Planning in 2017.

The investigation had been running for almost four years now, after the predecessor of the ruling People Power Party, the Liberty Korea Party, brought forward allegations against ministers of the former Moon administration. Former environment minister Kim Eun-kyung had already received a two-years prison sentence on the same charges, but was released on parole in 2022. [Yonhap News Agency]

South Korea: Labor Union raided over allegations of anti-communist law violations

(sm) On January 18, the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) and National Police Agency (NPA) raided the headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), over the alleged violation of anti-communist law by several members.

After receiving a warrant for alleged violations of national security law, the NIS and NPA conducted a search and seizure in the presence of lawyers after hours of resistance from KCTU members. The affiliated Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Union (KHMU) was also raided.

The two agencies have reportedly obtained a search and seizure warrant for the KCTU from the court in connection with alleged violations of the National Security Law by some KCTU members. According to an NIS official, the case had been under secret investigation for several years already, securing incriminating evidence.

The KCTU spokesperson Han Sang-jin protested the raids, saying the NIS and NPA used excessive force, in contrast to previous raids. [Yonhap News Agency]

Taiwan: Cabinet reshuffle underway

(dql) The Presidential Office has announced that President Tsai Ing-wen is preparing a Cabinet reshuffle that has been much speculated about since the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) suffered a crushing defeat in the local government elections last November.

The announcement came shortly after Premier Su Tseng-chang and the Cabinet submitted their resignation on January 19. 

The new Cabinet is expected to assume office next week after the end of the Lunar New Year holidays. [Focus Taiwan] [Reuters]

Taiwan: Parliament passes FY 2023 general budget

(dql) Taiwan’s parliament has approved a NTD 2.689 trillion (USD 88.59 billion) central government general budget plan for fiscal 2023, after the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and three opposition parties agreed to cut NTD 30 billion, or 1.1 percent, from the original spending proposal.

Of the total spending, NTD 715.4 billion (26.3 percent), the largest share, is allocated to social welfare spending, followed by NTD496.2 billion (18.2 percent) earmarked for education, technology and culture and NTD 483.1 billion (17.8 percent) for economic development (17.8%). [Focus Taiwan]

Taiwan: Turn in same-sex marriage policy

(dql) Taiwan’s Ministry of Interior has announced its decision to permit the registration of same-sex marriages between a Taiwanese and a foreign national. This applies even to cases in which the foreign partner comes from a country in which same-sex marriage is illegal. The decision marks a sudden shift in policy. 

Although Taiwan as first Asian legalized same-sex marriage in  2019,  same-sex couples with one partner being Taiwanese and the other coming from a country or region where same-sex marriage is outlawed have not been allowed to officially marry since then. [Focus Taiwan]

Taiwan: Voluntary reservist training to be launched

(dql) Taiwan is set to allow reservists to voluntarily enroll in its dual-track reservist training and to open it to female reservists.

To be launched in the second quarter of this year, the voluntary program marks the first time discharged female military personnel will be included in the military’s reservist training program.

A dual-track reservist training program is currently running that was started in 2022 and that requires a comparatively small number of reservists to take two weeks of intensive training twice in eight years, while the majority undergo a five- to seven-day regimen four times within eight years. 

The current mandatory reservist training requires only male reservists to attend, with participation decided by a lottery draw. [Focus Taiwan]

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

Bangladesh: Bangla Academy bars publishing house from book fair over alleged government criticism

(az) The Bangla Academy, an institution for Bengali language funded by the Bangladesh government, has decided to bar publishing house Adarsha from taking part in the Ekushey Book fair, saying that three of the books published by Adarsha contained criticism against the ruling party and its student wing, Chhatra League. Critics call the move an attempt at interfering with authors and publishers’ freedom of expression and antithetical to the very democratic spirit of the language movement. [UCAnews]

Bangladesh: Activists, families want more sanctions against law enforcement forces

(az) Activists and the families of the victims of extrajudicial killings got disappointed after US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, acclaimed Bangladesh elite force RAB’s success in reducing the extrajudicial killings. The statement about the possibility of revoking the sanctions also disheartened the victims' families as they fear it might again trigger the killings by the forces.

Recently, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina awarded the security personnel against whom the US brought accusations of extrajudicial killings. Under these men's leadership, thousands of extrajudicial killings and violence occurred. Meenakshi Ganguly, the South Asia director of Human Rights Watch, states that the US should be concerned as the abuse by the law enforcement forces heightened again in the country due to the denials and excuses by the political leaders. Frustrated by Lu’s statement on RAB, the families of the victims and the activists campaigning against the right abuse wants that the US implement more sanctions against the elite force RAB which is still killing and arresting the opposition leaders regularly. [VOA News]

India: Supreme Court dismisses petition challenging caste survey in Bihar state

(wr) India’s Supreme Court has dismissed a petition challenging the Bihar state government’s decision to conduct a caste survey for having “no merit”. Bihar witnessed the first phase of caste-based numbering survey on January 8 after the local government’s approval. [The Indian Express] [Hindustan Times] 

The decision welcomed criticism and petitioners said the matter of census cannot be ruled without parliamentary legislation as it falls under the union list, without parliamentary consensus the state's government is not constitutionally assigned to pass law. However, the Supreme Court has refused to entertain such pleas on January 21. 

The on-going Bihar survey was approved with all local parties' support except Prime Minister Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The survey is being conducted throughout the state and it lists 28 questions on “caste, gender, religion, educational and financial status” of the population. 

India: Opposition parties demands caste census

(wr/lm) Against the larger backdrop of India's latest decennial census pending since 2021, some of the country’s opposition parties have demanded a caste census in the state of Madhya Pradesh  ahead of the assembly elections later this year. Analysts believe this may cause fissures in the Hindu vote, which could hurt the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and spark demands for quotas from several groups. [The Hindu]

In 2020, India was set to begin the first phase of the decennial census - in which housing data is collected - when the pandemic hit. As a result, the public distribution system, through which the government supplies food grain and other essentials to the poor, still depends on population figures from the 2011 census. [BBC]

In light of this, the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) in Madhya Pradesh push the agenda to incorporate voters from other backward classes (OBC) upholding their benefits and reservations. OBCs form a population of more than 50 percent in the state, “but they are not even getting 27 percent reservation”, according to the president of the SP. [Hindustan Times]

India: Government criticizes BBC documentary about Prime Minister Modi as ‘propaganda’

(wr) A BBC documentary that scrutinizes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s role during inter-communal riots in the western Indian state of Gujarat in 2002 has been criticized by the Indian government as a “propaganda piece” while the broadcaster has said its two-part series was “rigorously researched.” New Delhi has also blocked the documentary to be aired in India. The ministry of information and broadcasting has also blocked social media giants from uploading related content. [VoA] [BBC] 

The senior government leadership and BJP’s functionaries also responded claiming that the opposition party and left-liberal media has joined hands in a bid to oust Modi from upcoming general elections of 2024. The documentary is a political hit targeting the prime minister as India gets ready to host significant summits of G20, SCO and Quad. They also assured BJP’s readiness to counter biased media narrative. [Hindustan Times]

India: Top wrestlers call off protest following government assurance to launch enquiry

(wr) Top Indian wrestlers suspended a three-day sit-in protest near the Parliament following a government assurance that an inquiry into their allegations of sexual and mental harassment of young athletes by the federation would be completed in four weeks. [Al Jazeera] [CNN]

However, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, who is also a MP of ruling party BJP, has dismissed allegations of sexual and mental harassment of women athletes and called it a political ploy against him to overthrow him from position.

India: Kerala state chief ministers criticizes Prime Minister Modi’s BJP for benefitting corporates

(wr) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has blamed the central government for framing "neo-liberal” policies and highlighting drastically increasing vacant positions for organized sector jobs. He said Modi’s economic framework intends to only benefit corporations and the multi-billionaires. He also criticized the unsatisfactory role of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party as the country fails in global hunger index and in the poverty index. [ThePrint]

India: Opposition Congress party criticizes ruling BJP for poor handling of economy

(wr) India’s main opposition Congress party has blamed Prime Minister Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for the country’s growing income inequalities and economic failures, following the publication of Oxfam’s inequality report that revealed the richest 1 percent in the country owns more than 40 percent of the total wealth and the remaining population shares just 3 percent. [Business Standard] [Economic Times]

India: Air Force to begin drills along disputed border with China

(wr) The Indian Air Force is expected to conduct a command-level air exercise, Poorvi Aakash, to check its combat and operational readiness along the notional demarcation line that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory (LAC) in the first week of February. The site of the exercise will be India’s Northeastern region, where the Eastern command will carry out aerial drills with India’s frontline fighter jets including Rafale and Sukhoi Su-30MKI. [Outlook India] [Times of India]

India: Blasts in Jammu and Kashmir union territory injures six before opposition politician Gandhi arrives

(wr/lm) At least six people were injured on January 21 in two blasts in India’s Jammu and Kashmir union territory, ahead of the arrival of the leader of India’s main opposition Congress party Rahul Gandhi on a cross-country march. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has sought firm action against perpetrators of the blast which appears to be linked with Lashkar-e-Taiba, a militant Islamist organisation challenging India's sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir. [India Today] [Hindustan Times] [Reuters]

In related developments, a few police officers were injured in another blast in Jammu’s district of Bajalta as the truck exploded on January 22. [India Today]

Pakistan: Former Prime Minister Khan’s party dissolves assembly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province

(fm) The party of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan on January 18 dissolved the provincial assembly in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, just days after an ally of his had dissolved the assembly in Punjab province [see AiR No. 3, January/2023, 3]. The opposing party, which is now in power, blasted the action, alleging that it was intended to exacerbate the current political situation and push for early parliamentary elections. [The Diplomat]

Khan has been pushing for early elections as the opposition leader and has asserted that his removal from office in a no-confidence vote in Parliament last April was illegal without providing any supporting documentation. He accused the Pakistani military, the US, and his successor, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who were behind his overthrow. All three have denied the accusations.

