Territorial dispute | CHINDIA ALERT: You'll be living in their world, very soon

06/02/2013

* India concerned by China role in Pakistan port

Reuters: “China’s role in operating a strategically important port in Pakistan is a matter of concern for India, its defense minister said on Wednesday, as New Delhi and Beijing jostle for influence in the region.

India's Defence Minister A.K. Antony waits to speak at a plenary session of the 11th International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) Asia Security Summit: The Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in this file photo taken June 2, 2012. REUTERS/Tim Chong

Indian policy-makers have long been wary of a string of strategically located ports being built by Chinese companies in its neighborhood, as India beefs up its military clout to compete with its Asian rival.

Management of Gwadar port, around 600 km (370 miles) from Karachi and close to Pakistan’s border with Iran, was handed over to state-run Chinese Overseas Port Holdings last week after previously being managed by Singapore’s PSA International.

“It is a matter of concern to us,” Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony told reporters when asked about Chinese control of the port.

When complete, the port, which is close to the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping lane, is seen opening up an energy and trade corridor from the Gulf, across Pakistan to western China, and could be used by the Chinese Navy, analysts say.

“It will enable (China) to deploy military capability in the region,” said Jay Ranade, of the Centre for Air Power Studies and a former additional secretary at the government of India. “Having control of Gwadar, China is basically getting an entry into the Arabian Sea and the Gulf.”

China has also funded ports in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, and Chittagong in Bangladesh, both India’s neighbors.

“Gwadar is a more serious development than the others,” Ranade said, as the Pakistani port gives China base facilities.”

via India concerned by China role in Pakistan port | Reuters.

Posted in China alert, Chindia Alert, Defence, GeoPolitics, India alert, Military, Neighbour conflict, Politics, Territorial dispute | Leave a Comment »

Tags: A. K. Antony, China, Gwadar, Gwadar port, India, Pakistan, politics, PSA International

25/01/2013

* China, Japan move to cool down territorial dispute

Reuters: “China and Japan sought to cool down tensions over a chafing territorial dispute on Friday, with Communist Party chief Xi Jinping telling an envoy from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that he was committed to developing bilateral ties.

Natsuo Yamaguchi (L), leader of Japan's New Komeito party, delivers a personal letter from Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to China's president-in-waiting Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, January 25, 2013. REUTERS-Ng Han Guan-Pool

Xi will consider holding a summit meeting with Abe, Natsuo Yamaguchi, a senior lawmaker and head of the junior partner in Japan’s ruling coalition, told reporters after his talks with the Chinese leader.

The meeting came as China took the dispute over a series of uninhabited islands to the United Nations.

It was not immediately clear if the U.N. involvement would increase the likelihood the row would be resolved peacefully. But launching an international legal process could reduce the temperature for now.

At China’s request, the United Nations will, later this year, consider the scientific validity of a claim by Beijing that the islands, called the Diaoyu in Chinese and the Senkaku by Japan, are part of its territory. Japan says the world body should not be involved.”

via China, Japan move to cool down territorial dispute | Reuters.

Tags: Beijing, China, Japan, Natsuo Yamaguchi, Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzō Abe, United Nations, Xi JinPing

25/01/2013

* U.N. to consider validity of China’s claim over disputed islands

Strange that a few days ago China objected to the Philippines taking their disputed islands to the UN, but now it is taking a similar action over islands in dispute with Japan.

Reuters: “The United Nations is planning to consider later this year the scientific validity of a claim by China that a group of disputed islands in the East China Sea are part of its territory, although Japan says the world body should not be involved.

A handout photograph taken on a marine surveillance plane B-3837 shows the disputed islets, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, December 13, 2012. Picture taken December 13, 2012. REUTERS/State Oceanic Administration of People's Republic of China/Handout

Tensions over the uninhabited islands – located near rich fishing grounds and potentially huge oil and gas reserves – flared after Japan’s government purchased them from a private Japanese owner in September, sparking violent anti-Japanese protests across China and a military standoff.

Taiwan also claims the islands, known as the Diaoyu islands in China, the Senkaku islands in Japan and Tiaoyutai in Taiwan.

It was not immediately clear if the U.N. involvement would increase the likelihood the China-Japan dispute would be resolved peacefully. But launching an international legal process that should yield a neutral scientific opinion could reduce the temperature for now in Beijing’s spat with Tokyo.

