Asia Daily: November 27, 2023
News
China, Japan, South Korea seek summit in latest bid to ease relations. China, Japan, and South Korea have agreed to rekindle cooperation and plan a summit to ease tensions between the neighboring countries. Annual summits, initially agreed upon in 2008, had been disrupted by two-way disputes and the COVID-19 pandemic. The foreign ministers of the three countries met in Busan to discuss cooperation in six areas, including security, economy, and technology. There were also bilateral talks addressing regional issues like North Korea's recent satellite launch and historical disputes. This move towards a trilateral summit signifies an effort to stabilize and strengthen diplomatic and economic relations in the region. Hyonhee Shin, Reuters, November 26
Chinese military urges ceasefire in Myanmar’s civil conflict as rebel group claims border trading point. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China has called for an immediate ceasefire in Myanmar's intensifying civil conflict following the claim of a border trading point by an armed ethnic group. PLA Daily stated China's commitment to maintaining border security and stability. In response to escalating tensions, the PLA commenced four days of live-fire drills in Yunnan province, bordering Myanmar. Despite not officially recognizing Myanmar's junta government, China has maintained diplomatic relations and urged measures to protect its interests in the region, amidst reports of Chinese casualties and damage due to the conflict. Kawala Xie, South China Morning Post, November 26
PM Kishida vows further efforts to realize summit with N. Korea leader. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has committed to stepping up efforts for an early summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, focusing on resolving the long-standing issue of Japanese nationals abducted by Pyongyang. Kishida expressed this commitment at a gathering in Tokyo, highlighting the importance of direct leadership in the initiative. This pledge comes amid historical efforts and informal contacts to address the abduction issue, which has been unresolved since the 1970s and 1980s. Kyodo News, November 26
Việt Nam treasures comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China: PM. Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has affirmed the country's commitment to fostering the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, highlighting it as a key priority in Vietnam's foreign policy. This statement was made during a reception for Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao in Hồ Chí Minh City. Both sides expressed satisfaction with their bilateral economic and trade cooperation, with China being Vietnam's largest trading partner since 2004. PM Chính proposed measures to enhance bilateral trade and investment, emphasizing the need for sustainable economic ties and suggesting improvements in infrastructure and supply chain connectivity between the two nations. Vietnam News, November 26
N. Korea appears to be restoring DMZ guard posts: Seoul officials. North Korea is reportedly restoring guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), an action seen following its pledge to resume military measures suspended under the 2018 inter-Korean agreement. South Korean military officials have observed increased activities, including heavily armed North Korean soldiers working on guard posts since Friday. This development comes in response to Seoul's partial suspension of the 2018 accord after North Korea's military spy satellite launch. The 2018 agreement had led to the destruction of several guard posts to reduce tensions, but recent activities indicate a potential restoration of all guard posts for surveillance purposes. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, November 26
President Võ Văn Thưởng sets off for official visit to Japan. Vietnamese President Võ Văn Thưởng embarked on a four-day official visit to Japan from Hà Nội on November 26, marking his first visit and the fourth by a Vietnamese President since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations 50 years ago. The visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of Việt Nam-Japan diplomatic relations and the 9th anniversary of their upgraded extensive strategic partnership. President Thưởng is accompanied by a high-ranking delegation, signaling the importance of the visit in strengthening bilateral ties between Việt Nam and Japan. Vietnam News, November 26
Indian drug manufacturers benefit from Big Pharma interest beyond China. Indian pharmaceutical companies are gaining increased interest from global drugmakers looking to diversify their supply chains away from China. This shift, driven by concerns over dependency on Chinese contractors for clinical trial drugs and early-stage manufacturing, is seeing a rise in demand for Indian Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs). Despite growth in sales and interest, Indian CDMOs face challenges, including concerns over regulatory oversight. The transition to Indian manufacturers, while beneficial, is gradual, with Chinese CDMOs still being key players in biologic drug production. Maggie Fick, Andrew Silver, and Rishika Sadam, Reuters, November 26
South Korea's top intelligence officials resign. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol accepted the resignation of the head of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Kim Kyou-hyun, along with his two deputies on November 26. While no specific reasons were provided for the resignations, they are speculated to be related to personnel management issues within the NIS. Kim, a diplomat specializing in US and North Korea affairs, had led the NIS since May 2022. This reshuffle in the intelligence leadership occurs amidst North Korea's accelerated weapons development, highlighted by its recent placement of a military satellite into orbit. Channel News Asia, November 26
