News
US Ambassador to Japan calls Chinese ban on Japanese seafood 'economic coercion'. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel has accused China of using "economic coercion" against Japan by banning imports of Japanese seafood in response to the release of treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant. While Chinese boats continue to fish off Japan's coasts, the ban has severely impacted Japan's fishing industry. Emanuel stated that China's intention is to isolate Japan and described the ban as the latest example of China's economic coercion. By Mari Yamaguchi for AP News, September 22
Gases from Philippine volcano sicken dozens of children, prompting school closures in nearby towns. Smog-containing gases from the Taal Volcano in the Philippines has led to the illness of dozens of students and caused 25 towns and cities to close their schools as a health precaution. While there is no imminent threat of a major eruption, the emission of sulfur dioxide-laden steam has resulted in skin, throat, and eye irritation for at least 45 students. Classes have been suspended to keep students safely at home, and some schools have resumed online classes. AP News, September 22
Thousands of teachers protest in Nepal against education bill, shutting schools across the country. Schools for millions of students in Nepal were closed as tens of thousands of teachers protested against an education reform bill. The teachers oppose provisions that would shift government-run schools to local control, saying it would lower their status and scrap many temporary teacher positions. The protest led to the closure of about 29,000 public schools attended by millions of students across the country. By Binaj Gurubacharya for AP News, September 22
Vanuatu to miss Pacific Islands summit with Biden, White House official says. Vanuatu Prime Minister Sato Kilman won't attend a Pacific Islands summit with U.S. President Joe Biden next week. The absence is due to the need for all government lawmakers to be in parliament on Monday for a no-confidence vote. The decision comes amid increasing geopolitical tensions in the Pacific, where Vanuatu has been a key player. By Kirsty Needham for Reuters, September 22
US finalizes rules to prevent China from benefiting from $52 billion in chip funding. The U.S. Commerce Department has issued final rules aimed at preventing semiconductor manufacturing subsidies from being used by China and other countries that pose national security concerns to the United States. The move is part of a broader strategy to safeguard American technological advancements and comes after the rules were first proposed in March. By David Shepardson for Reuters, September 22
President Tokayev’s visit to US seen as strategic diplomatic endeavor. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan recently concluded a visit to the United States. During his trip, he engaged in high-profile meetings, including discussions with American businesses and an address to the United Nations General Assembly. He also participated in a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden. The visit focused on strengthening diplomatic relations, enhancing business ties, and discussing global governance reforms. By Aruzhan Ualikhanova for The Astana Times, September 22
China and US set up finance and economic discussion channels. The two countries have established joint working groups focused on finance and the economy, marking a significant step in easing trade tensions between the two nations. The initiative comes under the leadership of Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. These working groups aim to hold regular and ad hoc meetings to enhance communication and share views on economic and financial matters. By Jack Lau and Robert Delaney for South China Morning Post, September 22
Election delay in Pakistan raises doubts of ‘free and fair’ vote. The announcement that Pakistan's general elections will now take place in late January has garnered mixed reactions from political parties and analysts. Concerns have been raised about the fairness of the upcoming elections, especially given the delay past the constitutionally required 90-day period after the dissolution of the parliament. The lack of a specific date has fueled skepticism and worries about the caretaker government's ability to hold transparent elections. By Abid Hussain for Al Jazeera, September 22
China's Xi calls on West to lift sanctions against war-ravaged Syria. Xi Jinping has called on Western countries to lift sanctions on Syria and has offered Beijing's assistance in rebuilding the country. The announcement came during a rare meeting with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Hangzhou, China. Xi also announced an upgrade in ties to a "strategic partnership," implying closer coordination on regional and international affairs. By Joe Cash for Reuters, September 22
Spat over visas for Indian Asian Games athletes sparks diplomatic row between New Delhi and Beijing. A long-standing border dispute between India and China has left three Indian martial arts competitors unable to attend the Asian Games in Hangzhou. The athletes, from India’s eastern Arunachal Pradesh—which China claims in its entirety—were given visas stapled to their passports, unlike the rest of India’s team. The issue has sparked a diplomatic row between the two countries, with India filing a protest in both New Delhi and Beijing. By David Rising for AP News, September 22
Long Form
Huawei’s Made-in-China Smartphone Has Washington Scratching Its Head. Huawei's new Mate 60 Pro smartphone features a 7-nanometer processor and other components that are domestically produced, showcasing China's advancements in its microchip industry. The phone's processor, the Kirin 9000s, was manufactured by China's flagship chipmaker, the Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC). This development comes amid American-led sanctions and signifies that China's efforts to boost its microchip industry are paying off. By Eduardo Jaramillo for The China Project, September 22
The Rise and Fall of China's Wolf Warrior Diplomacy. China's wolf warrior diplomacy, characterized by assertive and confrontational tactics, has been undergoing a shift. The approach gained attention for its aggressive stance on issues like COVID-19, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. However, recent moves suggest a toning down of this confrontational style, possibly due to economic considerations and a desire for a more balanced international image. Despite the apparent shift, the underlying factors that gave rise to Wolf Warrior diplomacy still exist in Chinese politics. By Duan Xiaolin and Liu Yitong for The Diplomat, September 22
Indonesia Walks Geopolitical Tightrope with ASEAN Maritime Drills and F-15 Purchases. Indonesia's decision to move the inaugural ASEAN-only maritime drills away from waters disputed by China may be seen as a concession to Beijing. However, observers caution that it would be a mistake to view this development as evidence of Indonesia aligning itself with China. By Lim Min Zhang and Hariz Baharudin for The Straits Times, September 22
Biden Takes Aim at Putin’s Soft Underbelly in Central Asia. Moscow's war in Ukraine has created an opening for Washington in Central Asia. The article discusses how the U.S. is leveraging the situation to gain geopolitical advantage in the region, particularly against Russia. By Amy Mackinnon for Foreign Policy, September 22