BansheeOne Posted November 15, 2020 Posted November 15, 2020 Quote Date 15.11.2020 Asia-Pacific nations sign world's biggest free-trade agreement Ten ASEAN nations, plus five other Asia-Pacific countries, have signed the world's biggest trade deal in terms of GDP. The pact is expected to drive economic growth in a region hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Fifteen nations in the Asia-Pacific region have entered into the world's largest free-trade agreement, which they hope will accelerate the recovery of their economies, ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, was signed on Sunday on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), held via videoconference due to the pandemic. The virtual summit was hosted by Vietnam which held the rotating chair position in the run-up to the event. The RCEP deal, signed eight years after negotiations first began, covers 2.2 billion people and a third of the world's economy. It had previously been expected that the deal would be signed in early 2020. The pact lowers tariffs, opens up the service sector and sets common trade rules within the bloc. The agreement covers trade, services, investment, e-commerce, telecommunications and copyright. However, environmental protection and labor rights are not part of the deal. An open door for India The China-backed agreement is seen as an alternative to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a now-defunct Washington trade initiative. It includes the 10 member states of ASEAN; Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei — along with Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. A notable absentee was India, which withdrew from the RCEP negotiations last year citing concerns over opening up its agricultural and manufacturing sectors to more foreign competition. ASEAN leaders have said they still intend to expand trade with India and that the door remains open for New Delhi to rejoin the bloc. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Saturday reaffirmed his government's support for "broadening a free and fair economic zone, including a possibility of India's future return to the deal, and hope to gain support from the other countries." The trade deal allows China — by far the biggest economy and the most populous country in the region — to cast itself as the "champion of globalization and multilateral cooperation," Gareth Leather, senior Asian economist for Capital Economics, said in a report. [...] https://www.dw.com/en/asia-pacific-nations-sign-worlds-biggest-free-trade-agreement/a-55604659
JasonJ Posted November 15, 2020 Author Posted November 15, 2020 That's one way to initiate carrying out the de-militarization of this military activity thread which is in a sub-section called "Military Current Affairs" which is on a board called Tank-net. No reason why another thread couldn't provide the back ground information and discussion of whatever nature the given day would have it as. But it's y'all forums board though so do as you must with it. I suspect there's a school of thought that believes the best way to keep a forums active is to instigate with disorganization, exaggerations, or other sorts of response triggering actions. Although sometimes I over think things. But still, a few minutes of thinking is spent on possibly why a post about a trade-related matter was made in what has been for a long time a military focused thread in a military sub-section.
Nobu Posted November 16, 2020 Posted November 16, 2020 14 hours ago, BansheeOne said: https://www.dw.com/en/asia-pacific-nations-sign-worlds-biggest-free-trade-agreement/a-55604659 India pulling out of the deal was unwelcome for Japan, to say the least. The deal is an indicator of how economic interests are woven into the fabric of politics in Asia, however.
BansheeOne Posted December 23, 2020 Posted December 23, 2020 Quote December 22, 2020 11:33 AM Updated 19 hours ago S.Korea scrambles jets as Chinese, Russian aircraft enter air defence zone By Reuters Staff SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea said it scrambled fighter jets in response to an intrusion into its air defence identification zone by 19 Russian and Chinese military aircraft on Tuesday. Four Chinese warplanes entered the Korea Air Defence Identification Zone (KADIZ) followed by 15 Russian aircraft, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The South Korean military dispatched air force fighters to take tactical measures. The South Korean military said the Chinese military had informed South Korea that its planes were carrying out routine training before the Chinese aircraft entered the KADIZ. “This incident seems to be a joint military drill between China and Russia but it requires a further analysis,” the JCS said in a statement. South Korea’s foreign ministry contacted China and Russia and told them there should not be a recurrence, Yonhap news agency reported. In July last year, South Korean warplanes fired hundreds of warning shots toward Russian military aircraft on a joint air patrol with China, when they entered South Korean airspace. South Korea and Japan, which both scrambled jets to intercept the patrol at the time, accused Russia and China of violating their airspace. Russia and China denied it. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-china-russia/s-korea-scrambles-jets-as-chinese-russian-aircraft-enter-air-defence-zone-idUSKBN28W139
JasonJ Posted December 24, 2020 Author Posted December 24, 2020 ROK scrambled about 20 fighters consisting of their F-15s, F-16s, and FA-50s.
