News
China’s graft-busters to ‘delve deep’ in new round of corruption inspections. China is embarking on a fresh series of corruption inspections, emphasizing the identification of "potential major risks." Following crackdowns in the financial, sports, and medical sectors, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) plans to inspect five government departments and 26 state-owned enterprises, with a pronounced focus on the tech sector. These inspections aim to pinpoint significant security risks, especially in light of China's intensifying tech rivalry with the US and other Western nations. By Jane Cai for South China Morning Post, October 12
Exclusive: Combat veteran is likely replacement for China's missing defence minister. General Liu Zhenli, head of the military body overseeing China's combat operations and planning, is the leading candidate to replace China's defense minister, who hasn't been seen publicly for over six weeks. The potential appointment of Liu to succeed Defence Minister Li Shangfu could enhance military engagement with the U.S. amidst regional tensions. Li's absence is unexplained, but reports suggest he might be under investigation for corrupt military equipment procurement in a prior role. Reuters, October 12
Japan fast-tracks US Tomahawk missiles purchase. Japan is accelerating its acquisition of US-made Tomahawk missiles in response to growing threats from North Korea and China. After a meeting at the Pentagon between Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Japan decided to expedite its purchase of Tomahawk cruise missiles by a year. By 2027, Japan plans to equip all eight of its Aegis destroyers with Tomahawks. By Gabriel Honrada for Asia Times, October 12
N Korea’s Kim wishes Russia’s Putin victory against ‘imperialists’. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin have exchanged letters, celebrating their countries' strengthening ties. This correspondence comes a month after Kim's notable visit to Russia. In his letter, Kim expressed satisfaction with their discussions in Russia and conveyed his wishes for Putin's triumph over the "imperialists’ anti-Russia scheme." Both leaders emphasized the deepening relationship between their nations. The letters were exchanged in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of their bilateral relations. Al Jazeera, October 12
Japan's government will ask court to revoke legal status of Unification Church. This decision comes in the wake of concerns raised about the church's fundraising and recruitment methods following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Education Minister Masahito Moriyama mentioned that the ministry's proposal to seek revocation was based on interviews with over 170 individuals who claimed to have been harmed by the church's tactics. If the church loses its legal status, it would no longer benefit from tax exemptions as a religious organization, though it can still operate. By Mari Yamaguchi for AP News, October 12
India reiterates call for ‘sovereign, independent, viable state of Palestine’. India has reaffirmed its support for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the "obligation" to uphold humanitarian principles in this context. The statement comes as India initiates Operation Ajay, a mission to evacuate its citizens from conflict-affected Israel. India has labeled the recent strike against Israel as a "terrorist attack," it has not explicitly labeled Hamas as a terrorist organization. By Kallol Bhattacherjee for The Hindu, October 12
Yoon vows to sternly respond to N. Korea's threats through S. Korea-U.S. alliance. On October 12, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea pledged a firm response to North Korea's escalating nuclear and missile threats, emphasizing the strength of the South Korea-U.S. alliance. He assured that the government will counter North Korea's provocations and threats, rooted in the robust alliance with the U.S. Yoon also emphasized the importance of security cooperation between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, aiming to promote global freedom, peace, and prosperity. By Lee Haye-ah for Yonhap News Agency, October 12
Việt Nam, Japan eye stronger defence cooperation. Senior Lieutenant General Nguyễn Tân Cương, Chief of the General Staff of the Việt Nam People’s Army (VPA) and Deputy Defence Minister, met with Japanese Defence Minister Kihara Minoru in Tokyo. The meeting focused on deepening defense cooperation between the two nations. Both sides recognized the growth in their defence cooperation, highlighting delegation exchanges, dialogue mechanisms, and collaboration in the defense industry. They also discussed peace, security, and the importance of resolving disputes peacefully in the East Sea (South China Sea) in accordance with international law. Vietnam News, October 12
PH beefs up naval presence in WPS. The Philippines has dispatched an additional warship, the Davao del Sur, to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to bolster its presence amidst growing incursions by Chinese vessels. This move is in response to the increasing number of Chinese militia vessels in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is also planning to enhance its installations on various islands and is considering the acquisition of the Indian-made BrahMos cruise missile system for coastal defense. By Francisco Tuyay for The Manila Times, October 13
Long Form
How Xi Jinping Haunts Remote Hokkaido Fishing Towns. Fishermen in Hokkaido, Japan, are feeling the impact of China's politics as Beijing bans imports of Japanese fishery products. The ban, believed to be influenced by Xi Jinping, has led to falling prices for luxury sea cucumbers and scallops, previously lucrative exports to China. The fishermen are now closely monitoring Xi's actions, as their livelihoods and the region's economy are tied to Chinese demand. Katsuji Nakazawa, Nikkei Asia, October 12
What the U.S. Must Learn from Taiwan to Rebuild a Computer Chip Business. Taiwan's semiconductor sector thrives due to a complex ecosystem of skilled labor and strong networks of small- and medium-sized enterprises. The U.S. faces challenges in revitalizing its semiconductor industry and could adopt Taiwan's model of collaborative competition to foster innovation and retain talent, especially in the face of rising competition from government-backed chipmakers in China. Margaret Siu, The China Project, October 12
Maldives' Presidential Election Was Not a Referendum on India or China. The presidential election in the Maldives was influenced by local political dynamics and domestic issues rather than by a geopolitical struggle between India and China. The concerns of Maldivian voters were primarily domestic, such as housing, corruption, and economic growth. Mimrah Abdul Ghafoor, The Diplomat, October 12
Strange Bedfellows Form Thailand's Ruling Government. Thailand's political landscape has been reshaped by an unusual alliance between the populist Pheu Thai Party and conservative political parties, including Palang Pracharat. The coalition has led to a mix of pro-democracy and pro-royalist ministers in the new cabinet. This has left many Thais questioning their political loyalties, as the alliance appears fragile and could disintegrate at any moment. Daungyewa Utarasint, East Asia Forum, October 13