Asia-Pacific Allies

[JasonJ]

Philippines marines trained with USMC in Okinawa.

 

 

 

Members of the Philippine Marine Corps under the Assault Armor Battalion trained with their United States counterparts inside US military base Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, on July 18, 2017.

“The Philippine Marine Corps recently purchased AAVS (Assault Amphibious Vehicles) and are working with U.S. Marines to learn different amphibious procedures – such as hand signaling, egress training, and water operations,” the US Marines said.

According to US Marines this is the first time the Philippine military has trained on an American base.

In April 2016, it was reported that Hanwha Techwin, previously Samsung Techwin, was declared as the winning bidder for the Department of National Defense’s Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) acquisition project.

8 AAVs are expected to be delivered in 2018. These assault vehicles can be housed and deployed at sea by Philippine Navy’s two Tarlac-class landing platform docks.

https://www.update.ph/2017/07/ph-marines-train-to-maneuver-amphibious-assault-vehicles-in-japan/19359

[Nobu]

Inada's utter incompetence has not only compromised Abe, but also the medium- and long-term goals of Nippon Kaigi in general.

 

Committing professional suicide is hardly enough at this point.

[JasonJ]

Inada's utter incompetence has not only compromised Abe, but also the medium- and long-term goals of Nippon Kaigi in general.

 

Committing professional suicide is hardly enough at this point.

 

She's more like Japan SDF fan leader than a professional. For that, I kind of liked seeing her since giving an impression of liking the defense forces is often lower in comparison of other countries. But her time is up, can't say her leaving is regrettable, she's been on the job for only a year.

 

Japanese media is partially to blame as the focus so much attention on the scandals related to the friend veterinarian and the kindergarten. Some complain about the media attention on the scandals and the relatively weak coverage giving to things like Chinese Coast guard ships intruding into territorial waters. There's a lot of leftest media. Some call it 倒閣運動 or "knock down the cabinet movement".

 

In a July political survey, some interesting points..

http://www.fnn-news.com/yoron/inquiry170724.html

 

Abe's rating was down to 34.7 compared to the 47.6 in June. LDP support went down from 36.0 to 29.1 but the loss of support points went to the junior komeito party that often sides with LDP (going from 4.1 to 5.3) or to the group that gave support to no party (38.1 to 45.7). The primary opposition political party also lost support despite LDP hit (from 8.3 to 7.0).

 

One question asked to select one person who they want to see replaced when the cabinet is reshuffled in early August. Inada got 63.1. Second highest was "don't know/can't say" at 18.4. Third was "not necessary to change anyone" with 9.9.

 

There were a few questions asking about changing the constitution. 46.5 support changing vs 43.8 that are against. Adding a part that includes the mentioning of the Self-Defense Force in article 9 is supported by 55.3 vs 31.3 that are against.

 

One question asked who was the most suitable to be the prime minster of Japan. Top choice was "nobody was suitable" at 21.6. Abe still manage to be selected third among the list at 19.7. The second highest pick was Ishiba at 20.4. Coming in at fourth with 9.0 was Shinjiro Koizumi, son of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi. 5th was the Tokyo governor, Yuriko Koike with 8.9.

Edited July 30, 2017 by JasonJ

[BansheeOne]

Quote

Date 29.10.2020

US seeks Indonesia alliance against China maritime claims

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is on a tour to forge new alliances in Asia, with Indonesia high on his list. Washington, which is increasingly at odds with Beijing on regional issues, aims to build new bridges.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo underlined US interest in cooperating with Indonesia in the South China Sea during a visit to Jakarta on Thursday. 

"I am looking forward to co-operating together in new ways to ensure maritime security protects some of the world's busiest trade routes," Pompeo told a joint press conference with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi. 

Marsudi, meanwhile, said she wanted a stable and peaceful South China Sea where international maritime law is respected. 

China, Brunei, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Taiwan have overlapping claims to parts of the South China Sea — one of the most important trade routes in the world. Jakarta has often positioned itself as an "honest broker" in these disputes but has clashed with Beijing over its own exclusive economic zone, for example when it comes to fishing.

Renewed China attack

Ahead of the US election, Pompeo repeated past assertions against China, with which US relations have deteriorated in recent times. He praised Indonesia's efforts to safeguard its interests while slamming China's "unlawful" claims. 