BansheeOne Posted January 24, 2021 Posted January 24, 2021 Quote Date 24.01.2021 US concerned after 13 Chinese warplanes fly over Taiwan airspace Taiwan and the US have warned China after it flew nuclear-capable bombers and fighters over Taiwainese airspace. The US has urged China to stop pressuring Taiwan. Taiwan's airforce issued warnings after eight nuclear-capable Chinese bombers and four fighter jets entered the southwestern corner of the island nation's air defense zone Saturday. "Airborne alert sorties have been tasked, radio warnings issued and air defense missile systems deployed to monitor the activity," said the Defense Ministry in a brief statement. China, which continues to claim Taiwan as its own territory, in recent months has conducted almost daily flights over the waters between the southern part of Taiwan and the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea. However these flights have generally consisted of only one or two reconnaissance aircraft. The presence of so many Chinese combat aircraft on this mission — including an anti-submarine aircraft, eight H-6K bombers, and four J-16 fighter jets — is unusual. A map provided by Taiwan's Defense Ministry showed that the Chinese aircraft flew over the same waters where the most recent Chinese missions have been taking place, well away from mainland Taiwan. [...] https://www.dw.com/en/us-concerned-after-13-chinese-warplanes-fly-over-taiwan-airspace/a-56327535
JasonJ Posted January 24, 2021 Author Posted January 24, 2021 It's a return of PLAAF activity like seen in September: https://www.tanknet.org/index.php?/topic/38972-cold-war-the-reimagined-series/&do=findComment&comment=1496036
Nobu Posted January 24, 2021 Posted January 24, 2021 1 hour ago, BansheeOne said: https://www.dw.com/en/us-concerned-after-13-chinese-warplanes-fly-over-taiwan-airspace/a-56327535 There's a pretty awful typo in the subheader of that article.
BansheeOne Posted January 24, 2021 Posted January 24, 2021 I hadn't noticed. 😁 Quote Taiwan reports large incursion by Chinese warplanes for second day Published 1 hour ago Taiwan has reported a large incursion by Chinese warplanes for the second day running, a show of force that coincides with the first days of US President Joe Biden's term of office. Sunday's operation involved 15 aircraft and happened a day after a similar drill led to a warning from Washington. China sees democratic Taiwan as a breakaway province but Taiwan's leaders argue that it is a sovereign state. Analysts say China is testing the level of support of Mr Biden for Taiwan. China has carried out regular flights over the waters between the southern part of Taiwan and the Taiwanese-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea in recent months. But they are usually conducted by one to three reconnaissance or anti-submarine warfare aircraft, according to Taiwan. Taiwan's defence ministry said eight Chinese bomber planes capable of carrying nuclear weapons, four fighter jets and one anti-submarine aircraft entered its south-western air defence identification zone on Saturday. Sunday's operation involved 12 fighters, two anti-submarine aircraft and a reconnaissance plane, the ministry said. In both occasions, Taiwan's air force warned away the aircraft and deployed missiles to monitor them, it added. There has been no official comment from the Chinese government. Why is it significant? The drills come days after the inauguration of President Biden, who is expected to maintain pressure on China over a wide range of issues including human rights, trade disputes, Hong Kong and Taiwan, which has been a major thorn in the deteriorating relationship between the two powers. The Trump administration established closer ties with Taipei, ramping up arms sales and sending senior officials to the territory despite fierce warnings from China. Days before he left office, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lifted long-standing restrictions on contacts between American and Taiwanese officials. The substance of the new administration's policies on China and Taiwan remains to be seen but, in response to Saturday's operation, US state department spokesman Ned Price said the US would continue to deepen its ties with the island. [...] Last week, the island's de-facto ambassador to the US, Hsiao Bi-khim, was invited to attend Mr Biden's inauguration, in what was seen as another sign of the new administration's support for Taiwan. Lo Chih-cheng, a senior lawmaker for Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, said China's moves were an attempt to deter the new US government from backing the island. "It's sending a message to the Biden administration," he told the Reuters news agency. [...] