Today’s News 23 May 2021 (Sunday)

A. NAVY NEWS/COVID NEWS/PHOTOS Title Writer Newspaper Page NIL NIL NIL NIL

B. NATIONAL HEADLINES Title Writer Newspaper Page Probes launched on sale of vaccine slots in E Tupas P Star 1 1 Metro Broker in biggest PSE scandal gets 14-year D Abadilla PDI A1 2 prison term

C. NATIONAL SECURITY Title Writer Newspaper Page 3 Phl, China agree on importance of dialogue J Mateo P Star 1 in sea disputes 4 PH, China tackle sea row in bilateral M Ramos PDI A3 meeting 5 PH, China agree to hold dialogue to ease G Kabiling M Bulletin 1 tension at South China Sea 6 Jardeleza answers WPS queries with A Murcia D Tribune A1 question 7 Philippines, China tackle sea dispute J Ismael M Times A1 8 Pinoys still reluctant to fish in Scarborough E Esconde M Times A7 9 PH tells China: Adhere to int’l law on WPS P Journal 2

D. INDO-PACIFIC Title Writer Newspaper Page

E. AFP RELATED Title Writer Newspaper Page Tap military reservist for vaccine roll out, Go M Casayuran M Bulletin 1 10 urges 11 Basilan loose firearms campaign on N Lacson D Tribune B14 12 PNP, AFP hunt down NPA hit squad A Dalizon P Journal 7 PNP, AFP hunt down NPA hit squad in P Tonight 6 13 NCR, Calabarzon Imee calls for replacement of deactivated M Purification P Journal 2 14 pension fund for military, uniformed personnel

F. CPP-NPA-NDF-LCM Title Writer Newspaper Page 15 3 – man hit squad slain in Laguna encounter R Aquino M Times A7 Full disclosure of P13B budget of NTF- J Manalastas P Journal 7 16 ELCAC urged

G. MNLF/MILF/BIFF/ASG Title Writer Newspaper Page 17 8 Abu bandits surrender in Sulu R Pareño P Star 9 18 Crime group leader nabbed in Maguindanao PNA Tempo 3

H. EDITORIAL-OPINION-COMMENTARY-SPECIAL Title Writer Newspaper Page 19 Diplomatic Pouch K Kazuhiko P Star 7 20 What’s the fuss about Julian Felipe Reef? A Panganiban PDI A7 21 Nansha nonsense D Dela Paz D Tribune A4 22 Blind loyalty of past D Tribune A4 Fishing for a fight or better economic well M Pasion M Times A5 23 – being?

