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News, analysis, graphs and maps from all across the Asia-Pacific
🇰🇷 South Korea's Yoon replaces defense minister as impeachment vote looms
South Korean opposition lawmakers said on Thursday they would vote this weekend to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol over his botched attempt to impose martial law, while the defense minister blamed for advising the move resigned.
Lawmakers from the opposition Democratic Party planned to seek a vote in parliament to impeach Yoon at around 7 p.m. on Saturday, a party spokesperson told reporters.
Yoon's ruling People Power Party is divided over the crisis but said it would oppose impeachment with the party in turmoil and two years left in Yoon's five-year term.
#SouthKorea
@asianomics
🇨🇳🇺🇸 China bans export of critical minerals to US as trade tensions escalate
China banned exports to the United States of the critical minerals gallium, germanium and antimony that have widespread military applications, escalating trade tensions the day after Washington's latest crackdown on China's chip sector.
The curbs strengthen enforcement of existing limits on critical minerals exports that Beijing began rolling out last year, but apply only to the US market.
A Chinese Commerce Ministry directive on dual-use items with both military and civilian applications cited national security concerns. The order, which takes immediate effect, also requires stricter review of end-usage for graphite items shipped to the US.
Gallium and germanium are used in semiconductors, while germanium is also used in infrared technology, fibre optic cables and solar cells. Antimony is used in bullets and other weaponry, while graphite is the largest component by volume of electric vehicle batteries.
#China #USA
@asianomics
🇨🇳🇹🇼 Taiwan says China's threats over president's US visit are counterproductive
Taiwan's top China policymaker said Chinese military threats would only drive the two sides further apart, as state media in the island's giant neighbor warned of a strong response to a US visit by Taiwan's president.
Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Mainland Affairs Council minister Chiu Chui-cheng said Lai's trip to consolidate friendship with other countries was something Taiwan's public support.
"But the Chinese communists threaten Taiwan with military hegemony, which I think is something our citizens do not agree with," he said.
#China #Taiwan
@asianomics
🇵🇭🇨🇳🇺🇸 Help from ASEAN nations to counter China is unlikely: ex-Philippine Navy officer
Manila should strengthen coordination with Southeast Asian nations on its policy towards China, a retired Philippine naval officer said on Monday, as engagement with Washington alone risks potential stronger resistance by Beijing over the contested South China Sea.
“I believe that we made some mistakes … we could have engaged at least most of the ASEAN member states that are surrounding the South China Sea more effectively and we could have consulted them about our action because they do not agree with our China policy,” said Rommel Ong, a former vice-commander in the Philippine Navy.
However, Ong said he was “not optimistic” that the Philippines could convince Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states to support Manila’s concerns.
#ThePhilippines #China #USA
@asianomics
🇹🇼🇲🇭 Taiwan's President Lai in Marshall Islands on first overseas state visit
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te arrived on an official visit to the Marshall Islands on Tuesday, which he said was the first country he had visited since taking office in May, as part of a Pacific tour of diplomatic allies.
Arriving in the Marshall Islands capital of Majuro, Lai referred to Taiwan's indigenous inhabitants as sharing a culture with the Pacific Islands' first settlers. "Taiwan and the Marshall Islands share a traditional Austronesia culture as well as the values of freedom and democracy," he said.
From the Marshall Islands he goes to Tuvalu for a brief trip, then a one-night stopover in the US territory of Guam before going to Palau.
#Taiwan #MarshalIslands
@asianomics
🇩🇪🇨🇳🇷🇺 Germany’s Baerbock slams China’s support for Russia ahead of Beijing trip
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has criticized China’s support for Russia’s war against Ukraine ahead of a visit to Beijing.
“Instead of shouldering responsibility for peace and security in the world as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China is going against our core European interests by providing economic and military aid to Russia,” Baerbock said on Sunday before her departure for a brief visit to China.
Baerbock is meeting China’s top diplomat Wang Yi on Monday. One of the main topics of her planned talks in Beijing is likely to be allegations that China is supporting Moscow by supplying drones or drone parts.