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55788359? I had also not taken note of that last detail occurring, which shows I'm out of my former job's Taiwan loop. Quote WED JAN 20, 2021 / 11:29 PM EST Taiwan-Biden ties off to strong start with invite for top diplomat Ben Blanchard TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's ties with its most important global backer the United States are off to a strong start under President Joe Biden's government, after the island's de facto ambassador attended an inauguration for the first time with an official invitation. Former President Donald Trump's administration ramped up support for Taiwan, increasing arms sales and sending senior officials to Taipei, angering China and stirring even greater enmity from Beijing towards Washington. That had made Trump a popular figure in democratic Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, to be taken by force if needed, and raised concern in its government that Biden may not be as helpful. [...] Taiwan's foreign ministry said it was the first time an inauguration committee had formally invited the island's Washington representative and showed the close friendship between Taiwan and the United States based on shared values. "These shared values are democracy, freedom and human rights," said ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou. [...] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-taiwan-idUSKBN29Q01N Related: Quote Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group Enters South China Sea | USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs | Jan. 23, 2021 SOUTH CHINA SEA -- The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) entered the South China Sea January 23 to conduct routine operations. The TRCSG is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet to ensure freedom of the seas, build partnerships that foster maritime security, and conduct a wide range of operations. [...] https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/2480931/theodore-roosevelt-carrier-strike-group-enters-south-china-sea/
JasonJ Posted January 25, 2021 Author Posted January 25, 2021 (edited) Exercise Sea Dragon 2021 goes from January 12th to January 28th. US, Japan, Australia, India, and Canada participate in ASW training at Guam with their MPAs against a US Los Angeles class sub. The US sent two P-8s, Japan sent two P-1s, and India sent a P-8I. Cannot find something that specifically mentions what Australia and Canada sent. https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/2469348/guam-hosts-partner-nations-in-exercise-sea-dragon-2021/ https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/202101/20210114.pdf https://theprint.in/defence/navy-takes-part-in-quad-anti-submarine-warfare-exercise-with-p8i-aircraft/590430/ Edited January 25, 2021 by JasonJ
JasonJ Posted February 8, 2021 Author Posted February 8, 2021 Content updates had migrated to the cold war thread and stayed there for several months. The batch links no longer work ever since the new forums got established though. But the content runs roughly around June/July 2020 up until November in that thread. A few links to some of that content. Three posts worth in July that included Australia consideration in joining Malabar, first two Japanese Ospreys arriving to Japan, 9th USMC rotation to Darwin reduced to 1200 personnel due to virus impact, 120 JGSDF personnel airborne training out of a US C-130. https://www.tanknet.org/index.php?/topic/38972-cold-war-the-reimagined-series/&do=findComment&comment=1489198 A post in mid October about USN and JMSDF activity in the South China Sea such as the FONOPs by USS John S. McCain, JS Izumo led 3 ship voyage, and other stuff such as PAVE PAWS in Taiwan and Japan-Vietnam defense agreement. https://www.tanknet.org/index.php?/topic/38972-cold-war-the-reimagined-series/&do=findComment&comment=1499862 A post made in November about the JMSDF sending a warship to the artic circle for the first time. https://www.tanknet.org/index.php?/topic/38972-cold-war-the-reimagined-series/&do=findComment&comment=1506855
JasonJ Posted February 14, 2021 Author Posted February 14, 2021 Exercise Cope North 2021 US-Japan-Australia, air combat and HA/DR training, February 3rd to February 19 at Guam, a total of over 2000 personnel and 95 aircraft. Australia sent 170 personnel, an E-7A, and a KC-30A. Japan sent about 250 personnel, six F-15Js, three F-2s, an E-767, and a C-2. The remaining bulk of personnel and aircraft are from the US. That included twelve FA-18s from Iwakuni, fourteen F-15s and two E-3s from Kadena, fifteen F-16s and five EA-18Gs from Misawa, and some F-35As from Alaska. https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2490797/us-japan-australia-converge-on-guam-for-cope-north-21/ https://news.defence.gov.au/media/media-releases/royal-australian-air-force-joins-united-states-and-japan-exercise-cope-north-21#:~:text=5 February 2021&text=Exercise Cope North is a,United States%2C Australia and Japan. https://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/news/houdou/R2/20210115.pdf https://www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news/2021/01/25c.pdf https://www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news/2021/01/25b.pdf https://www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news/2021/01/25a.pdf