In a submission to the U.N. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, China says the continental shelf in the East China Sea is a natural prolongation of China’s land territory and that it includes the disputed islands.

Under the U.N. convention, a country can extend its 200-nautical-mile economic zone if it can prove that the continental shelf is a natural extension of its land mass. The U.N. commission assesses the scientific validity of claims, but any disputes have to be resolved between states, not by the commission.

China said the “Diaoyu Dao upfold zone” – the islands – is located between the East China Sea shelf basin and the Okinawa Trough. “The Okinawa Trough is the natural termination of the continental shelf of (the East China Sea),” it said.

China also told the commission that it was still negotiating with other states on the delimitation of the continental shelf.

“Recommendations of the commission with regard to the submission will not prejudice future delimitation of the continental shelf between China and the states concerned,” said the executive summary of China’s submission published on the commission’s website.”

via U.N. to consider validity of China’s claim over disputed islands | Reuters.

Tags: Beijing, China, Continental Shelf, diaoyu islands, East China Sea, Japan, military standoff, Okinawa Trough, Senkaku Islands, United Nations

17/01/2013

* U.S., Japan review defense guidelines amid tension with China

We hope that this revision does not fall onto the ‘Law of Unintended Consequences‘ and exacerbates rather than alleviates the current high tensions.

Reuters: “The United States and Japan began on Thursday the revision of defense cooperation guidelines for the first time in 15 years as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe faces a territorial dispute with China and North Korea’s missile and nuclear programmes.

Shinzo Abe

The revision to the guidelines, which set rules on how Japanese and U.S. forces work together in or near Japan, comes after a hawkish Abe led his Liberal Democratic Party to power in an election last month.

“We would like to discuss Japanese Self Defence Forces‘ role and U.S. forces role with eyes on the next five, 10, 15 years and on the security environment during those periods,” a Defence Ministry official told reporters, without elaborating.

The revision is due because of drastic changes in the security environment over the past 15 years including China’s maritime expansion and North Korea’s missile development, the Japanese government has said.

North Korea has also twice tested nuclear devices.

Japan is locked in a territorial dispute with China over a group of tiny East China Sea islets called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, with both countries sending patrol ships and planes to areas near the isles.

The review started with a working-level meeting in Tokyo between U.S. and Japanese officials. It will likely take a year or more to complete and coincides with a U.S. “pivot” in diplomatic and security focus to Asia.

“One issue that’s prevalent is whether the Abe government will reinterpret the constitution to exercise the right of collective self defence,” said Nicholas Szechenyi, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

“Should that policy decision be taken, it will obviously have an impact on the way the Self Defence Forces and U.S. military coordinate.”

Japan recognizes it has what is known as the right of collective self-defence, meaning a right to defend with force allies under attack even when Japan itself is not being attacked.

But Japanese governments have traditionally interpreted the pacifist constitution as banning the actual exercise of the right, creating a sore spot in Tokyo’s security ties with Washington. Abe wants to change the interpretation to allow Japan to exercise the right.

via U.S., Japan review defense guidelines amid tension with China | Reuters.

Posted in China alert, Defence, Diplomacy, GeoPolitics, History, Military, Neighbour conflict, Politics, Territorial dispute | Leave a Comment »

Tags: Asia, Center for Strategic and International Studies, China, East China Sea, Japan, Japan Self-Defense Forces, North Korea, politics, Senkaku Islands

16/01/2013

* Vietnam, US boost defence ties

US takes opportunity to counter-balance Chinese military power in SE Asia.

ANN: “The third Vietnam-US Defence Policy Dialogue at deputy ministerial level took place in Hanoi last week.

Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Defence Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh

During the meeting, the two sides focused on ideas and information about issues related to defence cooperation and bilateral ties between Vietnam and the US and exchanged information about security matters in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

The two sides reviewed their achievements in the five areas which were stated in the MoU on defence cooperation, signed by the two ministries in September 2011.

They agreed that new developments had been made in cooperation in several areas, including the missing-in-action mission; defusing bombs, mines and explosives left by the war; cleaning up dioxin pollution.

The two delegations also discussed cooperation in human resources training, UN peace-keeping missions, military medicine, natural disaster relief and search and rescue.

The delegates expressed their hope that defence cooperation between Vietnam and the US would contribute to enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries, aiming at peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, while Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and Southeast Asia Vikram J. Singh headed the US delegation.”

via Vietnam, US boost defence ties – ANN.