Pakistan: Government strengthens already far-reaching blasphemy laws

(fm) The blasphemy laws of Pakistan, which currently impose the death penalty for anyone found guilty of insulting Islam or the Prophet Muhammad, can now also be used to punish those found guilty of insulting those associated with him. Rights advocates are concerned that there may be more persecution of religious minorities, including Christians, because of the action.

The punishment for insulting the Prophet Muhammad's wives, companions, or close family members has been increased to 10 years in prison, with the possibility of an additional life sentence, as well as a fine of around USD 4,500. It also makes the charge of blasphemy an offense for which bail is not possible. [The Straits Times] [The New York Times, $]

Pakistan: Blast claimed by separatist group derails train in Balochistan province

(fm) In Pakistan’s Balochistan province a bomb blast has caused a passenger train to derail, injuring at least 15, according to a provincial government official. The Baloch Liberation Army, a local separatist organization, claimed responsibility for the assault. [The Straits Times]

Sri Lanka: Opposition SJB alliance lawmaker announces candidacy for post of Mayor of Colombo

(sn) A lawmaker of Sri Lanka’s main opposition alliance Samara Jana Balawegaya, Mujibur Rahuman, has announced in Parliament his plans to step down from his MP position to contest upcoming elections for the mayor of the island nation’s capital, Colombo. [News Wire]

Sri Lanka: President approves appointment of two new ministers

(sn/lm) Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe on January 19 approved the appointment of two new cabinet ministers – Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) lawmaker Pavithra Wanniarachchi and Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) lawmaker Jeevan Thondaman. Wanniarachchi took over the Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation department, while Thondaman became the Cabinet Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure development. [Daily Mirror]

Sri Lanka: Parliament passes bill for Regulation of Election Expenditure

(sn) Sri Lanka’s Parliament on January 19 passed the Election of Expenditure Bill in its third reading with amendments with a majority of 97 votes. The bill discloses parties providing money for election campaigns, and thus, is expected to bring about accountability and responsibility in campaign spending. [Colombo Page]

Sri Lanka: Cabinet of Ministers asks president to release report on violent May 2022 clashes

(sn) Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has asked President Ranil Wickremesinghe to publish an inquiry report on violent clashes between throngs of protesters and security forces in May of last year. The clashes took place at Galle Face Green, used by protesters as their "ground zero" for Occupy-style protests from April to August last year. [The Island]

Overnight violence erupted in Sri Lanka on May 9 after the country’s embattled then-prime minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, resigned, with local reports saying mobs burned down houses belonging to ruling-party lawmakers after pro-government groups attacked the demonstrators. A nationwide curfew was imposed but at least five were killed and almost 200 injured AiR No. 19, May/2022, 2]. The opposition National Freedom Front party (NFF) had previously called on President Wickremesinghe to table the precedent report in Parliament, but the request had been ignored. 

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

Cambodia: Former deputy governor sought for arrest

(th) Former Deputy Governor of Kep province, Phou Li, is being sought for arrest by police for charges of sexual abuse and throwing a glass at a woman, causing injury before fleeing. If convicted, he faces a jail term of between two and five years [Khmer Times].

Cambodia: Thai casino owner refuses to compensate Cambodian victims of deadly blaze

(th) Thai owner of the Grand Diamond City Hotel and Casino in Banteay Meanchey province is refusing to compensate 57 Cambodians injured in the December 29. blaze, claiming there is no contract to show that they were employees. The owner also refused to compensate the Cambodian victim of the fire, offering USD 1,000 to the family of Cambodian worker who died in the blaze [Khmer Times].

Cambodia: Court orders detention of the Candle Light Party Vice President charged for issuing false checks 

(sn) Phnom Penh Municipality Court ordered to detain the Vice President of the oppositional Candlelight (CL) Party –Thach Setha, for allegations of issuing fallacious checks from his bank account. The state authorities arrested the CL leader on January 16, 2023. 

Thach Setha denied the accusations and expressed the option that this arrest was politically motivated. He also suggested that this move ought to be a preparation for the 2023 general election. In turn, the Candlelight Party appealed to the court and the Cambodian government to release the CL Vice President. 

The Municipality Court spokesperson explained the arrest by the fact that in 2019 the Rin Chhay pawn shop made a complaint about Thach Setha for giving 5 bad checks at the store. Thach Setha noted that he did begin filling out the five checks, but he did not sign or date any of those. The second Candlelight Party Vice President, Son Chhay, announced that he is attempting to reach out to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party to find the case resolution. [Radio Free Asia]

Indonesia: West Java governor joins political party, possibly for 2024 election bid

(os) West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil has joined the Golkar Party, Indonesia’s second-largest political party, possibly with the view to becoming a candidate for the vice-presidential seat in the 2024 elections. [The Jakarta Post]

After being a politician for more than 10 years, Emil joined a political party for the first time on January 18. The governor of West Java province has in recent polls been named the most popular choice for vice-president. However, Golkar chairman Airlangga Hartarto, who is also the presidential candidate of the party, has so far failed to confirm Ridwan as his running mate. A nomination of Ridwan would first have to be discussed with Golkar’s two coalition partners.

Indonesia: Protesters call for processes against past human rights violations

(os) About 100 people held a protest in front of the State Palace in Jakarta on January 19. They called for judicial processes to settle past human rights violations. [Southeast Asia Globe] [The Jakarta Post]

The protest was the 760^th edition of a number of silent protests called Kamisan which have been held every Thursday since 2007. After Indonesian President Joko Widodo has recently expressed his regret for past atrocities [see AiR No. 3, January/2023, 3], the protesters now called on the government to demand the Attorney General’s Office to investigate the human rights violations. They pointed out that a mere rehabilitation of the victim’s rights, which the president pursues, is not sufficient. 

Indonesia: Police arrest ISIS sympathizer

(os) Police have arrested a 38-year-old man in Yogyakarta who allegedly sympathizes with the international terror network Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). He was found to have distributed pictures and videos of ISIS propaganda on Social Media. The suspect is thought to have planned to carry out terrorist attacks using explosives. [Antara News] [Jakarta Globe] [Tempo]

Indonesia: Jakarta Council speaker to be questioned in corruption case

(os) Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has expressed its plan to summon Jakarta City Council Speaker Prasetyo Edi Marsudi and others as witnesses in a case of alleged corruption. [The Jakarta Post]

The KPK raided the Jakarta City Council on January 17. They were looking for evidence in a case of alleged corruption in land procurement by a city-owned developer in Pulogebang, East Jakarta. The usage of the land procured was initially supposed to be for a popular housing initiative.

The KPK investigation team gathered all relevant documents in the building of the city council related to the case. Prasetyo emphasized his support for the investigation. The KPK has not yet revealed the suspect who allegedly orchestrated the scheme.

Laos: PM calls for realistic economic development, government pledges action

(fj) Amidst urging economic pressures manifesting most clearly in the year-on-year inflation rate reaching over 39 percent in December 2022, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has urged government officials to adopt realistic governance measures in planning their responses to economic challenges.

He stressed that this encompassed the cutting of unprofitable government ventures as well as a doubling down on the governance of special economic zones so that they could reach their full potential in contributing to national development. [Vientiane Times 1]

During a two-day meeting attended by the PM, cabinet members, the mayor of Vientiane as well as provincial governors and representatives of state agencies, a spokesperson emphasized the government’s determination to not default on any of its debts and refrain from embarking on any non-essential projects that would require state funding. The high inflation rate was also noted as a major challenge to be prioritized. [Vientiane Times 2]

Laos: Greater efforts against human trafficking required

(ts) Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Steering Committee on Human Trafficking General Vilay Lakhamfong calls for greater efforts against human trafficking from relevant authorities across sectors.

The essence of his calling includes the implementation of measures that are aligned with the national action plan on human trafficking prevention (2021-2025), the allocation of sufficient human resources for the victim reception center located in the northern part of the country and monitoring authorities at the border, and the promotion of collaboration from external sources to ensure extensive assistance for human trafficking victims.

The focus is also extended to reach the public in terms of awareness raising of how human trafficking can be of harm and making sure of a strict and transparent prosecution process.

Human trafficking Laos has encountered takes various forms, e.g., forced labor, sexual exploitation, and surrogacy. An example saw false promises of jobs in the Golden Triangle area bordering Thailand and Myanmar. [Lao News Agency]

Laos: Chinese-backed highway to Laos-China border sees no progress 

(ts) The Ministry of Planning and Investment has stopped the Chinese company Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group from continuing the work for some sections of the Northern Highway Construction Project while looking for a new company to take part. The reason given was the incomplete tasks.  

The project has overall four sections – Vientiane to Vang Vieng, Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang to Udomxay, and Udomxay to Boten (Laos-China border). Signing the contract with the Laos government in 2018, the Yunnan company must construct the whole highway. Finished is only section 1 while the rest three sections are incomplete. For this reason, it is reported that the ministry has canceled the contract since last year, dropping the Yunnan company off sections 2 and 3. The search for a new company to complete the middle sections is ongoing as no progress is seen until now.