I. ONLINE NEWS Title Link NATIONAL NEWS Duterte: Innovation to propel PH growth https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/duterte- 24 innovation-to-propel-ph-growth/ Easterlies to keep PH weather warm and https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/easterlies-to- 25 humid keep-weather-warm-and-humid-across-ph/ PAGASA sees on time arrival of rainy https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/pagasa-sees- 26 season on-time-arrival-of-rainy-season/ PH-Canada pact on space science, https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/ph-canada-pact- 27 technology being eyed – DOST on-space-science-technology-being-eyed-dost/ Duterte vows to enhance social safety https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/duterte-vows-to- 28 nets, public health system enhance-social-safety-nets-public-health- system/ NAVY NEWS PH seeks resolution of Gem-Ver sinking in https://news.abs- talks with China on S. China Sea cbn.com/news/05/22/21/gemver- 29 compensation-boat-sinking-china-philippines- south-china-sea Carpio nabahala sa bagong China Coast https://news.abs- 30 Guard law cbn.com/news/05/23/21/china-coast-guard- law-carpio-west-ph-sea Retired soldiers call for unified https://news.abs- government stand on West Philippine Sea cbn.com/video/news/05/22/21/retired-soldiers- 31 call-for-unified-government-stand-on-west- philippine-sea AFP RELATED Lorenzana backs law amending retirement https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/lorenzana- 32 age, establishing fixed terms of AFP backs-law-amending-retirement-age- officials establishing-fixed-terms-of-afp-officials/ New Blackhawk choppers boost PAF's https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/natio 33 operational readiness –DND n/788513/new-blackhawk-choppers-boost-paf- s-operational-readiness-dnd/story/ Civil society groups play major part in https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141173 34 Marawi rehab Go urges authorities to tap military https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/go-urges- 35 reservists for vaccine roll out authorities-to-tap-military-reservists-for- vaccine-roll-out/ Leader of lawless group nabbed in https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/leader-of- 36 Maguindanao lair lawless-group-nabbed-in-maguindanao-lair/ INDO-PACIFIC NEWS side in US-China https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141160 37 Duterte says PH won’t tussle: Nikkei report Philippines and China hold 'friendly and https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/ 38 candid' talks on South China Sea philippines-china-friendly-candid-talks-south- china-sea-14863856 PH, China commit to open, cordial dialogue https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/ph-china- to ease SCS tension, advance fisheries commit-to-open-cordial-dialogue-to-ease-scs- 39 cooperation, marine protection tension-advance-cooperation-on-fisheries- marine-protection/ Philippines, China agree on importance of https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/05/23 40 dialogue in sea disputes /2100230/philippines-china-agree-importance- dialogue-sea-disputes Philippines reiterates call for respect, https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/natio 41 adherence to int’l law during China meeting n/788496/philippines-reiterates-call-for-china- to-respect-adhere-to-international-law/story/ China says to uphold leadership of https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china- 42 Communist Party in Tibet says-uphold-leadership-communist-party-tibet- 2021-05-22/ Can China stay ahead in the global vaccine https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health- 43 diplomacy race as the US offers 80 million environment/article/3134418/can-china-stay- doses to the world? ahead-global-vaccine-diplomacy-race-us "Secrecy" narrative of Chinese loans may http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021- 44 sound appealing, but actually unhelpful 05/22/c_139963207.htm Chinese observers: Wording in joint https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202105/1224 statement the greatest degree of 161.shtml 45 consensus Washington, Seoul can reach on Taiwan-related issues Lithuania quits ‘divisive’ China cooperation https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3134 46 group 514/lithuania-announces-it-will-quit-divisive- china-cooperation-group China touts success building a Tibet less https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/05/22 47 focused on religion /asia-pacific/china-touts-tibet-success/ China’s Tibet Communist Party chief https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/artic 48 targets religion and separatism le/3134501/chinas-tibet-communist-party- chief-targets-religion-and China positions itself as peace broker in https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/ 49 Israel-Gaza crisis article/3134478/israel-gaza-crisis-opportunity- china-position-itself-peace The existential dilemma facing Hong https://www.scmp.com/week- osition party asia/politics/article/3134410/hong-kongs- 50 Kong’s last major opp democratic-party-last-major-opposition-group- standing World Health Assembly set to rule on https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4208 51 Taiwan's participation 212 Taiwan says China is spreading fake news https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/05/22 52 during COVID-19 spike /asia-pacific/taiwan-china-misinformation- coronavirus/ US, South Korea united on maintaining https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4208 53 peace in Taiwan Strait 203 As US-China tech war rages, Washington https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3134 54 debates steps beyond just blocking the 270/us-china-tech-war-rages-washington- competition debates-steps-beyond-just-blocking Afghan pullout raises fears in US of China's https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International- 55 'unfettered access' relations/Afghan-pullout-raises-fears-in-US-of- China-s-unfettered-access Biden has 'no illusions' on difficulty of North https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world 56 Korea denuclearization /biden-difficulty-north-korea-denuclearisation- moon-jae-in-14862158 Biden says he will meet Kim Jong Un under https://en.mehrnews.com/news/173773/Biden- 57 right conditions says-he-will-meet-Kim-Jong-Un-under-right- conditions Moon-Biden summit agreement broadens http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=202 58 alliance amid Sino-US rivalry 10522000102 South Korea will stand by US to defend https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International- 59 liberal order: Moon tells VP relations/Indo-Pacific/South-Korea-will-stand- by-US-to-defend-liberal-order-Moon-tells-VP Nepal president dissolves parliament, new https://www.reuters.com/world/asia- 60 election in November pacific/nepal-president-dissolves-parliament- new-election-november-2021-05-22/ Myanmar Military-Appointed Election Chief https://thediplomat.com/2021/05/myanmar- 61 to Consider Dissolving National League for military-appointed-election-chief-to-consider- Democracy dissolving-national-league-for-democracy/ Myanmar junta leader says Aung San Suu https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/ 62 Kyi will soon appear myanmar-military-leader-aung-san-suu-kyi- appear-court-coup-14863872 Junta seeks democracy 'within a year' https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Myanmar- 63 Coup/Myanmar-coup-latest-Junta-seeks- democracy-within-a-year India asks social media firms to remove https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare- reference to 'Indian variant' of coronavirus pharmaceuticals/india-asks-social-media-firms- 64 remove-reference-indian-variant-coronavirus- 2021-05-21/ A Late-Night Proclamation Blocks a https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/22/world/asi 65 Woman From Leading Samoa a/samoa-election-crisis.html Australia-PH's 75 years of mateship, https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/australia-phs- 66 bayanihan lauded by PM Morrison 75-years-of-mateship-bayanihan-lauded-by- envoy/ UNSC statement ignoring Hamas rockets https://www.jpost.com/international/unsc- 67 'unfortunate,' FM says statement-ignoring-hamas-rockets- unfortunate-fm-says-668855 Look to Classical Geopolitics to https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/202 68 Understand China’s Challenge 1/05/22/look_to_classical_geopolitics_to_unde rstand_chinas_challenge_778283.html Chip shortages in ‘danger zone’ as wait https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/05/23/chip 69 times reach new record -shortages-in-danger-zone-as-wait-times- reach-new-record/ ASEAN and Philippines-China Relations: https://asj.upd.edu.ph/index.php/archive/169- 70 The Writings of Dr. Aileen S.P. Baviera asian-studies-57-1-2021 DEFENSE NEWS Runway fix for PH-occupied Pag-asa https://globalnation.inquirer.net/196457/runway 71 Island to start soon -fix-for-ph-occupied-pag-asa-island-to-start- soon/amp FBI investigates defense contractor’s https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2021/ 72 Senate campaign donations 05/21/fbi-investigates-defense-contractors- senate-campaign-donations/ FBI: Ransomware that crippled Irish health https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/ 73 service previously seen in U.S. may/22/fbi-warns-conti-ransomware-crippling- cyberattacks irish-health-/ Defense Secretary Tells USMA Cadets http://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/ They're Ready to Meet Challenges in Article/2628486/defense-secretary-tells- 74 Changing World cadets-theyre-ready-to-meet-challenges-in- changing-world/ USINDOPACOM Commander, U.S. https://ipdefenseforum.com/2021/05/usindopac Defense Secretary highlight regional om-commander-u-s-defense-secretary- 75 commitment to allies, partners highlight-regional-commitment-to-allies- partners/ Here’s when the first two USN littoral https://www.navytimes.com/news/your- 76 combat ships will be mothballed navy/2021/05/20/heres-when-the-first-two- littoral-combat-ships-will-be-mothballed/ USS Gerald R. Ford: The Navy’s Most https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/05/uss- 77 Powerful Aircraft Carrier Heads To ‘Shock gerald-r-ford-the-navys-most-powerful-aircraft- Trials’ carrier-heads-to-shock-trials/ US Navy has commissioned future USS https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/na Mobile LCS 26 Independence-variant val-news/naval-news- 78 littoral combat ship archive/2021/may/10181-us-navy-has- commissioned-future-uss-mobile-lcs-26- independence-variant-littoral-combat-ship.html The Littoral Combat Ship Can’t Fight—And https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/0 The U.S. Navy Is Finally Coming To Terms 5/20/the-littoral-combat-ship-cant-fight-the-us- 79 With It navy-is-finally-coming-to-terms-with- it/?sh=7f8e04cf2587 American commander says more work https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/de needed to counter small drones fence/america-commander-says-more-work- 80 needed-to-counter-small- drones/articleshow/82858585.cms The Role of Integrated Air and Missile https://www.csis.org/events/armys-space-and- 81 Defense for Strategic Deterrence missile-defense-command-conversation-ltg- daniel-karbler US Talks With Israel About Buying More https://breakingdefense.com/2021/05/us-talks- 82 Iron Dome Systems with-israel-about-buying-more-iron-dome- systems/ US Air Force’s newest refueling tanker to https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/05/21/t get gear allowing F-35 and F-22 to share he-air-forces-newest-refueling-tanker-to-get- 83 data gear-that-will-finally-allow-the-f-35-and-f-22-to- share-data/ USSOCOM eyes digital engineering for https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news- 84 next-gen Dry Combat Submersible detail/ussocom-eyes-digital-engineering-for- next-gen-dry-combat-submersible https://breakingdefense.com/2021/05/socom- 85 SOCOM Leaders Say ‘Digital Spectrum’ Key To Next Fight leaders-say-digital-spectrum-key-to-next-fight/ Space Force aims to take on an Air Force https://americanmilitarynews.com/2021/05/spa 86 surveillance mission ce-force-aims-to-take-on-an-air-force- surveillance-mission/ In 1958 the US ‘considered nuclear strike https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united- 87 on China over Taiwan’ states-canada/article/3134511/united-states- considered-nuclear-strike-china-over Biden says US will provide COVID-19 http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=202 88 vaccines for all S.Korean troops 10522000066 Lifting of US missile restrictions signifies http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=202 89 Seoul's missile sovereignty, Washington's 10522000103 China strategy China, US lose chance for military talks as https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/arti 90 Covid-19 halts Shangri-La Dialogue cle/3134370/china-us-lose-chance-military- talks-covid-19-halts-shangri-la Paper Tiger or Superpower: How Big Is https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/paper- 91 The Threat of China's Navy tiger-or-superpower-how-big-threat-chinas- navy-185796 Managing the Military Problem of Space: https://thediplomat.com/2021/05/managing- 92 The Case of China, Part 1 the-military-problem-of-space-the-case-of- china-part-1/ China says Martian rover takes first drive https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/china 93 on surface of Red Planet -says-martian-rover-takes-first-drive-surface- red-planet-2021-05-22/ China Is Testing A Beastly 20-Barrel https://www.thedrive.com/the-war- 94 Naval Gatling Gun zone/40713/china-is-testing-a-20-barrel- gatling-gun-naval-close-in-weapon-system Japan's Self-Defense Forces conduct live- https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/05/22 95 fire drill in scenario for defending remote /national/sdf-live-fire-island-protect/ islands Japan opposition leader calls for https://the-japan- 96 suspension of U.S. base relocation in latest news.com/news/article/0007415871 book Japan’s Backwards Island Defense https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/05/japans- 97 Strategy Against China Is A Mistake backwards-island-defense-strategy-against- china-is-a-mistake/ Taiwan Infiltration act examined https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archi 98 ves/2021/05/23/2003757899 Disinformation targeting is increasing: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archi 99 politician ves/2021/05/23/2003757901 Taiwan gets 6 new Black Hawk rescue https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4208 100 helicopters 413 Taiwan health official warns of China's https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4208 101 'cognitive warfare' 260 Myanmar rebels attack jade mining town https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archiv 102 es/2021/05/23/2003757912 The embattled town that stood up to https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia- 103 Myanmar's army 57197081 India’s decision on Huawei, ZTE may have https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/de fence/indias-decision-on-huawei-zte-may- 104 been shaped by “espionage acts” globally have-been-shaped-by-espionage-acts- globally/articleshow/82865378.cms New Zealand's defence budget returns to https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news- 105 growth detail/new-zealands-defence-budget-returns- to-growth Australian academic Yang Jun to face https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/ 106 spying trial in China australian-academic-yang-jun-spying-trial- china-14863472 The UK tilt to the Indo-Pacific Is it https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/the-uk-tilt-to- 107 – achievable? the-indo-pacific-is-it-achievable/ British Navy HMS Queen Elizabeth and https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/na HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carriers at val-news/naval-news- 108 sea together for the first time archive/2021/may/10185-british-navy-hms- queen-elizabeth-and-hms-prince-of-wales- aircraft-carriers-at-sea-together-for-the-first- time.html British Carrier Strike Group to sail on global https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-carrier- 109 deployment strike-group-to-sail-on-global-deployment/ UK's Queen Elizabeth visits new aircraft https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uks-queen- 110 carrier before Asia voyage elizabeth-visits-new-aircraft-carrier-before- asia-voyage-2021-05-22/ Queen Elizabeth visits new aircraft carrier https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/worl before voyage to Asia, Philippine Sea d/788517/queen-elizabeth-visits-new-aircraft- 111 carrier-before-voyage-to-asia-philippine- sea/story/ Why Is the HMS Queen Elizabeth Going on https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-57195317 112 a World Tour Hamas warns Palestinians: Don’t talk https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli- 113 about the sites targeted by Israel conflict/hamas-warns-palestinians-dont-talk- about-the-sites-targeted-by-israel-668839 Protecting Against EMP, Cyber and https://thehill.com/opinion/national- 114 Ransomware Attacks security/554503-when-will-america-protect- itself-against-emp-cyber-and-ransomware Air India says data on 4.5 million https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2021/05/6 115 passengers stolen 92176/air-india-says-data-45-million- passengers-stolen Cultivate an Age of Sail Culture https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2 116 021/may/cultivate-age-sail-culture https://newrepublic.com/article/162429/yellow- 117 The American Victims of Washington’s Anti-China Hysteria peril-rhetoric-selling-war-with-china Horizon Technologies gets funding for https://spacenews.com/horizon-technologies- 118 maritime surveillance satellites gets-funding-for-maritime-surveillance- satellites/ The Strategic Realities of Twenty-First https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/strategic- 119 Century “Small Wars” realities-twenty-first-century-small-wars- opinion-essay 120 Conversation: The Osama bin Laden Raid https://vimeo.com/551762043/db92a57c72 The OSINT Bunker’ – Episode 7 covers the https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/the-osint- 121 Israel-Gaza conflict, US foreign policy, UK bunker-episode-7-released/ Carriers COVID NEWS Philippines investigating illegal sale of https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/ 122 COVID-19 shots, vaccine slots philippines-covid-19-illegal-sale-vaccine-shots- slots-14864154 Filipinos urged not to be ‘brand conscious’ https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/filipinos-urged- 123 on COVID-19 vaccines not-to-be-brand-conscious-on-covid-19- vaccines/ Philippines, US eye collaboration in https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/05/22 124 vaccine manufacturing, distribution /2099996/philippines-us-eye-collaboration- vaccine-manufacturing-distribution Malaysia running out of ICU beds for https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/05/ 125 Covid-19 patients 692245/malaysia-running-out-icu-beds-covid- 19-patients Indian villagers turn to unlicensed clinics as https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian- 126 COVID spreads to the countryside villagers-turn-unlicensed-clinics-covid-spreads- countryside-2021-05-22/ Climbing guide says at least 100 people https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south- 127 with coronavirus on Everest asia/article/3134515/climbing-guide-says- least-100-people-infected-coronavirus Mapping the Coronavirus Outbreak Across https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020- 128 the World coronavirus-cases-world- map/?srnd=coronavirus 129 Covid map: Where are cases the highest https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51235105