JasonJ Posted March 8, 2021 Author Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) USS Theodore Roosevelt, USS Bunker Hill, USS John Finn, JS Asahi, and JS Kongo conducted joint-training on January 15th in the waters around Okinawa. https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/202101/20210116.pdf https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/2474607/theodore-roosevelt-carrier-strike-group-conducts-bilateral-exercise-with-japan/ USS Theodore Roosevelt, USS Bunker Hill, JS Hatakaze, JS Setoyuki, and JS Yugiri conducted joint-training on February 28th in the Pacific. https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/2522134/theodore-roosevelt-carrier-strike-group-conducts-second-bilateral-exercise-with/ JS Ise, JS Shiranui, JS Harusame, USS John S. McCain, and USS Benfold conducted joint-training from March 1st to March 5th in the waters between the Kanto region and Guam. https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/2522134/theodore-roosevelt-carrier-strike-group-conducts-second-bilateral-exercise-with/ https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/202103/20210306.pdf Edited March 8, 2021 by JasonJ
BansheeOne Posted March 20, 2021 Posted March 20, 2021 Quote Date 19.03.2021 Author Wesley Rahn Alaska talks: Is the US trying to turn China into a pariah? China tried to frame its first high-level meeting with the Biden administration as a step towards mending ties. But the US has been clear it wants to rally a global alliance to confront "threats" from Beijing. A two-day meeting between top US diplomats and high-level Chinese representatives got underway in Alaska on Thursday, capping off a whirlwind week of Asia diplomacy for Washington. After talks with Japan and South Korea earlier this week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken came away with refreshed commitments to a "shared vision" for a "free and open" Indo Pacific, while slamming China for using "coercion and aggression to get its way." In Alaska, Blinken was joined by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan for what turned into an airing of grievances with top Chinese Communist Party diplomat Yang Jiechi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The White House had said ahead of the talks that the Biden administration's first high-level, in-person meeting with Chinese representatives was being held from a "position of strength" and "in lockstep" with allies and partners. At the meeting, Yang said US had a "cold war mentality" and used its military and economic power to "incite other countries to attack China." Blinken accused China of "threatening the rules-based order that maintains global stability" with its policies on Hong Kong, Taiwan and Xinjiang. The top US diplomat had asked reporters to remain in the room to hear his response to Yang's remarks and US criticism of China's policies. This is not normal protocol at such high-level talks, which are usually held behind closed doors. Earlier this week, Biden administration officials said the talks were aimed at making sure Beijing knew that US diplomats would deliver the same tough message in private as they have in public. No thaw for frosty US-China relations China had portrayed the event as the first step towards a détente, following four years of tension under former US President Donald Trump. Ahead of the talks, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the Chinese diplomats were "invited by the US for a high-level strategic dialogue," which seeks to "bring the China-US relationship back to the right track of sound and steady development." However, Blinken rejected that notion in front of the House Foreign Affairs Committee last week. "This is not a strategic dialogue. There's no intent at this point for a series of follow-on engagements," he said. "Those engagements ... really have to be based on the proposition that we're seeing tangible progress and tangible outcomes on the issues of concern to us with China," he added. [...] https://www.dw.com/en/alaska-talks-is-the-us-trying-to-turn-china-into-a-pariah/a-56927788 Quote Date 20.03.2021 US seeks to strengthen security ties with India On the last stop of his Asian tour, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has reaffirmed relations between the two allies as a counterweight to Chinese power. The US would like to elevate and strengthen its security cooperation with India, especially in information sharing and