Asia Daily: January 3, 2025
Chinese officials urged not to ignore public opinion and criticism. Officials in China have been warned against dismissing public opinion and relying solely on censorship to address criticism. A post by Zhejiang province's Communist Party publicity branch emphasized that mishandling online outcries could lead to crises and undermine social stability. Quoting Xi Jinping’s remarks on the importance of internet governance, it criticized officials for prioritizing bureaucracy over addressing issues and failing to engage with online discussions. The post urged cadres to use the internet to gauge public sentiment, collect feedback, and proactively address concerns, warning against silence or dismissive responses. Leopold Chen, South China Morning Post, January 3
South Korean presidential guards prevent arrest of impeached Yoon after tense stand-off. A six-hour stand-off on Friday at the presidential compound in Seoul ended without authorities arresting impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. Presidential Security Service (PSS) personnel and troops blocked Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) officials attempting to execute an arrest warrant for insurrection over Yoon's brief martial law declaration on December 3. The CIO withdrew, citing safety concerns, and criticized Yoon's non-compliance. Investigators may target PSS leadership for obstruction, while the warrant remains valid until Jan. 6. Hyunsu Yim, Eduardo Baptista, and Joyce Lee, Reuters, January 2
Constitutional Court schedules Yoon’s first hearing. South Korea's Constitutional Court has completed preparations for the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol, setting the first hearing for January 14 at 2 p.m. If Yoon does not attend, a second hearing will be held on January 16, after which proceedings can continue without him. Yoon’s legal team submitted partial responses, citing plans to present key evidence regarding martial law circumstances during the hearing. Tensions flared between the National Assembly and Yoon’s defense over the trial’s pace, with Yoon’s team urging caution and the Assembly accusing them of distorting the trial’s nature. Author, The Dong-A Ilbo, January 4
Biden blocks acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel. President Joe Biden has prohibited Nippon Steel's $14.1 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel, citing national security concerns. The decision, the first of its kind involving a Japanese firm, mandates that both companies abandon the deal within 30 days. Biden emphasized the importance of keeping major U.S. steel producers under domestic control to safeguard critical supply chains. Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel condemned the move, hinting at legal action, while Japan's government called the decision "incomprehensible." Kyodo News, January 3
Yoon's team claims immunity from insurrection charges, citing Trump ruling. Suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's legal team argued Friday that his impeachment trial is unwarranted, claiming presidential immunity similar to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Donald Trump. They stated Yoon's six-hour martial law declaration on Dec. 3 was a constitutional exercise of power during a national emergency and did not infringe on citizens' basic rights. The Constitutional Court, which has 180 days to decide whether to remove Yoon, will begin oral arguments on Jan. 14. Oh Seok-min, Yonhap News Agency, January 3
Presidential threshold scrapped for better democracy: MPR. Deputy Chairperson of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Hidayat Nur Wahid praised the Constitutional Court's decision to abolish the presidential and vice-presidential nomination thresholds, calling it a step toward improving democracy in Indonesia. He said the move aligns with public aspirations and the 1945 Constitution, allowing for broader candidate options and reducing societal divisions caused by the 20-percent threshold. Wahid urged the House of Representatives and the government to revise the Election Law accordingly and suggested similar reforms for regional elections to further enhance democratic practices. Antara News, January 3.