J. OPINION/EDITORIAL/COMMENTARY Title Link 130 Who are PH's true friends? https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/05/23/opinion/ columns/who-are-phs-true-friends/1800310) 131 China’s great power ambitions https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2021/05/23/210 0189/chinas-great-power-ambitions 132 What’s the fuss about Julian Felipe https://opinion.inquirer.net/140495/whats-the- Reef? fuss-about-julian-felipe-reef 133 Neighbors united by trust https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2021/05/23/210 0185/neighbors-united-trust 134 What Explains America’s Antagonism https://www.project- Toward China syndicate.org/commentary/us-china-relations- strategic-competition-act-media-by-zhang-jun- 2021-05 135 Biden's Worst Move Yet: Giving U.S. https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/17393/biden- Vaccine Tech to China giving-china-vaccine-tech 136 Moon and Biden Must Revamp the U.S.- https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/05/21/moon South Korea Alliance -and-biden-must-revamp-u.s.-south-korea- alliance-pub-84590 137 In preparing Taiwan contingency, Tokyo https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2021/05/22/ must remain discreet commentary/world-commentary/taiwan-u-s- japan-defense/ 138 The Indonesia factor in ASEAN’s https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/05/21/the- response to Myanmar indonesia-factor-in-aseans-response-to- myanmar/ 139 ASEAN must be transformed or replaced https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/ASEAN-must-be- transformed-or-replaced 140 Enabling Health Solutions and https://adrinstitute.org/2021/05/21/adri-vthd- Innovations to improve the Philippine enabling-health-solutions-and-innovations-to- Public Health System improve-the-philippine-public-health-system/ 141 Prosecute the Populists? https://www.project- syndicate.org/commentary/justice-system- investigations-trump-johnson-kurz-by-nina-l- khrushcheva-2021-05 142 How Myanmar’s military took hold of the https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archi telecommunications sector to spy on ves/2021/05/23/2003757878 citizens 143 Malaysia: In admiration of our 'Navy https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2021/ people' 05/692092/admiration-our-navy-people 144 The Airborne Covid Threat Is Confirmed. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021 What to Do About It? -05-22/what-does-airborne-transmission-of-covid- 19-mean?srnd=premium-asia

Duterte: Innovation to propel PH growth

Published May 22, 2021, 7:13 PM by Genalyn Kabiling President Duterte is optimistic about the country’s long-term growth despite the pandemic due to the Filipino nation’s resilience, creativity, and other competitive advantages.

The President said the country was ready to be a “competitive actor in an open and fair global economy.”

