Guangzhou Reader Contribution

Edited by James M. Kelly

Chinese Naval Expansion


photo credit: Yzukerman

In mid-April, two Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (MSDF) destroyers, the Choukai and Suzunami, unexpectedly encountered several Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships, including a pair of submarines and eight destroyers, approximately 140 kilometers west-southwest of Okinawa near the Nansei (Ryukyu) Islands.

The Chinese warships were heading out of the East China Sea and into the Western Pacific. They passed north of Miyako Island – the northernmost island in the Nansei group – through the Miyako Strait and then proceeded to head southeast.

They were there to practice anti-submarine warfare, underway refueling and helicopter flight training, to name a few of the procedures.

During one PLAN helicopter flight, the Suzunami was subjected to a close encounter which prompted a formal protest by Japan’s SDF Joint Staff Office. The presence of the PLAN subs also sparked a protest.

Japan’s Defense Minister Kitazawa Toshimi was upset that so many Chinese warships had sailed so near to Japan on their way to the western Pacific Ocean without any prior notification by China. [1]

Kitazawa said nothing about whether or not any of the five new Chinese earth observation/military reconnaissance satellites launched since late 2009 were engaged in assisting the PLAN warships during their unannounced passage.

Gary Li, a PLA specialist at the London-based Institute of International and Strategic Studies (IISS) said the PLAN’s actions in this instance were very significant. Li describes the incident as unprecedented and an attempt by China to “send a very clear message to the region that it should be prepared to see a China unafraid to really test its reach and move into new areas”. [2]

Drew Thompson, director of China Studies at The Nixon Center in Washington, DC, did not agree with Li, adding that the recent PLAN “blue water” activity off Japan did not prove that the PLAN has entered a disturbing new phase in its development.

“Calling this a new phase is overly dramatic. The PLA has been working for a long time on expanding their ability to operate farther from their shores and conduct joint operations closely coordinating air, land and sea platforms,” said Thompson. “These PLAN exercises certainly demonstrate expanded capabilities, or at least the willingness to exercise the hardware they have more vigorously, but it should be viewed as part of a continuum rather than a departure from a previous period of development.”

Certainly, it is not getting any easier for the US and the rest of Asia to determine where exactly China is heading and what China’s exact intentions are.

“Reports of a transit by the PLAN forces close to Okinawa only remind US allies in Japan and throughout the Asia-Pacific, that China’s future course is unclear,” said Abraham Denmark, a fellow at the Center for a New American Security in Washington, DC. “It is important to retain a military hedge against the possibility that China could become confrontational and militarily aggressive.”

The PLAN has long been charged with two primary tasks: defending the mainland and operations related to a Taiwan contingency, which would primarily involve anti-access/area denial operations in the Western Pacific, according to Denmark.

This exercise may be further evidence of the growing emphasis placed by the PLAN on protecting vital so-called “Sea Lines of Communication” (SLOCs). Chinese President Hu Jintao has referred to this role as one of the PLA’s “new historic missions”.

“China’s leaders have slowly come to recognize that its continued economic development relies on access to foreign resources and markets. For example, 80% of China’s oil imports flow through the Strait of Malacca, yet the PLAN currently does not have the capability to protect Chinese vessels far from home,” said Denmark. “This has made China’s military leaders begin to examine a third role for the PLAN, which would entail SLOC protection.”

Richard Fisher, senior fellow at the Washington, DC-based International Assessment and Strategy Center, described this recent East China Sea exercise by the PLAN as representing “a significant step in reaping the past decade’s investments”.

“The PLAN deployed at least two small multi-platform surface action groups to include submarines, long-range anti-air defenses, logistic support ships, supported by new long-range ground based and space-based surveillance, and reportedly, significant ground-based air,” said Fisher. “This was a multi-fleet operation that reportedly involved Airborne Warning and Control System [AWACS] aircraft and fighters, which if true would constitute a major expansion of the PLAN’s operational capabilities.”

