Asia Daily: September 30, 2023

News

State Dept names veteran diplomat Mark Lambert as top China policy official. The Biden administration has appointed Mark Lambert, a seasoned diplomat, as its principal China policy official at the State Department. This decision comes during a period of heightened tensions between the U.S. and China on various issues, including Taiwan, trade, and restrictions on Beijing's access to U.S. technology. The move to appoint Lambert follows previous reports on plans to position him in this role. The U.S. has recently taken measures to limit certain U.S. investments in China. By Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Martina for Reuters, September 29

Afghan embassy says it is stopping operations in Indian capital. The Afghan Embassy in New Delhi has communicated its intention to halt all operations in the city by the end of September, according to a letter being reviewed by India's External Affairs Ministry. India has not recognized the Taliban government that took control of Afghanistan in August 2021. The embassy in New Delhi has been managed by staff from the former government of the deposed Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. The Afghan ambassador has been absent from India for several months, and numerous diplomats have reportedly left for third countries after obtaining asylum. By Ashok Sharma for AP News, September 29

China says it will resume visa-free policies to spur inbound travel. China plans to reinstate visa-free policies and is considering expanding its visa-exemption list to boost its post-pandemic tourism sector. This announcement was made in a policy document released on Friday. The move aims to rejuvenate the country's tourism industry, which has been impacted by the pandemic.The central government's website provided further details, emphasizing the promotion of visa-free policies and streamlined immigration procedures for certain tourists. Reuters, September 29

China’s C919 gets another 100 orders in biggest deal yet, but when will they land? China Eastern Airlines has placed an order for an additional 100 units of China's flagship narrowbody airliner, the C919, marking the largest purchase order for the aircraft to date. TSince the C919's inaugural commercial flight in late May, China Eastern Airlines has been operating daily flights between Shanghai and Chengdu. The new deal, worth nearly US$10 billion, is expected to reshape the passenger-aircraft market. By Luna Sun for South China Morning Post, September 29

Philippines' Marcos defends removing Chinese barrier. The Philippines has reaffirmed its decision to remove China's barriers in the South China Sea. Beijing voiced objections to the removal of the buoys. "They just can't put barriers in an area that is clearly inside the Philippines," stated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Scarborough Shoal has been a point of contention between the Philippines and China, with both nations laying claim to it.
By Virma Simonette for BBC News, September 29

Swiss say Uzbekistan ex-leader's daughter ran huge crime network. Swiss prosecutors have charged Gulnara Karimova, daughter of Uzbekistan's former president, with leading a crime syndicate that laundered large sums from bribes. Assets worth SFr 780m (£700m; $857m) have been seized. Karimova, who has been imprisoned in Uzbekistan since 2014 for embezzlement, is accused of taking bribes related to telecom contracts and laundering the proceeds through Swiss banks. BBC News, September 29

Japan's House of Representatives Speaker Hiroyuki Hosoda to resign over health. Hiroyuki Hosoda, Speaker of Japan's House of Representatives, will step down due to recent health issues. The 79-year-old's decision comes ahead of an extraordinary parliamentary session on October 20. Hosoda, who began his role in November 2021, was hospitalized earlier this month and missed key events. Despite his significant roles in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, he faced recent controversies, including alleged ties to a religious group and harassment accusations, which he denied. The Mainichi, September 29

Blinken raised Sikh separatist murder with India's Jaishankar, US official says. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on India to collaborate with a Canadian probe into the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously alleged an Indian role in Nijjar's killing, leading to heightened tensions between the two countries. India has refuted Canada's claims, describing them as baseless. By Kanishka Singh, David Ljunggren, and Humeyra Pamuk for Reuters, September 29

Kishida not considering snap poll as parliament prepares to return. Japan's Parliament is set to convene for an extraordinary session on October 20, as announced by the head of the Komeito party. Despite ongoing speculation about a potential snap election, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has clarified that he does not intend to dissolve the Lower House during this session. The primary agenda for the session revolves around the possibility of introducing a draft supplementary budget to fund a new economic package recently proposed by the prime minister. The Japan Times, September 29

South Korean and U.S. soldiers conduct joint anti-terrorism exercise near inter-Korean border. Earlier this week, South Korean and U.S. military personnel carried out a combined anti-terrorism drill near the inter-Korean border, as reported by the Army. The exercise, which took place at Rodriguez Training Center in Pocheon, involved approximately 80 military police from the Army's 6th Infantry Division and the Eighth U.S. Army. The training focused on building search and clearance, hostage rescue, and the identification and neutralization of terrorists. By Chae Yun-hwan for Yonhap News Agency, September 30

Long Form

The U.S. Cannot Afford to Lose a Soft-Power Race With China. In the ongoing strategic competition between the U.S. and China, soft power—cultural, values-based, and foreign policy influence—has become as important as military might. Washington needs to focus on three key actions: integrating soft power into its strategic interests, protecting funding for soft-power initiatives from partisan politics, and leveraging U.S. strengths. By Raja Krishnamoorthi for Foreign Policy, September 29

China's Food Security After the Collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The failure of the Black Sea Grain Initiative has led China to reconsider its food security strategies. Beijing is now focusing on domestic production and diversifying its import sources to ensure a stable food supply. By Elizabeth Wishnick for The Diplomat, September 29

Suicide Ignites Debate Over Protecting Teachers. The death of a first-grade teacher in South Korea has sparked protests and ignited a debate over student protections. Teachers are rallying for their rights, citing increasing stress and harassment from students and parents. The situation has reached a point where parents have obtained teachers' personal contact information, calling them at all hours and even confronting them at their homes. By Dasl Yoon for WSJ, September 29

China's Economic Troubles Are Not Transitory. The Chinese economy is facing structural issues that go beyond the current Evergrande crisis. Despite the government's efforts to stabilize the situation, underlying problems such as an aging population, declining productivity, and a rigid financial system continue to pose challenges. These issues are not temporary and require long-term solutions. By Michael Schuman for Nikkei Asia, September 29

The Dysfunctional Superpower: Can a Divided America Deter China and Russia? The U.S., despite facing threats from nations like Russia and China, struggles with a divided political leadership. Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin view Western democracies, especially the U.S., as declining. This perception risks miscalculations with grave outcomes. America's political dysfunction is eroding its global leadership. To deter adversaries, the U.S. must address domestic issues and rebuild trust with allies. By Robert M. Gates for Foreign Affairs, September 29,