logistics, the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday. Austin was in New Delhi in an effort to strengthen cooperation between countries that are seeking to push back against Chinese influence and aggression in the region. "India, in particular, is an increasingly important partner among today's rapidly shifting international dynamics," Austin said after meeting. "We discussed opportunities to elevate the US-India major defence partnership, which is a priority of the Biden-Harris administration. And we'll do that through regional security cooperation and military to military interactions and defence trade," he added. Singh said that the meeting had focused on "expanding military-to-military engagement across services, information-sharing, cooperation in emerging sectors of defence, and mutual logistics support". Alliances in the Indo-Pacific region India and the US are members of the Quad, or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which also includes Australia and Japan. The Quad held a summit last weekend, affirming their joint interest in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The members also agreed to cooperate on dealing with maritime and cyber security challenges from China. Austin also met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday in the first visit by a top official in the Biden administration. The US foreign secretary will leave India on Sunday. He already made stops in Japan and South Korea — along with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken — as well as holding a telephone call with Australia's acting Minister of Defense on Friday. [...] https://www.dw.com/en/us-seeks-to-strengthen-security-ties-with-india/a-56937181
JasonJ Posted March 21, 2021 Author Posted March 21, 2021 Japanese Government reviewing feasibility of dispatching SDF for protecting US ships and planes in event of a Taiwan emergency. Quote TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese and U.S. defense chiefs have agreed in their recent meeting in Tokyo to closely cooperate in the event of a military clash between China and Taiwan, Japanese government sources said Saturday. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin brought up the issue when he held talks with Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi on Tuesday, though there was no discussion on how their countries should coordinate their response to such an emergency, the sources said. Tokyo's policy on China-Taiwan relations is to encourage dialogue for a peaceful solution to cross-strait tensions. Taiwan and mainland China have been separately governed since they split as a result of a civil war in 1949. China regards Taiwan as a renegade province awaiting reunification. Regarding Taiwan issues, a statement issued after talks by Kishi and Austin as well as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, also held on Tuesday, only called for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. In the earlier meeting with Austin, Kishi referred to a recent increase in the number of Chinese war planes crossing the median line in the Taiwan Strait and a need to study ways for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to cooperate with U.S. forces defending Taiwan in the event of China's aggression, they said. Tokyo has been reviewing the feasibility of issuing an SDF dispatch order to protect U.S. warships and military planes in case of a crisis between China and Taiwan given the strait's geographical proximity and the possibility of an armed conflict there affecting the safety of Japanese citizens. https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/US-China-tensions/Japan-U.S.-defense-chiefs-affirm-cooperation-over-Taiwan-emergency
JasonJ Posted April 2, 2021 Author Posted April 2, 2021 (edited) USS Bunker HIll and HMAS Anzac conducted joint-training in the Indian Ocean on March 10th. https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/2547258/uss-bunker-hill-operates-with-royal-australian-navy/ A Japanese submarine, a P-8, and a P-1 conducted ASW joint-training in the Sea of Japan on March 23rd. https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/202103/20210324.pdf USS Theodore Roosevelt, USS Bunker Hill, USS Russell, INS Shivalik, a P-8I, and some aircraft from the Indian Air force conducted joint-training in the Indian Ocean on the 28th and 29th of March. https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/2554498/theodore-roosevelt-carrier-strike-group-conducts-joint-force-maritime-exercise/ JS Kongo and USS Blue Ridge conducted joint-training in the East China Sea on March 29th. https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/2555929/uss-blue-ridge-operates-with-japan-maritime-self-defense-force/ https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/202103/20210330.pdf HMAS Anzac and JS Akebono conducted