“Despite the pandemic, opportunities for growth remain,” Duterte said during the virtual 26th International Conference on the Future of Asia organized by Japanese media giant Nikkei Inc. Friday, May 21.

“We are educated, creative, and resilient. Innovation is our big push. This will keep our country on the growth path for decades to come,” he said.

In his address, Duterte highlighted the country’s strengths, including its large domestic market with a population of 110 million, to fuel growth.

“Our median age is 25 years old. Forty percent of our population is below 20 years old. We are in a demographic sweet spot,” he pointed out.

Duterte also cited the country has preferential access to major global markets as well as offers better incentives to enterprises and investors under a new fiscal reform law.

He was referring to Republic Act No. 11534 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act. The law lowers the corporate income tax rate from 30 percent to 20 percent for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with a net taxable income under P5 million and total assets below P100 million. The CIT reduction for the rest of the companies will be 25 percent.

To help advance the country’s economic recovery, Duterte said the government has also ramped up the massive Build, Build, Build infrastructure program. “We are maximizing physical integration in our archipelago and improving our connections with the rest of the modern world,” he said. In addition, Duterte said the country’s transition to “a greener and more socially equitable economy” also offered more pathways for economic expansion and modernization.

The local economy suffered a steep decline in 2020 as it grappled with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

The country went into strict lockdown last year to curb the virus spread but the restrictions weakened business and consumer activities. The government has eased quarantine curbs in a bid to ease unemployment and hunger figures while strengthening health care system and accelerating vaccination of Filipinos to help combat the pandemic.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/duterte-innovation-to-propel-ph-growth/

Easterlies to keep PH weather warm and humid

Published May 22, 2021, 5:55 PM by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz The easterlies or the warm winds coming from the Pacific Ocean will be the dominant weather system that will bring warm and humid weather conditions over the country on Sunday, May 23.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy in the morning with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

The prevalence of warm and humid weather conditions has continued to push the heat index values above 40 degrees Celsius (°C) in 14 areas on Saturday, May 22.

The heat index is the measurement of how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature.

PAGASA’s monitoring showed the following areas registering the top 14 heat index values on Saturday. https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/easterlies-to-keep-weather-warm-and-humid-across-ph/

PAGASA sees on time arrival of rainy season

Published May 22, 2021, 11:11 AM by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz The “normal” onset of the rainy season for areas under Type I climate is expected to commence between the second half of May and the first half of June, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Areas under Type I climate classification have two pronounced seasons–dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year.

PAGASA said the period of maximum rain in these areas also coincides with the peak of the southwest monsoon or “habagat” from July to September.

In 2020, PAGASA declared the onset of the rainy season in the country on June 12.

For the rainy season to be officially declared, a number of criteria or conditions have to be met.

These are:

• A start of a five-day period in May, June, or July with a total rainfall of 25 millimeters or more, and at least one-millimeter rainfall for three consecutive days.

• At least seven monitoring stations or more than 50 percent of the total stations must satisfy the first criterion. For Metro Manila stations, at least two stations must meet the same criteria.

The 13 monitoring stations under Type I climate are as follows:

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

Vigan City (Sinait), Ilocos Sur

Dagupan City, Pangasinan

Iba, Zambales

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

Metro Manila (Science Garden, Quezon City; Port Area, Manila; Sangley Point, Cavite; Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City)

Ambulong, Batangas

Iloilo

Muñoz, Nueva Ecija Clark, Pampanga

Cubi Point, Subic Bay, Olongapo City

Coron, Palawan

Cuyo, Palawan

• For the wind criteria, prevailing winds should have westerly components over the western Philippines from the surface up to the 850 hPa level, as they relate to the development of the synoptic scale rainfall-causing weather patterns.

• The onset will be declared once the criteria were observed and satisfied. The onset dates will be the consecutive five days wherein these criteria were met.

In the PAGASA’s weather bulletin on Saturday, May 22, the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is still expected to bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur.

PAGASA asked the public to stay vigilant against flash floods or landslides due to possible moderate to at times heavy rains.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have warm and humid weather conditions due to the prevalence of the easterlies.

Weather specialist Loriedin dela Cruz said these areas may continue to experience hot and humid weather due to “suppressed rainfall.”

However, there could be isolated and short-lived rains due to localized thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Dela Cruz said PAGASA has not monitored a tropical cyclone that may affect the country this weekend. https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/pagasa-sees-on-time-arrival-of-rainy-season/

PH-Canada pact on space science, technology being eyed – DOST

Published May 22, 2021, 1:56 PM by Charissa Luci-Atienza The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has announced that a tripartite agreement is being eyed to be signed between the Philippines and Canada to strengthen partnership on space science and technology applications.

DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said officials of the agency, and the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) have met with the officials and members of the University of Lethbridge-Alberta Terrestrial Imaging Centre (ATIC) “to discuss and explore different areas of cooperation in the field of space science and technology applications.”

Officials of the DOST-Office of the Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation (DOST- OASECIC), the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), and the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary (PCG Calgary) attended the meeting.

“Both sides agreed to collaborate on calibration and validation activities, light detection and ranging (LiDAR), capacity building initiatives, among others,” de la Peña said.

“A tripartite agreement between the DOST, PhilSA, and University of Lethbridge ATIC is being considered as an immediate next step to kickstart collaboration,” he noted.

In May, de la Peña said the Philippines and Hungary were eyeing to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to open the doors to limitless science, technology and innovation opportunities between the two countries. https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/ph-canada-pact-on-space-science-technology-being-eyed-dost/

Duterte vows to enhance social safety nets, public health system

Published May 22, 2021, 1:04 PM by Genalyn Kabiling The government is committed to working towards “inclusive and sustainable recovery,” particularly by helping the country’s marginalized and vulnerable population, as the pandemic continues to deal heavy blows on the country.

According to President Duterte, the government “used all means” to assist the country’s poor and other vulnerable sectors and will continue to improve social safety nets and health care system in the country.

Duterte tackled the government’s pandemic response and recovery efforts when he spoke before the virtual international conference organized by Japan’s Nikkei Inc. Friday, May 21.

“Inclusive and sustainable recovery requires people-centered and holistic responses. The Philippine government used all means at its disposal to help the marginalized and vulnerable,” he said. “We are working to reduce health (inequities) through enhanced social safety nets. Universal health coverage is central to my administration’s development agenda,” he said.

As more coronavirus cases are reported in the country, Duterte said the government is also committed to “strengthening our public health system.” He welcomed external partners willing to build “more responsive and extensive health delivery networks.”

In citing the importance of people-centered national response, Duterte acknowledged that the pandemic has exposed “long-standing” social inequalities and systemic problems.

“In good times, these inequalities were obscured by high levels of economic growth. But the many we raised out of poverty just as easily fell back when our economy took a hit,” he said.

Duterte also discussed plans to reinforce food security, agricultural modernization, and digital economy as the country reels from the pandemic’s effects.

To promote growth and protect stakeholders in the agriculture sector, he said the government made “timely interventions” such as technological innovations in agriculture and establishing agro-industrial business corridors. “Food security is an essential pillar of social stability and order,” he added.

Duterte likewise used the global forum to seek investments in the country’s agriculture and digital economy sectors. He said the government aims to accelerate the modernization of the agricultural sector. “Japanese investment is most welcome,” he added. Saying the country is interested to participate in the global digital economy, Duterte also invited more investments “to expand e-commerce and facilitate new modes of interaction and exchange in a safe and secure cyberspace.”

