Fortnightly Review & Analysis: ASEAN, Indo-Pacific, East Asia, Japan & China (Vol 2 Issue VIII)

April 16 - 31, 2017

ASEAN

30th ASEAN Summit: Watered Down Statement on South China Sea

State Heads of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met for their 30th summit on April 29 in Manila, Philippines. The summit officially ended with no joint statement being issued leading to doubts over ASEAN’s stand on South China Sea. Duterte followed up the summit by releasing a Chairman’s Statement the next day on April 30 that removed mention of any concerns over China’s aggression in the disputed South China Sea. As per media reports, Chinese officials had apparently lobbied with the Philippines to keep tacit references to Beijing's island-building and arming of artificial islands out of the statement. The leaders’ joint statement thus avoided mention of sensitive issues such as land reclamation or militarization, or Hague Tribunal ruling in 2016 that rejected China’s claims to more than 80 per cent of the South China Sea in a case brought by the Philippines under the administration of former president Benigno Aquino. The 2016 Chairman Statement after 28th and 29th ASEAN summits noted serious concerns over the “land reclamations and escalation of activities in the area, which eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions” and the possibility of their undermining peace, security and stability in the region. The 2017 released statement however, noted “the improving cooperation between ASEAN and China” in the South China Sea, with the leaders also recognizing “the long term benefits” of peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.

Speaking after the meeting, Duterte said China’s recent actions in the South China Sea were not discussed at the leaders’ meeting on April 29, describing any talks on the issue as “useless.” Duterte however, stated that ASEAN wanted to complete a framework for a maritime code of conduct with Beijing this year to defuse tensions “so that everybody would just feel comfortable”. The joint statement also mentions the progress for completion of a framework of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) by middle of this year, in order to facilitate the early conclusion of an effective COC.

ASEAN Statement on North Korea

ASEAN Foreign Ministers expressed grave concern over the escalation of tensions in the Korean peninsula in a statement issued on April 28. In the statement issued, the ministers said ASEAN strongly urges North Korea to comply fully with its obligations arising from all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and international laws in the interest of maintaining international peace and security. In an interview with Channel News Asia, Secretary-General Le Luong Minh said ASEAN’s stand includes calling for the de-escalation of the standoff, denuclearization and for the resumption of the six-party talks. The six-party talks involving North and South Korea, China, the United States, Japan and Russia collapsed in 2008 after a rocket launch by the Pyongyang regime. North Korea is known to have close ties with some ASEAN members, including Cambodia and Laos. Pyongyang’s diplomatic ties with Malaysia were disrupted after the assassination in Kuala Lumpur in February of Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. South Korea has blamed Pyongyang for the killing, accusing its agents of using a banned nerve agent.

In a letter to Minh earlier, North Korea’s Foreign Minister Ri Yong-Ho warned that the situation on the peninsula was on “the brink of war” because of Washington’s actions, while criticizing at length US-South Korean military exercises. Tensions have soared in the region in recent weeks in the wake of a series of North Korean missile tests and tough rhetoric from Washington on the isolated nation’s rogue weapons program.

US Vice-President Mike Pence’s Visit to Indonesia

US Vice-President Mike Pence visit to Indonesia during his Asia trip has been the most high-profile outreach to Muslims by the Donald Trump administration that has been accused of stoking Islamophobia. Lately, Trump has hosted leaders from majority-Muslim Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Despite having the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia was not listed in the travel ban order that sought to block people from six Muslim-majority countries, although it was among the 16 countries named on Trump's trade hit list. Previously, the speaker of Indonesia's House of Representatives, Setya Novanto, who Trump described as "one of the most powerful men and a great man", also made a bizarre appearance at a Trump press conference in New York in late 2015.