As for the role of space assets and space defense-related issues, they have slipped under the radar in large part thus far. What is unfolding overhead in support of any or all of the PLAN operations may be the most significant aspect of this recent Chinese war gaming in the Western Pacific. In fact, absent evidence to the contrary, the presence aloft of so many new Chinese earth observation/military reconnaissance satellites is what sets this exercise apart from all previous PLAN exercises.

According to Associate Professor Andrew Erickson with the China Maritime Studies Institute at the US Naval War College, China is rapidly improving its increasingly diverse network of space-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensors in support of military land, sea and air operations.

“Synthetic Aperture Radar [SAR] in particular offers wide coverage at sufficient resolution. Maritime surveillance, prioritized at the national level under China’s 863 State High-Technology Development Plan, is receiving significant funding,” said Erickson.

Hong Kong

Reader Contribution

Edited by James M. Kelly

Assembly warns of financial crises in nuclear power

photo credit: brewbooks

As per a government report released last week it stated that commercial nuclear power was necessary owing to the rapidly increasing demand for electricity in Vietnam.

However, in a statement made by Nguyen Minh Thuyet, a representative from Lang Son Province, on an online news website as saying that ‘Vietnam is not ready to build the two-plant project in the central coastal province of Ninh Thuan’.

It has been estimated that the entire project will cost US$12 billion, of which 75 percent will be funded by foreign loans. This figure is anticipated to reach even $16 billion if latest technology is used.

Thuyet said, “We will be caught off guard when the estimate surges,” He said $12 billion amounts to nearly half of the country’s total national reserves.

He even stated that 900 million Dollars are required to be spent for both the power plants only to import Uranium; this would further add the expense of 320 million Dollars for buying nuclear material every 18 months.

Many representatives from different organizations said that the government should consider building just one power plant under the prevailing economic situation; this would even ease off the pressure on getting the desired human resources for the two plants.
As per a statement given by the industry and trade minister Vu Huy Hoang, the government had calculated power supply and demand carefully. “The power shortage will be critical in 2020, so it is necessary to build two nuclear power plants.”
The final decision on this subject will be given by the National Assembly at the end of its current ongoing session. If approved the construction for the two plants will start in 2014 so that they become commercially operational by 2020.

Bangkok

Reader Contribution

Edited by James M. Kelly

Neighbors bond in trouble as Thaksin departs from Cambodia

photo credit: SpecialKRB
The diplomatic crisis situation seems to have deepened after the fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra departed from Cambodia on Saturday after a controversial four day visit there. Shinawatra was overthrown due to a military coup back in 2006 and ever since then to avoid being imprisoned he has been living abroad. He even left Siem Reap a tourist hub on a private jet; this report was confirmed by Cambodia’s deputy cabinet minister Prak Sokhon.

Officials are not allowed to disclose his destination. Shinawatra has been staying in Dubai though he has been travelling extensively ever since he left Thailand last year in August. During his Cambodia visit he was warmly greeted, his visit marks the start of his new position as the economic adviser to the administration of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said, “During his trip, Thaksin helped us on economic concepts”. However, Thaskin’s visit has sparked up the ongoing dispute between Cambodia and Thailand which further jeopardizes their relations. To further add fuel to fire a man was arrested by the Cambodian police who was accused of spying on Thaskin; the first secretary to Thailand’s embassy was also expelled.

The Cambodian police stated that the 31 year old man they apprehended was Siwarak Chothipong who is working with Cambodia Air Traffic service. He has been accused of providing Thaskin’s flight schedule to the embassy of Thailand. Thaskin had been convicted in a conflict of interest case, however a month before the court could sentence him to two years of imprisonment he fled Thailand in August 2008.

Thaskin has managed to impose an enormous amount of influence in Thai politics by raising protests against the present ruling government.

Thaksin arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday and was later greeted by Hun Sen who called him an “eternal friend”. Then on Friday both of them played a round of golf.

