NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
HIGHLIGHT
CHINA & THE AMERICAS
The US House of Representatives voted in favour of banning TikTok
On 13 March, the House of Representatives voted with a total of 352 representatives in favour of passing the bill. China has opposed the Bill proposed by the U.S. Congress which aims to ban TikTok and has also accused the US of “unjustly” behaviour comparing it to a “Bandit.” According to the bill, TikTok’s parent companies will have 2 options either to separate themselves from TikTok or to face a ban. The concern over TikTok from the viewpoint of the lawmakers in the US is the user's data being misused. According to Wang Wenbin a Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman, the vote on the bill is against the principle of fair competition and justice. The CEO of TikTok Shou Zi Chew stated that this bill will lead to “Billions of dollars out of the pockets of creators and small businesses” and will also cause a job risk to the 300,000 Americans. On 13 March, The TikTok creators interviewed by the BBC said that they are worried about their livelihood and business if this bill becomes Law. On 14 March, the Government of Canada initiated a national security review of TikTok's expansion in the country, which began in September and is still ongoing but the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau chose not to provide any comment on the ban similar to the one proposed in the United States. (Bernd Debusmann, “TikTok ban: China attacks 'bandit logic' of House vote” BBC, 14 March 2024)
CHINA & THE PACIFIC
Fiji reaffirms policing cooperation deal with China
On 15 March, Reuters quoted the Guardian Australia News where, Fiji confirmed to maintain the Policing cooperation deal with China, despite concerns raised in Australia. Fijian Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua stated that Fiji would revert to the original police agreement with China after a 12-month review. This confirmation came after the Fijian Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, put on hold the decade-old police cooperation deal between Fiji and China because of the differences in policing, investigations, and legal systems. On 15 March, according to Guardian Australia Pio Tikoduadua, only Fijian officers would undergo training in China, with no embedding of Chinese officers within the Fiji police force. In February, Australia's Pacific Minister, Pat Conroy, emphasized that there would be no role for China in policing the Pacific Island. Earlier in 2024 China's ambassador to Australia has countered this view by stating that China aims to form ties with Pacific Island countries to maintain the social order. (“Fiji upholds China policing agreement, Guardian Australia reports” Reuters, 15 March 2024)
CHINA & SOUTHEAST ASIA
“China does not want Vietnam to join the United States and its allies,” China warns Vietnam, an Opinion in VOA
On 15 March, VOA published an opinion titled, “China Gives Warnings on Vietnam-Australia Strategic Relationship,” by An Hai who quoted the spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Wenbin responding to a question by Shenzen TV on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) agreement between Vietnam and Australia saying, “Promoting bloc confrontation and creating exclusive circles runs counter to current trends and the shared goals of the nations in the region.” An, stated that Vietnam had signed CSP with China, India, Japan, the United States, Russia and South Korea. But China expressed its uneasiness, as the joint statement by the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh and the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese plans to settle the disputes in the South China Sea by peaceful means. A believes that China does not want Vietnam to join the United States and its allies. However, since Vietnam’s initial goal is to establish a security balance, China cannot be offended, said Ha Hoang Hop, an Associate Senior Fellow with Singapore’s ISEAS Yusof Ishak Research Institute. (An Hai, “China Gives Warnings on Vietnam-Australia Strategic Relationship,” VOA, 15 March 2024)
CHINA READER DAILY WIRE
INTERNAL
Appointment of a new press official for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
On 15 March, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China announced on its website that a new senior press official, Lin Jian was appointed as the Deputy Director General of the Ministry’s Press unit to work on the release of information on diplomatic events and foreign policy. Lin graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University and was sent to Denmark for studies by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He worked as a career diplomat in Warsaw and Copenhagen and returned home to work at the Foreign Ministry’s European Affairs Department. Lin served as Communist Party Chief at the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. (Sylvie Zhuang, “China’s foreign ministry brings in new press official from Xinjiang,” South China Morning Post, 15 March 2024)
CHINA & TAIWAN
Chinese Coast Guards to increase patrols near the Kinmen islands
On 15 March, Chinese Coast Guards issued that they plan to increase patrols near the Taiwan-administered Kinmen Islands amid rising Chinese fishing boat accidents. This comes after the February incident where a Chinese fishing boat was chased by Taiwanese Coast Guards for entering “prohibited waters” collapsed close to the island after the collision, this killed two crew members of the Chinese fishing boat. This led to a heated diplomatic row between China and Taiwan, both blaming each other. After the incident the Chinese Coast Guards stated, “We will continue to patrol to ensure the safety of the property of Chinese fishermen including Taiwan’s.” (“China steps up patrols around outlying Taiwan islands,” The Straits Times, 15 March 2024)
CHINA & SOUTHEAST ASIA
Philippine's efforts to reinforce its outpost in the South China Sea, “doomed to failure,” says Chinese Defence Ministry