Pence pushed for greater US access to Southeast Asia's top economy- one of several countries targeted by Donald Trump's administration for running a trade surplus with the US. Eleven deals worth $10 billion were announced between American and Indonesian companies during his visit. Exxon Mobil will sell liquefied natural gas to Indonesian state-owned energy company Pertamina, General Electric will provide technology for Indonesian power plants, while Lockheed Martin will provide new weapons systems for F-16 fighter jets. Pence also addressed the row between the Indonesian government and US mining giant Freeport-McMoRan, which runs a huge gold and copper mine in Indonesia, after authorities demanded they obtain a new license to operate. During his visit, Pence praised its moderate Islam as "an inspiration" and also visited the Istiqlal Mosque which is the biggest mosque in Southeast Asia.

Myanmar

Suu Kyi to attend China’s Belt and Road Conference in May and the Peace Process

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will attend China’s New Silk Road summit in May. It will be her third official visit to China. The OBOR conference is being attended by a number of leaders from ASEAN including those of Philippines and Indonesia. From G-7 group of countries only Italy is being represented. While some of the Chinese projects like Myitsone hydro power project remain suspended, Myanmar still hopes to continue its cooperation with China and seeks more infrastructure funds.

From Myanmar’s perspective China’s help is also needed in moving Northern Ethnic Armed Organizations like United Wa State Army (UWSA), to sign the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA). Apparently, Aung San Suu Kyi has been by assured by China that it will persuade some ethnic armed groups in northern Myanmar for reaching an understanding with the Myanmar government. China’s Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Sun Guoxiang has told Wa leaders that China no longer has any commitment to back the UWSA and reportedly asked the Wa to consider signing the NCA.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been delaying holding of second in series of 21st Century Panglong Conference so that before taking the next step NCA with balance of the armed groups is signed.

In another development Myanmar has rejected China’s offer to help mediate affairs in restive Arakan State, but has expressed intention of collaboration with Bangladesh, according to the President’s Office spokesperson U Zaw Htay. According to Bangladeshi foreign ministry officials, China has offered to help tackle a diplomatic row between the two countries over the plight of tens of thousands of Muslim minority Rohingya who fled violence in Arakan State and sought refuge in Bangladesh since late 2016.

Russian, Chinese Naval Visits to Philippines

Russian Navy vessels arrived in the Philippines on April 20 for joint exercises as part of a drive for new security ties and reducing dependence on the US under Duterte’s independent foreign policy. The guided-missile cruiser Varyag, accompanied by the fuel tanker ship, Pechenge made the second port call by Russian warships in three months. Moscow has sought to help Manila combat extremism and piracy by stepping up cooperation and training in areas where Philippines has traditionally worked closely with its ally United States. The relationship is expected to develop further next month when Duterte and Putin sign defense agreements in Moscow. Duterte has already instructed his defense minister to look into how the Philippines could acquire modern military equipment from Russia, such as drones, night-vision gear, sniper rifles, and even helicopters.

Following the Russian naval visit, Chinese Navy ships also visited the Philippines for the first time since 2010 for a four-day goodwill visit from April 30in a bid to ease strategic mistrust between Manila and Beijing. The three Chinese ships are from the China People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy Task Group 150 and include the Chang Chun (DDG-150), a guided missile destroyer; the Jin Zhou (FF-G532), a guided missile frigate; and the Chao Hu (890), a replenishment ship. Philippines’ annual bilateral drills with America are due to take place later this year. As per media reports, there is even talk that Japan might join them.

Singapore

Telephone conversation between the US President and Prime Minister Lee

The US President Donald Trump called Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien on April 30, 2017 and invited him to Washington to further strengthen ties between two countries. In the second conversation since Trump assumed office, both the leaders affirmed their deep and longstanding commitment towards the strong bilateral US-Singapore relationship. The bilateral relationship between Singapore and the US is marked by thriving trade and investment, robust security cooperation and close collaboration on regional and global challenges. In this backdrop, the telephone call from the US President reaffirms the US commitment to play an active and leading role in Asia characterized by its close cooperation with its partners and allies in the region. It is considered that calls by the US President Trump to all regional leaders are aimed at getting everyone in line and gather support for a plan of action if the situation in North Korea deteriorates. North Korea launched a missile on April 29, 2017 which blew up over land in Korean territory. Many analysts predicted that, through such phone calls the US has made an attempt to achieve a less ideological and more transactional foreign policy.