Hong Kong

Reader Contribution

Edited by James M. Kelly

photo credit: specialfx

Shortage of skilled workers
As a sign of constant recovery in the third quarter, the online labor demand index increased by 11.4 per cent from the second, and shot up by 52.4 per cent against the first quarter of the following year, stated the report released on Wednesday.  It also concluded that in the competitive sector, job seekers will still have to cope up with difficulties.
Showing the statistics recorded by VietnamWorks.com, from the 50 job categories, labor demand increased by 24, 21 were stagnant and the remaining dropped. The sectors that showed the highest rise in labor demand were agriculture/forestry, increasing by 100 per cent, as compared to textile/garment industry that showed largest fall.
The highest record of growth in the labor supply was set by the agriculture/forestry, whereas the lowest downfall in demand was the construction industry, falling by 13.9 per cent.
The increase in demand of online labour and decrease in online supply of labour has helped narrow the labour gap, making it easy for job seekers, as stated by the report.
Talking about the labour demand force, managing director of VietnamWorks.com – Chris Harvey stated that “, “Now that the market has begun to recover, companies are turning to their growth mode, and the labour market is heating up with more recruitment activities.”. He also stated that it would take time for the market to regain its activities.
The labor market needed qualified marketing personnel, said the report that indicated the demand-supply gap increase for two years.  The rise in the labor demand in the third quarter saw a trend in hiring country from outside for managerial positions.
The report talking about the present scenario stated that, “they have the skills and experience, are already in this country and obviously interested is staying. It doesn’t cost the company extra to relocate them. Therefore, with realistic expectations on compensation and benefits, they could end up getting a suitable job”.
According to the report the top five industry’s demand for labour and supply were the same as the second quarter. Third quarter witnessed demand for sales job, which was followed by finance related jobs, engineering, administrative/clerical and IT-software.
Job finders found it difficult to get a job as the third quarter’s application index remained unchanged, said the reports. The unaffected sectors were, Securities Services, /Medical, Warehouse, Legal and Agriculture/Forestry.

Bangkok

Correspondent

Edited by James M. Kelly

photo credit: schmuela

Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej’s hospital stay extended

Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej’s stay at the hospital has been extended to a second month raising concerns amongst his countrymen.

The 81-year-old king, who has been reigning since 1946, is the longest serving monarch. But the question that raises anxiety among everyone is what lies ahead in case of the King’s demise.

The king has been suffering with fever, fatigue and lack of appetite. But the statements from the Royal Palace claim that he has been recovering from his lung inflammation and is out of complete danger.

But a sign of pneumonia has been a fresh scare to his health which has also affected the Thai stock market.

There has been a continued power struggle among the followers of Thaksin Shinawtra, the elected prime minister evicted by a military coup in 2006 and his opponents.
The 29-year-old nurse Nisara Lertchaiwattana said that “I am praying for his good health. What would happen to this country, which would put an end to this division, if he doesn’t?”.

The 57 year old Crowned Prince Vajiralongkorn, the successor to the throne has not got the same popularity among the masses like his father, who is known for his hard work.

In a statement made by the political risk consultancy Eurasia group after last week’s stock slide it implied “The market’s skittishness is traceable to the possibility of a destabilizing power vacuum if the monarchy’s power diminishes” after Bhumibol dies”.

“A mishandled succession and the rise of a less-respected monarch could lead to an intense round of political jostling as key players try to increase their power relative to the monarchy,” it warned.

The disorder of the last few years has brought an almost unparalleled questioning of power and authority to Thai politics and society.

Most of the poor rural Thais, though loyal to Bhumibol, have started arguing as to why they cannot have a democratically elected leader of their choice.

Hong Kong
Reader Contribution

Edited by James M. Kelly

photo credit: alex.ch

EU Naval Force confirms the hijacking of the Chinese bulk carrier.

A Chinese bulk carrier DE XIN HAI was hijacked in the Indian Ocean on Monday. 25 Chinese were reported to be aboard the ship.
In a statement made by John Harbour it was implied that ‘the ship has been located by the EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). Some pirates have been seen on board as well as the boats used by them in the attack’.

The EU Naval force in a statement said the ship was hijacked in the Indian Ocean 700 nautical miles off the east coast of Somalia & 350 nautical miles northeast of Seychelles. This statement came from the EU headquarters in Britain.