The country recently saw an alarming surge in coronavirus cases, prompting the government to tighten movement curbs to stem the case spike and prevent the collapse of the health care system. Financial aid has also been distributed to millions of Filipinos affected by the recent strict lockdown in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

As cases of infections started to slow down, the government recently started to gradually relax the quarantine restrictions while stepping up vaccination efforts to contain the spread of the virus. The government’s goal is to inoculate 58 million Filipinos to reach herd immunity before the end of the year. https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/duterte-vows-to-enhance-social-safety-nets-public-health-system/

PH seeks resolution of Gem-Ver sinking in talks with China on S. China Sea ABS-CBN News Posted at May 22 2021 02:01 PM | Updated as of May 22 2021 02:05 PM MANILA— The Philippines and China on Friday tackled the possible conclusion of the incident where a Chinese ship rammed a Filipino vessel in Reed Bank in the West Philippine Sea, as the two countries held its 6th bilateral meeting on the disputed South China Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a statement, the DFA said the country highlighted the "progress" involving F/B Gem-Ver, a vessel that sank in waters within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea in 2019 by a Chinese militia vessel.

The incident left 22 Filipino fishermen adrift at sea for hours. They were eventually rescued by a Vietnamese vessel.

Negotiations on the matter, however, is supposedly slated in June, according to the DFA.

"Philippines highlighted the progress made in the settlement of the Gem-Ver allision issue involving a Philippine fishing boat and a Chinese vessel. The... Department of Justice (DOJ) will take the lead in seeking just compensation for the victims in negotiations to be held next month," the statement read.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra in 2019 said the owner and crew members of the Philippine boat sought an estimated P12 million in damages. They already submitted the report to the DFA.

A private Chinese association earlier gave a boat to the Filipino crewmen, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

The 3 working groups of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea also discussed issues and "possible areas of cooperation" during the meeting, as they were supposedly "encouraged" by the positive developments. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/22/21/gemver-compensation-boat-sinking-china-philippines-south- china-sea

Carpio nabahala sa bagong China Coast Guard law Johnson Manabat, ABS-CBN News Posted at May 23 2021 06:32 AM Sa ikatlong international virtual conference na inorganisa ng National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea (NYMWPS), dumalo si dating Justice Antonio Carpio na kilalang nagsusulong ng interes ng bansa sa pinag-aagawang lugar sa West Philippine Sea.

Sa kanyang speech, binigyang diin ni Justice Carpio ang paglabag ng China sa charter ng United Nations at UNCLOS dahil sa bagong Coast Guard law nito na taliwas anya sa international law.

Babala pa ni Carpio, delikado ang China Coast Guard law para sa seguridad ng maraming bansa na may claim din sa pinag-aagawang lugar sa West Philippine Sea.

Naniniwala si Carpio na maaring idulog sa international tribunal ang bagong Chinese Coast Guard Law para kuwestyunin ang ligallidad nito. Maari anyang gamitin ng Indonesia ang naunang arbitral ruling pabor sa Pilipinas.

“There is a way to question the validity of that law under UNCLOS, because even now, even before China implemented it. If not Malaysia, Indonesia can file a case questioning the 9-dash line, questioning the claim of China that China has a traditional fishing rights to fish in the EEZs [Exclusive Economic Zones] of Vietnam Malaysia and Indonesia. Because the arbitral award does not apply to them, it applies technically only between the Philippines and China,” ani Carpio

Sa ilalim ng bagong Chinese Coast Guard law, pinapahintulutan nito ang kanilang tropa na paputukan ang mga foreign vessels na papasok sa mga lugar na inaangkin ng China.

Samantala, aminado si Carpio na ang Pangulo talaga ng isang bansa ang chief architect ng foreign policy nito subalit, mayroong puwedeng gawin ang Kongreso para protektahan ang mga interes ng bansa sa mga lugar na inaangkin ng iba.

“Congress can for example pass a law declaring certain areas or maybe all the islands possessed by the Philippines as marine protected areas and start the process where other countries will also declare their possession as marine protected area and I think only China will not agree to that,” ani Carpio.

Sa ngayon, sinabi ni Carpio na malinaw na mayroong pagkakahati sa posisyon ng Pangulo at ng mga advisers nito sa usapin ng West Philippine Sea. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/23/21/china-coast-guard-law-carpio-west-ph-sea

Retired soldiers call for unified government stand on West Philippine Sea

ABS-CBN News Posted at May 22 2021 12:49 PM Two retired soldiers on Saturday called for a unified stand in addressing continuing Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea. Retired colonels Mariano Santiago and Dennis Acop said the Philippines need not go to war but officials must have one voice in dealing with its maritime dispute with China. https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/05/22/21/retired-soldiers-call-for-unified-government-stand-on- west-philippine-sea

Lorenzana backs law amending retirement age, establishing fixed terms of AFP officials

Published May 22, 2021, 1:39 PM by Martin Sadongdong Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana expressed support Saturday, May 22, to the proposed legislation that will amend the retirement age of officers, set the tenure-in-grade of all military personnel, and amend the percentage of general officers to the total strength of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Senate Bill 1785, filed by Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon, and its companion bill in the House of Representatives, House Bill No. 8056, filed by Iloilo 5th District Rep. Raul “Boboy” Tupaz, will raise the retirement age of officers to 60 and the Chief of Staff to 65 from the current 56. Meanwhile, the retirement age of enlisted personnel will remain at 56.

“The proposed law will streamline and stabilize the leadership, rank, and organizational structure of the AFP,” Lorenzana said.

He added that the measure will “make the AFP a more efficient and effective organization.”

Aside from raising the retirement age of military officials, the proposed law will also provide for a fixed tenure-in-grade for all ranks in the officer corps (Second Lieutenant to Colonel) and the enlisted corps and provide for a fixed tenure-in grade for general officers (Brigadier General to General).

It will also establish a cap on the number of general officers to a ratio of one general officer for every 1,000 uniformed personnel.

“The law will ensure that officers stay in their positions long enough to effectively implement AFP programs and projects,” Lorenzana said.

The practice of “revolving door” policy in the appointment of Chief of Staff of the AFP has long been considered as “inimical to public interest” as it “hinders the continuity and stability in the military leadership,” said Gordon back in September 2020 when he filed SB 1785.

The revolving door policy refers to a situation where a lot of people, military generals in the case of the AFP, do a particular job (such as Chief of Staff) for a particular company or organization for a short period of time and then leave.

Under the administration of President Duterte, there have been nine AFP Chiefs of Staff so far since 2016.

Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the current AFP Chief, will serve for a little over five months unless his tenure is extended by Duterte. He assumed post on Feb. 4, 2021 and will have his compulsory retirement on July 31, 2021 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. Gordon believes that the revolving door policy “allows for political patronage and accommodation promotion that favors personalities over the security and defense of the nation.”

“The current system appears to limit the President’s choices to officers whose retirement draws near, which gives a perception that the selection is politically driven,” he had said.

Meanwhile, in a Senate hearing earlier this week, Lorenzana told senators that he wants to reduce the number of star-rank officers in the military. He said he would like to lower the percentage of generals to the total number of troops from the current .125 percent to .1 percent.

