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Australian police arrested and charged 554 suspects accused of domestic violence

EAST ASIA & THE PACIFIC READER  | 31 May 2024, Friday | Vol.1 No. 95
Tribal violence leads to 12 deaths in Papua New Guinea 
On 31 May, Prime Minister James Marape visited the Wabag Province to meet the on-ground authorities. Tribal violence between two clans in Tambitanis is still active and has reportedly led to 12 deaths since last week. The Provincial administrator has said: “After 14 days the affected area will be quarantined with restricted access to prevent the spread of infection, and those who remain missing will be officially declared missing persons.” The International Organisation for Migrations has shown 217 people with minor injuries have received treatment, while 17 had major and minor injuries were treated at the Wabag General Hospital. The geotechnical expert from New Zealand is conducting a ground assessment as the landslip is still moving. (Eleisha Foon, “12 reportedly dead after tribal clashes near PNG landslide,” RNZ Pacific, 31 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader  | 27 May 2024, Monday | Vol.1 No. 91
670 people dead after the Papua New Guinea landslide
On 26 May, The Guardian reported that over 670 people had died due to the massive landslide in Papua New Guinea. Since the landslide that occurred on 24 May, within the span of 24 hours there has been double the number of casualties found. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that the toll was based on the calculations by the local and provincial officials and that over 150 homes have been buried due to the catastrophe. It is also estimated that more than 250 homes near the landslide-stricken area of Yambali village in Enga have been abandoned and that 1250 people have been displaced. (“Papua New Guinea landslide death toll exceeds 670, says UN agency,” The Guardian, 26 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 24 May 2024, Friday | Vol.1 No. 89
New Zealand to reduce military spending by 6.6 per cent
On 22 May, according to the Ministry of Defense, New Zealand will reduce its military spending by 6.6 per cent. This comes as the country’s armed forces grapple with ageing equipment, manpower shortage, and ambitions for a greater regional role. According to Reuters data, defence spending for 2025 will be reduced to USD 3.03 billion (NZD 4.95 billion), which is less than the defence budget of NZD 5.3 billion in 2024. The new budget on 30 May will reduce the share of defence spending from 1 per cent to 0.9 per cent of the GDP. The government is planning to decide to participate in the AUKUS defence pact alongside defence modernization. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says that he is concerned about China's growing presence in the Pacific. (“New Zealand proposes 6.6% cut in its defence spending amid personnel woes,” Business Standard, 22 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 22 May 2024, Wednesday | Vol.1 No. 87
Australian police arrested and charged 554 suspects accused of domestic violence
On 21 May, Australian police arrested and charged 554 domestic violence suspects in its four-day operations across the country. The arrests come as Australia suffers with the violent deaths of 28 women in 2024, with an average of one death every four days, which is higher than 14 women deaths in 2023. New South Wales said that it had arrested severe domestic violence offenders in the state. The Bondi Junction mall killings and the death of five women have raised the issue of gender-based and domestic violence. According to the 2023 OECD data, Australia’s domestic violence prevalence rate remains below the OECD average compared to the US, Canada, and Britain. Australian PM Anthony Albanese called the incident a national crisis and announced a series of measures to tackle the crisis. (“Australia police arrest 554 people in domestic violence crackdown,” The Straits Times, 21 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 20 May 2024, Monday | Vol.1 No. 85
30 Australians stuck in New Caledonia facing food shortages amid intense riots
On 18 May, Reuters reported that 30 Australians stuck in New Caledonia are facing food shortages as riots hit the Pacific Island territory. The riots brewed among the indigenous Kanak tribe over a bill passed in Paris that gives French citizens who have lived in New Caledonia for at least ten years the right to vote. The Australian citizens are stuck at the Chateau Royal resort. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Canberra was “working with authorities in France and New Caledonia, and like-minded partners including New Zealand, to assess options for Australians to safely depart.” She also said that the Noumea’s La Tontouta International Airport remained closed and urged Australians to remain cautious. (“Australians stranded in New Caledonia ‘running out of food’ amid civil unrest,” The Straits Times, 18 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 18 May 2024, Saturday | Vol.1 No. 84
Pacific Island countries call for de-escalation and dialogue in riot-hit New Caledonia