However, the Yunnan company will still take responsibility to finish the last part of the highway that stretches to meet the Chinese border in Boten. [Lao News Agency] [The Laotian Times]

Malaysia: Prime Minister Anwar launches new concept for administration

(lm) Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on January 20 launched a new concept for his administration –  “Membangun Malaysia MADANI” – which centers on accountability and transparency, promising to help every Malaysian regardless of ethnicity. The word “madani” in Arabic carries the general meaning of civilized or modern; Anwar said it would translate into the Malay acronym for sustainability, care & compassion, respect, innovation, prosperity and trust. [The Straits Times]

Malaysia: Federal Court rejects former Prime Minister Najib’s attempt to recuse judge

(lm) Malaysia’s top court, the Federal Court in the administrative capital Putrajaya, on January 20 rejected a bid by the country’s former Prime Minister Najib Razak to recuse a Court of Appeal judge from a panel that is reviewing his jailing on a corruption charge related to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). [The Straits Times]

Najib is seeking a review of the Federal Court’s decision that affirmed his conviction and sentence over the misappropriation of USD 9.87 million from a former 1MDB subsidiary, claiming that he was not given a fair hearing. He has been serving a 12-year jail sentence since a five-member Federal Court bench dismissed his appeal last August [see AiR No. 34, August/2022, 4].

Against this backdrop, Najib’s lead counsel had argued that the panel reviewing his jailing must consist of all Federal Court judges, based on Section 74 of the Courts of Judicature Act (CJA) 1974. However, the court ordered the defense to proceed with its application to review Najib’s guilty verdict and imprisonment. The hearing continues on February 20.

Myanmar: Civilian NUG government to raise funds through issuance of mining licences

(ih) U Tin Tun Naing, the minister of finance and investment in Myanmar’s civilian National Unity Government, has announced a new plan to raise funds by granting gem mining licences to foreign and local companies in the ruby-rich Mogok Township of Mandalay. The mines are to be operated as public-private partnerships, with the NUG holding a 51 percent equity stake. The mines are to start operating after the toppling of the military government, as the current instability in the township has made all but artisanal mining unviable.  [The Irrawaddy]

Philippines: Officers of Bureau of Immigration linked to trafficking of Filipinos to Cambodia

(jd) A senator in the Philippines said that an informer has reached out to her office to disclose that some officers of the Bureau of Immigration at Clark International Airport are linked to the trafficking of Filipinos to Cambodia.

The informer, who was also one of the people trafficked to Cambodia, declared that recruiters pay the immigration officers to let Filipinos leave the country without seeing their documents.

The upcoming hearing of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality will see the participation of immigration officials and airport terminal managers in order to face the situation.

The senator said that those who are found to work with illegal recruiters will be held accountable. [Inquirer]

Philippines: Senate committed to defense industry development

(jd) The Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines are committed to support the passage of the Philippine Defense Industry Development Act (Pdida) as early as June.

The senate president claimed that the proposed act is needed by the country in order for it to develop its own self-reliance program to deal with both internal and external security problems, without having to rely on other countries for ammunition and firearms.

For these reasons, the Pdida aims to give preferential treatment to local companies for the manufacturing of military equipment, as it also seeks to raise the local employment in the field and to reduce the foreign exchange of defense supplies.

The bill is currently pending at the committee level. [Inquirer]

Philippines: Senator proposes to deny legal aid for OFWs facing drug charges

(tjb) Senator Raffy Tulfo displayed his dissatisfaction over the Philippines’ policy of extending assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) accused of drug-related charges abroad. In a Senate session on Migrant workers, the senator said that the government should not waste money on domestic workers charged with harboring illegal drugs. [Philippine Star]

Tulfo’s remarks however were criticized by Migrante, a group composed of Filipino workers abroad. The organization called the statement “heartless.” Migrante further explained that most Filipinos caught with unlawful substances were victims of "wealthy and well-connected drug syndicates.” Meanwhile, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said that the department is assisting migrant workers who have no financial capability to hire a lawyer as their counsel. [Philippine Daily Inquirer]

Thailand: Cabinet approves USD 182 million budget to hold 2023 general election

(lm) Thailand’s Cabinet on January 24 approved a USD 182 million to hold a general election this year. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who earlier this month joined the newly formed United Thai Nation party, has yet to dissolve Parliament and call an election, which must be held by May 2023, after the 500-member House of Representatives has completed its term on March 23. [The Straits Times]

Thailand: PPTP and UTN contesting ownership of popular welfare policy

(fj) As parties are rolling out their election campaigns, the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and the United Thai Nation (UTN) party are both claiming ownership of the government welfare card system, as recent propositions to increase monthly allowances to welfare cardholders from the current level of USD 9 (THB 300) to USD 21 (THB 700) have drawn attention to the scheme. 

While the PPRP under its party leader and prime ministerial candidate Prawit Wongsuwon was the first to propose the increase in an election campaign event on January 17, the Prime Minister’s Office Minister Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana pointed out that it was Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, now member of the UTN, who introduced the welfare card system in 2019. [Bangkok Post 1] [Bangkok Post 2]

With around 13 million people currently holding welfare cards and this number expected to rise further in 2023, the policy is considered a potent factor for mobilizing electoral support and thus a potential way of competing with the populist policies of the main opposition Peu Thai Party (PTP). 

The PPRP’s treasurer has stated that the increase in monthly payments would be financed through a so-called “Fund for Society” which would bundle investments from foreigners and Thais. While details around this financing proposal remain vague, observers have stated that it is a more realistic proposition than the PTP’s proposal to increase the minimum daily wage to USD 18 (THB 600). Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the PTP’s most popular politician, refrained from reacting directly to the propositions on the welfare card payments and instead defended her own party’s policies by stating that the PTP only made promises that it could keep. [Bangkok Post 1] [Bangkok Post 2]

Looking ahead at the upcoming elections, major parties remain reluctant to make clear commitments concerning potential coalitions. Even the PTP remains evasive on the question of whether it would work together with Prawit’s PPRP, showing again Thai politics’ pragmatic nature and the near irrelevance of party lines. [Bangkok Post 2]

Thailand: Former PPRP Deputy Secretary General planning to return to party 

(fj) Thamanat Prompow, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and former Deputy Secretary General of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), has suggested that he and some of his allies are about to rejoin the PPRP after he had been dismissed from the party for apparently plotting against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in 2022. 

Thamanat, who considers himself to currently be a “key figure” in the Setthakij Thai Party, has reportedly met with Deputy Prime Minister and party leader of the PPRP, Prawit Wongsuwon. Following the meeting, he stated that he thought of the PPRP as his old home and would follow any decision that Prawit makes regarding his potential political future with the PPRP. 

With Prime Minister Prayut joining the United Thai Nation party, Thamanat’s potential return to the PPRP has added to speculations of a rift between Prayut and his long-term ally Prawit. [Bangkok Post]

Thailand: House President lashed MPs for a lack of quorum

(ts) House President Chuan Leekpai lashed MPs for no-shows as the House meeting over Cannabis Bill on January 18 became the shortest meeting of his tenure. Absentees saw both MPs who were not attending the House at all and those who left the plenum making no presence known in attempts to oppose the bill. The latter exasperated the House President and caused the meeting to be adjourned. Chuan went on labeling with frustration the leaving MPs as “problem dodgers”, citing that one can voice his disagreement by voting no or abstaining, but turning away the meeting only does the House harm. He reiterated the importance of MPs’ performing a duty, especially for the rest of the five weeks before the House term ends. 

The topic intended to be covered in this meeting was the vote on the controversial coalescing-Bhumjaithai Party-backed bill on the legalization of cannabis and hemp. The quorum, which requires half of the House or 216 members to be present, lacked not only most members of the opposition Pheu Thai Party but also of the coalition Democrat Party. Known as being against the cannabis bill, both parties were reported to make up the unpleasant record number with the former having 86 (out of 121) absentees and the latter having 32 (out of 50) absentees. Cholnan Srikaew, Pheu Thai Party leader, however, insisted his cohort would rather be criticized for the absence of duty than cast a vote on the cannabis bill, implying the cannabis-related meeting will never see success. [Bangkok Post] [Thai PBS World]

The huge absence resulted in the vote being declared null and void. A lack of quorum has been dismaying the public to a noticeable extent. The year-end NIDA poll conducted in December revealed it appeared as one of the main reasons contributing to MPs’ receiving poor points on their performances. [see AiR No. 51, December/2022, 3] 

Thailand: United Thai Party under suspicion of election law violation 

(ts) The then-election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn and a political activist Veera Somkwamkid, both as chief of the Thai Liberal Party now, have submitted a letter prompting the Election Commission (EC) to probe their allegations made against Prayut Chan-ocha’s new party United Thai Nation (UTN) concerning violation of election law.

Both question if UTN’s actions in the event when Prayut officially applied for its membership at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center were not in accordance with the election law. They call for three event-oriented subjects of investigation. The first involves the provision for attendees of around 100 buses and passenger vans, 4,000 party T-shirts, and a musical band for entertainment. The second matter comes as the party member Trairong Suwankiri made a remark referring to the monarchy. And the last subject of investigation is the event itself, suspicious of being a campaigning one. 

