Conflict – Page 21 – The Singapore Post

The coming India–China conflict and a higher calling for India

2Aug

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

The coming India–China conflict and a higher calling for India

On July 3, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the border region of Ladakh for the first time since Chinese troops killed 20 Indian soldiers in the Galvan Valley on June 15. And judging by China’s official reaction, the Communist Party didn’t see Modi’s response coming.Modi showed support for his troops, and also tapped into the growing anti-China sentiment that has been provoked by Beijing’s coronavirus-era brazenness. His visit placed the fighting in Ladakh in the broader context of China’s global expansionism. Speaking in Leh, Modi directly admonished Beijing for its expansionist policies.“The age of expansionism is over, this is the age of development,” he said. “History knows that expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to turn back.”Instead of calling out China’s

China pushing territorial claims during pandemic, alleges Japan

23Jul

By Nectar GanNo Comments

Conflict

China pushing territorial claims during pandemic, alleges Japan

In its annual defense review, Japan has accused China of Taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic and push its territorial claims in the East China Sea.China “is continuing to attempt to alter the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea,” Japan said in the defense white paper approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government on July 14.The report further said that there have been "relentless" intrusions in the areas around the Senkaku islands as called by Japan or Diaoyu in China.Besides, in recent days, China has been asserting its claims in the South China Sea by establishing administrative districts around disputed islands while the neighbouring countries have been busy with dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.Chinese intrusions in the South China Sea have not only be

Hong Kong Journalists’ Association get slammed by Beijing for inciting sedition

19Jul

By Nectar GanNo Comments

Conflict

Hong Kong Journalists’ Association get slammed by Beijing for inciting sedition

The Hong Kong Journalists' Association (HKJA) has been slammed for supporting "violence, terrorist attacks and inciting sedition" by the Beijing authorities shortly after it released its annual press freedom report titled 'Freedom in Danger'."The law itself has overriding power so that means in the name of national security... virtually all protections to free speech and free press are meaningless...I think the present situation now is that you're OK until you're not OK. When they think you're not OK, then you'll be in trouble," the HKJA was quoted saying during the launch of the report. Stanley Ng Chau-pei, deputy to the National People's Congress in Beijing and President of the pro-Beijing Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, in his Facebook account said, "For the past year, HKJA has su

SE Asian countries must keep eye on China’s Bihai 2020 before it turns into source of conflict, says expert

16Jul

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Asia, Conflict

SE Asian countries must keep eye on China’s Bihai 2020 before it turns into source of conflict, says expert

China might be using the “Bihai 2020” initiative as another justification for the increased presence of Chinese law enforcement vessels in the disputed South China Sea, an expert has warned."Is the Bihai 2020 initiative as innocent as it seems? On the surface, the initiative appears to be solely aimed at enhancing marine environmental protection. However, as noted in the joint statement, law enforcement activities conducted under the initiative would involve coastal and sea patrols, as well as remote monitoring capabilities," YingHui Lee, an Associate Research Fellow with the Maritime Security Programme, at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University Singapore has said.He added, "This presents a worrying possibility that the initiative could b

China’s aggressive expansion of territorial claims may provoke future clash with US

8Jul

By Nectar GanNo Comments

Conflict

China’s aggressive expansion of territorial claims may provoke future clash with US

By pressing its territorial claims aggressively from the Himalayas to the South China Sea, China may be raising possibilities of additional deadly clashes with the United States in the near future.China's military encroached upon its neighbours' territories on several fronts throughout the spring and now into summer, Beijing is flexing its military might in ways that have raised alarms across Asia and in Washington.For instance, in the same week of an escalating clash with Indian soldiers in Eastern Ladakh, China sent one of its submarines into the waters near Japan. Chinese fighter jets and at least one bomber buzzed Taiwan's territorial airspace almost daily.China's military assertiveness reflects a growing sense of confidence and capability, but also one of confrontation, particularly w...

