Asia Daily: November 14, 2023
News
Biden, China's Xi will discuss communication, competition at APEC summit. At the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to engage in discussions aimed at strengthening communication and responsibly managing competition. The White House anticipates the talks to focus on fundamental elements of the U.S.-PRC bilateral relationship, emphasizing the need to prevent competition from escalating into conflict. Specific outcomes, such as reestablishing military ties and addressing the fentanyl trade issue, are high on the agenda. This meeting, the first in-person interaction between the two leaders since 2017, is expected to cover global issues including the Israel-Hamas war, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, North Korea's ties with Russia, Taiwan, human rights, artificial intelligence, and fair trade and economic relations. The leaders come to the table amid mutual suspicion and uncertainty about each other's intentions. Steve Holland and Nandita Bose, Reuters, November 13
Senator asks Treasury to bar Chinese battery firms, minerals from US EV tax credits. U.S. Senator Joe Manchin has called on the Treasury Department to implement stringent standards to exclude Chinese-produced minerals and battery companies from benefiting from U.S. electric vehicle tax credits. Manchin, chair of the Senate Energy Committee, expressed concern over Chinese battery companies actively seeking to leverage these credits, warning against what he termed as "mineral laundering" by adversaries. This move reflects growing scrutiny and strategic positioning in the evolving global electric vehicle market. David Shepardson, Reuters, November 13
Yoon meets International Criminal Court chief. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Piotr Hofmanski, chief of the International Criminal Court (ICC), to explore ways for South Korea to support the ICC and promote the international criminal justice system. Yoon emphasized South Korea's commitment to a rules-based international order upholding freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. He also acknowledged the ICC's crucial role in addressing serious global crimes. Foreign Minister Park Jin also held a separate meeting with Hofmanski, discussing cooperation with the ICC and various global issues, including the Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and human rights in North Korea. Kim Seung-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, November 13
Nepal to ban TikTok as it ‘disturbs social harmony’. Nepal has decided to ban the popular video-sharing app TikTok, citing concerns over its misuse that disrupts social harmony, family structures, and social relations. The ban decision, announced by Nepal's Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, follows the registration of over 1,600 TikTok-related cybercrime cases in the country in the last four years. The Nepal Telecom Authority has instructed internet service providers to shut down the app, with some already implementing the ban. Opposition leaders in Nepal criticized the government's move as lacking in maturity and responsibility and potentially stifling freedom of expression. They argue for regulation rather than outright restriction of social media platforms. Al Jazeera, November 13
Xi-Biden summit: heed China’s Taiwan red line and ‘everything else’ is on the table with US, former envoy Cui Tiankai says. At the Family Business Summit in Hong Kong, former Chinese ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, stressed that Beijing is open to negotiations with Washington on various issues, provided the one-China principle regarding Taiwan is respected. Cui, who served as ambassador from 2013 to 2021, emphasized the importance of this principle, stating that as long as it is not challenged, there is no need for the use of force, and all other matters can be negotiated. However, he warned that if the one-China principle is undermined, the risk of war would significantly increase. The summit featured discussions on the impacts of technological advancements and geopolitical risks, including US-China tensions, on business and wealth management. Kawala Xie and Jack Lau, South China Morning Post, November 14
Japanese senior vice finance minister quits over unpaid taxes. Japan's senior vice finance minister, Kenji Kanda, resigned amid a tax scandal, causing further trouble for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's administration, which has been grappling with low approval ratings. Kanda, a House of Representatives lawmaker from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, acknowledged that his company failed to pay taxes, leading to the seizure of property on several occasions between 2013 and 2022. The resignation was Kanda's effort to avoid disrupting parliamentary proceedings, despite his initial refusal to step down. His departure follows the resignations of two other Kishida-appointed politicians over separate scandals. Kishida, facing criticism over these appointments, has pledged to restore public trust. The opposition criticized Kanda's actions and raised questions about Kishida's responsibility in appointing him. Kanda's successor, Ryosei Akazawa, was appointed following the acceptance of his resignation. Kyodo News, November 13
Tea and nickel are on the agenda as Biden hosts Indonesia’s president. President Joe Biden is set to host Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the White House. The meeting will focus on formalizing a new strategic partnership and expanding trade, especially in critical minerals like nickel, essential for electric vehicle batteries. The talks aim to enhance cooperation on clean energy, economic prosperity, regional peace, and stability. Discussions are also expected to touch on Middle Eastern issues, given Indonesia's significant Muslim population and Widodo's recent participation in a summit in Riyadh, where he called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Chris Megerian, AP News, November 13