Thailand

King Signs Junta backed Constitution

Thailand’s new king has signed an army-drafted constitution on April 27, 2017. This new constitution is believed to have set Thailand on the path to elections and has ensured firm grip of Junta over future government. Although, a previous draft of the constitution was voted upon through a nationwide referendum in 2016, the copy that King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, signed into law has not been seen by the Thai public. This constitution is drafted in accordance with the ruling generals, who took power in a 2014 coup. The Junta have promised to restore democracy, but have been vague about the exact timeline. The signing of the state charter on April 27, 2017 means polls are now expected to be concluded as scheduled in 2018.

After ascending to the throne after the death of his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, in October 2016, the new monarch made a rare intervention in politics in January 2017 and requested an amendment in the constitution pertaining to his powers. Thailand has gone through 19 constitutions in a span of a century, so the launch of the 20th constitution has become non-event for Thailand. With the new constitution in place the 250 seat upper house is expected to influence the upcoming elections which may be concluded by the end of 2018. Thus, it is now clear that with this constitution coming into effect, the armed forces of Thailand are likely to retain the whip-hand over future governments for at least another decade. Consequently, the new king’s role also will be a decisive one and the dynamics between him and the armed forces along with future governments could profoundly reshape the Thai politics. Although the Junta government is trying to establish its firm grip over upcoming governments the support for Thaksin Shinawatra along with his allies is worth analyzing.

Koreas

India Notifies Compliance of UN Sanctions on North Korea

With the US administration under President Trump taking a tough stance against North Korea, India has moved ahead with compliance of the UN resolution imposing sanctions on the country. The notification comes after US National Security Advisor General H R McMaster met PM Narendra Modi and senior officials, including NSA Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, on April 18. Through an official gazette dated April 21, the Narendra Modi government has barred any Indian citizen or firm from supplying to Pyongyang arms, any nuclear related material or technology, or any other material that would enhance North Korea's ballistic-missile capabilities. Besides, the gazette bans all military or police training to North Korean official in India. India has maintained low-key diplomatic ties with North Korea over the years, and New Delhi’s interactions have been largely restricted to providing food supplies.

The gazette also suggests the expulsion of any North Korean government representative found violating the UN sanctions. Training of North Korean individuals in advanced physics, aeronautical engineering, and nuclear engineering in India has also been banned. Indian nationals have also been advised not to register ships in North Korea.

The US will shoulder the Cost of Deployment of THAAD Batteries in South Korea

The South Korean defence ministry reaffirmed on April 30, 2017 that the US will shoulder the cost of deployment of THAAD batteries. In previous communication, the US President Donald Trump had said that South Korea should pay US$1 billion cost for deployment of THAAD batteries meant for South Korea’s defence against North Korea. This change in situation was recorded after the telephonic conversation between the US National Security Adviser HR McMaster and his South Korean counterpart Kim Kwan Jin on April 30, 2017. In this conversation McMaster reassured South Korea that US alliance with South Korea is top priority for the US in the Asia Pacific region. South Korean officials responded that the cost was for Washington to bear, under the bilateral agreement. Under this agreement, South Korea will provide only land for the THAAD systems and major elements of the advanced THAAD systems were moved to the planned site in Seonjgu, in the southern part of South Korea.

