Asia Daily: February 22, 2024
News
China and India hold further round of border talks along disputed frontier. China and India have conducted another round of discussions aimed at achieving "complete disengagement" along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh, a region marred by decades-long territorial disputes and recent clashes. Both nations described the talks as constructive, with commitments to maintain peace and seek early resolutions. This dialogue is part of ongoing efforts to address tensions that escalated following a deadly encounter in the Galwan Valley in June 2020. Liu Zhen, South China Morning Post, February 21.
Poll body ready to take up Move Forward case. Thailand's Election Commission is set to deliberate on whether to recommend the dissolution of the Move Forward Party, following the Constitutional Court's ruling against the party's proposal to amend the lese-majeste law. This step marks a critical juncture in the legal challenges facing the country's main opposition party. Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, February 21
Seoul confirms existence of mass burial site for UN forces in North Korean city. South Korea's Unification Ministry has identified a mass grave in Kaechon, North Korea, believed to contain remains of UN forces from the Korean War. This discovery, informed by interviews with around 50 defectors, could aid in future recovery efforts. The site's identification underscores ongoing efforts to address the legacies of the conflict. Jeongmin Kim and Lina Park, NK News, February 21.
Police searched alleged Chinese overseas police base in Tokyo. Tokyo police have investigated a site reported by a human rights group as a covert Chinese police station. This operation, part of a broader examination into fraudulent COVID-19 relief fund claims, highlights concerns over such facilities globally. The U.S. also addressed similar issues last year, arresting individuals linked to an unauthorized station in New York. The Tokyo site was allegedly involved in administrative tasks for Chinese citizens in Japan. Kyodo News, February 21
Marcos firm: No to ICC probe in PH. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reiterated the Philippines' stance against cooperating with any International Criminal Court investigation into human rights violations linked to the previous administration's drug war. This declaration follows a survey indicating a majority of Filipinos support cooperating with the ICC's inquiries. The government's firm position underscores its commitment to handling domestic issues internally. Kristina Maralit, The Manila Times, February 21
China debuts latest Z-10ME attack helicopter at Singapore Airshow. China's Z-10ME attack helicopter made its international debut at the Singapore Airshow, signaling Beijing's intent to explore new markets amid rising global demand for military hardware. The Z-10ME, an export version with enhanced capabilities, reflects China's competitive stance in the global arms market. The event also featured other Chinese defense products, underscoring China's strategic push into international defense sales. Hayley Wong and Seong Hyeon Choi, South China Morning Post, February 21
Seoul official discusses N. Korean human Rights with U.S. envoy. A South Korean foreign ministry official and the U.S. special representative for North Korean human rights, Julie Turner, discussed enhancing the human rights situation in North Korea. They emphasized the importance of international awareness and support for North Korean defectors, abductees, detainees, and prisoners of war. Kim Soo-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, February 21
Indians living along the border with strife-torn Myanmar protest restrictions on movement. Residents of Mizoram, India, protested against the end of visa-free travel to Myanmar, highlighting familial ties across the border. The Indian government's decision to construct a border fence and revoke travel freedoms for security reasons has sparked discontent among those with ethnic links to Myanmar. Wasbir Hussain, AP News, February 21
Kazakhstan achieves agro-export breakthrough with China. After extended negotiations, China has lifted its import bans on Kazakh meat, marking a significant development in bilateral trade. The agreement allows specific Kazakh producers to export up to 8,000 tons of frozen meat, overcoming previous restrictions due to foot-and-mouth disease. This breakthrough comes alongside a reported increase in Kazakh grain exports to China, despite logistical challenges at the border affecting trade flow. Eurasianet, February 21
Japan trade deficit halves to 1.76 tril. yen on record Jan. exports. Japan's January trade deficit was cut in half to 1.76 trillion yen, buoyed by record exports, especially of automobiles to the United States, alongside a decrease in energy imports. This marks a significant shift in Japan's trade balance, reflecting the country's resilience in navigating global economic challenges and fluctuating energy prices. The data points to a potential rebound in Japan's export-driven economy, despite ongoing global uncertainties. Kyodo News, February 21
EU agrees to blacklist Chinese firms for first time in latest Russian sanctions package. For the first time, the European Union has decided to blacklist Chinese companies as part of its sanctions against Russia. This decision, approved by EU ambassadors, targets entities accused of facilitating Russian access to goods with dual-use capabilities. The sanctioned firms include three from mainland China and one from Hong Kong, marking a significant policy shift as the EU seeks to prevent military support to Russia. Finbarr Bermingham, South China Morning Post, February 21