Việt Nam prioritises enhancing cooperation with Cambodia: President. President Võ Văn Thưởng of Việt Nam emphasized the country's commitment to strengthening ties with Cambodia, highlighting it as a priority in foreign policy. This statement came during his meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Tea Seiha in Hà Nội. President Thưởng called for enhanced cooperation between the defence ministries of the two nations, focusing on information sharing, officer training, and border management. He also encouraged military exchanges to facilitate experience sharing in armed forces development. Gen. Tea Seiha acknowledged the vital partnership with Vietnam's Ministry of National Defence and expressed gratitude for Vietnam's support to Cambodia. Vietnam News, Vietnam News, November 13
Myanmar army faces a new challenge as an armed ethnic group opens a new front in a western state. The Myanmar military government is confronting a new challenge as the Arakan Army, part of an alliance gaining ground in the northeast, launched attacks in Rakhine state. Despite a yearlong ceasefire, surprise assaults were carried out on Border Guard Police outposts in Rathedaung township. The Arakan Army spokesperson claimed the seizure of two military outposts and the surrender of over 20 police officers. Local media reported ongoing clashes between the Arakan Army and the military in multiple townships. The Arakan Army, representing the Rakhine ethnic minority, seeks autonomy and is known for its past confrontations with the military, notably the 2017 operation against Rohingya Muslims. The recent offensives in northern Shan state, involving the Three Brotherhood Alliance, represent a significant escalation and a potential new front for Myanmar's regime, already battling nationwide uprisings and pro-democracy resistance since the 2021 coup. Grant Peck, AP News, November 13
Long Form
Kazakhstan’s First Go at Direct Elections of District Mayors. On November 5, Kazakhstan held its inaugural direct elections for district-level mayors, termed akims, in three towns and 42 provincial districts, transitioning from an indirect election system. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev authorized this change in May 2021, starting with village akim elections. The ruling party, Amanat, won about 82% of the races, while independents and three opposition parties secured the remaining seats. The election results reflect a significant step in Kazakhstan's experiment with democratically-elected local governance. Colleen Wood, The Diplomat, November 14
Xi-Biden Summit: Why the US Push for Military Guard Rails with China Could Be a Near Miss. During the recent Xi-Biden summit, the U.S. aimed to establish crisis management safeguards with China, including a reconnected hotline, amidst rising tensions. However, Chinese officials view these mechanisms as constraints on their actions, with little interest in adhering to them. A Pentagon report highlighted over 180 risky Chinese military maneuvers against U.S. forces in two years, exceeding the previous decade's total. Past U.S.-China agreements, like the Defence Policy Coordination Talks, have deteriorated, especially after U.S. actions perceived as provocative by China. Experts warn that the growing risks and mistrust could escalate tensions, despite the small likelihood of unintended conflict. Mark Magnier, South China Morning Post, November 14
China’s Leaders Will Seek to Exploit Global Divisions in 2024. In 2024, China's leaders, led by Xi Jinping, will pursue a dual strategy aimed at challenging the American-led world order while positioning China as a defender of global unity. They plan to critique the West for instigating a new cold war and erecting trade barriers, potentially jeopardizing globalization. Concurrently, China will portray itself as a guardian of the UN Charter's principles, focusing on state sovereignty and downplaying individual rights. This approach includes leveraging the Ukraine conflict and navigating the complexities of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. China will balance criticizing Western policies and seeking cooperation in areas like climate change, all while managing its relationship with Russia and carefully navigating its international image during the American election cycle. David Rennie, The Economist, November 13
Jokowi’s Meeting with Biden: Deliverables and Challenges. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, met with U.S. President Joe Biden during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. This meeting symbolized the increasing strategic importance of Indonesia in Southeast Asia, a region often overlooked by previous U.S. administrations. The leaders were expected to strengthen their new defense cooperation agreement, reflecting Indonesia's concerns about Chinese territorial assertiveness. Discussions on semiconductor industry development and critical minerals, where Indonesia holds significant resources, were also anticipated. However, internal Indonesian politics, including democratic backsliding under Jokowi and the rising influence of Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, a potential future president with a controversial human rights record, were likely omitted from the talks. Joshua Kurlantzick, Council on Foreign Relations, November 13
How America Should React to China’s Economic Slowdown. Despite long-standing signs of deceleration, the extent of China's economic downturn, exacerbated by COVID-19 and a contracting property sector, has caught Washington off guard. The authors argue that the U.S. should not exploit China's economic difficulties for short-term gains but should hold Beijing accountable for its policies and that the U.S. should strive to demonstrate that China's economic challenges are self-inflicted due to excessive state intervention and insufficient market liberalization. This approach would counter Beijing's narrative of U.S. containment and allow Washington to offer a constructive alternative to countries influenced by China's economic model. Daniel Rosen and Logan Wright, Foreign Affairs, November 13