Asia Daily: December 13, 2023
News
Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over South China Sea 'harassment'. The Philippines' foreign ministry has summoned China's ambassador to address recent incidents in the South China Sea. These incidents, described as "back-to-back harassments," involved Chinese vessels using water cannons against Philippine vessels and a collision near the Second Thomas Shoal. Manila has demanded that China cease its illegal actions and interference in Philippine activities within its exclusive economic zone. The United States and the United Kingdom, supporting the Philippines, condemned China's actions in the region. This development highlights the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei have competing claims. China's extensive territorial claims in the area were deemed to have no legal basis by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016. Neil Jerome Morales and Karen Lema, Reuters, December 12
Malaysia PM Anwar’s cabinet reshuffle brings in 5 new faces, shakes up administration. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a reshuffle of his cabinet, expanding the number of ministers from 28 to 31 and introducing five new faces. Analysts have commented on the cautious approach of Anwar, with some suggesting that the reshuffle could have been more assertive. This reshuffle is significant in light of Malaysia's focus on renewable energy and its efforts to replace fossil fuel dependency, as reflected in the new cabinet's composition. Hadi Azmi, South China Morning Post, December 12
Kishida likely to replace 4 ministers on Dec. 14 amid fundraising scandal. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to replace four ministers, including the top government spokesman, in response to their alleged involvement in a political fundraising scandal. This scandal involves the ruling party's largest faction and allegations of underreported party income. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno is among those implicated for failing to report significant income. Kishida has directed party officials to investigate and respond appropriately, while also considering the dismissal and demotion of other ministers and vice ministers connected to the scandal. Kyodo News, December 12
Yoon says S. Korea, Netherlands will form 'semiconductor alliance.' South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol commenced his state visit to the Netherlands, announcing plans to form a 'semiconductor alliance' between the two nations. This statement was made during a dinner with Korean residents in Amsterdam, highlighting the strategic importance of semiconductors for industry and security. Yoon's itinerary includes a visit to the ASML headquarters, a Dutch chipmaking equipment company, alongside top executives from Samsung and SK. He emphasized the expanding cooperation between South Korea and the Netherlands in various fields, including defense, culture, and advanced technology. Kim Boram, Yonhap News Agency, December 12
Vietnam boosts China ties as 'bamboo diplomacy' follows US upgrade. China and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen ties and build a 'shared future' community, following Vietnamese President Xi Jinping's visit to Hanoi, his first in six years. This move comes three months after Vietnam enhanced its relations with the United States. The two countries signed 37 deals, covering areas such as diplomacy, railways, and telecommunications, highlighting Vietnam's 'Bamboo diplomacy'. Additionally, they agreed to joint patrols in the Tonkin Gulf and to establish a hotline for fisheries incidents, signaling a potential easing of tensions in the South China Sea. Francesco Guarascio, Khanh Vu, and Phuong Nguyen, Reuters, December 12
Japanese Ambassador Presents Letter of Credence. Ambassador Igawahara Masaru, representing Japan in Mongolia, officially presented his Letter of Credence to Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa on December 12, 2023. This event marks a significant step in reinforcing the Mongolia-Japan relations under the “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity.” The two countries, sharing values of democracy, human rights, and freedom, are set to enhance their cooperation in trade, economic development, culture, and education. This initiative is expected to bolster high-level exchanges and deepen collaboration in regional and international contexts. Самбууням.М, Montsame, December 12
Laos, Botswana Forge New Friendship in Landmark Signing Ceremony. Laos and Botswana have marked a significant milestone in their diplomatic relations with a historic signing ceremony held in New York City on December 11, 2023. This ceremony, which formalized the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, was a strategic move by Laos as it prepares to assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2024. The joint statement, a testament to their commitment to fostering bilateral cooperation and friendship, was signed by representatives from both nations. This development aligns with Laos's foreign policy of "Peace, Independence, Friendship, and Cooperation," and expands its global diplomatic network to 149 countries. Chono Lapuekou, Laotian Times, December 12
India ask FBI to share intelligence on Sikh separatists - source. In response to an investigation involving an Indian official allegedly linked to a plot against a Sikh separatist in the U.S., India has requested intelligence from the United States on Sikh separatists residing there. This request, made by India's National Investigations Agency (NIA), was directed to FBI Director Christopher Wray during his visit. Discussions included the activities of terrorist-organized criminal networks and investigations of cyber-terror and cyber-crimes. The resurgence of the Sikh separatist movement, aiming for a homeland in northern India, has gained international attention, with accusations against Indian officials of assassination plots against separatist leaders in North America. New Delhi, however, denies any involvement in a related incident in Vancouver. Rupam Jain, Reuters, December 12