North Korea has been conducting missile and nuclear weapons related activities at an unprecedented rate disturbing the security architecture of the Korean Peninsula. It is also believed that North Korea has made progress in developing intermediate-range and submarine-launched missiles and it threatened to sink the nuclear-powered submarine USS Michigan on April 30, 2017. The USS Michigan presently has been deployed in the region. In such tense backdrop, the US and South Korea have carried out joint military drills, also known as Exercise Foal Eagle. These drills began in March 2017 and recorded active participation from more than 10,000 US soldiers along with hundreds of thousands of South Korean troops.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang voiced China’s opposition to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system at a regular briefing in Beijing on 16 April, and also urged all parties to work together to maintain peace and stability in the region. China has been objecting to deployment of THHAD anti-missile system in South Korea for long; last month China’s spokesman had said that "Our position on THAAD is very clear. We are firmly opposed to the deployment of THAAD" in South Korea. Meanwhile U.S. officials continue to maintain that the system has nothing to do with China and point out that it is a defensive weapon system.

Indo – Pacific

China Launches Indigenous Aircraft Carrier

China launched its second aircraft carrier 26 Apr 17 at Dalian shipyard of the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation in Liaoning Province in northeast China. It is China's second aircraft carrier, after the Liaoning, a refitted Soviet Union-made carrier which was commissioned in to the PLA Navy in 2012. China began constructing its second carrier in November 2013 with the work in the dock starting in March 2015. The hull of the carrier has been completed, with major equipment and systems including propulsion and electricity installed. Launching the carrier into water marks a significant progress in China's efforts to design and build a domestic aircraft carrier. After the launch, the new carrier will undergo equipment outfitting and mooring trials before undertaking trials at sea.

The launch of the china’s second aircraft carrier marks a significant achievement in the naval shipbuilding capability of Chinese yards. While Chinese yards have been making modern destroyers, frigates and submarines over the past three to four decades, construction of an aircraft carrier is considered to be the pinnacle of naval shipbuilding. On the face of it, the new carrier appears to be an improved version of the Liaoning, and hence may not have an increased capability in terms of the number of aircraft it carries. However, the ship will definitely have a higher level of indigenization since the designers would have surely incorporated a large number of equipment and weapons and sensors already in service with the Chinese navy. More importantly, Chinese shipbuilders can use this experience to design bigger and better aircraft carriers for meeting all the future requirements of the PLAN. It is also important to acknowledge the capability of Chinese ship designers who have been successful in constructing an indigenous aircraft carrier after just about five years of operation of their first carrier, the Liaoning. The second carrier is likely to give only limited out-of-area capability to the PLAN since regional compulsions as also the requirements of maintenance and training will impose restrictions on operational availability of these ships.

Thailand Approves Purchase of Chinese Submarines

Thailand's cabinet has approved the first of three planned submarine purchases from China worth $393 million, a government spokesman said on 24 Apr 17. The plan to buy the three Chinese-built submarines worth 36 billion baht ($1.05 billion) was confirmed in July 2016. The first submarine purchase was approved last week. "The cabinet approved one submarine purchase on April 18," spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd told Reuters, adding that a budget of 13.5 billion baht ($393 million) has been earmarked for the Yuan Class S26T submarine over a six-year period.

Thailand follows Pakistan and Bangladesh as the third country in the Northern IOR to buy submarines form China. Bangladesh took delivery of two refurbished Ming class submarines in November 2016 while Pakistan is buying eight Yuan class submarines for about US$ 4 – 5 billion from China. Four of these eight submarines are likely to be constructed in Pakistan and deliveries of the eight are expected during the period 2023 – 2028. China has emerged as a major supplier of arms and ranks fourth in the world according to SIPRI. Countries of the IOR have been major recipients of these arms with ships, aircraft and now submarines being sold. In fact, the next decade may see more Chinese submarines in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal than any other country. India’s own submarine acquisition plans have been stuck in a bureaucratic quagmire for the past decade with the current fleet having an average age of more than 25 years. Chinese submarines in India’s backyard are a serious concern as they bring with them a possible Chinese presence in these countries some of which are first time submarine operators.

