AsiaWatch - 8 Oct 2020
India and China make progress at Himalayan border; Japan and India make historic pact on critical information structure; Insights into diplomacy in Asia
Chinese aircraft carrier Lioning during a drill in the Pacific Ocean in 2018. Photo credit: Reuters
Good morning.
India and China make some progress toward settling their border conflict, with diplomats approaching an agreement. India and Japan sign a landmark accord to enhance cooperation on critical information infrastructure. In our opinion section, we look at the shifting dynamics of diplomacy in Asia and the potential change in power structures in the Chinese Communist Party.
Today in Asia
(6 min read)
Mainland Spokeswoman Slams KMT’s Attacks on ‘One-China Principle’
All Chinese people firmly oppose any word or action that violates the one-China principle and harms the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, said a Chinese mainland spokesperson Tuesday.
Chinese billionaires' wealth soars 41% in post-lockdown resurgence
The wealth of China's ultrarich jumped 41% from April 2019 to the end of July this year, gaining from the rally in asset prices after the trough in March.
India, China inch towards a Himalayan deal
Recent reports suggest that India and China have registered a positive evaluation of military and diplomatic consultations to negotiate a denouement to their five-month-old border standoff in Ladakh.
India, Japan finalise landmark pact to enhance cooperation on 5G tech, AI, critical information infrastructure
The two strategic partners vowed to further broad-base their joint efforts in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Struggle and suffering in India as climate change bites, but what next after ‘brutal’ floods?
Torrential monsoon rains this year in the world’s second most-populous nation have caused rivers to overflow their banks, submerging thousands of villages, killing more than 1,500 people across 13 states and displacing millions.
India's rice exports could jump to record on Thai drought effects
Higher shipments from India, the world's biggest rice exporter, could cap global prices, reduce the country's bulging inventories and limit Indian state stockpiler purchases from farmers.
COVID-19 Quick Look
Tourists at a duty-free shopping arcade in Hainan island. Photo credit: Xinhua News
The WHO warns of the coming “double virus trouble” with the impending flu season. Thailand continues to bar tourists from high-risk countries. Malaysia’s PM Muhyiddin tested negative for COVID-19 in quarantine. Hong Kong’s tourism sector called on government officials to expedite talks to set up a travel bubble with Singapore. Singapore’s SIA planned to resume flights to Fukuoka in Nov 2020. Japan planned to ease quarantine rules for some business travellers. India’s new case count continued to fall steadily, as the government prepares a campaign against COVID-19 complacency. Gravediggers in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta prepare a 2-hectare site for the third COVID cemetery.
Opinion
We share what experts and insiders are saying about key issues in Asia.
Can Singapore become central to the ‘Asian Century’?
“We have often heard about this century being the Asian Century,” she said. “Despite Covid-19, Asia still holds a lot of promise. The key is to promote the importance of Asia and understanding Asia with its complexities in different cultures and regulations.”
Explaining public trust in Vietnam
One answer might be the public’s vivid memories about how the Communist Party of Vietnam led the country out of poverty, and the perception that the party has made enormous attempts to resolve the country’s problems.
The US doesn't have to believe anything China says, but it doesn't have to pick a fight with China either
“A middle way would center US-China relations on productive diplomacy and end trade war measures that hurt our economy as much as China's. It would call out Beijing's propaganda without adding escalation of our own, and thus, hopefully, avoid the clash of civilizations Xi pretends not to want and China hawks seem to relish.”
Asia buckles up for wild US election ride
The odds are, China probably fears a Biden presidency more than four more years of Trump.
Analysis: Whither Wang Qishan? All eyes on Xi's right-hand man
Has twilight descended upon the once-formidable Xi-Wang alliance? If yes, China is about to witness a tectonic change in its power structure.
China is getting ready to field its 3rd aircraft carrier
With China's ability to build ships extremely fast and its strong commitment to military modernization, the current carriers could turn out to be training vessels that help it gain carrier experience.
Suga should build on Abe's laudable efforts to expand free trade
Expanding free trade areas involving Japan was one of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's biggest achievements during his nearly eight years in office. His successor, Yoshihide Suga, should build on those efforts by championing free trade with the same energy.
Resetting Japan-Russia Relations
Abe was personally committed to improving relations with Moscow, hoping to conclude a peace treaty – in the Japanese context, this means getting back at least some of the islands of the Russian-controlled Northern Territories from Russia.
What Do South Koreans Think of Their Government’s COVID-19 Response?
Survey results showed views on COVID-19 largely fell along partisan lines, with supporters of the Democratic Party largely viewing the government’s response in positive terms and supporters of the conservative United Future Party (recently rebranded as the People Power Party) overwhelmingly opposed.
Image credit: The Diplomat
India’s Recent UN Victories Are Not Necessarily at China’s Expense
The suggestion behind this narrative is that India has the potential to further its interest of building a reformed multilateral system , beginning with a permanent seat at the U.N. highest body, its Security Council, for itself — something China has always blocked.
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.
The Caviar of Peranakan cuisine. Buah Keluak is one of the most iconic dishes served in the homes of Straits-born Chinese, or Peranakans. The Peranakans are Chinese who have lived in Southeast Asia for centuries, evolving into a unique culture with distinct dishes, influenced by Chinese and local tastes. Of these, the Buah Keluak is perhaps the most famous of them all. Ironic, when you discover that the meaning of Buah Keluak is “the fruit that nauseates”.
Having been born in a Peranakan household, I count myself fortunate to have seen these cooked at home. I had the front row seat to the hours of preparation over mouth-watering spices and deafening gossip in the Peranakan Patois. The language, like the people, is a mish-mash of Malay, Hokkien, and words only a family insider would know. Those were some of the best years of my childhood.
Like Malcolm in the video, the version of Buah Keluak that my family makes is one that includes the use of pork ribs, hence “Babi”. And like Malcolm, there’s something to be said about adding the rich flavours from pork bones. Some might argue that it’s not “original” - but which Peranakan dish is, anyway?
I made a promise some time back to learn these recipes from my mum, who is the last of her generation to hold the family recipes. She holds a book that records the steps she learnt as a young daughter-in-law to my cigarette smoking grandma, who learnt it in turn from her mother. There’s a long line of family secrets (which Peranakan women are known for keeping when it comes to recipes). Now that my mum’s ready to teach, I think it’s time I made good on that promise.