NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Global Times
IN FOCUS
By Avishka Ashok
Chinese fighter planes repeatedly breach Taiwan's ADIZ
On 4 October, Taipei Times reported that a new Chinese record had been made when 39 Chinese aircrafts belonging to the People Liberation Army of China crossed over into the Taiwan air defence identification zone (ADIZ). A total of 38 fights first flew into Taiwan’s ADIZ on the occasion of the Chinese National Day on 1 October 2021. Soon after that, on 2 October, 39 aircraft again breached the ADIZ.
Air Defence Identification Zone is the airspace over land or water that is just outside the sovereign territory of a state. It is an identification zone that provides countries with a chance to issue warnings to unknown and unannounced incursions by a foreign country. When an unidentified flight enters the ADIZ, it gives the country enough time to prepare for a counter-attack or send warning signals to the attacking state. However, flying over the ADIZ is not the same as breaching a country’s sovereign territory which covers 12 nautical miles from the coast of the state. In the recent Chinese incursion, the PLA airplanes flew close to Pratas Islands in Taiwan which is considered as a part of the country’s ADIZ to protect itself from the numerous Chinese incursions.
On Chinese National Day, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence released two reports of the Chinese incursion. The first report revealed that 18 Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, four SU-30 jets, two Xian H-6 bombers and one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare (Y-8 ASW) plane has entered the southwest part of the ADIZ. The second report revealed the breach of the ADIZ by 10 Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, two Xian H-6 bombers and one KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft. On 3 October, yet another incursion by the PLA consisting of 16 military aircrafts took place. The 16 flights included eight Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, four Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets, two Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare planes and two KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircrafts.
On 3 October, the US State Department spokesperson Ned Price condemned the incursions by the PLA and said: “The U.S. is very concerned by the People’s Republic of China’s provocative military activity near Taiwan, which is destabilizing, risks miscalculations, and undermines regional peace and stability." In response to the Chinese military aggression, Taiwan’s administration also reached out to Australia along with issuing radio warnings and deploying air defence missile systems. The Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu urged Australia to expand the intelligence sharing and security cooperation between the two countries. He said: “The defence of Taiwan is in our own hands, and we are absolutely committed to that."
Although the Chinese government has not responded to the statement by the US and Taiwan, the country has repeatedly explained that its actions are aimed at protecting its sovereignty against the joint cooperation of Taiwan with the US. A researcher at the Association of Strategic Foresight also claimed that, “The day and night incursions are meant to show that the PLA is capable of military deployment around the clock. The aircraft came from different squadrons to demonstrate to Taiwan and the US the PLA’s joint combat capabilities and its ability to quickly assemble assets from different units.”
Reference
“China sets new record of 39 ADIZ crossings,” Taipei Times, 4 October 2020
“Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ),” Journals Of India, 1 July 2020
“Record 38 Chinese military planes penetrate Taiwan's ADIZ on China's National Day,” Taiwan News, 2 October 2021
“16 Chinese military aircraft enter Taiwan’s ADIZ,” Taiwan News, 4 October 2021.
“US condemns intrusion of 93 Chinese warplanes into Taiwan ADIZ,” Taiwan News, 4 October 2021.
