AsiaWatch - 28 Sep 2020
Highlights and opinions from last week as we catch up on the news and developments across the region.
AsiaWatch is back after a week’s break — thanks for the messages of concern as I was down with a particularly nasty case of food poisoning. It’s a delayed send today as I sift through the week’s issues. I took some time to review AsiaWatch as well, and you might see some changes over the next few days. Let us know if you like the changes! Simply reply this newsletter and I’ll be happy to share the vision going forward. — AK
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim at the press conference last week. Photo credit: Reuters
Good afternoon.
Malaysian Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim’s challenge to displace Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's government caused a stir in an already turbulent political scene in the country. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visited a jet fighter base as Taipei shows strain in its attempts to fend off Chinese military advances. Yangon’s overworked health system braces itself for an upcoming surge in COVID-19 cases. In our opinion section, we look at ASEAN making a stand against the rising US-China tensions and Thailand’s protestors appealing to history to legitimise their movement.
Today in AsiaWatch (7 min read)
COVID-19 accelerated threats to multilateral system, global cooperation key to defeat pandemic: Vivian Balakrishnan
The Foreign Affairs Minister said on Sep 26 that COVID-19 has accelerated threats to the multilateral system, and urged countries to work together to defeat the pandemic and build resilience to future challenges.
Anwar's leadership hopes hinge on Malaysia ruling party dissent
The latest move by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who created a political storm this week by claiming to hold enough support in the parliament to topple Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's government, comes as officials in the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) fear the outcomes of ongoing corruption trials, sources said.
Thai Ministries to extend, rejig travel campaign
Launched on July 15, the domestic tourism stimulus policy is part of the government's effort to spur domestic travel, as foreign tourists are still barred from entering the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Yangon under strain as Myanmar COVID-19 cases surge
Myanmar's biggest city has rapidly built new quarantine centres as it scrambles to contain the commercial hub's first significant coronavirus outbreak, with overworked medical staff fearing thousands more cases to come.
Drilon blasts P49-billion cut in Philippines’ 2021 DOH budget
Drilon, the minority floor leader, noted that from its current budget of P180 billion, Malacañang allotted only P131 billion for the DOH next year when the government was expected to spend for the vaccine against the new coronavirus, which has already infected over 300,000 Filipinos.
Sick of staying home: China expects a Golden Week tourism rebound
China expects a significant rebound in domestic travel over the upcoming Golden Week holiday after the sector was pummelled by COVID-19 for months, with some flights selling out and travel platforms reporting a surge in hotel bookings.
South Korea returns Korean War remains of 117 Chinese soldiers
The remains of 117 Chinese soldiers who died in the 1950 to 1953 Korean War were returned to China on Sunday (Sep 27) in an annual repatriation delayed this year by the coronavirus outbreak.
Tokyo HQs no longer such a capital idea for Japan Inc.
Growing numbers of Tokyo-based companies are considering relocating some of their functions to other parts of Japan, spurred by a desire to minimize risks in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Taiwan's armed forces strain in undeclared war of attrition with China
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visited a low-key but critical maintenance base for fighter jet engines on Sep 26, offering encouragement as the island's armed forces strain in the face of repeated Chinese air force incursions.
Kim Jong Un Apologizes Over Shooting Death of South Korean
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un apologized Friday over the killing of a South Korea official who was apparently trying to defect near the rivals’ disputed sea boundary, saying he’s “very sorry” about the incident, South Korean officials said.
PM Modi takes swipe at China, questions UN role in pandemic
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe Saturday at Beijing’s debt-trap diplomacy, saying India strengthens its development partnership without any “mala fide intent” of making a partner country “dependent or hapless”.
Opinion
We share what experts and insiders are saying about key issues in Asia.
Brave words not enough to affirm ASEAN centrality
The ASEAN foreign ministers issued a statement reaffirming their intent to maintain Southeast Asia as “a region of peace, security, neutrality and stability.” But it can and must do more to prevent an adverse outcome. It could increase the tone, tenor and decibels of its “unified” voice admonishing China and the US to show more diplomatic restraint and cease their military posturing.
