Politics – The Singapore Post

Japan appoints serving official as de facto defence attaché in Taiwan, hits ‘One China’ policy

14Sep

By Nectar GanNo Comments

Japan appoints serving official as de facto defence attaché in Taiwan, hits ‘One China’ policy

Japan may see escalation of tension in its relations with China as Tokyo, which feels its security will be threatened if Taiwan is attacked, has appointed a serving government official to act as its de facto defence attaché in the self-ruling island. Japan has no formal diplomatic representation in Taiwan as Tokyo adheres to ‘One- China’ policy, but handles its bilateral engagement with the self-ruling island through the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association in Taipei. It is treated symbolically as Japan’s open support to Taiwan, the Japan Times said. Until a few years ago, Japan and its political leadership avoided playing pro-active role for Taiwan as Tokyo considered the self-ruling island too politically sensitive to speak about or support it publicly. But such cautions were done

<strong>Cracks in Russia-China Relations</strong>

15Aug

By Spost_adminNo Comments

Asia, China, Politics

Cracks in Russia-China Relations

In a recent incident, Russian Border Guards denied (July 29, 2023) entry to five Chinese citizens who tried to cross the Russia-Kazakhstan border by car. Their tourist visas were cancelled and they were interrogated for nearly four hours. The Chinese Embassy in Moscow took immediate note of the incident and in a sharply worded statement said that the “incident seriously violated the legitimate rights of Chinese citizens, and was totally out of line of the currently amicable relationship between China and Russia, and the growing trend of closer exchange of personnel between our two countries”. It also demanded Russia to immediately investigate the incident. The Russian side tried to downplay the incident and described it an isolated case. But the refusal of Russian Border Guards to let the

Germany’s Defiant Stance: Navigating China’s Dominance And Ambitions With Strategic Shift

7Aug

By Spost_adminNo Comments

China, Politics, World

Germany’s Defiant Stance: Navigating China’s Dominance And Ambitions With Strategic Shift

Germany's recent shift in its approach towards China reflects a notable change from its previously accommodating and sympathetic stance to a more cautious and confrontational one. While some may argue that Germany is following the United States' lead, the comprehensive nature of Berlin's approach indicates that they are taking the lead in this matter, akin to Japan's stance during the G7 meetings in Hiroshima. According to translations of the 64-page strategy document released by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government, Germany's motivation to change its approach stems from China's own actions. The document accuses Beijing of attempting to dismantle the long-standing "rules-based international order" that has governed global trade and finance for decades. Furthermore, it highligh...

29Jul

By Nectar GanNo Comments

China, Politics, World

Xi government attempts loyalty test on media, influences opinion in the US

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is hell bent to force journalists to become his loyalist or give up their profession. He is willing to go beyond boundaries. Known for consolidating his position as the supreme leader, Xi Jinping is now pushing CCP doctrine on media within the country and outside. A Chinese marketing firm that has counted state police and other government bureaus as clients is leveraging newswire services to place pro- Beijing stories on the websites of almost three dozen news outlets across America in an apparent effort to help Beijing improve its image abroad. According to Washington post, Shanghai-based firm — Shanghai Yihuan Cultural Communication Co., Ltd., which is known as brand Haixun Press , claimed on its website that it can plant news articles globally, and can b

NAB wheat scam case can upset political fortunes

28Jul

By Nectar GanNo Comments

Asia, Politics

NAB wheat scam case can upset political fortunes

What is the plot behind the retired General-led National Accountability Bureau’s decision to pursue massive corruption in the free flour scheme in Punjab. Could this be an Army way to keep the PMLN on the ropes? A whiff of corruption in this scheme will smear the current Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif. This is where it gets more complicated. The allegation of corruption was made months ago by a former Prime Minister and leader of PMLN, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. He alleged corruption to the tune of Rs20b in the Prime Minister’s scheme of supplying free flour to the poor. The Shehbaz Sharif government denied the allegation. But now that the NAB has decided to probe deeper into allegations, it could mean more than corruption is involved as the country is expected to go to elections later this

Still in grip of corruption, will PLA fulfil Xi’s wish to capture Taiwan by 2027?

