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China tells Vietnam it has ‘indisputable’ sovereignty over South China seas

Alexandra Stevenson — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:26:20 +0000

Over the last few weeks Hanoi has voiced its concern about increased Chinese naval patrols in the South China Sea, and extension of a fishing ban which Vietnam argues is a violation of its territorial rights. According to the Vietnamese foreign ministry Vietnamese fishermen have been fined and arrested in large numbers by Chinese patrols lurking in Vietnamese waters. China has enforced annual fishing moratoriums in the South China Sea since 1999, but this year’s tougher measures are being met with opposition and the conflict has sparked new tension over territory which is already contested. In an official response to a complaint made by the Vietnamese government on June 4, Chinese spokesman for the ministry of foreign affairs claimed that China has ‘indisputable’ sovereignty of the South China Seas.

FM: South China Sea fishing ban ‘indisputable’, Xinhua News Agency

Vietnam asks China not to obstruct fishermens’ normal fishing, VietNamNet

Vietnam protests Chinese fishing ban, UPI

Hanoi protests fishing ban, BBC News

Chinese government issues green measures for overseas investment

Alexandra Stevenson — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:35:00 +0000

Two government bodies have drafted a list of mandatory environmental measures for Chinese outbound investment, state media reported last week. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Commerce have outlined a set of requirements that Chinese firms will have to observe, along with international environmental treaties. This comes as the amount of Chinese investment abroad has seen a steep increase; last year overseas investment reached US $40.7 billion. According to state-run China Daily, corporations are expected to uphold Chinese environmental standards in countries where rules are lax.

Green rules eye Chinese firms abroad, China Daily

Former South Korean President Roh commits suicide

Alexandra Stevenson — Sun, 24 May 2009 16:15:50 +0000

Former South Korean President and human rights lawyer Roh Moo Hyun jumped off a mountain to his death Saturday, amidst allegations of bribery. Roh admitted last month that his wife took money from a businessman accused of insider trading and tax evasion to pay family debt, but denied allegations that he took bribes. Known as “Mr. Clean”, Roh won the 2002 elections based on a platform to fight corruption and improve relations with North Korea. In his suicide note he apologized for the pain he had caused and said, “My remaining life could only become a greater burden for others.” Current president Lee Myung-bak said, “This is a truly unbelievable, lamentable and deeply sad event.” Some see the corruption investigation against Roh as politically motivated, and analysts say his death might garner support for his more liberal policies, fundamentally opposite to Lee’s conservative ones. More than 13,000 mourners have made pilgrimage to Roh’s hometown, Gimhae, over the weekend.

A president remembered, The Korea Herald

South Korean president Roh jumps to death amid bribery probe, Bloomberg

S Korea stunned by Roh’s suicide, BBC

SKoreans mourn death, pay respects to ex-president, Associated Press

Protests in Taiwan could stall China trade

Alexandra Stevenson — Mon, 18 May 2009 04:17:28 +0000

Tens of thousands took to the streets in Taiwan, protesting President Ma Ying-jeou’s recent trade initiatives they see as too China-friendly. They held placards that said “Say No to China! Say Yes to Taiwan”, and voiced their concerns that recent rounds of trade talks with China will compromise Taiwanese sovereignty. The agreements, such as opening of trade barriers for mainland companies to invest in Taiwan, is helping to ease 60 years of tension between Taiwan and China and is boosting a flagging economy. While Ma has promised every cross-strait agreement will be “mutually beneficial”, many Taiwanese see China’s intentions as zero sum.

Taiwanese vent anger at Ma policies, Taipei Times

Taiwan protests target leader’s pro-China policies, Associated Press

On Chinese zero-sum policy, Taipei Times

NGO showdown brief, but breath of fresh air in stuffy Singapore

enrico — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:03:56 +0000

Last weekend a showdown within Singaporean women’s rights NGO, Aware, exposed rifts in the typically apathetic society. The outcome was mixed; the old Aware liberal guard was successfully restored, but the NGO’s sex education programs were rescinded this week. The issues at hand were homosexuality, which Singapore does not acknowledge officially, and religious secularism. Recently a group of conservative Chinese Christian women took power of Aware’s executive, with the mission to change Aware’s supposedly pro-gay agenda. Members of Aware, displeased with what they saw as an infringement of religious values in a secular NGO, staged a vote of no confidence, forcing the new guard to step down. While this was a success, the Ministry of Education this week suspended Aware’s sex education program in schools, citing the NGO’s discussion of alternative lifestyles as a major concern. The Straits Times quoted the Ministry saying, ‘They [Aware] should also adhere to social norms and values of our mainstream society.’