In particular, the two petitioners want to know if such a political event is counted as voting-related since the election law says no to parties’ providing free transport for people to cast their votes. With this prompt of the probe, they demand that EC give an answer within a month or they will also sue the EC for the underhand exercise of power. [Thai PBS World] 

Thailand: Security forces killed three separatists in the deep south

(ts) The government security forces shot dead three armed separatist insurgents in Narathiwat Province, deep south of the country. It is reported that the insurgents opened fire as the security forces approached the camp in the mountain area of Da Hong Village, Choeng Khiri Sub-district. [Thai PBS World]

The five-hour operation ended with three dead bodies and three confiscated M16s from the separatist group while the security side suffered no casualties. This clash has also represented a failure of bilateral peace-making efforts even though in-person peace talks between the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional or BRN were reportedly held last year in Kuala Lumpur. [Bangkok Post] 

Vietnam:  Health Department director of Kien Giang province sacked for roll in Viet A test kit bid 

(ih) At a meeting on January 18, the Communist Party Committee of Kien Giang province sacked Health Department director Ha Van Phuc.  The director was also dismissed from his position on the Provincial Party Committee Executive Board and as delegate to the Kien Giang People's Council.  Ha Van Phuc’s dismissal was the result of his role in the approval of bids by healthcare firm Viet A to supply medical supplies including sub-standard COVID-19 test kits. [RFA]

 Vietnam: National Assembly accepts President Phuc's resignation

(ih) On December 18, the National Assembly of Vietnam approved President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s dismissal from office, finalising the decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) on December 17 to remove Phuc from the office of President, Chairmanship of the National Defense and Security Council, and his membership in the Politburo and CPV Central Committee.  President Phuc’s dismissal came as a result of the alleged involvement of his wife and relatives in the Viet A COVID-19 test kit corruption scandal.  [RFA] [CNA] [Nikkei Asia]

International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia

United Nations General Assembly President to visit India, China, Japan

(wr) United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Csaba Korosi is expected to visit India on January 29 and will meet senior government officials along with his expected address at the think tank, the Indian Council of World Affairs. The President of the 77th session of UNGA is a Hungarian diplomat who also met his Indian counterparts and EAM Jaishankar last December and discussed India’s G20 Presidency goals and the importance of reformed multilateralism. 

After that the President is scheduled to visit China’s International Research Centre of Big Data to observe the implementation of the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Later to that he will visit Japan where he will participate in a conference on water resilience. [Business Standard]

Millions of Pakistani children in flood-affected areas at risk of dying, UNICEF says

(tj/lm) The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that some four million children living near contaminated and stagnant waters in flood-affected districts of Pakistan are fighting for survival. According to UNICEF, about 1.6 million children in Pakistan were already suffering from severe acute malnutrition and another 6 million from stunting before last year’s devastating floods and landslides ravaged the country. [Voice of America]

Armed clashes between rival Rohingya insurgent groups near Bangladesh-Myanmar border

(az/lm) Armed clashes between two rival Rohingya insurgent groups on Bangladesh’s border with Myanmar on January 19 killed at least one person and left hundreds of makeshift refugee shelters razed. The clashes were the first known public exchanges between the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO). Notably, one ARSA leader claimed that security personnel from Bangladesh helped the RSO. [Manila Bulletin]

As per the Rohingya sources, the RSO led a pre-dawn attack on the ARSA post. During the clash, scores of houses from Rohingya settlements were burned down. A leader from the makeshift camp, stated about the Rapid Action Battalion’s (RAB) involvement during the clash, although the district government administrator denied any involvement of Bangladeshi security forces in the incident.

India’s external affairs minister visits Maldives, Sri Lanka

(wr/sn) Against the larger backdrop of national elections to be held on the Maldives in early September, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the island nation last week and held talks with the top leadership in the country, including his Maldives counterpart Abdulla Shahid and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Jaishankar’s visit to Male was part of a two-leg tour which also included a visit to Sri Lanka. [Business Standard] [Outlook India] 

During his visit to the Maldives, Jaishankar discussed the progress and impact of the developmental assistance extended by India. Last year, New Delhi offered Male eight infrastructure projects under a USD 800 million Line of Credit. 

The timing of the visit assumes significance: President Solih has announced his intention to run for a second term, but his candidature has been opposed within his party by former president and leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party Mohamed Nasheed, who has thrown his hat in the ring. The two will face off in the party primary on January 28.

On January 19, then, Jaishanka visited Sri Lanka to meet with his counterpart Ali Sabry to discuss increasing collaboration in the infrastructure, energy, industry, health, and mobility areas. Taking to Twitter after the meeting, the Indian top diplomat expressed his country’s commitment to “increase investment flows to Sri Lanka to hasten its economic recovery.” [Indian Minister’s of External Affairs Twitter 1], [Indian Minister’s of External Affairs Twitter 2]

Crucially, Jaishanka used his visit to Sri Lanka as an opportunity to for the first time formally announce that his country has given financial assurances to the International Monetary Fund to facilitate a USD 2.9 billion bailout plan. New Delhi’s official credit to Sri Lanka is USD 4.4 billion excluding other forms of lending. [Associated Press]

China offers Sri Lanka debt moratorium, IMF help still in doubt

(sn/lm) China has offered Sri Lanka a two-year moratorium on its debt and said it will support the island nation’s efforts to secure a USD 2.9 billion loan deal from the International Monetary Fund, Reuters reported on January 24, just hours after the Washington-based lender confirmed that India had committed to help ease the debt burden of Colombo. Also on January 24, Sri Lanka’s central bank chief said his country was committed to meeting all its debt repayments and was hoping to complete debt restructuring negotiations in the next six months. [Reuters 1] [Reuters 2]

Sri Lanka requires the backing of China and India – its biggest bilateral lenders – to close the USD 2.9 billion bailout with the IMF that is essential to help the country emerge from its worst economic crisis in seven decades. Beijing's lending to Sri Lanka stands at around USD 7 billion while India is owed around USD 1 billion.

However, even if other major economies, most notably Japan and so-called Paris Club members, do ultimately agree to write down their loans to Sri Lanka another potential problem looms in the form of private creditors, who account for 40 percent of the country's external debt stock. [AiR No. 3, January/2023, 3]

Against this backdrop, Beijing’s embassy in Colombo in a Tweet on January 17 heavily criticized the United States, questioning the consequences of various actions by Washington on the situation in Sri Lanka and advised the IMF to reconsider their positions on some matters. [Chinese Embassy’s in Sri Lanka Twitter]

India to keep lid on sugar exports

(wr/lm) India is likely to keep a lid on the country’s sugar exports, government and industry officials said on January 19, putting an end to speculation that it might release a second tranche of overseas shipments. Citing food prices inflation at home and relatively lower production, ministry officials said that the government cannot permit additional exports. [CNBC]

India is the second world’s largest exporter of sugar after Brazil, curbing its export could raise global prices. Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sudan, Somalia and United Arab Emirates are key India’s sugar importers. 

Bangladesh wants India, Japan by its side as it graduates from the list of Least Developed Countries

(az) As Bangladesh is graduating from the list of Least Developed Country (LDC), it wants Japan and India by its side to tackle the financial challenges in the future. As Bangladesh mostly relies on garment exports and the remittances from diasporas, it needs increased investments to further the pace of development. After its graduation from LDC, the country will no longer be able to avail itself of development financing and debt relief facilities.

Both India and Bangladesh are struggling with an environmental crisis, and they need to increase their bilateral cooperation to fight issues like climate change, river pollution, navigability, and forest reservation in the shared territories. India congratulates Bangladesh on fighting the insurgencies and terrorism and looks forward to seeing economic stability in the country. Bangladesh thus aspires for help from both India and Japan to link South Asia and Southeast Asia throughout its development journey. [India Narrative]

France wants to enhance maritime cooperation with Bangladesh, senior official says

(az) France has expressed its interest in increasing peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region through strengthening cooperation with Bangladesh, the director for Asian Affairs at the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs told reporters on January 19. [Dhaka Tribune]

The French official assured that Paris will support Dhaka’s further development through military cooperation, increased mutual interests, and new projects and initiatives. Applauding the contribution of Bangladesh in the peacekeeping operations, the French side decided to reinforce cooperation, especially in the training area. 

Bangladesh asks Germany for help to increase climate adaptation capacity, export agricultural products

(az) During a bilateral discussion about Germany’s cooperation in developing solar irrigation systems in Bangladesh, both sides highlighted the success of Dhaka’s n the agricultural sector. Agriculture and Awami League Presidium member Dr Md Abdur Razzaque sought Berlin’s cooperation to export Bangladesh agricultural products to the market of Europe. Besides, to improve the overall system of the agricultural sector, the national delegations also asked Germany to cooperate in establishing international standard labs, good agricultural practices, and increasing climate adaptation strategy. [Dhaka Tribune]

Bangladesh urges Russia not to send the embargoed ships as it may worsen relations with United States

(az) Bangladesh has afresh asked Russia not to send embargoed ships carrying goods for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant over concerns that such a move would sour Dhaka’s relationship with the United States. 

In December of last year, Bangladeshi authorities denied a Russian ship under sanction from the US to anchor at the Mongla port, which was carrying goods for the Rooppur nuclear power plant. Later on, the ship changed its name and tried to deliver the goods by bypassing the sanction. After being informed by Washington about the incident, Dhaka requested Russia not to send any 69 embargoed ships to Bangladesh as it may hurt the relationship with the US and Bangladesh’s economic condition. [Marine Insight]

Cambodia: The PM visited Maldives to discuss bilateral cooperation between the States 

(sn) Cambodia PM Hun Sen had discussions with the Republic of Maldives President during his first State visit on January 15–17, initiated by the Maldives' leader. He visited the island state with his delegation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Tourism, and Health, Cambodia Chamber of Commerce leaders, and others. The President of the Republic of the Maldives, Mohamed Solih, expressed appreciation for the move of the PM to visit the State.

The parties discussed enhancing cooperation in trade, health, culture, agriculture, and human resource development. The leaders assessed the economic potential of importing rice, fruits, garments, and electronic components to the Maldives from Cambodia. Vice Versa, Cambodia ought to consider importing seafood & fish from the Maldives and continue its support in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in South East Asia. The States also plans to implement cultural exchange programs in tourism and undergraduate study fields.