U.S. sanctions Chinese cybersecurity firm for alleged role in Beijing-sponsored hacks. The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned Integrity Technology Group, a Beijing-based cybersecurity firm, for allegedly aiding Chinese government-sponsored cyberattacks targeting U.S. critical infrastructure. Linked to the hacking group Flax Typhoon, active since 2021, the firm is accused of involvement in multiple intrusions, including recent breaches of U.S. Treasury systems. Beijing denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated. The sanctions aim to disrupt these threats and bolster cybersecurity defenses. Laura Zhou, South China Morning Post, January 3
Philippines' Marcos drops estranged VP Duterte from security council. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has removed Vice President Sara Duterte from the National Security Council (NSC) in a reorganization aimed at bolstering the institution's resilience and ensuring members prioritize national security. The December 30 order also excludes former presidents from the council and grants Marcos the authority to appoint other officials or private citizens. Duterte, facing impeachment complaints over alleged graft and misconduct, has denied the charges. Karen Lema and Mikhail Flores, Reuters, January 3
Wan pledges to get PM to answer MPs. Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha vowed to push Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to address MPs' questions personally, following criticism from opposition members over her absences during parliamentary interpellations. Wan stressed the importance of government accountability and warned that avoiding these sessions could harm public trust. Drawing on his own experience, he encouraged the Prime Minister to see interpellations as opportunities to clarify policies and counter allegations. Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, January 4
Kazakhstan enhanced military capabilities in 2024. Kazakhstan advanced its military modernization in 2024 by acquiring Buk-M2E and Tor-M2K air defense systems, Rosa-RB radars from Belarus, and domestically produced Nur radar stations. The military also added 53 Arlan armored vehicles, 45 Cobra II vehicles, and an A400M military transport aircraft. A high-speed landing boat was launched in Aktau, while 85 military assets were repaired or upgraded. These efforts align with the 2022 military doctrine focusing on air defense and domestic production. Kazakhstan ranked 58th in the 2024 Global Firepower Index. Sergey Kwan, The Times of Central Asia, January 3
China-Laos Railway marks new milestone on Thursday, transporting 50 million tons of goods since its launch in 2021. The China-Laos Railway has surpassed 50 million tons of cargo transported since its 2021 launch, with cross-border freight now averaging 18 trains daily. This year alone, 19.6 million tons were moved, including 4.78 million tons of cross-border goods. Enhanced efficiency measures like pre-declarations and 5G technology have cut clearance times significantly. The railway integrates with 19 countries and connects 31 Chinese provinces, reducing delivery times to Europe via innovative multimodal freight models. Vientiane Times, January 4
India says it conveyed concerns to China over hydropower dam in Tibet. India has raised objections to China's plan to construct a massive hydropower dam in Tibet on the Yarlung Zangbo river, which flows into India as the Brahmaputra. Indian officials urged China to avoid harming downstream states, citing potential environmental and water supply impacts. The dam, projected to produce 300 billion kilowatt-hours annually, was approved last month. India also protested China's creation of two counties, one in a disputed area claimed by India. While relations have improved since troop pullbacks in the Himalayas, tensions remain over territorial disputes. Sakshi Dayal and Sudipto Ganguly, Reuters, January 3
Taiwan proposes outlawing political party devoted to unification with mainland China. Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior has called for the dissolution of the China Unification Promotion Party (CUPP), citing its alleged ties to organized crime and threats to national security. The ministry claims CUPP, led by ex-gang leader Chang An-lo, engaged in illegal activities, including obstruction of justice and human trafficking. Prosecutors also accuse the party of receiving funding from China to influence elections. The proposal marks the first attempt in decades to disband a Taiwanese political party. Xinlu Liang, South China Morning Post, January 3
Supporters of South Korea's Yoon adopt 'Stop the Steal', hope Trump will help. Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have adopted "Stop the Steal" slogans popularized by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's backers, with some expressing hope Trump will support Yoon. Protesters rallied outside Yoon's residence on Friday, holding English signs and American flags, while echoing claims of election fraud. Yoon’s martial law declaration cited alleged North Korean hacking of the election commission, though no evidence has been presented. Trump has not commented on Yoon's situation. Hyunsu Yim, Eduardo Baptista, and Minwoo Park, Reuters, January 3
China aiming for more export curbs after bans on U.S. defense contractors. China plans to expand export restrictions on advanced technologies, including those used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and critical minerals like lithium and gallium, according to the Ministry of Commerce. Proposed limits target lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery production technologies and phosphate-based cathode materials, which are crucial for EVs and energy storage. The move follows a ban on dual-use exports to 28 U.S. defense contractors and aligns with Beijing's efforts to counter U.S.-led restrictions on China's tech growth. Alyssa Chen, South China Morning Post, January 3