#Germany #China #Russia
@asianomics
🇹🇭🇲🇲 Thailand protests Myanmar's navy firing at Thai fishing boats
Thailand protested an incident involving Myanmar's navy firing on Thai fishing vessels, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said, after one fisherman drowned, two were injured and dozens were detained from one of the boats.
Shinawatra questioned claims that the fishing boats had intruded into Myanmar's territorial waters when Myanmar's navy opened fire on the vessels on Saturday.
"We don't support violence whatever the circumstances," Shinawatra said, adding that Thailand was seeking more details on the incident and a quick release of four Thai nationals who were among the 31 fishermen detained.
#Thailand #Myanmar
@asianomics
🇷🇺🇵🇭 Philippines' Marcos says presence of Russian submarine 'very worrisome'
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday the presence of a Russian attack submarine in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea was "very worrisome".
"That’s very concerning. Any intrusion into the West Philippine Sea, of our EEZ, of our baselines, is very worrisome," Marcos told reporters, referring to part of the South China Sea within the Philippines' maritime zone.
A Russian Kilo-class submarine was sighted 80 nautical miles off the western province of Occidental Mindoro on Nov. 28, Navy spokesperson Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a statement. "The Russian vessel stated it was awaiting improved weather conditions before proceeding to Vladivostok, Russia," Trinidad said, without elaborating on why it was in the area.
#Russia #ThePhilippines
@asianomics
🇨🇳🇵🇭 After PLA, Chinese coastguard patrols disputed Scarborough Shoal
China carried out coastguard patrols around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Saturday, vowing to “resolutely safeguard” its national sovereignty amid tensions with rival claimant Philippines and the US-led West.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) also conducted at least two patrols this month around the contested reef, known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, including one on Thursday.
The China Coast Guard announced the latest patrols in a brief statement on Saturday, saying it had “continuously strengthened law enforcement patrols in the territorial waters and surrounding areas of China’s Huangyan Island” since the beginning of November.
#China #ThePhilippines
@asianomics
🇨🇳🇹🇼🇺🇸 China blasts US arms sale to Taiwan, President Lai's US transit
China vowed "resolute countermeasures" on Sunday to a recently approved US arms sale to Taiwan, and complained to the US for arranging for the island's president to transit through US territory.
The sale sends "a wrong signal" to Taiwan independence forces and undermines US-China relations, China's foreign ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said in a separate statement that it firmly opposes any official exchanges between the US and Taiwan and "strongly condemns" the U.S. for arranging the transit.
#China #Taiwan #USA
@asianomics
🇺🇸🇯🇵 Return of US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to Japan sends ‘clear message’
The return of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington to the Yokosuka naval base in Japan is seen as a sign of deeper American commitment to the Indo-Pacific and efforts to bolster defense ties with Tokyo.
Vice-Admiral Fred Kacher, commander of the US 7th Fleet, said the USS George Washington was the “greatest maritime investment that we can make in the defense of Japan and the security of the Asia-Pacific”.
The carrier is returning after its departure in 2015. Its absence included a six-year refueling and overhaul process in the US, during which the USS Ronald Reagan served as the US Navy’s forward-deployed carrier in Japan.
#USA #Japan
@asianomics
🇨🇳🇺🇸🇹🇼 China urges utmost caution by US ahead of Taiwan president's Hawaii trip
China urged the United States on Friday to exercise the "utmost caution" on relations with democratically governed Taiwan, ahead of a sensitive trip its President Lai Ching-te starts this week to both Hawaii and Guam, as part of a Pacific tour.
A spokesperson for the US State Department reiterated the US position that transits by high-level Taiwan authorities were routine and "consistent with long-standing practice, the unofficial nature of our relations with Taiwan, and the US One-China policy, which remains unchanged."
Lai's weeklong trip begins on Saturday, making what is officially called a stopover first in Hawaii before going to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the 12 countries which have formal ties with Taiwan. He will also stop over in the US territory of Guam.