Pompeo is expected to meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo and also address an Islamic youth group on his visit. 

Pompeo is on a five-nation tour in Asia, to strengthen US relations in the region. Prior to visiting Indonesia, he visited India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. He will be flying to Vietnam later on Thursday. 

https://www.dw.com/en/us-seeks-indonesia-alliance-against-china-maritime-claims/a-55430450

[JasonJ]

Migrate the 情報-feed back to このthreadか, hmmmmmmm どうしよう。

[DougRichards]

This is as good a place as any for this post.

It seems that New Zealand (The Land of the Long White Shroud) is happy to cuddle up with China, particularly the CCP.  Maybe they feel that it will benefit New Zealand in trade, maybe they feel that they do not want to poke a rather difficult tiger.

But whatever, K1W1s may find themselves outside the tent trying to piss in rather than inside the tent pissing out, and getting pissed on themselves in the process.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-19/new-zealand-five-eyes-intelligence-sharing-china-australia/100078834

New Zealand's Foreign Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, has sent a clear signal that the country will chart a more independent foreign policy, directly criticising efforts to pressure China through the Five Eyes intelligence sharing group.

Key points:

• Ms Mahuta says the Five Eyes group should focus solely on intelligence sharing
• Beijing responded furiously to previous joint Five Eyes statements criticising China
• Tensions have flared between Australia and New Zealand over how to handle China

The comments are likely to further inflame tensions in New Zealand's relationship with Australia, which believes the Ardern government is undermining collective attempts to push back against increasingly aggressive behaviour from Beijing.

The Five Eyes group – which includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand – was originally formed as an intelligence sharing network but has expanded its scope in the past few years.

Ms Mahuta today said the group should focus on intelligence.

"That's a matter we have raised with Five Eyes partners. We are uncomfortable with expanding the remit of the Five Eyes relationship," she said.

"We would much rather prefer to look for multilateral opportunities to express our interests on a number of issues."

The comments come only days before Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne visits New Zealand for formal talks with Ms Mahuta and New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern.

Beijing has responded furiously to recent joint statements from the Five Eyes group criticising crackdowns on Hong Kong and Xinjiang, and threatened reprisals.

In the last six months New Zealand has joined many of those statements, but has been conspicuously absent from some.

Tensions have also flared between Australia and New Zealand over how to handle Beijing, although most of the frustrations have been kept behind closed doors.

Earlier this year New Zealand's Trade Minister, Damien O'Connor, irritated Australian ministers and officials after suggesting that the Morrison government should show China more "respect" in order to avoid campaigns of economic punishment.

Ms Mahuta has not held back from criticising China — including over its treatment of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang – since taking over the role.

But the Foreign Minister said Five Eyes had a "specific purpose" and New Zealand would issue its own statements – or look to "other partners" in the region – when it wanted to lay out its position.

"New Zealand has been very clear, certainly in this term since we've held the portfolio, not to invoke the Five Eyes as the first point of contact on messaging out on a range of issues," she said.

"They really exist outside of the remit of the Five Eyes. We don't favour that type of approach and have expressed that to Five Eyes partners."

The Foreign Minister's comments also cast doubt on moves to expand the diplomatic architecture of Five Eyes.

In recent years ministers from all five countries across several different portfolios – including defence, treasury and foreign affairs – have held Five Eyes meetings.

Minister outlines new approach to China

Ms Mahuta made the comments after giving a major speech designed to reframe New Zealand's approach to its relationship with China.

She said New Zealand wanted to diversify its exports in order to reduce its dependence on China, saying "in terms of thinking about long-term economic resilience … there is value in diversity".

"Resting our trade relationship on just one country, long term, is probably not the way we should be thinking about things," she said.

She said New Zealand wanted mutually respectful ties with China, comparing the relationship to a "dragon and taniwha", in reference to a water-dwelling serpent in Maori mythology.

The Foreign Minister stressed the two countries would not always agree, but needed to deal with each other fairly and honestly.

"There are some things on which New Zealand and China do not, cannot, and will not, agree," Ms Mahuta said.

"It is important to acknowledge this, and to stay true to ourselves, as we seek to manage our disagreements mindful that tikanga [culture, values or customs] or underpinning how we relate to each other must be respected."