N.K. describes S. Korea as politically paralyzed, chaotic after Yoon's impeachment. North Korea's state media reported on South Korea's political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, labeling the nation as politically paralyzed and socially chaotic. The Korean Central News Agency detailed events such as Yoon's detention warrant, acting President Han Duck-soo's impeachment, and critiques from foreign media. The report, published in the Rodong Sinmun, appears aimed at contrasting North Korea's stability with South Korea's unrest. Park Boram, Yonhap News Agency, January 3
Blocking the Nippon Steel Acquisition: Politics Versus Policy. President Joe Biden’s reported decision to block Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel appears to prioritize political considerations over sound policy. The decision could undermine three key Biden administration priorities: strengthening U.S. economic competitiveness, maintaining strong alliances, and preserving the credibility of national security tools like CFIUS. Blocking the deal would forfeit Nippon Steel's proposed investments to modernize U.S. Steel's unprofitable operations, potentially chilling foreign investment. It may also strain relations with Japan, a critical ally, by signaling distrust despite Japan's alignment with U.S. economic security goals. Furthermore, categorizing the acquisition as a national security threat risks weakening CFIUS's credibility and setting a precedent for protectionism. Politically, the move seems unlikely to garner significant voter support in key states, making the trade-off between politics and policy a losing proposition on both fronts. Matthew P. Goodman, Council on Foreign Relations, January 3
Regional partnerships can power a resilient Asia Pacific hydrogen ecosystem. The COP29 Hydrogen Declaration shows hydrogen as a critical pillar for decarbonisation, with a focus on scaling renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production for industrial sectors. Asia Pacific countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, are poised to lead this transition, driven by their high industrial hydrogen demand. However, challenges such as high production costs, policy fragmentation, and limited domestic production capacity necessitate a robust regional hydrogen ecosystem supported by cross-border investments and cooperation. Innovations like Taiwan’s advanced deionised water technologies and Australia’s renewable hydrogen strategies showcase potential synergies. Multilateral frameworks, such as Japan’s AZEC initiative, aim to unify efforts but face criticism for integrating fossil fuel technologies. Building a resilient supply chain requires clear policy definitions, technological advancements, and collaboration beyond traditional partnerships to ensure economic viability and energy security. Tsaiying Lu, Sonia Su, Alex Liu, Chen-Yen Chang, and Elizabeth Frost, East Asia Forum, January 4
Stronger cultural ties needed to deepen ASEAN–EU cooperation in a polarised world. Amid rising global polarisation, improving cultural ties between ASEAN and the European Union is essential to deepen their strategic partnership and mutual understanding. Although ASEAN–EU collaboration spans over 45 years, cultural exchanges remain limited, hindered by logistical, financial, and structural barriers. Bureaucratic hurdles, income disparities, and low regional visibility further restrict meaningful "people-to-people" connections. A dedicated cultural cooperation framework, prioritising professional development, mobility, and exchange opportunities, can bridge these gaps, as evidenced by successful cultural initiatives in other regions like the Arctic Arts Summit. Embedding cultural initiatives into ASEAN–EU strategic frameworks, supported by targeted budgets and pilot programs, can strengthen diplomatic ties, reduce biases, and promote social inclusion. Such collaboration is crucial for tackling shared global challenges while respecting regional differences and creating grassroots engagement. David Ocon and Lluis Bonet, East Asia Forum, January 3
China vs India: Economic Outreach to Central Asia. China and India both seek stronger economic ties with Central Asia to support their growth and energy needs. China has significantly increased its influence in the region through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), leading to substantial investments and infrastructure projects that have deepened its economic presence. In contrast, India's engagement has been more limited, hindered by geographical challenges and less extensive investment. While both nations aim to increase connectivity and access to Central Asian markets and resources, China's strategic initiatives have positioned it as a more dominant economic partner in the region. Daniel Balazs, The Diplomat, January 3
From 'Chubby Bear' to Censored Content: Vietnam's Double Standard Approach to TikTok. Vietnam enforces strict censorship on TikTok to protect its leaders' reputations while simultaneously utilizing the platform to amplify pro-government narratives. Affectionate portrayals of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as "Gau U" ("Chubby Bear") flourish online, yet content critical of national leaders faces severe penalties, including fines and content removal. This dual approach demonstrates the regime's calculated control over digital spaces, compelling platforms like TikTok to comply with censorship demands. Recent government figures indicate that TikTok's compliance rate with content removal requests has reached 93%, aligning with other platforms such as Facebook and YouTube. While pro-leader content gains traction, this strategy raises concerns about the suppression of dissenting voices and the broader implications for freedom of expression in Vietnam. Dien Nguyen An Luong, FULCRUM, January 3