Malaysia's Mr. Yesterday the wrong man for tomorrow
A couple of questions Anwar has yet to answer. One, how is having a third government in little more than six months during a crushing pandemic in anyone's best interest? Two, why not support a younger leader with less baggage who can focus on moving Malaysia forward? Three, why not push for a general election to let voters decide, not disgruntled lawmakers?
Opinion: History Comes Alive as Thais Use the Past as Political Weapon
The introduction of a brass plaque symbolising a democracy movement last Sunday was a clear attempt by protest leaders to legitimize themselves by appropriating history.
Beijing to strike back at new US actions against Chinese diplomats: Global Times editorial
The international community also needs to see how the self-interests of the Trump administration and the Republican Party are eroding ties between Beijing and Washington. The two major powers that avoid heading toward fiercer confrontation will play a crucial role in world peace.
Trade to human rights: Trajectory of Trump’s China policy
United States economic policy and foreign policy have always been intimately entwined. But what was traditionally a discreet symbiosis cloaked in noble rhetoric of promoting global stability and human rights has been explicitly and unapologetically wedded under President Donald Trump.
Time for China to toughen up on insincere India
Only three days after the sixth round of the China-India military commander-level meeting on Monday with consensus reached by the two sides to cool rising border tensions, The Hindu quoted a "senior [Indian] government official" and suggested "If PLA (People's Liberation Army) comes close, Indian troops can fire." Such hype only embodies India is being a coward in a lion's skin.
China to gauge Suga's stance with Wang Yi visit to Japan
Though Suga positions the Japan-U.S. alliance as the linchpin of his country's foreign policy, the new prime minister has said he wants to continue dialogue with China to resolve the issues between them.
Commentary: Hong Kong’s future clearly lies with China
For Hong Kong, being part of China is not a choice – power, history and geography ensure that. As China’s development continues, it can also turn out to be more of an opportunity than a threat for Hong Kong’s future.
Will Taiwan Strait tensions lead to conflict? Five things to know
Most observers believe neither side wants a war. Indeed, China has emphasized its desire for peaceful "reunification" for decades, and the two sides have not exchanged fire since 1958. But Taiwan and China have no official dialogue mechanism at present. Tsai has warned that any accident or miscommunication could quickly spiral out of control. James Stavridis, a former NATO supreme allied commander, wrote this week in the Nikkei Asian Review that any moves in Washington to formally recognize Taiwan would have an explosive effect on the U.S.-China relationship and could trigger a full-scale Chinese invasion of the island.
India's border fire may lead to 'unbearable consequence'
Chinese observers warned on Saturday that India's latest tricks of doubling troops at the border and authorizing frontline soldiers to fire in clashes with the Chinese army, all while agreeing to de-escalate tensions at the negotiating table with China, could further increase the risk of conflict at the border and lead to dangerous consequences for itself.
India on board with US-Maldives alliance to counter China
A defense agreement the U.S. government signed with the Maldives this month is a sign of shifting geopolitical tides in a strategic stretch of the Indian Ocean once dominated by India, South Asia's main power.
Tea Time
The humble tea leaf is one of Asia’s best known exports, best shared in the company of those who love it. With Tea Time, we take a break from politics to share the stories that give a glimpse into the lives of peoples of Asia.
Healthcare in Asia is perhaps better known for inefficiencies and lack in many countries across the region (perhaps save for the more developed cities). Yet it’s interesting to see how East Asia has mounted stronger responses to the COVID-19 pandemic than many of its more developed counterparts in the west. Some observers point to a stronger policy response and government involvement as reasons for this. This is likely to be an oversimplification and the pandemic is far from over. However, there is growing evidence to support this claim. That said, there’s still much to done in Asia for healthcare, as Roche’s video shows. There is cause for optimism, however. There is a drive for universal coverage among many governments in Asia, following the success seen in Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. Investment money continues to be injected into the region, and Asia is showing great promise for innovation making a profound impact.