I Overview |
Japan: |
............................................................................................................. |
II Developments in Japan |
The hike in consumption tax from 8% to 10% came into effect from 1 October. This hike had been announced by the Abe Government some time back.
|
III Developments in China |
China celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic 1 October 2019 marked the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It was marked by a major military parade in Beijing where General Secretary Xi Jinping took the salute and delivered an important address to the nation. Talking from the same Tiananmen Rostrum where Mao Zedong had proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic, Xi focused on the great strides China has made in these past 70 years in economic development and social progress now ranking as the second largest economy in the world after the United States. Xi also stated that China’s rise cannot be stopped or turned back by any force on earth, implying that the US will not be able to contain China despite the trade war it has launched. Particularly since 1978, when Deng Xiaoping launched the policy of economic reform and opening to the outside world, China has made significant progress on economic as well as social indicators. Its superb infrastructure development whether in highways, aviation sector or in its High Speed Railway is something people in India find awe-inspiring. Celebrations of this significant anniversary took place all over the country.
President Xi Jinping of China slated to visit India for 2nd Informal Summit The 2nd Informal Summit between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping is slated to take place at Mamallapuram near Chennai on 11-13 October 2019 (although no announcement has yet been made by either Government). The 1st Informal Summit at Wuhan in April 2018 had put the relationship back on the rails after the Doklam incident. The frank discussions between the two leaders was found to be useful by both nations and hence the 2nd such informal meeting is being looked forward to. If successful, it will impart greater balance and ballast to India – China relations.
|
IV Developments in North Korea |
North Korea tests an apparent SLBM On 1 October, North Korea once again tested some missiles which could possibly be sea launched ballistic missiles, according to South Korean experts who tracked the launch. Simultaneously, North Korea also announced that there would be a resumption of dialogue with the United States at the Vice Minister level. So, North Korea continues to desire rapproachment with the US and will continue talks with them, while at the same time strengthening its weapons and their delivery systems. It will be recollected that the US desires to shut down North Korea’s nuclear plants and its capability of producing nuclear weapons as well as their delivery systems. On the other hand, North Korea believes the only reason the US has come to the negotiation table is its nuclear arsenal. This cat and mouse game is set to continue. |
V Developments in Hong Kong |
Protests continue and mar Chinese National Day Protests continue for the fourth straight month in Hong Kong even marring China’s National Day on 1 October 2019. A protestor was shot by HK police – the first time such an incident has happened during the current round of protests. This indicates that HK people continue to be sore with governance in the special administrative zone. In his speech at Beijing, President Xi continued to pay lip service to the “one country, two systems” concept which is the mantra for reunification of China particularly with HK, Macau and Taiwan.
|
VI The US-China Trade War |
|
You need to be a member of Ananta Centre to add comments!
About the Author
Ambassador Gautam Bambawale
Former Ambassador of India to China and Distinguished Fellow, Ananta Centre Former Ambassador to Bhutan, China and High Commissioner to Pakistan
Ambassador (Retd) Gautam Bambawale was a member of the Indian Foreign Service from 1984 to 2018. He was India’s Ambassador to Bhutan, Pakistan and China.
Bambawale was stationed in Washington DC in 2004-07 during the Indo-US nuclear deal which transformed ties between the two countries. He has been India’s first Consul General in Guangzhou (China) 2007-09. He was Director of the Indian Cultural Centre, Berlin 1994-98.
Ambassador Bambawale worked in the Prime Minister’s Office 2002-04. At the Ministry of External Affairs he was Joint Secretary for East Asia from 2009-2014. Bambawale has dealt with China for 15 years of his 34 year diplomatic career. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and German.
Ambassador Bambawale is currently Distinguished Professor, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Symbiosis International University, Pune and teaches a course on Diplomacy and International Governance at the Symbiosis School of International Studies. He has an M.Phil. in Economics from the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune.
Comments