Taken unawares, The Economist
Live: Aware showdown at Suntec, The Straits Times Blog
Aware sex guide suspended, The Straits Times
Excerpts from Aware press conference, AsiaOne News
New Exco of Aware given a vote of no confidence, ChannelNewsAsia

Burmese situation still dire; hundreds of thousands jobless, homeless

enrico — Tue, 05 May 2009 06:19:02 +0000

One year after devastating Cyclone Nargis ripped through Myanmar last May 2 killing nearly 140,000 and leaving 800,00 homeless, hundreds of thousands still have no jobs or housing. The situation is particularly urgent given the monsoon season ahead. Immediately after the cyclone the international community donated $315 million for food and assistance, initially blocked by the miliary junta that rules the country. International organizations say that hundreds of millions more in funding is still needed for infrastructure projects. So far the Tripartite Core Group, comprised of the Myanmar government, the UN, and ASEAN, have estimated the country still needs another $700 million. New issues have arisen as the military junta is beginning to make it hard once again for foreign aid groups to remain in the country and for new relief workers to get visas.

Nargis survivors burdened by debt , The Irrawaddy
Burma still recovering from Cyclone Nargis , Voice of America
Will Nargis make it easier for aid groups to work in Myanmar?, Reuters AlertNet

US confident about North Korea dialogue

enrico — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:31:39 +0000

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that the United States remains committed to diplomatic resolution of the nuclear weapons issue on the Korean peninsula. Last week Pyongyang abandoned six-party talks on denuclearization, and announced that it has begun reprocessing of fuel rods at its Yongbyon nuclear facility. Mrs Clinton believes that the UN’s response to blacklist three North Korean firms suspected of involvement in the trading of missiles will cause Pyongyang to seek a return to the talks and resume nuclear disarmament. Despite such optimism, North Korea appears to be serious about turning its back on the talks, potentially moving towards the production of weapons-grade plutonium. This development is certainly cause for concern, particularly given Pyongyang’s well-documented unpredictability, and with intelligence and defense experts suggesting that the North’s nuclear capability may be significantly greater than previously thought. Mrs Clinton – and much of the world – will be hoping that she is right.

North is fully fledged nuclear power, experts agree, Times UK
North Korea urged back to talks, BBC
U.S. not to be ‘blackmailed’ by North Korea, Korea Herald

Thailand’s political crisis deepens

enrico — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:36:43 +0000

Days after army confrontation with Red Shirt protesters in Bangkok, Yellow Shirt leader Sondhi Limthongkul was ambushed in what analysts say may be a politically motivated assassination. Tensions have flared in the country, between Red Shirt protesters calling for PM Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down, and Yellow Shirts, who caused last year’s government to topple five months ago. The Red Shirts support former deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra, and call for democracy, while the Yellow Shirts argue Thaksin’s corrupt policies were not democratic. Last weekend after protesting in thousands in the streets, Red Shirts stormed an ASEAN summit , forcing Abhisit to end the summit. Now exiled Thaksin is accusing the army of killing thousands during last Monday’s confrontation with army, recalling a 1992 crackdown where more than 200 students were killed in an attempt to sway international opinion.

In-depth analysis of Thai crisis and Western media bias in coverage Smoke, mirrors and lies, Asia Times

Thailand’s Yellow Shirt leader Sondhi Limthongkul survives assassination attempt, Times UK

North Korea pursues nuclear ambitions

enrico — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:34:32 +0000

In response to a UN Security Council condemnation of its missile launch, Pyongyang withdrew from six-nation talks on nuclear disarmament and expelled UN nuclear experts. The situation intensified after US and allies accused Pyongyang of launching a missile, despite Pyongyang’s assertion it was a satellite. On Sunday, the Stalinist state upped the ante, vowing to “bolster its nuclear deterrent.” Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has campaigned heavily against North Korea, emphasized that he supports bilateral US-North Korea talks while on a visit to Washington. But, he warned, “the North Koreans like to play games.”

N.Korea renews threat to “bolster nuclear deterrent”, AFP

Japan’s Abe open to US-NKorea talks, AFP

Red shirt Thai protesters disrupt summit, state of emergency called

enrico — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:04:20 +0000

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva canceled a weekend ASEAN summit and has declared a state of emergency for Bangkok and five provinces after thousands of anti-government protesters stormed a summit venue on Saturday. 100,000 red-shirt protesters filled the streets of Bangkok earlier this week, demanding Abhisit step down. Rioters support former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, deposed for corruption, whose populist policies had widespread appeal amongst poor rural voters. Leaders from the ten member ASEAN and Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, India and New Zealand had gathered in Thailand’s south to discuss unified response to economic recession, free trade and North Korea. Just under five months ago rival protesters, Thai royalists, took over airports for a week, forcing the former pro-Thaksin government’s downfall. Some analysts say the two groups of rioters have such opposing views that a low-grade civil war could break out. Commentary in the Thai national paper, The Nation, sums it up as “an-eye-for-an-eye showdown.” “You fight for democracy that rejects corrupt politicians, we can fight for democracy that respects the voices of the poor.”

