Focus: Indo-Pacific | 8th August 2023

India continued to expand its Pacific outreach close on the heels of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Papua New Guinea as Navy’s frontline warships INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata received Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape during their port call to Port Moresby last week. Meanwhile, China continued to violate rights of both Philippines and Vietnam in the South China Sea region. The Philippines on Sunday accused China’s coast guard of blocking and water-cannoning a Philippine military supply boat in the South China Sea, condemning the “excessive and offensive actions” against its vessels. Vietnam last week requested that China stop all acts that violate Vietnam’s sovereignty, including military drills at the Paracel Islands. However, as part of is efforts to boost its economy, China had decided to relax a wide range of social controls, including visas on arrival for more overseas businesspeople. Meanwhile, the U.S. is weighing deploying new military elements in Japan to better coordinate operations with the Japan Self-Defense Forces, as a Taiwan contingency would necessitate a swift collective response. South Korea has decided to engage in Ukraine’s reconstruction and decided to allow up to 30 businesspeople to visit Ukraine each time for potential projects for reconstruction. In SE Asia, politics in Thailand continues to be in limbo with no early solution in sight. 

Indian Navy hosts PM of Papua New Guinea on board INS Kolkata and INS Sahyadri

The Economic Times | 4^th August 2023

Indian Navy’s frontline warships INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata received Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape during their port call to Port Moresby, the capital of the island nation. Marape, accompanied by his cabinet colleagues and senior government officials, was jointly hosted onboard by the Indian Navy and the High Commissioner of India Inbasekar Sudaramurthi, officials said. Speaking on the need for greater defence cooperation, Marape called for more visits by Indian Naval ships saying that would help build people-to-people connect.

China blocked, water-cannoned supply boat in South China Sea: Philippines

The Straits Times | 6^th August 2023

The Philippines on Sunday accused China’s coast guard of blocking and water-cannoning a Philippine military supply boat in the South China Sea, condemning the “excessive and offensive actions” against its vessels. China’s coast guard countered that it had implemented necessary controls in accordance with the law to deter Philippine ships, which it accused of trespassing and carrying illegal building materials.

Vietnam opposes China’s illegal drills at Paracel Islands

Vien Express | 4^th August 2023

Vietnam has requested that China stop all acts that violate Vietnam’s sovereignty, including military drills at the Paracel Islands. “China’s inclusion of part of the Paracel Islands in a military drill area in the East Sea from July 29 to August 2 seriously infringed on Vietnam’s sovereignty over the archipelago,” saidspokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang at a press conference on Thursday.

China eases entry visa and hukou rules in all-out push to save the economy

South China Morning Post | 4^th August 2023

China will relax a wide range of social controls, including visas on arrival for more overseas businesspeople, as it tries to revive its sputtering post-pandemic economy. The guidelines released by the Ministry of Public Security on Thursday are the latest in a series of far-reaching policy adjustments in recent weeks signalling Beijing’s all-out efforts to put the world’s No 2 economy on a surer footing. In the 26-point package, the ministry said it would also loosen the household registration system to help secure supply chains and encourage job creation.

U.S. weighs new military element in Japan for closer coordination

Nikkei Asia | 5^th August 2023

The U.S. is weighing deploying new military elements in Japan to better coordinate operations with the Japan Self-Defense Forces, as a Taiwan contingency would necessitate a swift collective response. The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — the country’s military budget — approved by the Senate in late July includes language requiring the Department of Defense to look into modifying the U.S. command structure in Japan.

This divorce could get messy

Bangkok Post | 5^th August 2023

The split between the two largest parties, Pheu Thai and the Move Forward Party (MFP), may prove irreconcilable, with Pheu Thai possibly on its way to getting a taste of its own medicine, according to a political expert

S. Korea to allow up to 30 biz people each time to Ukraine on exceptions for reconstruction projects

Yonhap | 6^th August 2023

South Korea has decided to allow up to 30 businesspeople to visit Ukraine each time for potential projects for reconstruction and recovery under special travel exceptions, officials and industry sources familiar with the matter said Sunday. Seoul has expressed its intent to actively participate in helping to rebuild the war-torn country in the wake of the war with Russia, with the business community in infrastructure and other sectors also aligning with the move.