The Kingdom of Cambodia and the Republic of the Maldives instructed their aviation authorities to facilitate the Air Service Agreement between the States to facilitate further cooperation. Currently, Cambodia is also applying to become an Observer State of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The States negotiated mutual Visa Exemption for their passport-holding residents. [Phom Penh Post], [Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation]

Cambodia: Banteay Meanchey authorities visit Vinh Long, Vietnam to celebrate the partnership between provinces

(sn) Cambodian Banteay Meanchey province governor announced that the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long, in Vietnam, is a significant partner for his region in various sectors. His delegation offered Lunar New Year greetings to the regional residents and leaders during the visit to the Vietnamese constituency on January 17, 2023. Approximately 22,000 Khmer people reside in Vinh Long – 2.2% of the local population. The visit also marked the sustainability of the long-standing relations between Vietnam and Cambodia. [Khmer Times]

Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) hosts training of 15 Ukrainian deminers in January 2023

(sn) On January 16, 2023, the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) officially launched the training for the Ukrainian officials commanding demining procedures. The teaching of 15 State representatives lasted a week at the Mine Action Technical Institute of CMAC and Cambodian provinces. 

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) supported the technical training of the Ukrainian officials under the initiative of Cambodian and Japanese Prime Ministers. The training included visiting demining cities and using the Advanced Landmine Imaging System – a Japanese technology for mine cleaning. [NBC News], [Khmer Times]

Cambodia names 2 streets after former Indonesian leaders to mark bilateral cooperation 

(sn) The Southeast Asian Kingdom will name two of its streets after the former Indonesian leaders to mark the enhancing Cambodia–Indonesia cooperation. The governor of Phnom Penh, Khuong Sreng, and the Indonesian Ambassador, Sudirman Haseng, visited the potential naming sites on January 17, 2023. One street will be named Jalan Soekarno, after the leader, who had close ties with Cambodian King Father Norodom Sihanouk. The other street will be named Jalan Ali Alatas after the longest-serving Indonesian foreign minister. [Cambodianess]

Financial Action Task Force visits Cambodia for inspection & Guidance

(sn) Over January 11–13, 2023, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), led by the senior policy analyst, Mei-Lin Wang, visited Cambodia for the assessment of conditions for socio-economic activities. The visit put into question Cambodia’s current status in the money laundering gray list.

FATF is a France-based international organization that combats money laundering and financial terrorism. The executive director of Transparency International Cambodia urged that the removal from the grey list depends on how well the Kingdom fits specific indicators and responds to the given recommendations. Following the assessment, the FATF will publish a new report with further suggestions for the State government. 

One crucial factor in such examinations is the effectiveness of legal practices. The senior analyst met with Prime minister Hun Sen and the Minister of Interior. National Coordination Committee on Anti-Money Laundering chairman notes that even if FATF chooses to abolish the grey list status of Cambodia, the Kingdom would still have issues to resolve. [Cambodianess], [Phnom Penh Post]

Cambodian Royal Army and Philippine Army co-sign Terms of Reference (TOR) 

(sn) On January 19, 2023, the Philippine Army (PA) Commanding General Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and the Royal Cambodian Army (RCA) Commander Lt. Gen. Hun Manet signed military Terms of Reference (TOR) during a virtual conference. The agreement will help establish PA–RCA working groups that should facilitate army-to-army exchanges and engagement activities between the militaries of States. [Khmer Times]

Cambodia: UN specialist who visited the State published a report on the LGBT conditions in the Kingdom

(sn) During January 10–20, 2023, UN Human Rights Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (IE SOGI) took a trip around Cambodia for the evaluation of social conditions mission in the State. The Cambodian UN Country Team, the Resident Coordinator, and the Office of the High Commissioner assisted the expert during his visit.

The IE SOGI notes that in Cambodia, the LGBTQ population is visibly substantial and covers a wide demographic. Therefore, it is essential to maintain policies excluding discrimination. He also acknowledged the impact of positive statements from PM Hun Sen and the Human Rights Committee. Respondents of the UN specialist routinely reported positive social experiences, regardless of their sex and gender identities. Although, the IE points out a lack of statistical data on the orientations and sexual identities of people.

Since in Cambodia, family is seen as a primary element of happiness pursuit and provides a range of functional benefits; the LGBTQ community tends to encounter distress from obstacles in this dimension. While there is significant social pressure to enter a legally recognized marriage, non-traditional families can experience shaming from their relatives or community. As a result, discrimination still occurs in cultures of various social institutions, like some families and schools, rather than on the constitutional level. 

Educational facilities experience problems with addressing the rights of LGBTQ students when trying to comply with the general rules on student appearance. Gay teachers reported harassment, along with employees in some other sectors. Some organizations are less likely to hire a diverse workforce. Hence, people with unconventional SOGI tend to avoid disclosing their identity in job interviews. Due to the stigma attached to non-traditional gender identity, these people also have issues with accessing healthcare services in a way that would support their needs. [UN Human Rights Office]

China-USA: Pledges of cooperation in global challenges 

(ms) At the meeting on January 18 between U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, who also serves as chief of the China-U.S. comprehensive economic dialogue on the Chinese side, both parties pledged to maintain channels of communication and closer cooperation and exchanges on bilateral and global macroeconomic and financial challenges and a shared commitment to sustainability and climate action. 

The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, was the highest-level meeting between two officials of the two countries since the meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping before the G20 meeting in Bali in mid-November last year [see AiR No. 46, November/2022, 3].

After the Chinese side cut off communication channels between the two superpowers in response to the August visit of Nancy Pelosi, then Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, to Taiwan [see AiR No. 32, August/2022, 2], both the U.S. and China stressed during the meeting that, regardless of the circumstances, “[they] should always maintain dialogue and exchanges,” Liu is quoted as saying. 

Liu, for his part, expressed concerns about the intensified U.S. economic sanctions against China under the Biden administration, particularly in the high-tech sector, and urged the U.S. side to also look at both sides. According to the readout of the US Department of the Treasury, Yellen also “raised issues of concern in a frank exchange of views.” [The State Council, China] [U.S. Department of the Treasury] [Associated Press] [VOA News]

China-USA: FBI Director “deeply concerned” over Chinese AI program

(ms) Christopher Wray, director of the FBI, expressed grave concerns about the Chinese government’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) program during a panel at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, which he said could expand its hacking operations. 

Just a day after U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He met on the sidelines of the forum (see entry above), Wray raised serious concerns about the implications of China’s AI program, which he said is “built on huge amounts of intellectual property and sensitive data that they've stolen over the years."  He called on other countries to exercise caution in cooperating with China in the areas of business and science.

The statements point to the recent cases in which China has tried and succeeded in obtaining technical innovations mostly in areas of the high tech, military or aerospace sector through espionage. 

Only in mid-November in the USA a Chinese Intelligence Official was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for espionage [see AiR No. 47, November/2022, 4]. [ABC News] [VOA News]

China-The Netherlands/Japan: The Hague and Tokyo signal readiness to join US chip export restrictions against Beijing 

(ms)  The Dutch and Japanese governments could introduce the first export restrictions against China regarding advanced semiconductors as early as the end of January, joining the US sanctions at least in part, according to reports from Bloomberg.

This comes after Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the Netherlands’s Prime Minister Mark Rutte separately met US President Joe Biden on January 13 [see AiR No. 3, January/2023, 3] and January 17 respectively. 

Observers, however, expect that both countries - home to world-leading producers of semiconductor manufacturing equipment - will not adopt the full scope of the U.S. restrictions the Biden administration unveiled in October [see AiR No. 41, October/2022, 2], which in addition to restricting the exports of U.S.-manufactured machinery to China, also prohibit their own citizens from working with or for Chinese chipmakers.

What exact extent the restrictions will take is yet to be seen. [Bloomberg]

In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused the US of “abus[ing] state power and export controls to politicize tech and trade issues and use them as a tool and weapon,” in a bid to “to perpetuate its hegemonic power and selfish interests.” [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China]

China-EU: European court stops Malta from deporting Uyghurs 

(ms) The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ordered the Maltese government to stop the planned deportation of two Chinese citizens of Uyghur ethnicity back to China. 

The Chinese couple has been in Malta since 2016 and unsuccessfully applied for international protection due to the potential persecution and mistreatment they face in China due to their ethnicity. After Malta already rejected this application in 2017, they ordered the deportation back to China. The couple, supported by the Maltese human rights organization Aditus and the Spanish NGO Safeguard Defenders, invoked the principle of non-refoulement. Malta also rejected this request on January 12. [Malta Today] [Radio Free Asia]

China-South Africa: Joint military exercise  

(ms) The South African military announced on January 19 that it will hold a joint military exercise with the Russian and Chinese navies from February 17 to 27. [Twitter, National Defense Force, South Africa]

The military exercise is to be held off the eastern coast of South Africa in the Indian Ocean and is the second of its kind. South Africa hosted such a military exercise with the two BRICS nations already in November 2019. 

The U.S. embassy in Pretoria expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that the exercise will be conducted against the backdrop of Russia’s “brutal and unlawful invasion of Ukraine.” 

Even though South Africa has already conducted similar maneuvers with NATO members and Europe is the country's largest market, South Africa maintains friendly relations with both Russia and China through its cooperation with the BRICS countries. South Africa was among the 35 countries that abstained from the UN vote condemning Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories. [Associated Press] [The New York Times]

China-Iran: Call between foreign ministers 

(ms) On January 19, at the request of the Iranian side, a telephone call took place between Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang.

Both parties reportedly expressed their support for closer cooperation during the conversation. Amir-Abdollahian thanked Qin “for [China's] constructive role” in the talks on reviving the Iran nuclear deal. Qin, for his part, confirmed that China plans to continue assisting Iran “in safeguarding its legitimate and lawful rights and interests and calls on other parties to remain committed to dialogue and negotiation.”