He said that there are 190 generals in the 143,000-strong AFP at present, which is way over the prescribed limit of 170 generals only.

The law is also seen to address the issue on the ballooning pension fund needed for retired military personnel. https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/lorenzana-backs-law-amending-retirement-age-establishing-fixed- terms-of-afp-officials/

New Blackhawk choppers boost PAF's operational readiness –DND Published May 23, 2021 12:44am Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Saturday that the recent acquisition of S- 70is Blackhawk utility medium-lift helicopters had greatly boosted the operational readiness of the Philippine Air Force in both combat and non-combat missions.

"Their larger capacity and impressive horsepower allows for a faster and long-range transport," Lorenzana said in a Facebook post.

"Looking forward to the delivery of the remaining 10 Blackhawks this year."

According to the Philippine News Agency, the PAF commissioned the first six of 16 Polish-made Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters it ordered in 2019 as part of its program to modernize its fleet of helicopters.

The remaining 10 units are expected to arrive in the country within the first quarter of 2021. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/788513/new-blackhawk-choppers-boost-paf-s- operational-readiness-dnd/story/

Civil society groups play major part in Marawi rehab

By Lade Jean Kabagani May 22, 2021, 7:27 pm WORK IN PROGRESS. The Masjid Disomangcop mosque is nearly back to its original form, as seen in this photo released by the Task Force Bangon Marawi on Saturday (May 22, 2021). Terrorists used the mosque as one of its hideouts during the five-month siege in 2017. (Photo courtesy of TFBM)

MANILA – The progressive development in the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City can be attributed to partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs).

Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) said it has collaborations with the Lanao del Sur People's Council (LDSPC), a group of various CSOs based in Lanao del Sur.

The CSOs are the third-party monitoring partners of the government pushing for recovery programs in the site of the infamous 2017 siege, TFBM chairperson and housing czar Secretary Eduardo del Rosario said.

Faduman Paporo, one of the CSO leaders, said in a statement on Saturday there is a huge improvement in the infrastructure and recovery projects.

"We would like to reaffirm that the rehabilitation is doing well. Congratulations to the local government unit of Marawi and the TFBM," Paporo said.

The five-month Marawi battle between the military and forces allied with the Islamic State started on May 23, 2017.

Aslani Montilla of the Development Assistance Team also commended the TFBM and the Marawi LGU for sustaining the rehabilitation of the city and the recovery of its residents, particularly those living in the 24 most devastated villages.

The CSOs said projects in the most affected areas include the Grand Mosque, White Mosque, Masjid Marinaut, Masjid Disomangcop, mall-like Grand Padian Market, School of Living Tradition, Marawi Museum, Peace Memorial, integrated school and village complexes.

Del Rosario thanked the CSO for helping the government regularly conduct an ocular inspection of the ongoing projects.

“Marawi’s status of rehabilitation today would not be possible without the concerted efforts of both the government and the private sector, including our CSOs. I personally commend you for the honest and constructive scrutiny to ensure the best delivery of our services in bringing back the city’s vibrancy. Together with our Maranaw brothers and sisters, this is the win we all celebrate,” del Rosario told the LDSPC in a speech on Friday when he attended some of the activities that are part of the Marawi Week of Peace celebrations The TFBM was created by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 28, 2017 under Administrative Order No. 3 to ensure collaboration and convergence among national agencies and local government units and help displaced families recover.

Other activities in the Week of Peace were assistance for persons with special needs, mental health and psychosocial support activities, mural painting of school building walls, and distribution of rice to internally displaced persons and occupants of temporary shelters. (PNA) https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141173

Go urges authorities to tap military reservists for vaccine roll out

Published May 22, 2021, 4:30 PM by Mario Casayuran Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday urged the government to mobilize the use of reservists of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to intensify efforts to control the spread of COVID-19.

“Ang totoo niyan ay kulang na kulang po tayo sa human resources (The truth is that we lack human resources). And, in order, to accelerate further our daily vaccination rate, I urged the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) to also tap our military reservists,” Go said. Go, chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, expressed his concern that there are challenges in deliveries and rollout of the vaccines due to human resource deficit, making it harder to reach herd immunity soon for the whole nation.

“Mas effective siguro (hopefully) to target herd immunity in critical areas. And this is easier to achieve in NCR Plus if we can push that vaccine rollout be faster than the infection rate,” Go suggested. Go said that maximizing available human resources, including military reservists, will greatly help the government to respond and administer medical and healthcare needs at this time of crisis. In addition to mobilizing military reservists, Go emphasized the need to establish more vaccination centers in the country to make sure that more Filipinos will get inoculated as soon as supplies come in.

“Umaapila rin ako na magtayo pa ng dagdag na vaccination centers sa kahit saang sulok ng bansa upang mas maraming tao ang mababakunahan kada araw (I also urge the construction of more vaccination centers even in far-away places in the country). Kung kailangang gawing 24/7 ang pagbabakuna, gawin natin ito upang maiwasan na may mag-expire o masayang na mga bakuna at para hindi rin magkumpulan ang mga tao doon (f need be, we must undertake a 24/7 vaccination effort to avoid vaccines from expiring and from people violating social distancing protocols),” the Senator said. Go recently discussed with vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. the possibility of utilizing the hospitals and camps of the military, Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as additional vaccination sites.

“I spoke with vaccine czar Secretary Charlie Galvez who said that they have discussed the said suggestion and also said that they will use military, PNP and Philippine Coast Guard hospitals and camps as vaccination centers for government frontliners,” he added. By having more vaccination centers, Go said this will not only speed up the rollout but also prevent unnecessary overcrowding and longer queues that may violate social distancing protocols. https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/go-urges-authorities-to-tap-military-reservists-for-vaccine-roll-out/

Leader of lawless group nabbed in Maguindanao lair

Published May 22, 2021, 2:12 PM by Philippine News Agency CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao (PNA) – The military and police have arrested the suspected leader of a lawless group long wanted for a string of murders in Maguindanao.

Col. Pedro Balisi Jr., commander of the Army 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, said Saturday joint elements of the 6th Infantry Battalion, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (CIDG-BAR), and Datu Piang, Maguindanao police arrested Anayatin Duma in Sitio Tangguapo, Barangay Damabalas, Datu Piang.

“Duma is facing multiple frustrated murder and murder cases with Criminal Case no. 2003-018 without bail bond,” Balisi said.

Duma was also listed as one of the most wanted persons linked to local terrorist groups, under the joint orders on rewards of the Department of National Defense and Department of the Interior and Local Government, he added.

The suspect peacefully submitted himself to authorities after he was frisked and handcuffed at his hideout Friday morning.

Major Gen. Juvymax R. Uy, commander of the Army 6th Infantry Division and head of the Joint Task Force Central, said Duma’s arrest would weaken the threats of criminality in Maguindanao.

“We will not let our guard down against these law offenders. We will continue to pursue them,” he said. https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/leader-of-lawless-group-nabbed-in-maguindanao-lair/

-China tussle: Nikkei report

DuterteMay 22, 2021, 4:31 pmsays PH won’t side in US

TOKYO – President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said the Philippines will not take sides in the ongoing "big power competition" and urged large countries not to pursue dominance to the detriment of smaller ones.