She also issued a thinly veiled warning about rising debt levels in the Pacific, although she did not single out China.

"It's no secret there's a significant level of economic vulnerability across the Pacific," she said.

"New Zealand certainty invests in the Pacific … by way of grants, not loans."

"If we're really focused on regional stability and opportunity we need to tackle this particular challenge. I hope that conversation can take place with those who seek to invest in the region."

 

[Stuart Galbraith]

Thanks Doug, thats really interesting.

[JasonJ]

I remember seeing NZ officials saying that to Australia about China.

Economically, maybe not much coordination with them vice a vice China.

 

Some things from the military side..

NZ has sent three times since 2018 a patrol aircraft for observing DPRK related illegal ship to ship transfers.

In November last year, NZ patrol aircraft crew came to Kyushu for exchanges with JMSDF counterparts. They agreed to work towards setting up a first bilateral joint-training with JSDF.

https://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/exchange/area/2021/20210419_nzl-j.html

Perhaps next year it'll happen.

 

 

 

[BansheeOne]

Quote

Blinken: China is acting 'more aggressively abroad'

7h ago

Washington was not trying to "contain" China, US State Secretary Anthony Blinken said, but warned that Beijing was acting in "increasingly adversarial" ways.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken harshly criticized China on Sunday, saying the country was acting "more repressively at home and more aggressively abroad." Blinken made the remarks during his "60 Minute" interview on CBS News. 

Beijing trying to compete 'unfairly'

When asked whether the US was heading towards a military confrontation with Beijing, Blinken said, "It's profoundly against the interests of both China and the United States to, to get to that point, or even to head in that direction."

US President Joe Biden's administration has identified competition with China as one of their greatest foreign policy challenges.

[...] 

New Zealand in its own 'lane' on China

Meanwhile, New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was becoming increasingly difficult to reconcile differences with China.

"It will not have escaped the attention of anyone here that as China's role in the world grows and changes, the differences between our systems — and the interests and values that shape those systems — are becoming harder to reconcile," she said while speaking at the China Business summit in Auckland on Monday.

Ardern also said that some Indo-Pacific nations as well as Europe and other countries were facing this challenge. She said New Zealand and China "can not, do not, and will not" agree on certain things, but this need not define their relationship. China is New Zealand's largest trading partner. 

China has accused the Five Eyes alliance (which includes New Zealand, Australia, Britain, Canada and the US) of ganging up against them by issuing statements on Hong Kong and the treatment of ethnic Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

New Zealand's foreign minister expressed apprehensions about the Five Eyes moving beyond the group's purpose, of sharing intelligence. The country has been under pressure from its allies for not talking a tougher stance regarding Beijing.

While Ardern expressed solidarity with the other nations over the issue of China, she also made it clear that New Zealand would decide its own policy. "I'm often asked which lane are we swimming in — we swim in New Zealand's lane," she said.

The country's parliament is set to table a motion that could declare China's oppression of the Uyghurs as an act of genocide  on Tuesday, albeit a motion put forward by the opposition not Ardern's government.

In another signal of trouble in the region, Australia will be reviewing the 99-year lease of a commercial and military port in Darwin to a Chinese firm, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald. The report comes less than two weeks since Australia nixed two small Belt and Road deals, prompting an outrage response from Beijing. 

https://m.dw.com/en/blinken-china-is-acting-more-aggressively-abroad/a-57406455

[Stuart Galbraith]

'Roll up, roll up. Its going cheap, get your luvverly chunks of national infrastructure here, going cheap guvnor...'

China now owns £143bn in UK assets, from nuclear power to pubs and schools (msn.com)

Chinese investors have amassed nearly £134bn of assets in key UK industries ranging from energy companies and transport hubs to breweries and schools.

Nearly 200 British companies are either controlled by groups or individuals based in China and Hong Kong or count them as minority shareholders, according to an analysis of business data.

The list of investments drawn up by the Sunday Times includes Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, Heathrow Airport, Northumbrian Water, pub retailer Greene King and Superdrug.

It reveals that Chinese investors own nearly £57bn of shares in the UK's 100 biggest listed companies, dominated by a 49 per cent stake in HSBC worth £45bn. Investments valued at over £1bn have also been made in pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, oil and gas firms Shell and BP and alcohol company Diageo.