joint-training in the South China Sea from March 29th to the 31st. https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/202103/20210331.pdf Four F-22s, one F-16, and two KC-135s of the USAF and four F-35As of the JASDF conducted joint-training west of Misawa on April 1st. https://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/news/houdou/R3/20210402.pdf https://twitter.com/PACAF/status/1377844365763039233 Indonesia and Japan signed a new defense agreement. Quote TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan and Indonesia signed Tuesday a deal enabling exports of Japanese-made defense equipment to the Southeast Asian country, as they try to boost cooperation amid China's rising assertiveness in regional waters. The accord on the transfer of defense equipment and technology was signed after the foreign and defense ministers of Japan and Indonesia met in Tokyo for the so-called two-plus-two talks, in which they also condemned the recent killings of peaceful protestors by security forces in Myanmar. The ministers shared "serious concerns" about China's "continued and strengthened unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force" in the South and East China seas, including the enactment of a new Chinese coast guard law, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told a joint press conference following the talks. The law, put into effect in February, allows the Chinese coast guard to fire on vessels intruding into what it considers its waters. "The law should not infringe legitimate rights and interests," Japan's Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said at the press conference. Japan is troubled by Chinese coast guard ships' repeated intrusions into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. China claims the uninhabited group of islets, calling them Diaoyu. Indonesia, meanwhile, faces tensions in its exclusive economic zone in the waters north of the Natuna Islands with China, where Chinese fishing boats, accompanied by Chinese coast guard vessels are claimed to be engaged in illegal fishing. The EEZ overlaps with China's self-proclaimed "nine-dash" line that marks its expansive claims in the South China Sea, where it has disputes with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. Japan's signing of the deal with Indonesia follows similar defense accords with Australia, Britain, France, Germany, India, Italy, Malaysia, the Philippines and the United States. "I am convinced that the pact will form the foundation of a further expansion of our bilateral security cooperation and become a symbol of our joint efforts in facing regional threats," Motegi said. Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said he invites Japan to participate "in our defense industry and...in the modernization of the Indonesian defense capacity." In the talks, the second of its kind for the two countries since 2015, the ministers also shared "strong concerns" about the crisis in Myanmar, where the military seized power in the Feb. 1 coup, Motegi said. "Indonesia strongly denounces this kind of act," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, referring to the use of force by the Myanmar security forces on Saturday that killed more than 100 demonstrators in the bloodiest day of protests since the coup. "It is unacceptable," she also said. "For Indonesia, safety and the well-being of the people of Myanmar are paramount. Dialogue should be pursued to bring democracy, peace and stability back in Myanmar." Indonesia has led efforts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis, even as the bloc upholds the principle of noninterference in members' internal affairs. Myanmar belongs to the 10-nation group. Indonesia has called for an extraordinary summit of ASEAN to discuss the crisis in Myanmar. The death toll from the military's violent campaign to quell the unrest in Myanmar has reached at least 510, according to a rights group monitoring the situation. In the wake of North Korea's launch Thursday of two ballistic missiles, the Japanese and Indonesian ministers agreed on the importance of strictly implementing U.N. resolutions banning Pyongyang from testing ballistic missile and nuclear technologies, Motegi said. Japan will extend 50 billion yen ($453 million) in loans to help Indonesia's response to natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, Motegi said. Tokyo will also offer fisheries patrol vessels to support Jakarta's efforts to strengthen law enforcement at sea. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210330/p2g/00m/0na/081000c Edited April 2, 2021 by JasonJ