Uzbekistan plans $500M investment to boost Russian gas imports. Uzbekistan intends to invest $500 million to expand its gas transportation system, enabling a significant increase in Russian gas imports. This investment aims to support the country's growing demand for natural gas, as domestic production declines. The plan includes increasing imports to 32 million cubic meters per day, with funding from foreign lenders, marking a shift as Uzbekistan becomes a net gas importer. Eurasianet, February 21
Japan’s industry minister chides utility president over radioactive water leak at Fukushima plant. Japan's Industry Minister Ken Saito reprimanded TEPCO's President Tomoaki Kobayakawa for a recent radioactive water leak at the Fukushima plant. The incident adds to concerns as Japan plans to discharge treated wastewater into the sea, a sensitive issue both domestically and internationally. This development follows a series of human error-led mishaps at the plant, emphasizing the need for improved safety measures and digital technology to prevent future errors. Mari Yamaguchi, AP News, February 21
Long Form
Corruption in Malaysia: The No Shame Game. Despite being imprisoned for corruption, Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak is eyeing a political comeback. His sentence related to the 1MDB scandal was halved by the Royal Pardons Board, a move that has sparked controversy and debate over the government's selective anti-corruption efforts. This decision not only polarizes public opinion but also puts Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's anti-corruption campaign at risk. Sophie Lemière, The Diplomat, February 22
Xi and Putin Share a Trait: They Cannot Show Weakness. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin exhibit a shared reluctance to display any signs of vulnerability, underpinning their authoritarian governance styles. This trait is crucial as both leaders navigate internal and external pressures, with recent events highlighting their efforts to project strength. In Russia, the suspicious death of opposition figure Alexei Navalny and the aftermath of Yevgeny Prigozhin's rebellion puts on display Putin's resolve to eliminate dissent. Similarly, Xi's delay in convening a key economic meeting until he can assert his authority reflects a strategic calculation to project unwavering leadership. Katsuji Nakazawa, Nikkei Asia, February 22
Biden's Neglect of the Quad Carries Indo-Pacific Risks. President Joe Biden's initial enthusiasm for the Quad, comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, has waned, with no clear plan for future summits amid escalating regional security challenges. This pause in Quad activities, possibly until after the US presidential election, coincides with Biden's efforts to ease tensions with China, despite the latter's increased coercion in Taiwan and the South China Sea. The lack of progress in Quad's working groups on global issues suggests a need to refocus on its core mission: ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. Biden's strategy of engagement with China raises questions about the effectiveness of the Quad in countering Chinese expansionism and maintaining regional balance. Brahma Chellaney, Nikkei Asia, February 22
Canberra Ties the Knot with Washington. Over the past 25 years, Australia has navigated its relationship between China, its largest trading partner, and the United States, its key ally, with a strategy of balancing interests. However, recent shifts indicate a clear preference towards the United States in response to China's rising power. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's actions, including sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait and enhancing the AUKUS security partnership, signal a strategic pivot towards Washington. This realignment is driven by increasing concerns over China's assertiveness and the competitive nature of the Indo-Pacific region. Australia's reliance on the US for security and economic reasons, coupled with public support for the alliance, shows the deepening ties between Canberra and Washington, marking a significant departure from its previous stance of balancing between the two superpowers. George Boone, East Asia Forum, February 22
China's Strategic Rate Cut to Revitalize the Property Sector. The People's Bank of China's unexpected decision to reduce the five-year loan prime rate by 25 basis points, from 4.2% to 3.95%, aims to support the struggling property industry and stimulate the broader economy. This targeted approach, focusing on lending rates while maintaining the one-year loan prime rate at 3.45%, reflects a cautious strategy to avoid capital flight amidst high-interest rates in the United States. By encouraging banks to channel liquidity into critical sectors like small and medium-sized businesses and agriculture, China is leveraging a nuanced set of tools to foster economic growth without resorting to broad interest rate reductions. This move seeks to reinvigorate the housing market and address the challenges faced by developers and buyers, despite previous rate cuts not fully reversing the downturn in sales. South China Morning Post, February 22