On 16 May, the Pacific Island countries call its neighbour New Caledonia to de-escalate the tensions and seek dialogue between France and the island's political parties. Riots broke out as French lawmakers adopted a new bill allowing French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for ten years to vote in provincial elections. This is being feared by the locals as the bill would dilute the indigenous Kanak vote. Field Action Coordination Cell (CCAT) organized the protests, which criticized French legislation. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters called for all sides to de-escalate that was “of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region.” Vanuatu's PM, Charlot Salwai, Chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, said, “The indiscriminate destruction of property would affect New Caledonia's economy in a big way and have a cascading effect on the lives of all New Caledonians, including Kanaks.” Australia condemned the riots, called for de-escalation, and issued a travel warning to the capital city, Noumea. (“P

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 14 May 2024, Tuesday | Vol.1 No. 81
Australian whistleblower sentenced to jail for exposing Australian war crimes in Afghanistan
On 14 May, an Australian whistleblower named David McBride was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison after he leaked sensitive military secrets in 2023. He was sentenced to trial in a military court and was accused of exposing the Australian army’s war crimes in Afghanistan. BBC reported that he was an ex-military lawyer, and he leaked information about the Australian army killing 39 Afghans during the war. In his plea, McBride said, “he felt a moral duty to speak up.” Prosecutors accused him of “personal vindication,” and that the leaked information endangered Australia's national security and foreign policy. He worked in the Australian Defense Force and completed two tours to Afghanistan in 2011 and 2013 as a legal officer. Despite the pressure, the Australian government refused to drop charges against McBride. (Tiffany Turnbull, “David McBride: Australian army whistleblower jailed for leaking documents,” BBC, 14 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 13 May 2024, Monday | Vol.1 No. 80
Former Chinese spy in Australia reveals about China’s secret police operations overseas
On 13 May, a former Chinese spy named Eric exposed China’s secret police operations to target overseas dissidents who are critical of the CCP. Eric worked as an undercover agent within the Political Security Protection Bureau, or the 1st Bureau, part of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) between 2008 and early 2023. The Bureau is one of the CCPs' tools to silence the critics against the party. Four Corners stated that Eric fled from China, arrived in Australia in 2023, and revealed the secrets to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). Four Corners noted several documents matching Eric’s claims on operations targeting dissidents across China, India, Cambodia, Thailand, Canada, and Australia. Eric mentions China’s active secret police operations in Australia and the target case of Yin in 2018. According to experts, these are part of Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaigns, Fox Hunt and Sky Net, to return more than 12,000 so-called fugitives to China since 2014. (Echo Hui, Elise Potaka, and Dylan Welch, “Former spy for China's secret police reveals operations targeting dissidents in Australia and overseas,” ABC News, 13 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 11 May 2024, Saturday | Vol.1 No. 79
China collecting data from global gaming and shopping sites to spread propaganda, says Australian Strategic Policy Institute
On 10 May, VOA reported on an Australian Strategic Policy Institute finding that China has been monitoring global internet users’ habits through their online games. The report found that the Chinese government is forging ties with tech companies in China to consolidate information from popular gaming sites. Some of these include DiDi, Genshin Impact and Temu. The report claims that the ultimate aim for China is to harvest strategically valuable data from the media. It found that it is: “working to extend its influence abroad to reshape the global information ecosystem … to strengthen its grip on power, legitimize its activities and bolster China’s cultural, technological, economic and military influence.” The lead author of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Samantha Hoffman said: “If China is trying to shape the way that the world perceives and understands truth and reality, then this data will help to make those efforts more successful over time.” (“Australian study says China uses global apps, games for propaganda,” VOA, 10 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 07 May 2024, Tuesday | Vol.1 No. 75
“We’ve just made it very clear to China that this is unprofessional and that it’s unacceptable,” says Australian PM on Chinese fighter jet attack
On 07 May, the Associated Press reported that Australia is protesting against Chinese fighter jets endangering Australian navy helicopters by flaring over international waters. Defense Minister Richard Marles informed that the Chinese Chengdu J-10 fighter jet released a flare in the flight path of the Australian Navy helicopter Seahawk. The flares were said to be 300 meters and they had to “take evasive action in order to not be hit by those flares.” Marles said: “We will not be deterred from engaging in lawful activities and activities which are there to enforce U.N. sanctions in respect of North Korea.” Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese said: “One of the things that had broken down over a period of time was any dialogue. Dialogue is important. It’s always, always important to have avenues of communication.” (“Australia accuses China of unsafe behaviour when fighter jet released flares in a helicopter’s path,” Associated Press, 07 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 04 May 2024, Saturday | Vol.1 No. 73