Japan

Abe-Putin Summit in Moscow

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin held summit talks in Moscow on April 28 that covered a range of issues. They included rising tensions over North Korea’s arms programs and proposed “joint economic activities” on four disputed islands off Hokkaido. It was the 17th meeting between the two leaders, dating to Abe's first stint as prime minister, but their first since Donald Trump became president of the United States. Abe’s visit to Russia was effectively a first step towards recalibrating Tokyo’s relationship with Moscow in the Trump era, a major diplomatic challenge for Abe, who has built good ties with both of the leaders of the two countries.

29 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed, demonstrating that both governments are committed to maintaining their “deal pipeline”. One significant and tangible humanitarian achievement was the agreement to launch visa-free air travel for the former Japanese inhabitants of the disputed islands in June 2017.Previously, in order to visit family graves, the Japanese deportees, most of who live in Hokkaido, had to travel by sea. Other projects include fisheries near the disputed islands, cooperation over energy, resource exploration, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and ecotourism. The extent of practical cooperation will be specified by a joint public-private feasibility study carried by a Japanese team to be dispatched to the disputed islands in May. On the issue of North Korea, Putin stressed the importance of resuming the six-party talks as soon as possible to calm growing tensions on the Korean peninsula.

US Vice President Mike Pence’s Visit to Japan

During the second stop on his Asia trip, US-Vice President Mike Pence visited Japan. Pence reassured Japan of American commitment to reining in North Korea's nuclear and missile ambitions, after warning that US strikes in Syria and Afghanistan showed the strength of its resolve. Pence also opened the economic dialogue agreed upon by President Trump and PM Abe in February during their summit with Aso, who is Japan’s deputy PM, and also finance minister. The economic dialogue on April 18is supposed to prepare ground for mutually agreed principles and a process for further detailed discussions between Japanese officials and the US Commerce, Treasury, State and Agriculture Departments, as well as the US Trade Representative. Pence told a news conference after the talks that "at some point in the future, there may be a decision made between our nations to take what we have learned in this dialogue and commence formal negotiations for a free trade agreement," he said. "But I leave that for the future." Japan, however, wants to avoid opening talks on a bilateral trade deal for fear of being pressured into opening up highly protected areas of its economy, such as agriculture.

Japan had a $69-billion trade surplus with the United States last year, the US Treasury Department has said, expressing concern over what it called the "persistence" of the imbalance. Japanese officials counter that Tokyo accounts for a much smaller chunk of America's deficit than in the past, while China's imbalance is much bigger. Trump has complained Japan keeps its currency artificially low, although a Treasury Department report last week did not label Japan a currency manipulator. However, currencies did not figure in the April 18 talks, a Japanese government official said. During his visit, Pence also met Abe for a working lunch. They were joined by US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, in Tokyo for his own talks with Japanese Trade Minister Hiroshige Seko. Pence developed ties with Japanese business and political leaders as governor of Indiana, a state that is home to Subaru, Honda and Toyota plants, and about 260 Japanese companies in total employing about 60,000 residents.

Japan to keep TPP alive: Hesitant on Bilateral Trade Deal with US

Japanese officials are indicating Tokyo intends to pursue the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact despite the US withdrawal from the agreement. On April 20 at a conference in New York, Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso said he believed the TPP trade talks would offer greater advantages to Japan than bilateral negotiations with the United States. "There will be a discussion about possibly starting an 11-member TPP without America at our APEC meeting in May," he said, declining to give further details. His remarks appeared to allude to US Vice President Mike Pence's comments, after meeting with Aso in Tokyo earlier this week that the United States considered the TPP a "thing of the past." Pence said the Trump administration believed that only bilateral trade negotiations would yield "win-win" outcomes. As per media sources, the Japanese government is worried that if bilateral negotiations with the US were to go ahead, it would be extremely difficult politically to make bigger concessions than those offered during the TPP talks. It thus aims to propose that Japan and the United States jointly create unified trade and investment rules, against US request to launch bilateral trade talks. The trade and investment rules will include protection periods for intellectual property rights and regulations covering the entry of foreign capital into certain industries.