#China #USA #Taiwan
@asianomics
🇺🇸🇹🇼 US approves $385 mln arms sale to Taiwan
The US State Department has approved the potential sale of spare parts for F-16 jets and radars to Taiwan for an estimated $385 million, the Pentagon said.
The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the sale consisted of $320 million in spare parts and support for F-16 fighters and Active Electronically Scanned Array Radars and related equipment.
The State Department also approved the potential sale to Taiwan of improved mobile subscriber equipment and support for an estimated $65 million, the Pentagon said.
#USA #Taiwan
@asianomics
🇯🇵 Japan may delay tax hikes for military build-up
Japan may again postpone a decision on hoisting taxes to help cover rising defense spending, a senior ruling coalition official said, raising more questions about how Tokyo intends to pay for a historic expansion of its military capabilities.
As part of a five-year defense build-up that is projected to cost US$280 billion, the Japanese government has said it will raise personal income, corporate and tobacco taxes to cover the added costs. The increase in outlays would push defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product from just over 1% previously.
The government has dithered ever since on the timing of the proposed tax increases, deferring a decision on the matter on an annual basis. Pressure to resolve the issue is building with Donald Trump poised to return to the White House. Trump has repeatedly demanded that US allies shoulder a larger portion of their security costs.
#Japan
@asianomics
🇨🇳🇷🇺🇰🇷 Chinese, Russian military planes enter South Korea's air defense zone
Eleven Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered South Korea's air defense identification zone on Friday over a period of four hours, prompting South Korea to launch fighter jets.
The Russian and Chinese aircraft entered the area in sequence, all exited without incident or intruding South Korea's airspace, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
Chinese and Russian aircraft have frequently entered the South Korean air defense zone in recent years before exiting without incident. The two countries do not recognize the South Korean air defense zone.
#China #Russia #SouthKorea
@asianomics
🇺🇸🇯🇵 US Space Force launches Tokyo unit to bolster integrated deterrence
The US Space Force on Wednesday launched a unit at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, with the aim of strengthening space defense and bilateral deterrence capabilities.
Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, commander of US Space Forces Indo-Pacific, said as countries like North Korea, Russia and China threaten the stability of the Indo-Pacific region, "US Space Forces Japan will serve as the focal point for deepening collaboration and synchronization between the United States and Japan in national security."
As part of a bilateral space cooperation initiative, a constellation of Japan's geographic positioning satellites will host US space sensors capable of gathering data and intelligence, the two governments said.
#USA #Japan
@asianomics
🇨🇳🇵🇭 Philippines, China trade accusations on South China Sea confrontation
The coast guards of China and the Philippines gave conflicting versions on Wednesday of a maritime confrontation around a contested shoal in the South China Sea, the latest row in a longstanding dispute between the neighbors.
China's Coast Guard said four Philippine ships had attempted to enter its territorial waters around the Scarborough Shoal. One of the Philippine ships "ignored" repeated warnings, with actions that "seriously threatened" the safety of a Chinese coast guard vessel.
But the Philippine Coast Guard said Chinese navy and coastguard vessels had taken "aggressive actions" against a routine patrol by it and the fisheries bureau.
#China #ThePhilippines
@asianomics
🇰🇷 South Korean president faces impeachment calls after martial law debacle
South Korean lawmakers on Wednesday called on President Yoon Suk-yeol to resign or face impeachment after he declared martial law only to reverse the move hours later, triggering a political crisis in Asia's fourth-largest economy.
The surprise declaration late on Tuesday ignited a standoff with parliament which rejected his attempt to ban political activity and censor the media, as armed troops forced their way into the National Assembly building in Seoul.
Six South Korean opposition parties said they would submit Yoon's impeachment bill on Wednesday, the Democratic Party said in a message to reporters, with voting to take place on Friday or Saturday.