Other investments include at least 17 independent schools, Lotus Cars, Barnsley, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City football clubs, Cineworld and Odeon UCI cinemas, the QHotels group and the Skyscanner travel website.

 

The wouldnt have to invade us, all they have to do is call the bailiffs in.  

[JasonJ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://merchantmachine.co.uk/china-vs-us/

 

 

[TrustMe]

Interesting find JJ.

[JasonJ]

12 minutes ago, TrustMe said:

Interesting find JJ.

Yeah, there are some interesting post exchanges 5 to 6 years ago surrounding these two posts that are related and were indicating China's raise in becoming the largest trade partner for many countries:

(December 2015) https://www.tanknet.org/index.php?/topic/39564-chinas-peaceful-rise/&do=findComment&comment=1213651

(July 2016) https://www.tanknet.org/index.php?/topic/39564-chinas-peaceful-rise/&do=findComment&comment=1255211

[BansheeOne]

Quote

New Zealand slams China's treatment of Uyghurs, stops short of calling it genocide

2h ago

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's Labour Party has watered down a parliamentary proposal to accuse China of genocide. The Pacific nation has taken a softer stance than the US and UK.

New Zealand's parliament unanimously voted to name China's treatment of the Uyghur people in Xinjiang province as severe human rights abuses on Wednesday, but shied away from the term genocide put forward by the opposition.

All parties supported the motion put forward by a small opposition party, but the original designation of "genocide" was replaced with the phrase "severe human rights abuses" following an objection from Prime Minister Jacinda Arden's ruling Labour Party.

While allies such as Canada, the US and Britain — from the Five Eyes intelligence network — have all called China's abuses of minority Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang genocide, New Zealand followed the path of its Pacific neighbor Australia in toning down its criticism. Both countries have strong economic ties with China, in large part because of their geography.

How did lawmakers respond to the change?

Brooke Van Velden, the deputy leader of the ATC Party that put forward the original proposal, said it was "intolerable" that New Zealand had shied away from the term genocide to placate its largest trading partner.

[...] 

Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, however, defended the government's decision to not use the term, insisting that New Zealand had raised concerns over the situation in Xinjiang multiple times, but that genocide was a serious legal accusation.

"This is not due to a lack of concern," Mahuta said. "Genocide is the gravest of international crimes and a formal legal determination should only be reached following a rigorous assessment on the basis of international law."

[...] 

https://m.dw.com/en/new-zealand-slams-chinas-treatment-of-uyghurs-stops-short-of-calling-it-genocide/a-57431731

 

Quote

EU-China investment deal put on ice over sanctions

14h ago

The EU's long-time-coming investment deal with China is facing major hurdles. The EU's economy commissioner says diplomatic tensions have made conditions for the deal "unfavorable."

A diplomatic spat between the European Union and China has jeopardized a major investment agreement, officials said on Tuesday.  

EU Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis told AFP news agency that efforts to win approval for the deal were effectively on ice.

"We now in a sense have suspended ... political outreach activities from the European Commission side," Dombrovskis said in an interview.

"It's clear in the current situation with the EU sanctions in place against China and Chinese counter sanctions in place, including against members of European Parliament (that) the environment is not conducive for ratification of the agreement," Dombrovskis said.

A spokesperson for the European Commission told DW that the ratification process had not begun, and was subject to a legal review. 

The spokesperson said the ratification process was now effectively paused as it "cannot be separated from the evolving dynamics of the wider EU-China relationship."

Chinese sanctions were "unacceptable and regrettable," the spokesperson added.

What is the EU-China agreement?

Brussels and Beijing signed a new investment agreement in 2020 intended to guarantee a stable framework of conditions for trade and investment in each other's markets.

The EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) was signed in December after seven years of negotiation.

To enter into force, it must still be ratified by EU member states and the European Parliament, where it faces massive opposition.

The pact would offer European companies access to Chinese markets and facilitate Chinese investment in Europe. It also sets level playing field rules that prevent state assistance from undercutting competition, and sustainable development provisions.

Why have relations deteriorated?

In March, the EU imposed sanctions against China for its treatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority in the Xinjiang region. These were the first human rights sanctions against China since the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. 