Round two: everyone loses, The Nation
Thai summit halted amid protests, WSJ
Political turmoil spreads to Asia summit site, Jakarta Post
Thailand declares emergency, cancels Asian summit, AP/Yahoo

N Korea defiant of missile launch, world scrambles to muster a unified response

enrico — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:00:21 +0000

As tens of thousands of North Koreans stood proud last week after Pyongyang’s missile launch, UN Security Council members remain deadlocked about a unified response. Pyongyang claims the satellite successfully reached orbit “fully demonstrating the might of science and technology as a leading launcher”. Reports from within the Stalinist state fail to mention the reality that the alleged dummy payload and second stage of rocket crashed into the Pacific. The US says no part of the satellite reached orbit. Meanwhile, over the weekend UN Security Council leaders came to an agreement that North Korea’s actions violated an earlier ban. The resolution, to be voted on next week, is a weaker version of an original binding resolution to ban North Korea from nuclear or missile tests, which China and Russia refused accept. Japan withdrew from the binding resolution, signing the weaker draft circulated by the US because it says a unified response is more important.

Successful satellite launched, KNCA
Dear Leader is back with a bang, Asia Times
Japan, China near deal on North Korea message, Reuters/Yahoo
Key nations ‘agree N Korea draft’, BBC

Internet in China becomes a platform for muckracking

enrico — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:26:46 +0000

Recently a group of Chinese Internet users went on a witchhunt to expose a local government official at a media watchdog, posting uploaded receipts adding up to nearly $7000 in dining, entertainment and massage expenses. Dubbed the Liuyang Scandal, Internet users started asking how such a lowly public servant could be living such a lavish lifestyle. Analysts point to the Internet as a content firehose that officials will have trouble controlling in the future. An estimated 3000 websites are created daily and while the government can limit some websites by setting up campaigns in the name of ridding pornography, for example, many say online communities are tuned in to updates on new sites before they catch the attention of officials. And the muckracking is not just limited to corruption. In another recent case, the mother of a young man executed for killing six police officers last year has used the Internet as a platform to tell her harrowing story.

China Web users turn keen eye back on government - Reuters
The Story of Cop-Killer Yang Jia’s Mother - Beijing Briefs

Bill Gates gives US $33 million to Chinese government to fight TB

enrico — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:21:15 +0000

A WHO conference convened in Beijing this week to discuss international efforts to fight an increasingly virulent strain of tuberculosis in developing countries. The new drug-resistant strain could have a major impact globally, according to WHO director-general Margaret Chan, who calls the situation “potentially explosive”. Currently, 5% of cases of the virulent strain are predicted in China, and less than 3% are treated. Gates announced that China has the scale of patients and a “political commitment to public health” that makes the country a testing lab and potential model for developments. Plans involve treating 20 million people initially, eventually covering 100 million people within 5 years.
Bill Gates joins Chinese government in tackling TB ‘timebomb’ - The Guardian
WHO: World must fight drug-resistant TB threat - AP/Google

Region tense as belligerent North Korea launches possible missile

Alexandra Stevenson — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 03:30:14 +0000

North Korea launched it’s Taepodong-2 satellite on Sunday morning at 11:30 Pyongyang time from the Musandan-ri base. Japan did not intercept the launch with its own missiles, after vowing to do so if the rocket were to threaten Japanese territory. Two booster stages fell into the Pacific and it remains unclear if the satellite was launched into space successfully. America and South Korea, who kept destroyers on close watch near North Korea, said they would not stop the launch but strongly condemned it. China, the Year of DPRK-China Friendship host and a key broker in negotiations with the rogue state, has chosen not to take a strong stance, urging ‘close communication and coordination’ instead. Analysts now wait to see how regional powers and UN Security Council will deal with potential ensuing instability. An emergency meeting convened on Sunday for 3 hours, reaching deadlock as countries like China, Russia, Libya and Vietnam voice concern of alienating the rogue state.

DPRK premier leaves for Beijing for official visit, Xinhua News

Defiant N Korea launches rocket , BBC News
Launch, What Launch?, Analysis from Asia Times
Pyongyang’s account of events according to state propaganda KNCA

North Korea: Space launch set to go April 4-8

Alexandra Stevenson — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:16:06 +0000

As Pyongyang’s intentions to conduct a space launch between April 4-8 are questioned, US intelligence head says the difference in technology between a space launch and an intercontinental ballistic missile is minimal. Speaking at a Senate Arms Services Committee, US Director of Intelligence Dennis Blair also added that if the three-stage space launch worked it could have the potential to reach the US mainland. Analysts say the Stalinist state is ramping up the rhetoric in an attempt to leverage aid, but in it’s own news sources like KCNA, it calls US an ‘imperialist’ and South Korean ‘puppet warmongers.’