26Jul

By Nectar GanNo Comments

Asia, China, Politics

Still in grip of corruption, will PLA fulfil Xi’s wish to capture Taiwan by 2027?

Like every developing country, China is not immune to corruption and the country’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is said to be equally drenched in its baleful effect despite a hard try by the Central Military Commission—the high command of the Chinese military. This concern was expressed by President Xi Jinping at the just concluded (July 20-21) meeting of the CMC. He also underscored the need for “combat readiness” of the PLA at the meeting in Beijing, said state-backed Xinhua news. At the time when Beijing is gearing up to unify Taiwan with mainland China and has threatened to use military means to control and occupy the self-ruling island, the PLA is grappling with kickbacks, commissions, and bribes. Aljazeera said corruption in the Chinese military stems largely from a tradition o

<strong>Maldives helping Russia bypass Western sanctions on Semiconductors?</strong>

25Jul

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Asia, Politics

Maldives helping Russia bypass Western sanctions on Semiconductors?

An Indian research firm Export Genius, that provides paid information on trade data, has unravelled a new trail of Russia bypassing US and Western sanctions. This information accessed and verified by NikkeiAsia claims that the Maldives has become a transit point for shipments of semiconductors to Russia. In the year after Russia invaded Ukraine, approximately 400,000 US-made semiconductors worth US$ 53.6 million were shipped to Russia via the Maldives. This information is based on Russian customs clearance data obtained by Export Genius. Thus, the Maldives was second only to China, including Hong Kong, in terms of such imports in the year after the invasion. For a country that has no semiconductor manufacturing facility, the Maldives has managed to export or rather re-export, US semicondu...

Xi’s Shrill Soldier-speak Before American Move For Talks

9Jul

By Nectar GanNo Comments

Politics, World

Xi’s Shrill Soldier-speak Before American Move For Talks

A jingoistic exhortation to his military by Chinese President Xi Jinping sets the tone for a rift-healing visit to Beijing by US Treasury Secretary Janet Allen. On July 6, as Allen’s flight prepared to land in the Chinese capital, President Xi, whom she would not be meeting during her visit, was inspecting the organs of the Eastern Theatre command. Yellen’s request for revival of bilateral talks and not let technology tensions disrupt ties was preceded by Xi telling the PLA troops that the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation and China’s security situation is facing rising instability and uncertainty. Xi’s remarks hit a more strident note: “It is necessary to keep in mind the mission and task at all times, adhere to the problem orientation, enhance the

Is President Xi Jinping a dictator? Unfortunately, President Joe Biden is right

5Jul

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

China, Politics

Is President Xi Jinping a dictator? Unfortunately, President Joe Biden is right

China has taken umbrage at U.S. President Joe Biden calling President of China Xi Jinping a dictator. Unfortunately for Beijing, however, the U.S. President is right. At a fundraiser campaign on June 20, 2023, night, Joe Biden said Xi was embarrassed over recent tensions surrounding a suspected Chinese spy balloon that had been shot down by the U.S. Air Force over the East Coast. “That’s a great embarrassment for dictators, when they did not know what had happened,” Biden commented. The next day Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning called the comment by the U.S. President “extremely absurd and irresponsible,” as it went “totally against facts.” President Biden has subsequently made it clear that he will continue to stick to his opinion, though that does not mean souring relat

President welcomes the head of the Korea Enterprises Federation

29Jun

By Grace TsoiNo Comments

Asia, Politics

President welcomes the head of the Korea Enterprises Federation

On June 23, President Vo Van Thuong hosted Chairman of the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) and Chairman of CJ Group Sohn Kyung Shik at a reception in Hanoi. During the event, the host stated that Vietnam supports CJ Group and Korean corporations and businesses in their efforts to invest and expand their operations in the nation in areas where they are strong and where there is a need.Noi Bai (VNA) - On June 23, President Vo Van Thuong hosted Chairman of the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) and Chairman of CJ Group Sohn Kyung Shik at a reception in Hanoi. During the event, the host stated that Vietnam supports CJ Group and Korean corporations and businesses in their efforts to invest and expand their operations in the nation in areas where they are strong and where there is a need. ...

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