Asia Daily: December 29, 2023
News
Yoon orders military to retaliate first, report later in case of enemy attacks. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol directed the military to retaliate immediately against enemy attacks before reporting them. This directive was issued during his visit to a front-line army unit, emphasizing the urgency in responding to provocations, particularly from North Korea. Yoon highlighted the North's constitutional provisions for invasion and preemptive nuclear strikes, underscoring the potential threat. He also assured soldiers of government support and welfare improvements. Kim Han-joo, Yonhap News Agency, December 28
China urges regional alert as US military steps up forward deployment. China's defense ministry on Thursday expressed concern over the United States' increased military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. This alert follows reports of U.S. plans to refurbish a Pacific airfield used in atomic bombings during World War II. The Chinese military is closely monitoring U.S. actions and vows to protect China's maritime rights, security, and sovereignty, stated Wu Qian, a defense ministry spokesperson. The U.S. aims to revive the Tinian North airfield, located near Guam, to spread aircraft throughout the Indo-Pacific in light of escalating Chinese missile threats. Laurie Chen and Ryan Woo, Reuters, December 28
Japan gov't overrides Okinawa objection to U.S. base transfer work. The Japanese government has decided to override the Okinawa Prefectural Government's objection to landfill work for a planned U.S. base relocation within the prefecture. This decision marks the first use of a special measure under the Local Autonomy Law, allowing the central government to proceed without local consent. The planned relocation from Ginowan to the Henoko coastal area in Nago, aimed at reducing the U.S. military footprint in Okinawa, faces strong local opposition. Kyodo News, December 28
India targeted high-profile journalists with Pegasus spyware: Amnesty. Amnesty International and The Washington Post reported that India used Pegasus spyware to surveil prominent journalists, including Siddharth Varadarajan and Anand Mangnale. Developed by Israel's NSO Group, Pegasus grants access to extensive personal data. The revelations underscore concerns about increasing unlawful surveillance practices in India. Al Jazeera, December 28
North Korea’s Kim vows to bolster war readiness to repel US-led confrontations. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for enhanced war readiness amid escalating U.S.-led confrontations, as reported by state media. During a key political meeting, Kim set military tasks to accelerate war preparations and emphasized strategic cooperation with anti-imperialist countries. The meeting also focused on relations with South Korea and expanding nuclear capabilities, with potential provocations expected ahead of upcoming South Korean and U.S. elections. Hyung-jin Kim, AP News, December 28
Former Saigon Co.op leader charged with abuse of power. Diệp Dũng, former Chairman of Saigon Co.op, and four others face charges of abuse of power in a major trial in Ho Chi Minh City. The case involves unauthorized agreements totaling VNĐ1 trillion ($41 million) and alleged financial mismanagement, leading to substantial losses. This trial follows Dũng's earlier conviction for misappropriation of state secrets, highlighting serious governance issues within Saigon Co.op. Vietnam News, December 28
China building up electric auto infrastructure in Central Asia. China is expanding its influence in Central Asia by developing electric vehicle infrastructure, including plans for over 50,000 EV charging stations in Uzbekistan by 2033. The initiative includes 2,500 stations by 2024 and a $700-million trade hub in Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, China's Gezhouba Group is constructing a cement plant in Kazakhstan, further cementing its economic presence in the region. Eurasianet, December 29
PM removes Somsak from MoJ post after feisty Thaksin stand. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin reassigned Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin from his role overseeing the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Public Health. This move follows Somsak's outspoken stance on the privileges given to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The reassignment suggests potential internal disagreements within the government regarding Thaksin's legal and political issues. Mongkol Bangprapa, Bangkok Post, December 28
China asks citizens to evacuate Myanmar border area over security risks. China's embassy in Myanmar has advised Chinese citizens to evacuate the Laukkai area in Myanmar's Kokang region due to security risks from ongoing clashes. Myanmar's military is battling an alliance of ethnic armed groups, which have seized several towns and border hubs vital for trade with China. The embassy's warning reflects the escalating conflict and its impact on the region's safety and stability. Al Jazeera, December 28