Vietnam, ROK stresses to enhance bilateral cooperation (nzweek.com)
India, Vietnam to work towards $7 bn trade target (news.in.msn.com)
PM Abe meets with Vietnam premier to discuss bilateral trade ties, China tensions (japandailypress.com)

Posted in China alert, Defence, GeoPolitics, Military, peace keeping, Politics, Territorial dispute, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Tags: Asia, Asia-Pacific, Hanoi, politics, United States Secretary of Defense, Vietnam

14/01/2013

Interesting view.

Posted in China alert, Chindia Alert, Defence, Foreign invasion, GeoPolitics, History, India alert, Military, Neighbour conflict, peace keeping, Politics, Territorial dispute | Leave a Comment »

Tags: China, geopolitics. border dispute, India, USA

11/01/2013

New Asean secretary general vows quick negotiations on South China Sea

Bangkok Post: “The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is seeking early talks with China to discuss a code of conduct to manage tensions over the disputed South China Sea, the bloc’s new chief said Wednesday.

China claims most of the sea, including a vital shipping lane and resource-rich areas. The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei have overlapping claims in the area, as does Taiwan.

“Asean should speed up efforts towards an early start of negotiations with China with a view to achieving an early conclusion of a code of conduct on the South China Sea,” Asean Secretary-General Le Luong Minh said.

Newly inaugurated Asean Secretary-General Le Luong Minh of Vietnam, left, shakes hands with outgoing former Surin Pitsuwan during the office handover ceremony. (Reuters photo)

The Vietnamese diplomat was speaking in Jakarta after officially assuming the post of Asean secretary, replacing Surin Pitsuwan of Thailand.

In 2011, Asean and China agreed on a non-binding set of guidelines to allow dialogue and cooperation during talks on the Indonesian resort island of Bali.

A binding code of conduct is aimed at reducing the chance of conflict among the claimants.

Mr Minh also vowed to push Asean to move ahead in launching the Asean Economic Community in 2015.

“Despite the many challenges, I fully believe that Asean will emerge triumphant.

“The Asean Secretariat will continue to play active roles in supporting and coordinating with member states to help facilitate and drive the establishment of the Asean Community,” Mr Minh said.

“The next five years will be exciting and critical ones. We in the secretariat are prepared to work closely with Asean member states to ensure we are able to deliver our major commitments and objectives,” he said.”

via New Asean secretary general vows quick negotiations on South China Sea | Bangkok Post: news.

* Southeast Asia calls for talks with China on sea dispute (chindia-alert.org)
ASEAN Leader to Push Consensus on South China Sea Disputes (voanews.com)
South China Sea Dispute Flares at ASEAN Summit (voanews.com)

Posted in China alert, Politics, Territorial dispute | Leave a Comment »

Tags: ASEAN, Brunei, China, Malaysia, South China Sea, Vietnam

09/01/2013

* Pak’s action highly objectionable: Defence minister

Following from the death of a Pakistani soldier, this retaliation – if proven to be accurate – is not acceptable of any national army in the 21st century.

Times of India: “Defence minister A K Antony on Wednesday blasted Pakistan for the gruesome way in which an Indian soldier was beheaded by its troops who intruded into Indian territory in the Mendhar sector of J&K on Tuesday.

Indian soldiers carry coffin reported to contain body of colleague killed by Pakistani soldiers (9 January)

“The Pakistan Army’s action is highly objectionable and also the way they treated the body of the Indian soldier is inhuman,” said Antony.

“We will take it up with the Pakistan government and our Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) will talk to his counterpart in Pakistan. We are closely monitoring the situation,” he added.

As reported by TOI, an Indian soldier was beheaded and another’s body mutilated by Pakistani troops after they crossed over into Indian territory in Mendhar at about 11 am on Tuesday, in a grim reminder of the barbarism exhibited in the Captain Saurabh Kalia case during the bloody Kargil conflict in 1999.”

via Pak’s action highly objectionable: Defence minister – The Times of India.

Posted in Defence, India alert, Military, Neighbour conflict, Politics, Territorial dispute | Leave a Comment »

Tags: British Indian Army, India, indian soldier, K Antony, kargil conflict, Pakistan, Pakistan Army, Pakistan government, politics

22/12/2012

* Japan’s Abe to send envoy to China to mend ties

Commonsense and geo-politics wins over parochial politics. Thank goodness.