Australian wineries face challenges in attracting Chinese consumers
On 03 May, Australian wineries face challenges in attracting Chinese consumers after China lifts import tariffs on Australian wines in March. The slowdown in the Chinese economy and the change in the market have forced wine sellers to re-orient their marketing strategy. According to data from Statista, China’s alcohol market ranked first in the world in 2023, with an annual revenue of USD 336 billion, followed by the US and Japan. According to the president and co-founder of the Hong Kong Wine Industry Association, Pierre Tam, China dominates wine processing and supply chains as they buy vineyards directly in Australia and then sell them to China at lower prices. Data from Wine Australia showed that sales to mainland China increased by 21 per cent to AUSD 13 million (USD 8.55 million) in the 12 months to March 2024, due to a low base of comparison from 2023. China was the largest market for Australian wine until 2020, with its exports reaching up to AUSD 1.1 billion in 2019. (Kandy Wong, “As Australian wine returns to China, how will the industry cope when ‘good old days’ are gone and adversity remains?,” South China Morning Post, 04 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 03 May 2024, Friday | Vol.1 No. 72
“The New Zealand-China relationship is complex,” says New Zealand Foreign Minister
On 03 May, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters called their relationship with China “complex.” Peters was making a speech at the New Zealand China Council, Aukland. China is a vital economic partner for New Zealand but the Human Rights violation, the issue with Taiwan Strait and the increased Chinese presence in the Pacific region makes their relationship complex. He said: “We expect China to adhere to the principles and commitments that underpin internationally agreed human rights framework.” He expressed concerns regarding China’s presence in the Pacific and stated that: “China has a long-standing presence in the Pacific, but we are seriously concerned by increased engagement in the Pacific security sector,” and that “We do not want to see developments that destabilize the
institutions and arrangements that have long underpinned our region’s security.” (“New Zealand foreign minister calls China relationship complex,” The Straits Times, 03 May 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 02 May 2024, Thursday | Vol.1 No. 71
Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele was selected as the new PM of Solomon Islands
On 02 May, the lawmakers selected Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele was selected as the new prime minister of Solomon Islands. Governor General David Vunagi announced that Manele had won 31 votes compared to opposition leader Matthew Wale’s 18 votes. The general saw the incumbent PM Manasseh Sogavare’s government losing the majority in the parliament, leading to intensive lobbies for independent candidates to select prime minister. Australian PM Anthony Albanese congratulated new PM Manale for his election victory. The election victory comes as former PM Sogovare did not seek re-election and supported Manale for the PM post. His party had built close ties with Beijing in the last five years, and PM Sogovare had signed a security agreement with China in 2022. On 29 April, Malanle said to reporters that he would ensure the “same foreign policy basis – friends to all and enemies to none.” (“Solomon Islands picks China-friendly Manele as new prime minister,” The Straits Times, 02 May 2022)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 01 May 2024, Monday | Vol.1 No. 70
Sogavare informs that he will not stand for re-nomination reasoning “Geopolitics is at play after we made a very important decision in 2019”
On 30 April, The Straits Times reported that the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare informed that he will run as a candidate when the lawmakers vote for the new Prime Minister this week. Rather his political party will back the former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele. After the elections showed no clear winner two opposition parties struck a deal to form a coalition. The elections were being closely watched by external parties like China, the US and the Pacific neighbourhood. Sogavare said that his government has been pressurized by the Western state and its allies as they are being “accused of many things.”  Sogavare said: “Geopolitics is at play, after we made a very important decision in 2019,” referring to the switch to diplomatic relations with China and away from Taiwan. (“Solomon Islands’ pro-China PM Sogavare won’t stand for re-nomination,” The Straits Times, 30 April 2024)

Australian Qantas Airlines data breach being investigated
On 01 May, Australian Qantas Airways informed that they are investigating the data breach where users had access to other passengers' travel details, which has impacted the frequent Flyers application. There are multiple reports to the media outlets that customers are able to access strangers travel information and the users are being able to cancel someone else’s tickets. Qantas is currently investigating the matter and is checking if this has been caused by the recent system change. (“Australia's Qantas probing reports of the data breach at loyalty app,” The Straits Times, 01 May 2024)