BansheeOne Posted April 10, 2021 Posted April 10, 2021 Quote Date 09.04.2021 US encourages diplomatic contact with Taiwan The United States is seeking more diplomatic contact with Taiwan, as China engages in military provocations towards the island. The US State Department on Friday issued new guidelines to encourage diplomatic engagement with Taiwan, as the White House condemns recent Chinese military activities near the island. Although the US severed official relations with Taiwan to appease Beijing in 1979, Washington and Taipei enjoy a robust security partnership. "These new guidelines liberalize guidance on contacts with Taiwan, consistent with our unofficial relations," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said. He claimed the guidelines aim "to encourage US government engagement with Taiwan that reflects our deepening unofficial relationship." Taiwan's representative office in the US welcomed the guidelines in a tweet. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in January had declared he was lifting restrictions on communications between US and Taiwanese officials, during the final days of former President Donald Trump's administration. Chinese activities in Taiwan Strait 'potentially destabilizing,' White House warns The US move comes as China sends fighter jets into Taiwan's air defense identification zone, escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. White House spokesperson Jen Psaki expressed US concerns over the military buildup in the Taiwan Strait earlier in the day. "We've seen a concerning increase in PRC military activity in the Taiwan Strait, which we believe is potentially destabilizing," Psaki said during a press briefing Friday, referring to the People's Republic of China (PRC). [...] https://www.dw.com/en/us-encourages-diplomatic-contact-with-taiwan/a-57152448
BansheeOne Posted April 14, 2021 Posted April 14, 2021 Quote US sends unofficial delegation to Taiwan, angering China 5h ago China has urged the US to immediately stop official interactions with Taiwan. China has been flexing its military power in the region in recent months. US President Joe Biden sent an unofficial delegation of former officials to Taiwan on Wednesday in a signal of support for the island, which China claims as its own. Former Senator Chris Dodd, and former Deputy Secretaries of State Richard Armitage and James Steinberg arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday afternoon. "Once again this visit demonstrates the firm relationship between Taiwan and the United States," said Xavier Chang, the spokesman for Taiwan's presidential office. The bond is "strong as a rock." The visit comes just after Beijing flexed its growing military muscle on Monday. Tension with China Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian urged the US to "immediately stop official interactions in any forms with Taiwan authorities and prudently handle Taiwan-related issues." He warned the US not to "send any wrong signals to the Taiwan separatist forces, so as not to put more harm on Chinese relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." Over the past year, China has increased its military presence with fighter jets and nuclear-capable bombers breaching Taiwan's air defense zone on a near-daily basis. Just this Monday a record 25 Chinese military jets and bombers breached Taiwan's defense zone. China uses diplomatic, economic and military pressure to keep Taiwan isolated on the world stage. [...] https://m.dw.com/en/us-sends-unofficial-delegation-to-taiwan-angering-china/a-57197677
carrierlost Posted April 15, 2021 Posted April 15, 2021 Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force is moving ahead with nationwide exercises that will involve all of its units. This will be the first time since 1993. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/04/15/national/gsdf-china-defense/
JasonJ Posted April 16, 2021 Author Posted April 16, 2021 6 hours ago, carrierlost said: Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force is moving ahead with nationwide exercises that will involve all of its units. This will be the first time since 1993. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/04/15/national/gsdf-china-defense/ A few minor media webpages reported that MoD was thinking having this nationwide large scale exercise about 3 weeks ago but none of the major ones reported it so it seemed like perhaps a possibile media hype are baseless rumor. But now its reported by the big media outlets as well. One of the earlier reportings from 3 weeks ago: https://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/amp/725723