Japanese ex-soldiers found guilty in landmark army sexual assault case. In Fukushima, Japan, a court has convicted three former soldiers of sexually assaulting Rina Gonoi, a female colleague, during a military drill in 2021, sentencing them to two years in prison, suspended for four years. This case gained prominence when Gonoi, dissatisfied with the military's internal investigation, shared her experience on YouTube, drawing public attention and over 100,000 petition signatures. The resulting pressure led to the Defence Ministry's acknowledgment and apology for the assault. The prosecutors charged the three men in March, leading to their dismissal from the military. Channel News Asia, December 12
China is happy to see parties in Myanmar conflict hold peace talks - Chinese foreign ministry. China's foreign ministry expresses support for peace talks in Myanmar, facilitated by China, between representatives of Myanmar's ruling military and undisclosed parties. The ministry believes that this development is in the interest of all parties and contributes to stability in the China-Myanmar border area. China is committed to providing further support and assistance for these talks, as Myanmar's military faces challenges in various regions, including near the China-Myanmar border. Bernard Orr, Reuters, December 12
Long Form
In Balochistan, Families Demand Answers for Forced Disappearances. In Balochistan, Pakistan, families are increasingly protesting against forced disappearances, a long-standing issue in the region. The case of Balaach Mola Bakhsh, allegedly taken by the Counter Terrorism Department and later reported killed, exemplifies the situation. Advocacy groups like Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) are drawing attention to these abductions, believed to be conducted by Pakistani security forces. This growing movement seeks accountability and answers for the numerous cases of missing persons in Balochistan. By Somaiyah Hafeez, The Diplomat, December 12
U.S. and China Must Seize Opening to Discuss Military AI Risks. The recent agreement between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to reopen military-to-military dialogues presents an opportunity to discuss the risks associated with artificial intelligence in military applications. This dialogue is crucial given the increasing integration of AI in military systems and the potential risks it poses. A nonbinding agreement on AI could foster trust and limit potential harms, addressing concerns about transparency and evaluation of AI applications in military settings. By Sam Bresnick, Nikkei Asia, December 12
The Great Nanometer Chip Race. The semiconductor industry is witnessing a fierce competition in chip miniaturization, with industry leaders like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), Samsung, and Intel pushing the limits. In contrast, China is exploring shortcuts in this race. The focus has shifted from just packing more transistors onto smaller chips to exploring other aspects like chip packaging, a less advanced but crucial part of the chipmaking process. This strategic shift in the industry reflects the ongoing efforts to enhance chip performance and efficiency, with major implications for global technology and manufacturing sectors. By Cheng Ting-Fang and Lauly Li, Nikkei Asia, December 13
US Industrial Policy’s Mixed Messages for Global Innovation. The rise of industrial policy in the United States, particularly the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and CHIPS and Science Act, is sending mixed signals to global supply chains and innovation, especially in Asia. While these policies aim to boost investment in green industries and semiconductor manufacturing, they contain measures that could adversely affect Asian economies. The IRA's local content provisions for electric vehicles (EVs) and critical minerals, and the CHIPS Act's focus on boosting US semiconductor manufacturing, pose challenges for countries like Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. These policies, though beneficial in some aspects, risk increasing costs and complicating global trade, potentially stepping away from the US's leadership in a functional multilateral trading system. By Samuel Hardwick and Jason Tabarias, East Asia Forum, December 12
Chinese Leaders Vow to Step Up Support for Flagging Economy. In response to a challenging year marked by a housing crisis and weak consumption, Chinese leaders have pledged to increase government spending and monetary support to bolster the economy. Despite recent data indicating slowing growth, specifics on strategies to boost consumer and business confidence remain limited. The focus is on stabilizing the economy and managing growth risks, with an anticipated growth target around 5% for 2024. This approach contrasts with the U.S. economy's resilience, highlighting the ongoing struggles in China's property sector and the potential need for innovative stimulus measures to restore confidence among households and businesses. By Stella Yifan Xie and Jason Douglas, The Wall Street Journal, December 12
Sanctioning China Will Work No Better than Sanctioning Russia. The effectiveness of Western sanctions, as seen in the case of Russia, suggests that similar measures against China may not yield better results. Despite extensive sanctions, Russia's economy continues to grow due to strong demand for its exports, particularly oil and gas. This resilience highlights the limitations of economic sanctions as a tool against major global economies, indicating that such measures might not effectively coerce or contain nations like Russia or China. By Daniel Gros, Project Syndicate, December 12