Reuters: “Japan’s next Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to send senior ruling party member Masahiko Koumura as an envoy to China as early as next month in a bid to repair ties between Asia’s two largest economies, the Nikkei business daily said.

Shinzo Abe, Japan's incoming Prime Minister and the leader of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), attends a meeting at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo December 21, 2012. REUTERS/Toru Hanai

Abe, a hardliner who has questioned claims by China and others that Japan’s army forced woman from occupied territories into prostitution during World War II, wants to bolster relations with his nation’s biggest neighbor after anti-Japanese protests there this year, the paper reported, without saying where it obtained the information.

Komura will carry a letter from Abe for China’s leaders, the Nikkei said. Komura is a former foreign minister who served as Abe’s defense minister during his first administration in 2007. As head of the Japan-China Friendship Paliamentarians’ Union, the lawmaker is known for his strong ties with China.

During campaigning for the general election that returned his Liberal Democratic Party to power after three years, Abe pledged to take a tough line with China in the dispute over islands in the East China Sea islands, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

A Chinese boycott of Japanese cars, electronic gadgets and other products earlier this year, however, hurt Japanese companies, while violent anti-Japanese protests damaged some businesses.”

via Japan’s Abe to send envoy to China to mend ties: Nikkei | Reuters.

Posted in China alert, Economics, Politics, Territorial dispute | Leave a Comment »

Tags: Abe, China, East China Sea, Japan, Liberal Democratic Party, Masahiko Kōmura, politics, Shinzō Abe, World War II

20/12/2012

* Amid China tensions, Southeast Asia looks to India

ASEAN nations turning to India to counter-balance China’s aggressive position on territorial disputes.

Reuters: “Southeast Asian leaders are expected to lay out a vision for closer cooperation with India on security and the economy at a high-level gathering in New Delhi at a time of tension with China in the potentially oil- and gas-rich South China Sea.

The meeting is a ceremonial summit to mark 20 years of cooperation with India and will not include detailed negotiations on regional issues, India’s Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid told Reuters.

But ministry officials said the leaders would also produce a statement which is expected to reiterate a commitment to freedom of navigation, a hot issue because of territorial conflicts in the South China Sea.

Some ASEAN countries contest claims by China in the waters, making it the biggest potential flashpoint in the region. The United States has called for calm, but some are also looking to India, the other regional heavyweight, to get involved.

“They want India to play a larger role. Those concerns are only increasing given the uncertain situation that is emerging,” said C. Raja Mohan, a strategic affairs expert at the Observer Research Foundation think-tank.

For India, improved relations with Southeast Asia will give it entry into one of the fastest-growing economic regions in the world and a source of raw materials needed for its own growth.

Poor there are poor transport links between India and the nations to its southeast, and constraints like India’s tiny diplomatic corps – similar in size to New Zealand’s – mean India trails China in relations with the region.

Trade between India and the 10-member ASEAN was up to $80 billion last year compared with $47 billion in 2008. An agreement on free trade in services and investment could be signed at the New Delhi meeting.

But India’s role in the region is dwarfed by that of China, which enjoyed trade worth a record $363 billion with ASEAN countries in 2011 in an already established free trade area.

“What we need is far greater connectivity,” Khurshid said in an interview with Reuters, mentioning roads, railways and flights as areas needing work. He described a 10-year plan to double the number of diplomats to reflect India’s global ambitions.”

via Amid China tensions, Southeast Asia looks to India | Reuters.

Asean Welcomes Rising India as It Looks East (irrawaddy.org)
Japanese firms shifting production from China to Southeast Asia (wantchinatimes.com)

Posted in Chindia Alert, Economics, India alert, Politics, Territorial dispute | 1 Comment »

Tags: ASEAN, China, India, New Delhi, Southeast Asia

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* India concerned by China role in Pakistan port

* China, Japan move to cool down territorial dispute

* U.N. to consider validity of China’s claim over disputed islands

* U.S., Japan review defense guidelines amid tension with China

* Vietnam, US boost defence ties

New Asean secretary general vows quick negotiations on South China Sea

* Pak’s action highly objectionable: Defence minister

* Japan’s Abe to send envoy to China to mend ties

* Amid China tensions, Southeast Asia looks to India

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