Despite the positive assessment of the talks from both sides, Sino-Iranian relations have cooled somewhat, especially after Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Saudi Arabia in early December last year and his participation in the first China-Arab States Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit during his stay [see AiR No. 50, December/2022, 2], clearly suggesting that China, to the displeasure of the Iranian government, will expand relations with Saudi Arabia, Iran’s arch enemy. [AA] [Xinhua]

China-Afghanistan: Support for Taliban-led government

(ms) While the main content of a telephone conversation between Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was the safety of Chinese citizens working in Afghanistan, Qin stressed that China is interested in maintaining friendly relations with Afghanistan and does not interfere in the country’s national decisions.

In addition, Qin announced that “China supports the Afghan interim government to build a broad and inclusive political structure, pursue moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies, fight against all forms of terrorist forces, and establish and develop friendly relations with other countries.”

Although China already had good relations with the previous Afghan government under Ashraf Ghani, China has taken a leading role in cooperating with the Taliban since the Taliban’s seizure of power and the subsequent suspension of most aid to Afghanistan from Western countries. 

Last April,  the Afghan Embassy in Beijing was reopened and the Chinese government ensured its funding of the construction of a transnational railway across Afghanistan that would connect Uzbekistan to seaports in Pakistan. Just at the beginning of the year, the Taliban government signed an oil extraction deal with a Chinese company to extract oil and develop an oil deposit [see AiR No. 2, January/2023, 2]. [Global Times] 

India, Egypt to hold first-ever joint military exercise; President El-Sisi to visit New Delhi

(wr) Egypt's envoy to India has confirmed that the two countries are heading towards their first ever joint military exercise including navies, air forces and special forces. Both sides are keen to expand defense cooperation and mutual ties in changing global order, he added. He stressed upon the potential of bilateral engagements and strengthened mutual friendship based on shared interests including trade, security and multilateralism. [ANI] [Economic Times]

Furthermore, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has accepted Indian Prime Minister Modi’s invitation to Republic Day and is scheduled to visit India from January 24-26. A series of talks will be held between two leaders to expand cooperation in the areas of agriculture, cyberspace and information technology (IT) along with security and defense. [The Hindu]

India, France conclude VARUNA 2023 naval exercise

(wr) The 21st edition of the bilateral naval exercise “Varuna” between the Indian Navy and the French Navy was conducted from January 16–20 in Goa. Navies from both sides carry out drills to enhance mutual interoperability and exchange war-fighting skills including advanced air defense exercises, tactical maneuvers, surface firings, underway replenishment and other maritime operations. [Times of India]

French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain a day later ensured “exceptionally good and trustworthy” ties between two nations and said that France remains committed to collaborate with India in building national defense industry and to co-manufacture products of space and defense sectors. In the manner France will provide India with updated and modern technologies “without any restrictions” he added, to promote its defense self-reliance and domestic production initiative. [Economic Times]

India, Oman agreed to fight terrorism as a common threat 

(wr) India and Oman on January 18 agreed on a collective and coordinated response against emerging forms of terror and acts of terrorism at a dialogue between two National Security Councils. Both sides discussed the need of bilateral cooperation to secure regional and global security order from expansion of terrorist propaganda, misuse of new and emerging technologies, arms and drugs trafficking and abuse of cyberspace for recruitment, fundraising and disinformation. [ANI] [Business Standard]

Indonesia-Poland: Bilateral cooperation 

(os) Indonesian Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia and Polish Finance Minister Magdalena Rzeczkowska have met to discuss bilateral cooperation, particularly regarding the production batteries for electric vehicles. [Antara News]

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the two ministers agreed on increased cooperation in the financial sector. The Polish government will now be allowed to promote its commercial papers and bonds in Indonesia. The two countries also discussed the development of an electric vehicle battery ecosystem. 

Indonesian calls for support for Afghan women’s education, humanitarian aid for Palestine

(os) Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi has met with representatives of several countries and organizations in New York, USA, to discuss support for education of women in Afghanistan and Indonesia’s candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council. Retno also called for more action in regardto the Palestine issue. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia 1] [The Jakarta Post 1]

Retno held a meeting, among others, with the United States Special Envoy for Afghan Women Rina Amiri. Retno emphasized the necessity of considering alternative education methods, such as online education, for Afghan women. The minister also met not only with representatives of the permanent members of the Security Council, but also with representatives of Pakistan, Turkey, Germany, and Switzerland.

Meetings were also conducted with representatives of Botswana, Burundi, and Rwanda to discuss support for Indonesia’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council for the period of 2024 to 2026. 

During the Security Council Open Debate (UNSC), Retno called on Isreal to end its occupation of Palestinian territory and to respect international law. The minister also stressed the importance of working toward a two.sttate solution and humanitarian aid for Palestine. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia 2] [Tempo] [The Jakarta Post 2]

Japan-USA: Agreement on open communications network signed

(dql) Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration have concluded a memorandum of cooperation for the development and promotion of a new communications network which is not reliant on specific companies’ infrastructure and enables interoperability between multiple vendors' equipment for cellular wireless networks. 

The new network aims to address economic security issues by reducing the grip of China's Huawei Technologies on important communications infrastructure and the flow of information.

Both countries agreed in the agreement on sharing data and working together in spreading the technology internationally. [Kyodo News]

Japan-USA: Joining military exercise

(dql) Japan and the US conducted a joint military exercise on January 19 in the vicinity of Okinawa that  involved F-15C Eagles, the KC-135 Stratotanker, the E-3 Sentry and the HH-60 Pave Hawks and the US side and F-2, the F-15J and the E-767 on the Japanese side. [Twitter, Ministry of Defense, Japan] [Air Force Times]

Japan-Israel: Foreign ministers hold phone talk on 

(dql) Japan’s Foreign Ministry Yoshimasa Hayashi and his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen held a phone talk on January 20. 

While Hayashi reaffirmed Japans’ willingness to deepen cooperation with Israel, he also voiced concerns about Israel's recent unilateral measures, referring to the demolition of 18 Palestinian-owned structures north of East Jerusalem by the Israeli army last week. He added that Japan remains committed to assisting Palestinians in order to achieve a two-state solution and called on Israel to cooperate. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan] [Middle East Monitor]

Japan-EU: Space data sharing agreement signed

(dql) On January 17, the Fifth Meeting of the Japan-EU Space Policy Dialogue took place in Brussels, during which the two delegations discussed ways to strengthen space cooperation.

At the meeting, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the European Commission concluded a Copernicus Cooperation Arrangement under which both sides agreed on reciprocal Earth Observation data sharing. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan 1]

Meanwhile, the 15th Japan-Italy Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation was held in Tokyo on 18 January. At the meeting, the two sides discussed their respective countries’ policy in science, technology and innovation. They further discussed ways to expand cooperation and to deepen partnerships, including those leading to industrial cooperation. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan 2]

Luang Prabang Hospital renovation and extension funded by Chinese aid begins

(fj) The Chinese-funded renovation and extension of Luang Prabang Hospital in the north of Laos has begun with an official groundbreaking ceremony attended by the Minister of Health Bounfeng Phoummalaysith and the Chinese Consul General of Luang Prabang. 

At the ceremony, which was also attended by Luang Prabang’s Provincial Governor and the Vice President of the Laos-China Cooperation Committee, Bounfeng stated that the hospital renovation was a sign of the “profound friendship” between the people of China and Lao. [Lao News Agency]

Malaysia-Brunei: Prime Minister Anwar on two-day visit 

(lm) Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim commenced a two–day official visit to Brunei on January 24, his second official trip abroad since being appointed prime minister last November. Anwar is scheduled to have an audience with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on January 25, followed by a bilateral meeting. The two leaders are also expected to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Malaysian Investment Development Authority and the Brunei Investment Agency. [The Straits Times]

Malaysian-China: Crude oil flows surpass Iraq with record volume in December 2022

(lm) Chinese imports of crude oil from Malaysia last month hit a record volume of an average 1.3 million barrels per day, exceeding the volumes of crude purchases from OPEC heavyweights such as Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Imports from Malaysia were at 5.52 million tonnes in December, according to data from the General Administration of Customs, almost triple the average daily crude output from Malaysia over the first nine months of 2022. [Oil Price] [The Straits Times] 

In separate developments Malaysia's state-owned Petronas has awarded three oil and gas production-sharing contracts under its 2022 bidding round, as it looks to maximize the value of the country's oil and gas resources. [argus]

Malaysia’s prime minister to visit Thailand for security talks in February

(lm) Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to visit Thailand on February 10 for talks with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on security cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Anwar will likely be visiting Singapore before traveling to Thailand.

Notably, it was reported that former Malaysian Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, a Malaysian general who served as the 20th Chief of Defence Forces, will visit Thailand ahead of Prime Minister Anwar’s official trip. General Zulkifli, who serves as the chief facilitator for peace talks in Thailand’s Deep South, will reportedly discuss a framework with Prawit and General Wallop Raksanoh, head of the Thai government’s negotiation team in the Deep South, for a new round of peace talks. This follows a meeting earlier this month, during which Thailand’s negotiation team met with General Zulkifli in Kuala Lumpur to prepare for the upcoming talks. [Pattaya Mail]

Myanmar, Thai military chiefs meet to step up security cooperation along borders  

(td) Myanmar military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and his Thai counterpart General Chalermpol Srisawat, who serves as Military Chief of Staff, co-hosted the Thai-Myanmar High-level Committee meeting – the eight of its kind – for three days in Rakhine State to discuss ways forward to fostering closer military and security cooperation. It came shortly after the two countries reopened their key land border crossing channel. [See AiR, No. 3, January/2023, 3]

Their talking points, featuring on the agenda, were reported to encompass immediate issues surrounding drug trafficking, border villages, repatriation of displaced persons, and the demarcation of the 2,415-kilometer-long border between Myanmar and Thailand. In the wake of Myanmar’s recent coup in 2021, Thailand has attached greater importance to the border security to prevent spillovers or collateral damages, given continued airstrikes on several Myanmar ethnic-controlled areas near the country. 