Taiwan election 2024: DPP senses victory in ‘perfect match’ Lai-Hsiao ticket but for Beijing it might ‘mean war’. Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) foresees a potential victory in the upcoming election with the Lai-Hsiao ticket, seen as a complementary pairing for the presidency. However, this development is met with concern from Beijing, viewing it as a pro-independence move that could escalate cross-strait tensions. While the US finds the Lai-Hsiao ticket acceptable, aligning with its stance against authoritarianism, Beijing warns of potential conflict. Despite these tensions, Hsiao reiterates Taiwan's openness to dialogue and commitment to maintaining the status quo, emphasizing that war is not a solution. Lawrence Chung, South China Morning Post, November 26
Kamikawa conveys ‘comfort women’ stance to South Korean envoy. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa expressed strong regret over a recent South Korean court ruling in favor of former "comfort women" seeking compensation from Tokyo. During a bilateral meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin in Busan, Kamikawa urged Seoul to take appropriate measures, citing the ruling as "absolutely unacceptable" and contrary to international law and bilateral agreements. The term "comfort women" refers to individuals who suffered under Japan's military brothel system before and during World War II. The Japan Times, November 26
Long Form
ASEAN Tourism Banks on Year-End Boost After Weak Chinese Return. ASEAN countries, particularly Thailand, are facing challenges due to the slow return of Chinese tourists, a key source of tourism revenue. The economic weakness in China and domestic promotions are keeping Chinese tourists at home. Thailand's tourism sector, heavily reliant on Chinese visitors, is experiencing a significant shortfall, with Chinese arrivals expected to reach only a third of the pre-pandemic level this year. This situation is compounded by concerns over tourist safety and scams, highlighted by the recent death of a Chinese tourist in Bangkok. ASEAN nations are now looking towards the year-end holiday season, hoping for a boost in tourism to mitigate these challenges. Francesca Regalado, Nikkei Asia, November 24
Japan’s Intervention in a Taiwan Contingency: It Depends. Japan's stance on intervening in a potential Taiwan conflict is complex and contingent on various factors. The country, facing increased threats from Russia, North Korea, and China, has been moving towards a more assertive defense posture. This shift includes a particular focus on Taiwan and the possibility of Tokyo's involvement in a future Strait conflict. The decision to intervene would heavily depend on the nature of the conflict's initiation and the United States' response. Japan's evolving defense strategy reflects its need to balance regional security concerns with its historical pacifist stance, making its potential involvement in a Taiwan contingency a subject of significant strategic consideration. William Choong, The Diplomat, November 24
Vietnam Communist Party Chief Vows to Hasten Anti-Graft Campaign. Nguyen Phu Trong, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), has committed to intensifying the party's anti-corruption efforts. This pledge follows the recent exposure of a massive $12.5 billion financial scandal involving a real estate firm in Ho Chi Minh City. Trong emphasized the need for a more efficient and long-term approach to combating corruption. The CPV's renewed focus on anti-corruption measures reflects its determination to address systemic graft issues, which have significant implications for Vietnam's political and economic landscape. Sebastian Strangio, The Diplomat, November 24
How the Taiwan Opposition Alliance Talks Fell Apart. The pan-Blue camp's efforts to form an alliance between the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) and Kuomintang (KMT) ended abruptly in a dramatic televised dispute. The major opposition candidates, Hou Yu-ih of the KMT, Ko Wen-je of the TPP, and independent candidate Terry Gou, failed to reach an agreement on who would lead as the presidential candidate and who would take the vice-presidential role. This breakdown in talks led to Gou withdrawing from the election, while Hou and Ko registered to run separately. This development has significant implications for Taiwan's political landscape, particularly in the context of the upcoming presidential election where the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)’s candidate, current Vice President William Lai, is a key contender. Brian Hioe, The Diplomat, November 27
America and China Are Not Yet in a Cold War. The notion that the world is entering a new Cold War, this time between the United States and China, has gained traction, particularly in Washington. The relationship between these two superpowers has grown increasingly contentious as China's power has surged since the early 2010s. However, the current situation, while bearing some Cold War resemblances, also differs significantly. The economic interdependence between the U.S. and China, and the lack of China's interest in exporting its version of Marxism, mark key differences from the U.S.-Soviet dynamic. The U.S.-China relationship, if managed well, could foster global stability, but if mishandled, it could lead to a situation worse than the Cold War. The recent meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden offers hope for a stable trajectory, emphasizing the need for understanding and managing the unique aspects of this U.S.-China competition. Wang Jisi, Foreign Affairs, November 23