Though Abe initially called the TPP “meaningless” without the US, Japan is emphasizing the establishment of common rules based on the TPP provisions to reinforce the original idea of Japan-US-led open and free economic order in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region. It also aims to curb China’s attempts to expand an economic sphere that is advantageous mainly to itself. Tokyo may have also realized that TPP even without the US could offer much needed invigoration to the Japanese economy by boosting access to foreign and net it some fruitful economic gains in medium-sized markets like Australia and Vietnam. Further, the TPP still offers an alternative to the China-centric Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and thus limits China’s ability to dominate economic relations with its neighbors.

US-Japan Navy Drills Amidst Growing Tension over North Korean Provocation

Two Japanese destroyers, Ashigara and Samidare, stationed at the Sasebo Base in Nagasaki Prefecture joined the nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson in the western Pacific on April 23 for joint exercises. The destroyers will "practice a variety of tactics" with the US strike group, the Maritime SDF said in a statement. Japan's show of naval force reflects growing concern that North Korea could strike Japan with nuclear or chemical warheads. Some ruling party lawmakers are urging Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to acquire strike weapons that could hit North Korean missile forces before any imminent attack. The US Navy published a photograph of the drill on April 27 demonstrating close Japan-US cooperation to contain North Korea's military provocations. North Korea has conducted five nuclear weapons tests, two of them last year, and has carried out a stream of ballistic missile tests (latest on April 29) in defiance of UN sanctions. Trump has said all options are on the table, including a military strike to deter North Korean belligerence. North Korea in turn has warned the United States of a nuclear attack in response to any sign of aggression. It has also threatened to attack US allies South Korea and Japan.

The Carl Vinson arrived in the Sea of Japan and kicked off a joint drill with the South Korean navy on April 29, hours after North Korea launched a failed ballistic missile in apparent defiance of the US. Meanwhile, as per Japanese media reports, the helicopter carrier Izumo, Japan’s largest warship will leave the Yokosuka port, south of Tokyo, on May 1 and join the US supply ship to escort it further into the western Pacific. It will be the first deployment -- outside of troop exercises --to protect the US fleet after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expanded the country’s military capabilities in 2015, though they remain restricted under Japan’s pacifist constitution.

China and Taiwan

China Renames Six Towns in Arunachal Pradesh

On 14 April 2017, China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs announced that it had standardised in Chinese characters, Tibetan and Roman alphabet the names of six places in Arunachal Pradesh. The official names of the six places as issued are Wo’gyainling, Mila Ri, Qoidengarbo Ri, Mainquka, Bumo La and Namkapub Ri. Further supporting Chinese position, the Chinese Foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said, “The competent authorities in charge of managing China’s geographical names were exercising their lawful rights in publicly releasing these names in accordance with Regulations on the Management of geographical names and relevant regulations of the State council. It is legitimate and appropriate. These names are passed down by ethnic minority groups like Menba and Zang who have long been living and working in the region, and they have been calling these places as such for generation.” Further, he said, “As for the timing of the announcement for these standardised names, in fact, I can tell you here that the Chinese government is conducting the second nationwide survey on geographical names, an important task of which is to standardize the geographical names in the language of ethnic minority groups.”

In response to this development, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson said, “Assigning invented names to the towns of your neighbour does not make illegal territorial claims legal.” He added, “Arunachal Pradesh is and will always be an integral part of India.” Additionally, he said: China had not officially conveyed any decision on the renaming to the Indian embassy or the Ministry of External Affairs.

The so-called standardisation of names in Arunachal Pradesh is a part of Beijing efforts to project its territorial claims in eastern sector of India-China border. The timing of this move could be linked to Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh that Beijing had protested.