The statement said “On indication of an attack, an EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol Aircraft, operating from the Seychelles, was launched to investigate the incident,”

It has also come in to the picture that the Bulk carrier is not registered with the Maritime Security Center Horn of Africa.

The total number of hostages held by the Somali pirates has shot up to 146 including the 25 new hostages from the bulk carrier.

The incident was reported to the China Maritime Search and Rescue Center at 3:50 p.m. Beijing time by a cargo vessel that belongs to Qingdao Ocean Shipping Co. Ltd.

In a statement provided by the ministry of transport from China it was told that rescue efforts are being put in place for the bulk carries by the government agencies.

As per the figures provided by the Chinese Ship Owner’s association, the ship weighs 40,892 tonnes & is 225 meters in length. It was going towards India from South Africa, transporting coal when it was hijacked.

Many countries have engaged in sending their forces to the Gulf of Aden region as escorts since the pirate activity has been highly prominent off the Somali coast in the past few years.

Tokyo
Correspondent

Edited by James M. Kelly
Tom Cruise, Aliens and Japan’s new first lady!

photo credit: Alan Light
Miyuki Hatoyama is not like any first lady to hit Japan: A divorcee, a previous actress, and an extrovert woman who demands parity from her husband. It’s the “outspoken” element that is giving unusual exposure for the soon-to-be Prime Minister of Japan.

In a book called “Very Strange Things I’ve Encountered,” Hatoyama indeed writes a very strange thing. She has written in her book that “she has been kidnapped by aliens, was taken to the planet Venus and met Hollywood actor Tom Cruise’ in past life when he was Japanese. She also stated “I know that I was with him in previous life. So, when I meet him and say, ‘Long time no see,’ he will understand what I mean. Isn’t it cool?”

Miyuki Hatoyama also describes that “While my body was asleep, I think my soul rode on a triangular-shaped UFO and went to Venus. It was a very beautiful place, and it was very green.”

In an interview on a Japanese talk show, Hatoyama has made another bizarre claim, saying she “eats” the sun. “Like this, like this,” she said, gesturing as if eating something from the sky. “It makes me feel good and my husband does it too.”

Being famous for her unconventional attitude, these comments wouldn’t have got much attention if she wasn’t the wife of the world’s second largest economy. Japan, for now, appears more pleased than worried. The Japanese media is brushing off comments as weird but undisruptive.

YouTube, on which the clips of the Japanese talk show were divided, was overflowed with people writing comments like “crazy” to “who cares?”

Ministry of Foreign Affairs official like Tomohiko Taniguichi were seen giving comment calls on the first lady “fun for now.” “It’s actually helping her husband’s recognition,” says Taniguichi.

Hong Kong
Reader Contribution

Edited by James M. Kelly

photo credit: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Controversy regarding the security of US embassy in Afghanistan

In a shocking revelation, a former manager of the contractor, which supplies guards to the US embassy in Afghanistan, has reveled that he was removed from his job because he tried to whistle blow about the malicious activities of the security guards over there.

Amour Group North America (AGNA) is a security contractor owned by Wackenhut Services Inc. and has a contract of over $108 million a year to guard the US embassy in Afghanistan. In his lawsuit, James Gordon has claimed that he was forced to leave his job at AGNA when he tried to bring to light the problems of inadequate staffing and the concerning behavior of the guards indulging in sex trafficking and frequently visiting the brothel.

The allegations of James Gordon were further strengthened by the findings of a watchdog organization known as Project On Government Oversight (POGO). Recently, this organization released photograph depicting indecent partying and inappropriate behavior by the embassy guards. A formal report, which was formulated after interviewing numerous guards who worked at the embassy, was sent to the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Wackenhut said that James Gordon had resigned voluntarily and there was no connection of his resignation to the whistle blowing incidence. They are maintaining their stance that the security of US embassy was never compromised. However, Gordon referred to these assertions as hilarious and commented, “If you hire a guard force that is placing you at risk because of their behavior, and is also inadequate with regard to the fact of language difficulty between elements of the guard force, I don’t see how anyone can say the government is getting what they are paying for and it doesn’t compromise the integrity of the embassy itself”, referring to the fact that some of the guards were non English speaking Gurkhas of Nepal.