#SouthKorea
@asianomics
🇰🇵 North Korea's ruling Workers' Party to hold key policy-setting meeting in late December
North Korea will convene a key meeting of the ruling Workers' Party Central Committee in late December, KCNA news agency reported on Tuesday, announcing a conference where the country unveils major policy directions for the new year.
KCNA gave no dates for the plenary meeting of the Central Committee, which has been called twice annually in recent years, only being made public once the multiple days of sessions start.
After five days of sessions last December, leader Kim Jong Un declared South Korea an enemy and said peaceful unification was no longer possible. North Korea took steps through this year to erase decades of agreements and joint projects between the two countries.
#NorthKorea
@asianomics
🇨🇳🇹🇼 Taiwan watching Chinese carrier movements as sources say war games may start this weekend
Taiwan's defense ministry said on Tuesday it is watching the movements of a Chinese aircraft carrier and assessing China's military activities as security sources said Beijing could launch new war games as soon as this weekend.
China has a strong dislike of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, whom it calls a "separatist", and sources have told Reuters it could launch new drills to coincide with his trip to the Pacific this week which includes visits to Hawaii and Guam.
China has deployed close to 40 vessels in the region, including a Chinese aircraft carrier group led by Liaoning in the East China Sea as well as other naval and coast guard boats in the South China Sea.
#China #Taiwan
@asianomics
🇺🇸🇨🇳 Latest US strike on China's chips hits semiconductor toolmakers
The US will launch its third crackdown in three years on China’s semiconductor industry, restricting exports to 140 companies including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group, among other moves.
The effort to hobble Beijing’s chipmaking ambitions will also hit Chinese chip toolmakers Piotech and SiCarrier Technology with new export restrictions as part of the package, which also takes aim at shipments of advanced memory chips and more chipmaking tools to China.
An aspect of the new package that addresses the foreign direct product rule could hurt some US allies by limiting what their companies can ship to China. The new rule will expand U.S. powers to curb exports of chipmaking equipment by US, Japanese, and Dutch manufacturers made in other parts of the world to certain chip plants in China.
#USA #China
@asianomics
🇹🇼🇺🇸 Taiwan president speaks about China with ex-Speaker Pelosi while in Hawaii
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te held a 20-minute call with former US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday during a visit to Hawaii.
Taiwan's Central News Agency, citing presidential office spokesperson Karen Kuo, said the conversation between Lai and Pelosi was warm and cordial, and the two talked about semiconductors, AI and China's military threat to Taiwan.
From Hawaii, Lai goes on to Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the 12 countries to retain official relations with Taipei.
#Taiwan #USA
@asianomics
🇨🇳🇳🇿🇺🇸 China warns NZ against joining AUKUS amid security concerns -report
Chinese ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong said that if New Zealand were to join security grouping AUKUS it would "inevitably" have negative consequences for the country's relationship with China.
Wang said that when deciding whether to join the grouping, China hoped that New Zealand would "take into account its own long-term best interests, the potential implications for regional security, and the impact on the relationship between China and New Zealand."
New Zealand has previously said it is "information-gathering" on future cooperation with the AUKUS grouping but has made no commitments.
A joint statement from Australia, Britain and the U.S. in September said they were consulting with New Zealand, Canada and the Republic of Korea to identify possibilities for collaboration on advanced capabilities under AUKUS Pillar II.
🔎 Source
#US #China #NewZealand
☠️ Blood Meridian
🇯🇵🇵🇭 Japan to provide defense equipment to Philippines, 3 other nations
Japan plans to provide defense equipment to the Philippines, Indonesia, Mongolia and Djibouti under its official security assistance to the armed forces of like-minded countries that share its values.
The four countries have been designated as the recipients of the OSA grant aid for fiscal 2024 through March next year, with Japan earmarking $33 million in its initial budget for the current fiscal year.
Japan plans to provide the Philippines with radar to help the Southeast Asian country deal with China's expanding military presence in the South China Sea.