China Launches Tianzhou-1

On 20 April 2017, China launched its first independently developed cargo resupply spacecraft, Tianzhou-1. It was lifted off on a Long March-7 Y2 rocket from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in the southern island province of Hainan. The spacecraft is designed to dock with the Tiangong 2 space laboratory, or “Heavenly Palace 2”. The spacecraft can carry 6 tons of goods, 2 tons of fuel and can fly unmanned for three months.

The Tianzhou 1 is particularly important as it acts as a courier to help maintain the space station. It will provide an “important technological basis” for the construction of China’s space station. Without the cargo transportation system, the station would run out of power and basic necessities, causing it to fall back to earth before time. China aims to build a permanent space station that is expected to orbit for at least 10 years. Currently, the only space station is the International Space Station (ISS), mainly driven by the US and Russia. With this China will become the third country besides Russia and the US to master the technique of refueling in space. This is a step towards its goal of establishing a permanent manned space station by 2022.

President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping Discuss the North Korea Issue over Phone Call

On 24th April 2017, President Donald Trump gave a call to his counterpart to discuss the North Korean issue. The phone call was made on the pretext that there is growing apprehension that Pyongyang is preparing for missile or nuclear tests, possibly on the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army. President Trump criticised North Korea’s continued belligerence and emphasised that Pyongyang’s actions are destabilising the Korean Peninsula. The two leaders reaffirmed the urgency of the threat posed by North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs and committed to strengthening coordination in achieving the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

President Xi Jinping indicated that China opposed any such test by North Korea, but he also asked the US to avoid any retaliatory response to the perceived threat. He added that “China adamantly opposes any actions in contravention of the United Nations Security Council resolution.”

On 28 April 2017, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called for a special session of the United Nation Security Council to discuss new sanction on North Korea. He told the council that the US urgency is driven by the current nuclear threat to South Korea and Japan as well as the US by North Korea. He said that Washington would not rule out a military response to the future North Korea aggression. Additionally, he said, “As we said before all options for responding to future provocation must remain on the table.”

Further, deflecting from its position as stated during the phone call Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, said: “China is not a focal point of the problem on the peninsula and the key to solving the nuclear issue on the peninsula does not lie on the Chinese side.” He reiterated China’s position on the issue and said, “We must stay committed to the path of dialogue and negotiations.” Further, he cautioned, “The use of force does not solve difference and will only lead to bigger disasters.”

Taiwan Plans Tightening its Defence on the Taiping Island/Itu Aba

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence has made 17 specific proposals to boost Taiwan’s defensive capabilities on Taiping/Itu Aba Island. Currently, the island’s defence relies on a combination of 40mm anti-craft artillery and 120 mm mortar, AT-4 anti-armor rockets and other light weapons. Among the new weapons recommended for deployment are small and medium unmanned aerial vehicles as well as the new indigenously developed Coastal Defense Rocket System (CDRS).Also proposed for deployment is the automated short-range XTR-102 armed with two T-75 20 mm automatic guns, first unveiled at TADTE 2013. All new weapons will be designed by the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST).

Inauguration of TAITRA’s India Center in Taipei

On 26 April 2017, a new “India Center” was inaugurated by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) in Taipei. Mr. James Huang, Chairman TAITRA and Mr. M. Sridharan, Director General, India-Taipei Association together inaugurated the India Center in the traditional Indian way by lighting a lamp. The center, located within TAITRA headquarters in Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC), will focus on promoting economic collaboration, talent exchanges, resource sharing and regional links between India and Taiwan. Inauguration of TAITRA’s India Center is a “new milestone” for economic cooperation between India and Taiwan.

TAITRA was founded in 1970 with the objective to promote foreign trade. It is the foremost non-profit trade promotion organisation in Taiwan. It is jointly sponsored by the government, industry associations, and several commercial organisations. It assists Taiwan businesses and manufacturers with reinforcing their international competitiveness and in coping with the challenges they face in foreign markets.

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