In response, Beijing immediately announced counter-sanctions against members of the European Parliament, and others.

Doubts have been raised about the deal in recent months, with experts and human rights advocates calling on the EU to ditch the deal.

https://m.dw.com/en/eu-china-investment-deal-put-on-ice-over-sanctions/a-57427703

[JasonJ]

A Japanese destroyer and Taiwanese frigate shadowed a PRC frigate passing between Taiwan and Yonaguni.

Quote

 

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese and Japanese warships reportedly teamed up Saturday (May 1) to shadow a Chinese frigate sailing near their respective countries' waters.

On Saturday, the ship-tracking Twitter account August posted a satellite image showing a People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Type 054A frigate prowling the waters of the East China Sea. Giving chase to its south was an Abukuma-class destroyer escort from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

Southwest of the frigate, what appeared to be either a Kee Lung class destroyer or Chi Yang class frigate from the Taiwan Navy could be seen shadowing the Chinese warship. When the satellite image was captured, the Chinese frigate was estimated to be about 125 kilometers from Keelung City, 132 km from the Japanese island of Yonaguni, and only 62 km from the disputed Diaoyutai Islands.

That same day, Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced the encounter and released footage of the PLAN warship. According to the MoD, the Chinese frigate had been spotted about 150 km northeast of Miyakojima on April 30.

The MoD stated that the Chinese frigate had then headed west and sailed between Keelung and Yonaguni on Saturday before heading north toward the East China Sea.

As its position on Saturday was near the Diaoyutai Islands, Japan's Maritime Self Defense Force not only sent a destroyer but also a Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol plane and a Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime surveillance aircraft to monitor the ship from the air.

During a meeting of the Legislative Yuan on Monday (May 3), Taiwan's Minister of Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) said that the military is fully aware of the enemy's latest movements, whether they are near Keelung or other areas. He stated that "as long as they are within the scope of our surveillance and reconnaissance and scope of our responsibility, including the contingency zone, we will definitely send ships or aircraft to deal with it."

Chiu added that the military will not announce which nations it cooperates with, but when it comes to self-defense, "We will carry out whatever surveillance and investigation is necessary.

 

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4193472

[BansheeOne]

Quote

New Caledonia votes to remain a French territory

3h ago

Nine out of ten voters elected to stay as part of France. Indigenous groups slammed a French decision to hold another referendum on independence, as the coronavirus rages in the overseas territory.

Voters in the French island territory of New Caledonia chose overwhelmingly Sunday to stay part of France, in a referendum boycotted by pro-independence groups.

With three-quarters of the ballots counted, 91% voted in favor of remaining as part of France, according to regional officials, after a turnout of 41%.

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the result as a resounding confirmation of France's role in the Indo-Pacific, and said "a period of transition" would begin in the wake of the vote.

"We must now build a common project, while recognizing and respecting the dignity of everyone," he said.

New Caledonians took part in the referendum in the knowledge it would be the third and last of its kind allowed on the issue under a 1998 deal with Paris.

Pro-independence campaigners urged supporters to boycott the vote after saying it would not be fair because of COVID-19 restrictions complicating their campaign.

What are the main issues behind the poll?

France has had a major presence in the Indo-Pacific ever since Napoleon III colonized New Caledonia in 1853.

But relations between New Caledonia and Paris have become more strained of late, with indigenous groups angered by France's decision to arrange the referendum during the coronavirus pandemic.

New Caledonia's economy is also tied to China, with experts thinking that the Asian superpower could gain an even greater influence in the region with formal independence.

China is already the single biggest client for New Caledonia's vast nickel reserves.

Other archipelagos in the region including Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea have strengthened their links with China in recent years.

[...] 

In the two preceding referendums, held in November 2018 and October 2020 respectively, New Caledonians voted with a slight majority to stick with Paris.

A total of three referendums were agreed with France in the Noumea Agreement of 1998.

French President Emmanuel Macron promised that "whatever the result is, there will be a shared life" and said his government would not takes sides in the plebiscite.

France flew in an extra 2,000 extra police and 250 magistrates for the poll.

https://m.dw.com/en/new-caledonia-votes-to-remain-a-french-territory/a-60094743