JasonJ Posted April 17, 2021 Author Posted April 17, 2021 (edited) Some JGSDF exercises planned for fiscal year 2021. The large nationwide one, 2nd-3rd quarter. Yamasakura 81, with US command, in Japan, 3rd quarter. Orient Shield, with US Army, in Japan, 1st-2nd quarter. Resolute Dragon, with USMC, in Japan, 3rd quarter. Unnamed exercise, with USMC, in japan, 4th quarter. Rising Thunder, with US Army, in the US, 3rd quarter. Iron Fist, with USMC, in the US, 4th quarter. Talisman Sabre, with USMC, in Australia, 1st-2nd quarter. Southern Jackaroo, with US and Australian Armies, in Australia, 1st quarter. Unnamed exercise, with French Army and USMC, in Japan, 1st quarter. Kamandag, with USMC and Philippine Marines, in the Philippines, 2nd-3rd quarter. Dharma Guardian, with India Army, in India, 3rd quarter. Vigilent Islands, with the UK Army, TBA, 4th quarter. https://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/news/press/2021/pdf/20210415.pdf Edited April 17, 2021 by JasonJ
BansheeOne Posted April 19, 2021 Posted April 19, 2021 Quote Japan, US showcase alliance, resolve in dealing with China By ELLEN KNICKMEYER, MARI YAMAGUCHI and AAMER MADHANI April 17, 2021 WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga showcased the alliance between their two countries as well as their shared resolve in dealing with China as they met at the White House on Friday in Biden’s first face-to-face talks with a foreign leader as president. Suga and Biden, who wore masks for their meeting in a visit modified by precautions against the coronavirus, were seeking to challenge messaging from Chinese President Xi Jinping that America and democracies in general are on the decline following the political turmoil and international withdrawal that marked Donald Trump’s presidency. At a press conference in the Rose Garden after their meeting, Biden stressed U.S. commitments to Japan’s defense and said the alliance — the U.S. is Japan’s only treaty ally — would “prove that democracies can still commit and win” and “deliver for our people.” Managing the alliance with the United States is one of the trickiest tasks for any leader of Japan, whose economy depends heavily on China and whose security depends on the U.S. Friday’s talks featured unusually frank talk from a Japanese leader against any effort by China to dominate the Indo-Pacific region by “force or coercion.” Suga also called for peace and stability in Taiwan, and urged China — whose disputed claim to Taiwan is a potential flashpoint in the region and with the United States — to peacefully resolve the dispute. China under Xi has been increasingly deploying its military to assert its sweeping territorial claims, helping prod the United States, Japan and some other Indo-Pacific nations to strengthen their alliance. Mildly worded as that part of the two leaders’ statement was, it marked the first time a Japanese prime minister had spoken out in a communique with the United States on Taiwan since 1969 talks between Richard Nixon and Eisaku Sato. [...] https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-yoshihide-suga-xi-jinping-asia-e2ca86750edcc37c18c12bc41299a0e9
JasonJ Posted May 13, 2021 Author Posted May 13, 2021 Exercise LA PÉROUSE was carried out by FNS Tonnerre, FNS Surcouf, INS Satpura, INS Kiltan, a P-8I, USS Somerset, HMAS Anzac, HMAS Sirius, and JS Akebono in the Bay of Bengal from April 5th to April 7th. https://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/actualites2/mission-jeanne-d-arc-la-mission-jeanne-d-arc-conduit-l-exercice-multinational-la-perouse https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/202104/20210405.pdf HMCS Calgary, HMAS Anzac, HMAS Sirius, and JS Akebono conducted joint-training in the waters west of Sumatra on April 8th https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/202104/20210409.pdf Four F-15s, one E-3, and two KC-135s of the USAF, four F-15Js and four F-2s of the JASDF, and two F-35Bs of the USMC conducted joint-training joint-training in the airspace west of Kyushu and over the East China Sea on April 8th. https://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/news/houdou/R3/20210410.pdf A USN EP-3E and a JMSDF EP-3 conducted joint-training over the East China Sea from April 13th to April 15th. https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/release/202104/20210416.pdf Exercise Pacific Edge was carried out by F-22s, F-16s, and KC-135s of the USAF and an RAAF E-7A in the airspace around Hawaii for over three weeks that lasted until April 22nd. https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/2593946/hawaiian-raptors-fly-with-raaf-for-exercise-pacific-edge-21/ Exercise Balikatan was carried out by about 225 US military personnel and 415 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines at several locations on Luzon from March 26th to April 23rd. https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/2584210/us-and-philippine-forces-conclude-36th-balikatan-exercise/ Thirteen F-15Js and two F-2s of the JASDF conducted joint-training with two B-52s in the airspace north of Okinawa, the East China Sea, and the Sea of Japan on April 27th. https://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/news/houdou/R3/20210430.pdf
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