#Japan #ThePhilippines
@asianomics
🇹🇼🇺🇸 War has no winners, Taiwan president says in visit to Hawaii
War has no winners and peace is priceless, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday in Hawaii after visiting a memorial to the attack on Pearl Harbor on a trip to the United States.
Speaking to members of the overseas Taiwan community and Hawaii politicians, including members of Congress Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, Lai referred to his visit to the USS Arizona Memorial earlier in the day and laid a wreath in memory of those who died in the 1941 Japanese attack.
In his speech Lai said that by uniting together, all difficulties could be overcome. "Taiwan's democracy can become a model for the international community," he said.
#Taiwan #USA
@asianomics
🇨🇳🇯🇵 China journalist accused of info leak to Japan gets 7-year jail term
A Beijing court handed down a seven-year jail term to a former senior editor at a major Chinese newspaper affiliated with the ruling Communist Party who had been accused of leaking information to Japanese diplomats.
Dong Yuyu, a former deputy head of the Guangming Daily editorial department, had pleaded not guilty to the charge and is set to appeal the court decision.
He was detained in February 2022 after meeting with a Japanese Embassy official in Beijing and was indicted in March last year for alleged espionage.
#China #Japan
@asianomics
🇰🇵🇷🇺🇺🇦 North Korea's Kim: Russia has right to exercise self defense against Ukraine
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has told the Russian defense minister that Ukraine's use of long-range weapons is the result of direct military intervention by the United States and Moscow is entitled to fight in self-defense.
Kim met Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov on Friday and said "the US and the West made Kyiv authorities attack Russia's territory with their own long-range strike weapons" and Russia should take action to make "hostile forces pay the price."
"The DPRK government, army and people will invariably support the policy of the Russian Federation to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity from the imperialists' moves for hegemony," KCNA quoted Kim as saying.
#NorthKorea #Russia #Ukraine
@asianomics
🇨🇳🇯🇵 China’s ‘wolf warrior’ envoy sparks row by backing Japanese leftist party
China’s consul general in Osaka has ignited a diplomatic storm by endorsing a Japanese left-wing party ahead of the country’s general election, drawing sharp criticism and raising concerns over foreign interference.
Xue Jian, known as one of Beijing’s outspoken “wolf warrior” diplomats, posted a video clip to social media on October 25 featuring Taro Yamamoto, leader of the Reiwa Shinsengumi Party, urging public support for his party.
Jin Matsubara, an independent Diet member, submitted an official question to the legislature, asking the Japanese government to respond to claims that Xue’s post violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which prohibits envoys from interfering in a host nation’s domestic affairs.
#China #Japan
@asianomics
🇨🇳🇹🇼 Ahead of Taiwan president's Hawaii trip, China says it will defeat secessionism
China's military vowed to defeat all attempts at secessionism and urged the United States not to send the wrong signals on Taiwan independence, ahead of a trip by Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te to Hawaii as part of a Pacific tour.
"The Chinese People's Liberation Army shoulders the sacred mission of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will resolutely defeat all secessionist attempts for 'Taiwan independence' and thwart all interference by external forces," Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said.
A few hours after Wu had spoken, Taiwan's defense ministry said it had detected Chinese warplanes and warships carrying out a "joint combat readiness" patrol around the island, which China tends to do once or twice a month.
#China #Taiwan
@asianomics
🇨🇳🇵🇭 Chinese ships gather near island disputed with Philippines, satellite images show
Satellite images show a build-up of Chinese civilian vessels near contested Thitu Island, Manila's key outpost in the South China Sea, but a senior Philippine navy officer said they are "not a cause for concern".
One of the images taken by Maxar Technologies shows about 60 vessels, some within 2 nautical miles of Thitu, a strategically important island from which Manila monitors Chinese vessels and aircraft in the busy waterway.
Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad, Philippines Navy spokesman for the South China Sea, said maritime militia ships were regularly in the area, adding that Manila was aware of the vessels, which he called an "illegal presence", but there was no need for alarm.
#China #ThePhilippines
@asianomics