China’s disciplinary enforcers add ‘bad’ books, sex, drugs to serious offences. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection in China has updated its regulations to include serious penalties for party members who engage in reading politically sensitive materials, soliciting prostitution, or using illegal drugs. This revision reflects a tightening of political discipline and aims to maintain the party's image. The changes also include penalties for financial mismanagement and corruption, indicating a broader crackdown on various forms of misconduct. William Zheng, South China Morning Post, December 28
Long Form
What Risks Upsetting the Australia-China Detente in 2024? The Australia-China relationship, which has seen significant improvement in 2023 under the Labor administration, faces potential challenges in 2024. Key milestones marking this détente include the rescinding of most trade restrictions Beijing applied to several Australian imports during the previous government’s term. However, three potential plot twists threaten to set back this newly recovered relationship. The article discusses these potential risks and their implications for the future of Australia-China relations. By Corey Lee Bell, The Diplomat, December 29
How Axie's Loss Changed the Battle Against North Korean Crypto Hackers. The Vietnamese game "Axie Infinity" experienced a significant setback when North Korean hackers targeted its platform, resulting in the largest cryptocurrency theft ever. This incident marked a turning point in how crimes against blockchain technology are investigated. The FBI noted a "dramatic spike" in crypto-related crime, necessitating more focused expertise in this area. The Axie hack not only highlighted the risks associated with digital currencies but also its implications for national security. The pursuit of the hackers involved international collaboration and innovative tracking techniques, reflecting the evolving nature of crypto crime and the increasing importance of cybersecurity in the digital economy. By Lien Hoang and Ramon Royandoyan, Nikkei Asia, December 29
New Sovereignties and Old Divisions Shaping Pacific Politics. In 2023, the Pacific region witnessed significant political developments, marked by reconciliation efforts and enduring divisions. Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's successful bid to keep Kiribati in the Pacific Islands Forum signaled a restoration of unity. However, the 2023 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in the Cook Islands revealed ongoing divisions, such as Nauru's walkout over the Secretary-General appointment and the absence of most Melanesian heads of government. Environmental issues dominated the regional agenda, but the lack of a unified voice on ocean policy, particularly deep-sea mining, was evident. The Melanesian Spearhead Group's rejection of the United Liberation Movement of West Papua's membership bid highlighted differences within the sub-region. The Blue Pacific concept, emphasizing climate change collaboration, saw a new evolution in sovereignty arrangements, like the Falepili Union between Tuvalu and Australia, offering innovative solutions amidst complex challenges. By Kerryn Baker, East Asia Forum, December 29
Mongolia’s Mining Partnerships Extract Foreign Policy Gold. Mongolia's exports, heavily reliant on natural resource extraction, have seen a significant development with a landmark agreement signed with French government-owned Orano Mining. This agreement, allowing Orano to establish Mongolia’s first uranium mining and processing venture, marks a strategic move in Mongolia's foreign policy. The focus on uranium, a critical mineral for the global energy system, aligns with the world's push towards net-zero emissions and positions Mongolia as an emerging leader in the uranium market. The partnership with France, the first to exploit and extract uranium from Mongolia, diversifies Mongolia's mining sector and expands its foreign policy reach. The economic benefits of this agreement are substantial, with Mongolia estimated to earn significant tax revenue over the mine's forecasted 30-year lifetime. This collaboration with France represents a strategic diversification of Mongolia's foreign investors and a step towards expanding its relations beyond China and Russia. By Bolor Lkhaajav, East Asia Forum, December 29
In Trying to Preserve the International Order, the US is Destroying It. The United States' efforts to maintain its global hegemony and the international order it helped establish are paradoxically leading to its erosion. The US, stretched thin by wars and internal political divisions, is overusing its most powerful tool, the dollar, undermining the very foundations of the international order. The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with the US's internal challenges, highlight its strategic overextension. The US faces a decline in its ability to sustain its economic and technological bases of power, as observed by Yale historian Paul Kennedy. The current geopolitical situation, particularly the Ukraine war, exposes the weaknesses of the neoliberal foundations of free trade, finance, and international relations. The US's actions, especially in supporting Israel's actions in Gaza and its wavering commitment to Ukraine, have diminished its moral credibility globally. This situation raises questions about the sustainability of US leadership and the future of the international order it has long championed. By Andrew Sheng, South China Morning Post, December 29