Speaking on the second day of Nikkei's Future of Asia conference, held in Tokyo and online, Duterte also called for global cooperation in the fight against Covid-19, including equitable access to vaccines.

At the same time, Duterte said the pandemic "impelled, if not accelerated, the de-globalization process," resulting in lost trade opportunities for developing nations.

"We are not blind to the geopolitics of diversification and decoupling. However, the Philippines does not see the need to take sides in the ongoing geo-economic competition among big powers," Duterte said in a recorded speech, referring to the United States and China.

Duterte also said disputes must be resolved "peacefully according to international law."

"Great powers must resist the temptation to pursue interests at the expense of smaller countries, in plain defiance of international law," he said. "The pandemic has shown us that zero-sum approaches are self-defeating and ultimately futile. What hurts one ends up hurting everyone else."

Duterte also used the forum to seek investments in his country's agriculture and digital economy sectors, as his administration aims to reverse a record 9.6 percent economic contraction last year.

"We invite more investments to expand e-commerce and new modes of interaction and exchange in a safe and secure cyberspace," Duterte said.

The Philippine leader also trumpeted the newly signed Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law, which cuts corporate income taxes to 25 percent from 30 percent.

"The Philippines is ready to be a competitive actor in an open and fair global economy," Duterte said. "Despite the pandemic, opportunities for growth remain." (Nikkei Asia) https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141160

Philippines and China hold 'friendly and candid' talks on South China Sea

A Philippine coast guard ship sailing past a Chinese coast guard ship near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in May 2019. (File photo: AFP/Ted Aljibe)

22 May 2021 04:24PM

MANILA: The Philippines and China held "friendly and candid" talks on the South China Sea, the Philippines' foreign ministry said on Saturday (May 22), days after the minister ordered Chinese vessels out of the disputed waterway in an expletive-laced tweet. The presence of hundreds Chinese vessels inside the Philippines 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has been the latest source of tensions between the two countries in the South China Sea, through which US$3 trillion worth of goods pass every year.

The Philippines said the encroaching vessels were manned by militia, while Beijing said they were fishing boats sheltering from bad weather.

"The two sides had friendly and candid exchanges on the general situation and specific issues of concern in the South China Sea," under a bilateral consultation mechanism convened in 2016 to ease tensions in the strategic waterway, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/philippines-china-friendly-candid-talks-south-china-sea- 14863856

PH, China commit to open, cordial dialogue to ease SCS tension, advance fisheries cooperation, marine protection

Published May 22, 2021, 11:09 AM by Genalyn Kabiling The Philippines and China have agreed to address differences on the South China Sea through open and cordial dialogue as well as forge on possible cooperation in the areas of fisheries, marine research and protection.

The two sides also renewed commitment to the early conclusion of the code of conduct in the strategic waterway during the sixth meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea Thursday.

The latest consensus was reached after the Philippine government called for respect and adherence to international law and asserted the arbitral award in the virtual BCM meeting. Manila earlier protested the recent incursions of Chinese vessels into the country’s waters.

“The two sides had friendly and candid exchanges on the general situation and specific issues of concern in the South China Sea. There was mutual recognition of the importance of dialogue in easing tensions and understanding each country’s position and intentions in the area,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement Saturday, May 22.

“Both sides acknowledged the importance of addressing differences in an atmosphere of openness and cordiality to pave the way for practical cooperation and initiatives,” it said.

Foreign Affairs Acting Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Affairs Elizabeth Buensuceso led the Philippine delegation in the virtual dialogue. Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao represented the Beijing side in this year’s meeting hosted by the Philippines.

In the latest dialogue with China, the Philippine side asserted the 2016 court decision in favor of Manila in the South China Sea dispute.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration nullified China’s excessive claims to South China Sea. Beijing however has refused to recognize the ruling and continued its reclamation works in the disputed territory.

“The Philippines reiterated its long-standing call for full respect and adherence to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its authoritative interpretation and application – the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award,” the DFA said.

The DFA said Manila also highlighted the progress made in the settlement of the Gem-Ver allision issue involving a Philippine fishing boat and a Chinese vessel. The Department of Justice (DOJ) will take the lead in seeking just compensation for the victims in negotiations to be held next month, according to the DFA.

The two sides likewise discussed ways to advance areas of cooperation during the dialogue.

“Encouraged by the positive momentum in the bilateral relations of the two countries, the three working groups of the BCM (political-security, fisheries cooperation, and marine environmental protection/marine scientific research) tackled common issues and possible areas of cooperation,” the DFA said.

Buensuceso likewise stressed the importance of other complementary bilateral and multilateral platforms in maintaining regional peace and stability such as the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the East Asia Summit.

“Both sides reiterated the importance of the full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and their commitment to the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC),” the DFA said.

The Philippines currently serves as Country Coordinator of the ASEAN-China dialogue mechanism.

The bilateral consultation mechanism is the platform for dialogue established by President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in 2016. The forum aimed to manage the territorial conflict while expand bilateral relationship between the two countries.

The DFA said the BCM has served as “a confidence-building process for both sides to manage and address differences, to promote practical maritime cooperation and environmental protection, and to enhance mutual trust and confidence.”

The Philippine delegation included officials from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Security Council (NSC), Department of National Defense (DND), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Justice DOJ), and other key agencies. https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/ph-china-commit-to-open-cordial-dialogue-to-ease-scs-tension- advance-cooperation-on-fisheries-marine-protection/

Philippines, China agree on importance of dialogue in sea disputes (The Philippine Star ) - May 23, 2021 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and China have agreed on the importance of dialogue during their bilateral talks on the South China Sea issue, which were held amid recent tensions triggered by the swarming of Chinese vessels in areas within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

“The two sides had friendly and candid exchanges on the general situation and specific issues of concern in the South China Sea. There was mutual recognition of the importance of dialogue in easing tensions and understanding each country’s position and intentions in the area,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement yesterday.

After a long postponement, the two countries finally convened virtually on Friday the sixth meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea, which was established by President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in 2016.

“Both sides acknowledged the importance of addressing differences in an atmosphere of openness and cordiality to pave the way for practical cooperation and initiatives,” the DFA added.

According to the DFA, the Philippines reiterated its long-standing call for full respect for and adherence to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

The DFA described the award as “final and binding” and the “authoritative interpretation and application” of the decades-old convention.

The Philippines also highlighted the progress made in the settlement of the 2019 Recto (Reed) Bank incident, where Philippine fishing boat Gem-Ver sank after it was rammed by a Chinese vessel.

The DFA said the Department of Justice (DOJ) would take the lead in seeking just compensation for the victims, in negotiations to be held next month. The Philippines hosted the meeting, with delegations led by Foreign Affairs Acting Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Elizabeth Buensuceso and Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao.

Other Philippine officials present were representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Security Council, Department of National Defense, Philippine Coast Guard and the DOJ.

During the meeting, Buensuceso stressed the importance of other complementary bilateral and multilateral platforms in maintaining regional peace and stability, such as the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit.

Both sides also reiterated the importance of the full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and their commitment to the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, said the DFA.

The BCM bilateral forum was envisioned as a platform for dialogue on expanding bilateral relationship between the Philippines and China.

It also serves as a confidence-building process for both sides to manage and address differences, to promote practical maritime cooperation and environmental protection and to enhance mutual trust and confidence.

The last meeting was hosted by China in Beijing in October 2019.