“Taiwan seeks help from Australia to counter Chinese aggression,” Taiwan News, 4 October 2021
“China air force sends 77 warplanes into Taiwan defense zone over two days, Taipei says,” CNN, 3 October 2021
IN BRIEF
By Keerthana Nambiar and Dincy Adlakha
INTERNAL
“China's service trade further expands in first eight months” reports Xinhua Net
On 3 October, Xinhua Net cited the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) saying that China’s service trade increased by 9.4 per cent in the first eight months of the year. The total figure topped 504.21 billion US Dollars. It was also reported that the service imports of the country were 1.8 per cent points less year on year while the exports increased 25.3 per cent points year on year. More than 45 per cent of the total service trade was accounted for by knowledge-intensive services. Evidently, the trade for such services rose by 16 per cent while the trade in travel-related services continued to drop. According to the news agency, China has ensured measures to increase service trade and is expected to further continue these steps. (“China’s service trade further expands in first eight months,” Xinhua Net, 3 October 2021)
Meteorological Observation Stations cover entire Tibet
On 3 October, Xinhua Net published an article on the status of meteorological observation in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. According to the article, various kinds of weather stations have been set up in Tibet covering all 695 towns of the region. The establishment of these stations first started in 1951. Tsering Thodri, the director of disaster reduction division of the regional meteorological administration said: “Remote sensing satellite data from the observatories are now shared with 14 regional departments including transport, emergency management and civil aviation.” According to the regional meteorological administration, this service will support activities like transport, tourism, animal husbandry, agriculture, and so on. It will also help in taking precautionary measures to protect people’s lives in bad weather conditions. (“Across China: All Tibet's towns under meteorological observation”, Xinhua Net, 3 October 2021)
Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions disbands citing “political uncertainty”
On 3 October, members of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) voted to disband the organisation due to growing “political uncertainty” under the National Security Law. HKCTU was the largest trade union of Hing Kong. The members are scared for their personal safety as the National Security Law tightens its grip on civil society. According to the accounts maintained by Reuters, approximately 29 trade unions have dissolved within 2021. Previously, the largest teachers’ union had also disbanded due to “drastic” situations in Hong Kong. (“Hong Kong trade union disbands as impact of security law deepens”, Reuters, 3 October 2021; “Hong Kong opposition trade union group to disband”, Reuters, 19 September 2021; “Hong Kong teachers' union to disband due to 'drastic' political situation”, Reuters, 10 August 2021)
Investigation continues for former Vice President of PetroChina
On 4 October, Reuters reported the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) is investigating Ling Xiao for “serious disciplinary violations.” Ling resigned last month from his post as the Vice President of PetroChina, the state’s top energy giant, and turned himself in. Ling has contributed significantly to the company’s natural gas pipeline and marketing business but, is currently facing a probe by the anti-corruption watchdog of China. (“Former PetroChina executive under probe for suspected graft”, Reuters, 4 October 2021)
Water-filled barriers removed from Hong Kong official buildings amidst National Day celebrations
On 3 October, Global Times reported that the water-filled barriers established in front of Hong Kong official buildings in 2019 to block violent protests were removed after more than two years. The buildings included the Legislative Council and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong. These buildings were raided by protesters during the anti-state protests in 2019. According to the report, the removal of barriers marks a return to complete safety in the city and an increased focus on economic development can be guaranteed now. (“Barriers used during black terror removed from HK official buildings, marking return to safety amid National Day celebrations”, Global Times, 3 October 2021)
Shanghai Cooperation military drills mark first drone attack defence tests
On 3 October, South China Morning Post reported that the two-week military drills of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation tested defences against drone attacks for the first time. These drone warfare defences were inspired by new and emerging security threats from the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. A spokesperson from the Chinese defence ministry said: “The new content aimed to address the trend of terrorist attacks carried out by drones.” Citing a researcher, Zhou Chenming, from a top military science and technology institute in Beijing, SCMP also reported that China is a frontrunner in unmanned aerial vehicle technology. (“Drone warfare marks a first for SCO drill, as region faces up to terror attack risks in Afghan fallout”, South China Morning Post, 3 October 2021)
National Health Commission sends a working group to Xinjiang after two asymptomatic COVID-19 cases
On 4 October, Global Times reported that the National Health Commission has sent a working group to Yili prefecture in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China. Two silent asymptomatic COVID-19 cases were detected in the port city of Horgos on 3 October. 192 contacts in the city have been quarantined and no new cases have been detected ever since. However, large scale nucleic acid testing will continue in the city while many flights to and from the city have been cancelled in order to prevent the transport of virus carriers in other provinces of China. (“National Health Commission sends working group to Yili, Xinjiang, after detecting 2 silent cases”, Global Times, 4 October 2021)
INTERNATIONAL
US concerns over escalated military activity in Taiwan by Beijing
On 3 October, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price released a statement voicing US concerns by China’s “provocative military activity” near Taiwan. He stated that such activities from the People’s Republic of China “undermines regional peace and stability.” Price stressed that the US will be maintaining commitments outlined in the Taiwan Relations Act, The Six Assurances and Three Communiques. The response from the US State Department came in after the intense aircraft interference which included warplanes, fighter jets and anti-submarine warfare aircraft was visible during daylight in Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ). This was the largest show of force by Beijing setting up a new record in the self-ruled island. (“Increasing People’s Republic of China Military Pressure Against Taiwan Undermines Regional Peace and Stability,” U.S. Department of State, 3 October 2021; “US urges China to stop ‘provocative’ Taiwan activities after PLA’s latest record flyover,” South China Morning Post, 3 October 2021)