Beijing suffers light casualties in China-India border skirmish but keeps quiet to avoid conflict escalation

30Jun

By Joanne SerriehNo Comments

China, Conflict

Beijing suffers light casualties in China-India border skirmish but keeps quiet to avoid conflict escalation

The incident on June 15 in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed and at least 76 injured along the contested border in the western Himalayas was “entirely the responsibility of India”, a spokesman for China’s defence ministry said in a press conference on June 24.Beijing has been reluctant to comment publicly on any casualties from the incident.Sources said that Chinese soldiers received only “light injuries” during the skirmish with Indian soldiers in the Galwan Valley.On June 23, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian dismissed as “fake news” Indian media reports which claimed 40 Chinese soldiers had been killed.Three separate sources said that only a small number of PLA officers were injured during the brawl. They did not give a definite number, but said China’s casualty count was much l

First deadly India-China clash in 45 years: Five things to know

18Jun

By Nectar GanNo Comments

Conflict

First deadly India-China clash in 45 years: Five things to know

Weeks of uncertainty and military standoff along the India China border in the western Himalayas took a dangerous turn this week when 20 Indian soldiers were killed on Monday evening in violent clashes.On Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his country would defend every inch of its territory. "I would like to assure the nation that the sacrifice of our soldiers will not go in vain," Modi said."India wants peace, but is capable of giving a befitting reply if instigated,” he warned.In a phone call on Wednesday with his Chinese counterpart, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar blamed China for the conflict, saying "the Chinese side sought to erect a structure" in an area in the Galwan valley that India considers its territory."The Chinese side took premeditated and

US stands with India in pushing back against Chinese probing of Indian sovereignty: Alice Wells

17Jun

By Nectar GanNo Comments

Conflict

US stands with India in pushing back against Chinese probing of Indian sovereignty: Alice Wells

As the tensions between India and China continue to rise on the border, Alice G Wells, Former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS), said that the US stands with India in pushing back against constant Chinese probing of Indian sovereignty."External rebalancing is critical. At the end of the day, it will be the US that stands with India in pushing back against constant Chinese probing of Indian sovereignty. #USindia dosti #india," Wells said in a post on Twitter.This statement by Wells comes after the Chinese military started a build-up along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in May first week along with the Ladakh sector and Sikkim where they came to the Naku La area and had a face-off with the Indian troops there.On May 27, US President Donald Trump had said that he is "ready, willin...

With its actions in Hong Kong, China has let known its scant respect for rule of law

17Jun

By Nectar GanNo Comments

Conflict

With its actions in Hong Kong, China has let known its scant respect for rule of law

With Beijing pushing ahead with its plan for the controversial security legislation, the Hong Kong government will have to set up new institutions to safeguard national security and also allow mainland Chinese agencies to operate in the city "when needed". All moves were widely criticized by opposition politicians as a means to suppress dissent.The legislation has sparked fears that it would undermine the principle of "one country, two systems", eventually leading to erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy as stated under the Sino-British joint declaration of 1997.The Sino-British joint declaration on the question of Hong Kong was signed in Beijing on December 19, 1984, by the Prime Ministers of China and Britain, Zhao Ziyang and Margaret Thatcher. The two governments agreed that China would reass...

Coronavirus: China investing millions in WHO to make up for Trump cuts and boost its influence, officials say

20May

By Our NewsroomNo Comments

Business, Conflict, World

Coronavirus: China investing millions in WHO to make up for Trump cuts and boost its influence, officials say

China's President Xi Jinping (L) speaks next to US President Donald Trump during a business leaders event at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 9, 2017. Donald Trump urged Chinese leader Xi Jinping to work "hard" and act fast to help resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis, during their meeting in Beijing on November 9, warning that "time is quickly running out" China has pledged to invest millions of additional dollars into the World Health Organisation (WHO) after Donald Trump announced he was cutting off US funding for the group while reviewing its handling of the coronavirus outbreak. Beijing said it would contribute an additional $30m as the United Nations organisation battles the Covid-19 pandemic, with Chinese Foreign Ministry ...

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