A slew of initiatives was launched last week to reduce tensions between the West and China and across the Taiwan Straits. During the much-anticipated visit by the US Secretary of State to Beijing President Xi Jinping said the US and China should be “partners rather than adversaries”. The two countries continue to stabilize rocky relations and expand communication – including on a host of contentions from technology to Taiwan. Beijing meanwhile is mulling to lift restrictions on mainland tourists travelling to Taiwan but is waiting from signals from Taipei. Simultaneously, France and Beijing appear to put in place Confidence Building Measures. Ahead of Xi’s Europe trip, China has appealed to France to sway the EU towards a “positive” and “pragmatic” China policy. The armed forces of China and France have set up a new inter-theatre cooperation and dialogue mechanism. Two key states of SE Asia – Singapore and Indonesia – want to keep momentum in partnership as two new leaders take charge in respective states this year. ASEAN to take a more proactive role in trying to resolve the crisis in military-ruled Myanmar that has become the most unstable member of the region. In Vietnam, party top boss has launched anti-corruption resulting in resignation of senior leaders.
Choose between stability and ‘downward spiral,’ China tells Blinken during Beijing trip
CNN | 26th April 2024
Chinese leader Xi Jinping said the US and China should be “partners rather than adversaries” as he met with top American diplomat Antony Blinken in Beijing’s cavernous Great Hall of the People on Friday (April 26). The meeting, which took place on the final day of Blinken’s three–day visit to China, comes as the two countries seek to continue to stabilize rocky relations and expand communication – including on a host of contentions from technology to Taiwan. “China would like to see a confident, open and prosperous United States. We hope that the United States will view China’s development in a positive light,” Xi told Blinken.
Fujian residents to lead the way as Beijing eases curbs on group travel to Taiwan
South China Morning Post | 28th April 2024
Beijing has pledged to lift restrictions on mainland tourists travelling to Taiwan, but the timing of the policy change is still up in the air as authorities wait for signals about what Taiwanese president-elect William Lai Ching-te’s May inauguration will mean for cross-strait ties. “We will take active measures to promote cross-strait exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including tourism,” Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Wednesday.
China looks to France to foster ‘positive’ and ‘pragmatic’ EU policy on Beijing
South China Morning Post | 28th April 2024
China has appealed to France to sway the European Union towards a “positive” and “pragmatic” China policy as the bloc tightens scrutiny of Chinese products and market access. The appeal – just days ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected trip Europe – was delivered by Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a phone call to the French president’s diplomatic adviser, Emmanuel Bonne, on Saturday.
China, France agree to deepen military cooperation as South China Sea tensions rise
South China Morning Post | 27th April 2024
The armed forces of China and France have set up a new inter-theatre cooperation and dialogue mechanism, as tensions continue to rise in the South China Sea. Collaboration between the two militaries’ naval and air forces will help to further deepen mutual trust and cooperation, and jointly safeguard regional security and stability, China’s defence ministry said in a statement on Friday.
How a budding bromance between Wong and Prabowo can be built
The Strait Times | 28th April 2024
The incoming leaders of Singapore and Indonesia must work on their “budding” relationship if they want to keep the momentum of their predecessors going and develop bilateral ties further, say observers. They add that the proximity of the two countries and the turbulent external environment mean that Singapore’s next prime minister and Indonesia’s next president will likely push for even warmer personal ties to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
Japan’s shrinking population is a big problem for the nation
The Japan Times | 26th April 2024
Of the 1,729 local municipalities in Japan, 744 are “likely to vanish” by 2050, according to a report released this week at a symposium by the Population Strategy Council, a group of private-sector experts. The Tohoku region, for example, has the highest number, with 215 municipalities that are feared may “vanish”.
90% in Japan support idea of reigning empress: survey
Kyodo News | 28th April 2024
A total of 90 percent of respondents in a recent Kyodo News poll said they would support the idea of a reigning empress, as Japan’s imperial family struggles with a shrinking number of male heirs. The results of the mail survey, conducted in March and April ahead of the fifth anniversary of Emperor Naruhito’s ascension to the throne, demonstrate how the majority of the public approves of expanding the right to rule to women, given imperial succession is currently limited to men from the paternal line.
Thailand urges bigger ASEAN role in resolving Myanmar conflict
Jakarta Post | 27th April 2024
Thailand called on Friday (April 26) for the regional bloc ASEAN to take a more proactive role in trying to resolve the crisis in military-ruled Myanmar, after weeks of fighting near its border that halted trade and led to a brief influx of refugees.
Vietnam’s top ousters leave Hanoi rudderless on economy
Nikkei Asia | 28th April 2024
A series of high-profile resignations at the top of Vietnam’s political class amid an anti-corruption campaign is raising questions about the direction of the country just when it faces significant economic challenges. National Assembly speaker Vuong Dinh Hue, the fourth-ranking member of the Communist Party, has resigned, state media announced Friday, in what is widely seen by observers as a de facto ouster.
