Geo-Strategic Trend - 16. page

Following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Taiwan on the morning of April 3rd, Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported that Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council quickly rejected aid offered by mainland China, saying it was not needed.

Analysts explained that Beijing’s aid always comes with conditions attached and is not a true gesture of goodwill. Some suggested that, instead of providing aid, it would be better for the mainland to stop interfering with the Taiwanese government’s disaster relief effort.

The report stated that “China has been unwilling to give up the threat of force to expand its control over Taiwan, and the Taiwanese people are naturally highly suspicious of China’s intentions.” The article mentioned that mainland China blocked the United Nations from providing much-needed assistance to Taiwan 25 years ago when it suffered “The Great 921 Earthquake.” In recent years, mainland aircraft and warships frequently disturb the areas surrounding Taiwan. This trend is only intensifying. Because of these ongoing military threats, people in Taiwan are highly suspicious of China’s intentions.

Some scholars expressed the belief that China may have anticipated Taiwan’s reaction. The argument is as follows: When Beijing made an offer that was very likely to be rejected, they were not actually trying to help; they were setting a trap to embarrass Taiwan for rejecting aid that appears to have been offered in goodwill.

Source: RFI, April 5, 2024
https://tinyurl.com/nhdmnk2s

Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) recently reported on the territorial dispute between China and India.

“The territorial dispute between China and India has intensified. After India recently reaffirmed its sovereignty over Arunachal Province in southern Tibet, the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs announced another batch of 30 names to be used for locations in southern Tibet.

Indian Prime Minister Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh, a province known in China as ‘South Tibet.’ He presided over the opening ceremony of the Sela Tunnel (the world’s longest bi-lane tunnel). This triggered dissatisfaction and protests in China.”

The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs announced name changes in the Chinese and Tibetan languages for these 30 places. “It also listed the name category, administrative region, and longitude and latitude for each location. Most of these 30 locations are located on mountain peaks and rivers, and only 11 of them are residential areas.”

“Prior to this, China issued three batches of official name changes for locations in southern Tibet. … However, this batch made the most changes.”

The Indian government immediately issued a statement refusing to accept the name changes, emphasizing that the relevant areas were part of India’s “indivisible” territory. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson then responded that southern Tibet is part of China’s territory and that the name changes “are completely within the scope of China’s sovereignty.”

Source: CNA, March 30, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202403300217.aspx

Canada’s Foreign Interference Commission inquiry has recently entered the witness testimony phase. Representatives from diaspora communities originating from China, India, Russia, and Iran testified about their experiences of intimidation and coercion by their countries of origin.

Witnesses representing Canadian diaspora communities included Uyghur rights activist Mehmet Tohti, Winnie Ng from the Toronto Association for Democracy in China, Grace Dai Wollensak from the Falun Dafa Association of Canada, Jaskaran Sandhu from the Indian Sikh Alliance, Yuriy Novodvorskiy from the Russian-Canadian Democratic Solidarity group, and Iranian-Canadian Hamed Esmailion. Each recounted their personal experiences of harassment and threats from their home countries.

Long-time human rights activist Tohti said he has been unable to see his family since arriving in Canada in 1991. Initially, China denied him and his family permission to travel. In 2016, over 30 of his relatives were detained, severing all contact with Tohti. In early 2023, Chinese police called to say that his mother and two sisters had died, his brother was missing, and that an uncle had been hospitalized — these were threats that he should stop his activism lest more relatives face the same fate.

Wollensak broke down as she spoke about the plight of Falun Gong practitioners. She revealed that they have endured persecution by the Chinese government for over two decades, not only within China but also through the authorities’ transnational crackdown abroad. She added that Falun Gong practitioners living overseas are constantly subjected to intimidation, harassment, cyberattacks, and surveillance. “My account has been deleted, and my IP address has been blocked,” she said, “We are not allowed to express anything that contradicts the CCP’s policies. The ’50-cent party’ and the United Front agents are able to interfere with our lives on a daily basis.”

The witnesses noted the US takes far stronger action against foreign interference [than Canada does], levying charges and convictions. Meanwhile, Canada lacks even a foreign agents registry, leaving complaints unaddressed.

The hearings were sparked by Beijing’s alleged interference in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian elections. Federal Judge Marie-Josée Hogue will hear dozens of further witnesses, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Source: Radio Free Asia, March 28, 2024
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/junshiwaijiao/lf-03282024130615.html

Radio Free Asia (RFA) recently reported that Beijing’s influence in the South Pacific is growing as China increases its investment and diplomatic relations in the region. This situation has caused concern in Fiji. Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stated recently that he has asked the Chinese police stationed in his country to leave, and that he will review the police cooperation agreement signed with China. He said that the judicial systems and police investigation methods of the two countries are not the same, and that he is uneasy about China’s deployment of public security in the Fiji police force.

Fiji is retaining its police cooperation agreement with China for the time being, allowing senior police officers to continue to receive training in China. The agreement will be under review, however. Rabuka said Chinese diplomats have accepted his decision.

China’s recent investment in the Solomon Islands has attracted attention across the region, and leaders of many South Pacific Island countries are worried that China’s growing influence will lead to the erosion of their democracy and values. Rabuka reminded leaders of relevant countries to be vigilant and consider the price they will have to pay for accepting Chinese investment. Fiji’s decision will likely lead neighboring countries to examine their options in the geopolitical tussle between the United States and China. It appears that China’s policy of using economic aid to promote influence has begun to show cracks.

Source: RFA, March 29, 2024
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/junshiwaijiao/ec-03292024033831.html

Xinhua recently reported that the United States and Japan are planning to counter China by implementing the biggest upgrade to their security alliance since they signed a security treaty in 1960. According to five people familiar with the matter, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will announce plans to reorganize the U.S. military headquarters in Japan during Kishida’s visit to the United States in April. The goal is to strengthen combat planning and joint military exercises.

Currently, the Japan Command of the U.S. Forces, based at Yokota Base, does not have command authority over the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet or the Marine Corps stationed in Okinawa. The command of these forces lies with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii. It is expected that after the planned upgrade, command authority of the aforementioned forces will still be retained by the Indo-Pacific Command, but authority of the Japan Command will increase. It will gain more authority in U.S.-Japan joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, supply dispatching, and coordination with the Unified Operations Command of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.

In recent years, the United States and Japan have been promoting military cooperation between the two countries, publicly stating that the move is aimed at countering China. U.S. Defense Secretary Austin claimed in June of last year that the U.S. and Japan were working hard to further modernize military relations in order to prevent China’s so-called “coercive behavior.”

Source: Xinhua, March 25, 2024
http://www.news.cn/mil/2024-03/25/c_1212345412.htm