Furthermore, according to analysts, it was speculated that the two parties had also held a secret talk to discuss the confiscation of assets in connection with the Myanmar military leader by Thai enforcement officers – which followed the arrest of Myanmar arms broker Tun Min Latt on charges of drug smuggling and money laundering. In the meantime, both sides might touch upon the general election of the respective nations, expected in 2023. [Bangkok Post] [Radio Free Asia] 

Iran-based attackers kill four Pakistani soldiers in Balochistan province, Pakistani Army says

(tj/lm) The Pakistani Army said on January 18 that a militant attack in the country’s Balochistan province from across the Iranian side of the border between the two countries had killed four soldiers. No group immediately claimed responsibility. [Dawn] [Voice of America]

Pakistan, Russia agree to boost energy cooperation

(fm) The conclusion of the eighth session of the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation between Pakistan and Russia has reaffirmed the commitment to a robust and comprehensive bilateral economic cooperation. Senior level delegates, including ministers and officials from both sides, attended the three-day IGC summit, which was jointly chaired by Pakistan's Minister for Economic Affairs Ayaz Sadiq and Russia's Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov.

According to a joint statement released following the IGC meeting, the two sides, working under the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin, used the occasion to reaffirm their commitment to a robust and comprehensive economic relationship. They emphasized how important a partnership like this was for the economic health of the two nations as well as the entire region. Following the debates and decisions of the seventh IGC, both parties moved the process further and looked for new opportunities for collaboration.

The IGC decided to intensify and broaden cooperation in several areas, including business and investment, energy, communications, and transportation, as well as higher education, industry, railroads, banking, customs, agriculture, science, and technology. Both parties saw and took note of the promising future for real, actionable projects in the above economic sectors, which hold great promise for the socioeconomic advancement of both nations.

The Commission decided that both sides' relevant ministries and departments will strongly pursue this opportunity for shared prosperity. The two parties concurred that the oil and gas trading transaction would be set up so that both nations would profit economically if a technical specifications agreement was reached. "The procedure will be finished by March 2023." [The Frontier Post]

Singapore-Malaysia: Foreign Minister concludes Vivian Balakrishnan visit; Prime Minister Anwar to visit city state later this month

(lm) Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on January 17 traveled to Malaysia, where he met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Balakrishnan also met Malaysian Minister of Transport Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Economy Rafizi Ramli, Minister of Defence Mohamad Hasan, and Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. [Malay Mail]

Balakrishnan’s visit to Kuala Lumpur precedes a visit by Prime Minister Anwar to Singapore likely to take place before the end of January. This will be Anwar’s third official trip since becoming prime minister, after his official visits to Indonesia and Brunei.

Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob is also expected to make a state visit to Malaysia in March.

Singaporean foreign ministry disputes report on Singapore serving as transit point for materials for Myanmar's military industries

(ih)  On January 18, the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued a statement asserting that the government does not authorise transfers of arms or products with possible military applications.  The statement was issued in response to a report from the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar claiming Singapore has served as a strategic transit point for items and materials supplying Myanmar’s military-owned arms industry.  The MFA has announced it is conducting its own investigation into the report. [CNA]

South Korea-Iran: Clash over South Korean president’s remarks in the United Arab Emirates

(sm) South Korea and Iran have clashed over South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s remarks during his visit to a Korean army unit stationed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In an address to the South Korean troops, Yoon had compared the UAE’s circumstances with South Korea’s, as each country was facing Iran and North Korea as their biggest threats respectively.

Iran has criticized the comment, qualifying it as disruptive to their bilateral relations with the Emirates, and summoned the South Korean ambassador, warning of potential consequences for their bilateral relationship.

The two countries have also summoned each other’s envoys over the issue, with Yoon clarifying his words were meant as an encouragement to the South Korean soldiers abroad, while the foreign ministry repeatedly expressed its willingness to explain the comment and to refrain from unnecessary over-interpretation.

Tehran’s deputy foreign minister of legal affairs Reza Najafi in turn argued the comment to be interfering in regional relations, stating that Iran enjoys friendly relations with most of its neighbors. He accused South Korea of being unfriendly in its diplomatic relations towards Iran.

In a call with Iran’s ambassador in Seoul Saeed Badamchi Shabestari, South Korean Vice Foreign minister Cho Hyun-dong then complained about Najafi’s comment as unfounded, as the latter interpreted that Yoon was openly hinting at an Iranian nuclear program with his remark.

On the domestic level, main opposition Democratic Party lawmakers have heavily criticized Yoon over yet another diplomatic blunder, following his hot mike incident last September, when Yoon was heard cursing at US lawmakers during the UN General Assembly.

The bilateral relationship has been tense due to Iran’s alleged arms trade with North Korea, with Seoul having frozen USD 7 billions worth of South Korea-based Iranian assets under US sanctions since 2018. Tehran has demanded the release of the funds multiple times. Talks on this matter and the resumption of Iranian oil imports to South Korea have been underway, without a solution until now. [Reuters] [Yonhap News Agency]

South Korea-Japan: Protests against listing of Japanese wartime forced labor mine as UNESCO World Heritage

(sm) On January 20, South Korea’s foreign ministry lodged a formal complaint with the Japanese embassy in Seoul over the listing of a war time forced labor mine as UNESCO World Heritage.

South Korean second vice foreign minister Lee Do-hoon talked with the Japanese embassy’s minister of economic affairs Daisuke Namioka on the issue expressing regret over the move.

The day before, Japan handed in a second recommendation letter to make a former gold mine on Sado Island a UNESCO site. The first one, sent in February 2022, had been dubbed incomplete by the UNESCO jury. Seoul has opposed the creation of a UNESCO site where thousands of Koreans endured forced labor during World War II. The Japanese letter made no mention of this aspect of history.

In an official statement, Seoul’s foreign ministry vowed to ensure that history, including Japan’s dark colonial past, would be appropriately recorded and remembered on Japan’s industrial revolution heritage sites with the support of UNESCO. [Yonhap News Agency] [South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

South Korean-Vietnam/Indonesia: National Assembly Speaker visits Vietnam, Indonesia for strategic partnerships

(sm) South Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo traveled to Vietnam and Indonesia to discuss the improvement of bilateral relations.

On January 19, Kim and Indonesian president Joko Widodo met on the occasion of 50 years of bilateral ties and discussed increased cooperation, mainly in the areas of economy and defense. Kim brought up the special strategic partnership the two countries had agreed on during former South Korean president Moon Jae-in’s visit to Indonesia in 2017.

According to Kim, a cooperation on secure and efficient supply chains is judicious for both countries, as Indonesia possesses important minerals for battery making, such as nickel, and South Korea has the technological know-how in mining and smelting needed to extract it.

With the start of their comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) in 2023, Kim and Widodo highlighted the importance of Indonesia’s openness to Korean investments in the established petrochemical and automobile industries, and newer medical and digital finance sectors, among others.

As Indonesia is the 2023 chair of ASEAN, Kim asked for its support to organize a comprehensive and unified response against North Korean ballistic missile and nuclear threats.

South Korea and Indonesia are key geopolitical partners due to their strong economic relationship and participation in the US-led Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims at creating key energy, economic, and security partnerships with a specific cluster of countries. [Yonhap News Agency_1]

Two days earlier on January 17, Kim held talks with Vietnamese president Nguyen Xuan Phuc and prime minister Pham Minh Chinh for the thirtieth anniversary of diplomatic ties with South Korea.

Kim commented that the comprehensive strategic partnership the two countries hold since December 2022 is instrumental to establish South Korea’s cooperation and integration with ASEAN countries. Only China, Russia, and India have a similar relationship with Vietnam.

The officials discussed cooperation in various economic areas such as the energy, semiconductor, and digital industries, as well as defense with exchanges in maritime security and arms against the backdrop of their shared Indo-Pacific strategy. [Yonhap News Agency_2]

South Korea-India: Fifth joint foreign policy and security dialogue held

(sm) On January 16, the fifth Korea-India foreign policy and security dialogue took place, co-hosted by South Korean vice foreign minister Cho Hyun-dong and Indian secretary of the foreign ministry Saurabh Kumar.

On the occasion of 30 years of diplomatic ties, the two countries decided to elevate their relationship to a special strategic partnership.

To this end, Cho proposed further expanding cooperation in the areas of defense, economic and technological development, cultural and people-to-people exchanges on a global scale. He presented South Korea’s vision of the Indo-Pacific strategy, asking for increased communication and cooperation with India on the matter.

Kumar stressed partnerships especially in infrastructure, scientific, and technological development, while expressing India’s interest in regional cooperation with South Korea. He asked for Seoul’s support of India’s G20 presidency in 2023.

Both sides condemned North Korea’s high number of ballistic missile launches in 2022 as a serious threat to peace and security on the Korean peninsula and globally and agreed on the need for a united response from the international community. Kumar expressed India’s support for Seoul’s plan to exchange economic aid against Pyongyang’s denuclearization. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Korea]

South Korea-Czech Republic, Denmark, Poland: Energy partnerships concluded 

(sm) South Korean President Yoon Suk-yoon and Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 19 and 20.

In his speech, Yoon stressed the need to stay open for free trade in an era of protectionism brought about by the pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and growing competition for key technology. A major priority of the international community should be the strengthening of supply chain resilience. Further, he presented South Korea’s plan to go carbon neutral through nuclear energy development and cooperation. [Reuters]

Regarding current tensions on the Korean peninsula, the president reiterated South Korea’s commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), all the while voicing his understanding for Japan’s new defense strategy which aims at increased counter-strike capabilities. 