There have been no comments yet from the contractor’s side regarding the allegations of sex trafficking and visiting brothels by the security guards. Gordon further commented that he tried to impose a ‘no brothel’ policy when he found out that there was an outbreak of Sexually Transmitted Diseases among the guards. However, the company resorted with hostility to his suggestions and even when he reported the matter to the State Department, there was no definitive action taken.

Beijing
Reader

Edited by James M. Kelly

China coming up with first swine flu vaccine, by September end

With an apt development of the vaccine for swine flu, China is all set to be the first country, across the globe to start its mass inoculations.

Expressing concerns over the possible side effects, Gregory Hartl, the WHO spokesman told CNN” “No matter what vaccine you’re looking at, sometimes there are extremely rare side effects. We don’t even know what those are yet, but they will show up in one in every two or 10 million vaccinated.”

As per the South China Morning Post, inoculations would commence in the coming week and before the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic due on October 1st.

The vaccine, PANFLU.1, developed by Sinovac Biotech Ltd is ideal for people ageing between 3 to 60 years. Sinovac informed that the single-shot vaccine has received the approval of China’s National Institute for the Control of Pharmaceutical & Biological Products and has acquired the Certificate for the Release of Biological Products. Near about five million doses will be ready by the September end.

Health Minister Chen Zhu has given an indication that nearly 200,000 people participating in the anniversary celebrations, are going to be the first, to receive the vaccine, as per the reports of The South China Morning Post. Next in category will be students aged five to 19, pregnant women and people with medical conditions, especially chronic respiratory and coronary diseases.
Not to forget, the inoculation program would even take care of the medical staff & key workers, including police officers, soldiers and quarantine officials.

photo credit: Al Jazeera English

2 factories Sinovac, in Beijing and Hualan Biological Engineering, based in Henan have been approved by the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) to produce the vaccine. However, the most capable enterprises, having the ability to produce swine flu vaccines, are going to be the one to get license by September end.

In the coming weeks, numerous drug firms in Europe are likely to submit clinical trial data, with GlaxoSmithKline being the first, as stated by Hartl.

Tokyo
Correspondent

Edited by James M. Kelly

Internet campaigning: An instantaneous hit in Japan

The point that sets apart this year’s elections from previous year’s elections in Japan is the extensive use of internet for campaigning purpose. Japan is one amongst the most internet-savvy nations in the world, yet the use of internet as a campaigning medium was restricted till recently.

A 1950 law aimed to curb excess expenditure on election campaigns and level the competition among candidates. This law limits the use of different mediums like T.V and print, but there is no mention on the internet in this law. Officials are interpreting that this absence signifies the internet to be off-limits to the campaigners.

However, there are numerous candidates who have created their own websites and blogs to target voters. These websites and blogs are constantly being updated with relevant information regarding the activities conducted by the candidates and the development brought about by them. Although these candidates refrain from directly pursuing the people to vote, yet their language and style of writing encourages individuals to vote for them.

There are mixed views in Japan regarding the use of internet as a campaigning medium. Individuals who advocate this method are of an opinion that the internet is a fast and cost-effective way to dispense relevant information to the masses. According to them, it is the right of an individual in a democracy to possess relevant information regarding a candidate before they vote for him. Established media like news papers and TV news channels should not be the only source of information; therefore the use of internet should be propagated.

However, candidates this year are resorting to negative campaigning, which was not prevalent in Japan earlier. In one such negative campaign, a noodle chef is shown pleasing every customer by adding different food items in his bowl of noodles, until it becomes an overflowing mixture of fish, fruits and ice-cream. This campaign is targeted at the opposition leader Yukio Hatoyama, and the alleged indecisiveness of his party, the Democratic Party of Japan. This ad has induced over 200,000 hits on You Tube.