Links and sources:

US intel chief says N. Korea launching a ’space vehicle’ , Digital Chosunilbo

Japan protests N Korea’s rocket launch plan , AP

Madcap exercises targeted against DPRK go on in S. Korea , Korean Central News Agency

China: Clinton encourages China to buy U.S., China promises security and liquidity when using foreign reserves

Alexandra Stevenson — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:20:40 +0000

U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton encouraged China to continue investing in U.S. treasury bonds, after meeting with Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi on the weekend. Mrs. Clinton maintained that U.S. debt was still a sound investment. The Chinese foreign minister responded with a promise to ensure security and liquidity when investing with foreign reserves. In September 2008 China became the biggest holder of U.S. debt, with a total of 585 billion dollars.

Links and sources:

China stresses security, liquidity when deploying foreign reserves, Xinhua

Clinton urges China to keep buying Treasury bonds, Associated Press

China: Hotel fire caused by state TV firework show, twelve arrested

Alexandra Stevenson — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:55:04 +0000

Chinese state news agency Xinhua has confirmed that a massive Beijing hotel fire that erupted Monday night was started by fireworks set off during an illegal light show organized by Chinese state television station CCTV to celebrate the last day of Chinese New Year celebrations. One firefighter died and seven other people were injured. Xinhua has reported the arrest of 12 people - three CCTV workers and eight technicians hired to set the grade A industrial fireworks off. A Beijing government spokesman told Xinhua that CCTV was denied a permit to set the fireworks because they were too powerful to be set off in an urban environment. Policeman were ignored after they tried to stop the show.

The luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel, designed by Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren, is located in the new CCTV complex next to the new CCTV station and was unfinished.

Reporting from Xinhua News Agency

For comments from Chinese public and online community: WSJ China Journal blog

Danwei

Beijing Briefs

North Korea: Threats of missile attack could become reality

Alexandra Stevenson — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:51:13 +0000

Pyongyang is assembling it’s most sophisticated long-range missile in preparation for a possible test-fire, according to South Korean Chosun Ilbo newspaper. Satellite images from Tokyo and Seoul show the North Korean military moving missile parts to a new base, to assemble an improved Taepodong-2 missile capable of traveling up to 10,000 km. Pyongyang has also threatened to launch a short-range missile near a disputed western maritime border with South Korea. North Korean news agency KCNA has reported a Pan-national Alliance for Korean Reunification statement that accuses South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his government being “hell-bent on scattering leaflets and staging exercises for a war of aggression against the north.” According to the state mouthpiece KNCA, the organization will join “the 70 million Koreans … to resolutely foil the racket of the U.S. imperialists and the Lee group for war and confrontation.” Since coming into power last year South Korean leader Lee cut off previously unconditional aid flowing to Pyongyang, angering the Stalinist state.

Sources and links:

Chosun Ilbo

Korean Central News Agency

JoongAng Daily

Asia: U.S. Secretary of State first trip abroad to Asia

Alexandra Stevenson — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:44:07 +0000

Hillary Clinton will travel to Asia on Sunday for her first trip abroad as U.S. Secretary of State, in a diplomatic gesture that shows a shift of priorities in American foreign policy. Speaking at the Asia Society in New York on Friday Clinton announced the Asian region would be a priority for the Obama administration and is “of vital importance” to the U.S. today and in the future. Her first stop will be Tokyo, where local media have claimed, but not verified, Clinton would meet with opposition Democratic Party of Japan leader amidst political tension. Clinton will then travel to Indonesia, South Korea and finally China, where she will push for more engagement and cooperation on economic policies and environmental issues. North Korea will also be a key topic of discussion, as Beijing plays a key role in slowing Pyongyang’s nuclear program.

Links and Sources:

Speech at the Asia Society - State.gov

Japanese papers report Clinton meeting with opposition leader:

Mainichi

Japan Today

China: Central Bank Warns Against US “Excuses” for Protectionism

Alexandra Stevenson — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 13:54:53 +0000

People’s Bank of China vice governor Su Ning responded to US State Treasury accusations that China is manipulating its currency, warning the new Obama government against trade barriers, reported Chinese news agency Xinhua. “These remarks are not only inconsistent with the facts but they are misleading about the reasons for the financial crisis.” The Chinese government fears American trade barriers amidst already slowing demand for Chinese exports.

Source: Xinhua News Agency