On 15 March, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence of the People’s Republic of China, Zhang Xiaogang stated that the Philippines' effort to reinforce its outpost in the contentious water is set to face doom. On 05 March, the vessels of China and the Philippines collided near the Second Thomas Shoal, where the Philippines tried to carry out a resupply mission at the Thomas Shoal. Following the incident, Zhang stated, “It is the Philippines side that resorted to deception. Such illegal actions have violated the sovereignty of China.” After the incident this month, the Philippines stated clearly that Manila would not permit Beijing to remove its military base located on the Second Thomas Shoal. Later, Zhang further warned Manila to stop any further "provocative actions" that could intensify the conflict. (Dewey Sim, “‘Doomed to failure’: Beijing warns Manila against bolstering South China Sea outpost after ships collide,” South China Morning Post, 16 March 2024)
CHINA & THE AMERICAS
“Supremely ironic” the US Ambassador on Beijing’s position on TikTok ban
On 15 March, the United States Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns said that the position of Beijing is “supremely ironic” on the bill banning TikTok, stating that China itself puts censorship on the various online platforms within its territory. China has opposed the bill passed on 13 March stating that the bill is “unjustly suppressing foreign companies”. During an online seminar held by the East-West Centre, a US-based research organization US Ambassador Nicholas Burns stated that China’s stance is unjustified as China itself has banned TikTok not making it available for its 1.4 billion citizens. The online platform is closely watched by the Chinese government with tight control over it, no information against the government or China can be surfed online. Douyin by TikTok’s parent company has been used as a replacement for TikTok inside China. The next step for the bill is to be passed in the US Senate, on which President Joe Biden stated that if the bill gets passed in the Senate, he will surely sign it. ( “US ambassador says Beijing’s stance on TikTok ban ‘supremely ironic’” The Straits Times, 15 March 2024)
EAST ASIA & THE PACIFIC READER
EAST ASIA
Senior doctors resign in solidarity with Junior Medical professionals
On 16 March, A group of Senior South Korean Doctors announced that they would step down and resign from their posts on 25 March in solidarity with junior medical professionals. On 20 February, many trainee doctors in South Korea walked out from their work and started protesting against the governmental initiatives aiming to alleviate doctor shortages by expanding medical student intakes. According to the government the nation has however managed to stave off a complete catastrophe. Professor Bang Jae-seung, the head of the group said that Doctors from 20 universities have voluntarily decided to submit their resignation on 25 March but until the resignation has been filed all the doctors continue to do their duties as they were doing it before the strike. The South Korean Health Ministry clearly stated that there will be no negotiation and implementation of the reforms will happen “without wavering”. If the strike continues then the doctors and medical students have to face legal action and their licenses will be suspended too. The government aims to admit 2000 medical students from 25 March. Prof Bang has requested the government to reconsider this and if not it will be impossible to negotiate further. The junior doctors have also submitted a letter to the International Labour Organization requesting “emergency intervention”. (“South Korean senior doctors to resign in support of junior medics’ walkout” The Straits Times, 16 March 2024)
Fukushima nuclear wastewater release suspended after the earthquake
On 15 March, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported that Japan was hit by an earthquake of 5.8 magnitudes on the coast of the northeastern Fukushima region. Amidst the Earthquake the nuclear release of wastewater from Japan’s stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant was suspended. According to the operator of the nuclear plant, this was a precautionary measure. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) also stated that there were no abnormalities in the system but they have suspended the operations by the “predefined operational procedures”. Japan’s nuclear regulatory authority has also supported this and stated that there were no abnormalities in the Fukushima Daiichi plant. From August 2023 Tokyo Electric Power Company has started to release the nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean which is the waste collected at Fukushima Daiichi since the 2011 accident. This release of the wastewater is criticized by China and Russia which has led to the ban on Japanese seafood imports. (“ Japan suspends Fukushima water release after quake as precaution” The Straits Times, 15 March 2024)
Hong Kong court sentenced 12 pro-democracy protesters to 7 years of imprisonment
On 16 March, The Hong Kong Court of Law passed the verdict and sentenced 12 accused to up to 7 years of imprisonment for the 2019 pro-democracy demonstration where the protestors broke into the legislative council. On 1 July 2019, the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover of the territory from British to Chinese sovereignty, a large number of protestors broke into the city’s legislature building and vandalised the infrastructure. There were 14 people who were accused of participating in the protest and later charged with the offence of riots, criminal damage, and trespassing in the legislative chamber. Out of these 14 accused 12 people were sentenced to up to 7 years in prison and the rest 2 accused were charged with a fine of HKD1,500 (USD190). Deputy judge of the district court of Honk Kong Li Chi-ho stated that “Aside from the actual damage to the building, it had a symbolic meaning which was challenging the Hong Kong government and even weakening its governance,” According to a children’s rights activist and a former student leader, Althea Suen the actual crime which the protestors have committed is the “pursuit of democracy, freedom of thoughts and free will”. The protest is said to be a demonstration against the government bill to amend the fugitive offender’s ordinance regarding extradition. (“Hong Kong court jails 12 for storming parliament in pro-democracy protests” The Guardian, 16 March 2024)