In a separate statement in a Wall Street Journal interview, he explained that South Korea is committed to trilateral security cooperation with the US and Japan and that showing a united front against their common enemy North Korea remains the top priority. [Yonhap News Agency_1]

In the meanwhile, Ahn attended several business and investment leadership meetings, such as “the case for trade” and “busting business barriers” along with 30 other ministers and corporate level representatives.

In particular, he exchanged with the Polish deputy prime minister on Polish-Korean energy security and nuclear power cooperation. He furthermore met with senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ecuador, and Australia on various issues of multilateral economic cooperation, such as WTO mechanisms and FTAs. [Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, South Korea 1]

Industry Minister Lee Chang-yang furthermore concluded a USD 300 million partnership with Danish wind turbine company Vestas to build a large-scale wind turbine plant in South Korea. He also discussed investments with German tech company Merck and Swiss medical company Novartis, and nuclear cooperation with his Polish and Czech counterparts Jacek Sasin and Jozef Síkela, respectively. [Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, South Korea 2] [Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, South Korea 3] [Yonhap News Agency]

Sri Lanka, United States launch CARAT/MAREX Sri Lanka 2023

(sn/lm) Naval forces of the United States and Sri Lanka on January 19 launched a joint, bilateral exercise, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)/Marine Exercise (MAREX) Sri Lanka 2023. This year’s exercise takes place ashore in Colombo and at Sri Lanka’s naval bases in Trincomalee and Mullikulam. The sea phase exercise will take place in the Laccadive Sea. [Naval Technology]

Notably, this year’s exercise includes participants from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Maldives National Defence Force, and coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka. [Ministry of Defense – Sri Lanka]

Sri Lanka-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce holds first General Annual Meeting in London

(sn) The Sri Lanka–United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce held its first Annual General Meeting at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London on January 12 under the patronage of Colombo’s High Commissioner to the Kingdom. The Chamber was officially launched in October 2021 with the goal to foster bilateral cooperation between the two countries. One program in the 2023-year plan focuses on encouraging overseas Sri Lankan citizens to invest in their home state. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka]

Taiwan-EU: European parliament expresses support for Taiwan

(dql) In a signal of support for Taiwan, the European Parliament has adopted two policy reports - the annual report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) for 2022 and the implementation report on the Common Foreign and Security Policy - which describes Taiwan as a key partner and urged EU institutions to “urgently draw up a scenario-based strategy” to tackle Taiwan’s security challenges. Further, they call for deepened cooperation between Taioei and Brussels in various areas, including trade, bilateral investment agreements, customs inspections, as well as diversifying and bolstering supply chains, and combating disinformation.

The reports accuse China of using its military power to intimidate and threaten its neighbors, citing Beijing’s military drills around Taiwan in August last year after the visit of then-US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei. [Taipei Times]

Thailand, Portugal to strengthen bilateral ties

(ts) Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai hosted a bilateral talk welcoming Joao Gomes Cravinho, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal as he made a short visit to Thailand. The talk encompassed a broad cooperation spectrum from trade, investment, labor, and tourism to the soft side of culture and language. Ongoing global situations in Ukraine and neighboring Myanmar were also a point of discussion. 

As this year marks 512 years of rooted relations between the two countries, both seek an opportunity for formal colloquiums to encourage greater bilateral ties. The 3^rd Political Consultations fall among those they agreed to convene. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Announcements

Upcoming Events

25 January 2023 @ 10:00-11:00 a.m. (GMT-5), Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), USA 

Mining, Climate Risks, and the Western Hemisphere

The webinar will explore how the United States can work with partner countries in Latin America, such as Chile and Peru, to transition to clean energy technologies for mining through development institutions and policy making.

For more information, see [CSIS].

25 January 2023 @ 10:00-10:45 a.m. (GMT-5), Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, USA

How Russia Handles Western Sanctions 

Against the backdrop of unprecedented economic sanctions, this online talk will provide answers to the following question: How has the Russian economy survived? What has the impact of sanctions been on the Russian public? And can Russia continue to thwart international pressure to choke off the oil revenues that fuel the war effort in Ukraine?

More about the event at [Carnegie Endowment for International Peace].

25 January 2023 @ 4:00-5:30 p.m. (GMT+2), German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), Germany

Europe’s Strategic Technology Autonomy and China

This online event will explore policy tools for Europe to achieve strategic autonomy and foster the resilience of supply chains, protecting national security, preserving universal values, or improving European technological competitiveness.

Find more information at [DGAP].

25 January 2023 @ 4:00-5:00 p.m. (GMT+8), Asia Society, The Philippines

Postcolonial Philippines: Redefining Our Cultural Identity

This webinar will explore the Philippines’ historically rich and culturally diverse landscape. Home to a multitude of indigenous communities with their own identities and historically, a nation largely influenced by its three centuries of being a Spanish colony, the question arise whether is there a middle ground between cultural hybridity and indigenousness?

For more events details, see [Asia Society].

30 January 2023 @ 10:00-11:30 a.m. (GMT+8), ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore

The Indonesia National Survey Project 2022: Engaging with Developments in the Political, Economic and Social Spheres

This webinar will offer an extensive analysis on support for democracy as a political system and the perception that democracy is on the decline in Indonesia.

For further information, visit [ISEAS].

30 January 2023 @ 3:00 p.m. (GMT+2), Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), Italy

The MENA region in 2023: trends to watch

This online panel will offer provides expert analyses and prospects from the field on the MENA region’s 2023 outlook, economic trends and political responses, opportunities for sustainable growth, and macro-economic reform.

Further information is available at [ISPI].

Recent Book Releases

Rohan Mukherjee, Ascending Order: Rising Powers and the Politics of Status in International Institutions,  Cambridge University Press, 280 pages, published on August 4, 2022, briefly reviewed in [Foreign Affairs].

Christopher Carothers, Corruption Control in Authoritarian Regimes: Lessons from East Asia, Cambridge University Press, 293 pages, published on April 7, 2022. A podcast interview with the author is available at [New Books Network].

Peter Thilly, The Opium Business: A History of Crime and Capitalism in Maritime China,  Stanford University Press, 316 pages, published on October 18, 2022. For a review, see [Asian Review of Books]

Larry M. Bartels, Democracy Erodes from the Top: Leaders, Citizens, and the Challenge of Populism in Europe, Princeton University Press, 280 pages, to be released on April 4, 2023. Visit [Foreign Affairs] for a brief review.

Calls for Papers

The London Centre for Interdisciplinary Research (LCIR) invites paper proposals for its hybrid international conference “Somewhere in Between: Borders and Borderlands,” to be held on April 29-30, 2023. The deadline for abstract submission is February 15, 2023. For more information, see [LCIR].

The Wilkinson College at Chapman University welcomes paper proposals for its conference “Motherhood to Motherhoods: Ideologies of ‘The Feminine’,” scheduled for April 28-30, 2023. The closing date for abstract submission is February 28, 2023. Find further details at [Chapman University].

The Middle East and North Africa Social Policy Network (MENASP) seeks submissions for its 2023 conference that will take place on July 11-12, 2023. The conference theme is “Crisis and Continuity: Towards Inclusive, Resilient, and Environmentally Sustainable Social Policies in the Middle East and North Africa.” Abstract submission deadline is March 5, 2023. If you are interested, go to [MENASP] to find further information. 

Jobs and positions

Science Europe, an association of major research funding organizations (RFOs) and research performing organisations (RPOs), is looking for a Senior Policy Officer to coordinate all activities of the association related to the European Union Framework Programme on R&I, and Cross-border and International Research Collaboration. Application deadline is February 15, 2023. For more details, visit [Science Europe].

Europegroup for Animals, a pan European animal protection organization, is seeking a Political Advisor, whose core responsibility is to coordinate and to implement advocacy measures towards EU institutions. Applications are accepted until the position is filled. Visit [Europegroup for Animals] for more information.

Good Food Institute (GFI), a nonprofit organization working to advance plant-based and cultivated (grown from cells) meat, is hiring a Managing Director for GFI/Europe. Application deadline is February 12, 2023. If you are interested, find more about the vacancy at [GFI].

The European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA), Luxembourg, is recruiting a Lecturer in EU Law. Application deadline is February 17, 2023. Learn more about the position at [EIPA].

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is looking for a Director for Social Policies to be based in Paris, France. The closing date for application is February 15, 2023. See [UNESCO] for further details.

The World Bank Group is hiring a Climate Change Specialist, with core responsibilities in conducting climate risk screening and thorough assessment of assigned projects as well as proposing appropriate mitigation measures aimed at boosting climate change resilience of projects supported by Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, a member of the World Bank Group. The position is based in Washington, D.C. Applications are accepted until February 7, 2023. More details are provided at [World Bank Group].

The European Commission is offering the position of Executive Director to lead the Commission’s ’s Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (JU). Main responsibility is to perform the functions of chief executive responsible for the day-to-day management of the JU and to provide leadership and direction across the activities of the JU. The position is based in Brussels, Belgium. Application deadline is February 14, 2023. Further information is available at [European Commission].

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is recruiting a Programme Specialist - Gender Equality and Social Norms. The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The closing date for application is February 2, 2023. For more information, visit [UNDP].

Team:

Duc Quang Ly (dql), Farhan Maqsood (fm), Felix Jonas Jantz (fj), Henning Glaser (hg), Ian Hollinger (ih), Jennifer Marie Domenici (jd), Lucas Meier (lm), Natalie Svinina (ns), Ole Stark (os), Peer Morten Strantzen (ms), Sheikh Afif Bin Zaman (az), Silke Marian (sm), Thammasorn Sangiamjit (ts), Theerapon Damrongruk (td), Tim Hildebrandt (th), Tomwit Jarnson (tj), Tristan James Biglete (tjb), Venus Phuangkom, Wardah Rehman (wr)

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