Convene NSC Meanwhile, Sen. Richard Gordon has joined calls urging President Duterte to convene the full National Security Council (NSC) to come up with a stronger policy on Chinese encroachment in Philippine waters.

Gordon said convening the full NSC, which includes former presidents and leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as Cabinet officials, would provide Duterte fresh perspectives and new proposals on how to defend the country’s sovereign rights without escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

“Why is the President saying we can’t do anything? War is not the issue here. The issue here is how our fishermen are being oppressed in our own waters and us being deprived of our own resources. Don’t say we can’t do anything,” Gordon told dwIZ in Filipino.

The senator was referring to the familiar defeatist line of Duterte that the country cannot risk antagonizing Beijing while belittling the Philippines’ victory over China in the 2016 arbitral ruling.

“It can’t be that you only listen to what you want to hear or listen to only those you like. Just because you dislike some people, you don’t listen to them. You are President because of your judgment,” he said.

The NSC would give the country’s leaders a chance to get their act together and come up with a better and unified policy on dealing with China, he said.

Gordon also said the BCM is advantageous only to Beijing, which has always preferred to deal bilaterally with other South China Sea claimant nations.

He said Beijing knows very well that it would lose if it deals with the South China Sea row multilaterally. – Janvic Mateo, Paolo Romero https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/05/23/2100230/philippines-china-agree-importance- dialogue-sea-disputes

Philippines reiterates call for respect, adherence to int’l law during China meeting By JOAHNA LEI CASILAO, GMA News Published May 22, 2021 7:52pm

During the sixth meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea attended by Philippine and Chinese delegations, the Philippines reiterated its call for respect and adherence to international law as well as the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's claims over the disputed waters.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), both delegations “had friendly and candid exchanges” on the West Philippine Sea situation during the consultation.

“There was mutual recognition of the importance of dialogue in easing tensions and understanding each country’s position and intentions in the area,” the DFA said in a statement.

“Both sides acknowledged the importance of addressing differences in an atmosphere of openness and cordiality to pave the way for practical cooperation and initiatives.”

Foreign Affairs Acting Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Elizabeth Buensuceso and Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao led their respective delegations. Also during the meeting, the country highlighted the progress made in the settlement of the Filipino fishing vessel Gem-Ver that was nearly sunk after it was hit by a Chinese vessel at the Recto Bank in June 2019.

“The Philippine Department of Justice will take the lead in seeking just compensation for the victims in negotiations to be held next month,” it said.

The DFA has filed numerous diplomatic protests with the Chinese government over the presence of militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea. — DVM, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/788496/philippines-reiterates-call-for-china-to- respect-adhere-to-international-law/story/

China says to uphold leadership of Communist Party in Tibet

Reuters 3 minute read

Paramilitary police officers salute during a change of flag duty in front of Potala Palace in Lhasa during a government-organised tour of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China, October 15, 2020. Picture taken October 15, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

China will uphold the leadership of the Communist Party in Tibet to further its economic development, and guide Tibetan society in accordance to socialism, the region's top official said on Saturday. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-says-uphold-leadership-communist-party-tibet-2021-05- 22/

Can China stay ahead in the global vaccine diplomacy race as the US offers 80 million doses to the world?

• Washington and its fellow members of the Quad earlier this year raised expectations they would play a key role in vaccine distribution - but India’s second wave put paid to that • China has taken the lead through its shipments of more than 265 million doses, as its tussle for influence with the US runs alongside the world’s urgent need for more inoculations

-19, spoke to reporters on

When Gayle Smith, the US State Department’s global coordinator for Covid vaccineWednesday distribution about Washington’s plans, one question kept coming up: would any of the 80 million doses US President Joe Biden

pledged to share with the world go to Asian economies in need of them – such as India, Taiwan and Vietnam – or would supplies be fully distributed by the Covax vaccine-sharing programme?

Smith said she could not confirm the process at this point, but stressed that the United States was assessing “what the most effective allocation of these doses will be” based on countries’ needs.

Quizzed about whether Washington would be going against the principles of ensuring equity and of not practising vaccine diplomacy should it distribute supp our decisions will be made on the basis of need, public lieshealth outside data, of and the again, World collaboration Health Organization’s with key pCovax Facility, Smith said: “We do not intend to use [vaccines] as means for influence or pressure, and https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3134418/canartners, absolutely including Covax.” -china-stay-ahead-global- vaccine-diplomacy-race-us

"Secrecy" narrative of Chinese loans may sound appealing, but actually unhelpful

Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-22 15:36:58|Editor: huaxia

WASHINGTON, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Some media outlets hyped up the "secrecy" narrative, saying they reveal China's hold over low-income nations, but that rhetoric may end up as a distraction and be unhelpful for borrowers and the public alike, The Diplomat said Thursday in an article.

The narrative came out of a report that looks into a database of 100 Chinese loan agreements to 24 countries.

Start with the "unusually far-reaching" confidentiality clauses that constitute the key aspect of the claim. "The Chinese contracts in the database clearly state that confidentiality clauses are subordinate to national laws, and indeed the very existence of the database confirms the subordination," the essay said.

Another reason that refutes the narrative is that the so-called "secrecy" issue diverts public attention from "the real value." The database could be helpful, if used correctly, for borrowers and citizens to acquire more information for their future contracts. Enditem http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-05/22/c_139963207.htm

Wording in joint statement the greatest degree of consensus Washington, Seoul can reach on Taiwan- related issues: observers

By Liu Caiyu and Li QingqingPublished: May 22, 2021 04:31 PM

Chinese observers said the wording in the latest US-South Korea joint statement was the greatest degree of consensus the two can reach on Taiwan-related issues as facts once again demonstrated roping in South Korea to adopt a harder line against China was merely wishful thinking on the part of the US.

The joint statement, released after the meeting between US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday, expressed the so-called concerns for the situations in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Straits, but did not directly mention China, going against earlier hype and speculation from media including the Voice of America and the Financial Times.

Chinese observers said Moon weighed in his balance and held onto South Korea's principles and stance in dealing with issues relating to China and the US by not crossing China's red line and obtaining what it wants at the same time, but observers also warned about the setback of failing to pull in South Korea to contain China will not be the end from the US.

"We pledge to maintain peace and stability, lawful unimpeded commerce, and respect for international law, including freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea and beyond. President Biden and President Moon emphasize the importance of preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," the joint statement reads.

"Such remarks within the joint statement were anticipated and were the greatest degree of consensus that the US and South Korea can reach on the China issue," Lü Chao, a research fellow at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Saturday.

During a press conference after their meeting, a reporter asked Moon if he was pushed by Biden to take a stronger stance when it comes to acting tougher toward the island of Taiwan. Biden immediately replied with "Good Luck" before Moon started his reply.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202105/1224161.shtml

Lithuania announces it will quit ‘divisive’ China cooperation group

• Recently, Lithuania has taken steps that angered Beijing, including the blocking of Chinese investment and announcing a trade office in Taiwan • Lithuania’s move is the latest indication of the deteriorating relationship between China and the European Union

Lithuania said on Saturday it was quitting China’s 17+1 cooperation forum with central and eastern AEuropean member states of the thatgroup includes since 2012, other the EU Balticmembers, country calling urged it “divisive”. fellow European Union members to also leave amid deteriorating ties between the 27-member bloc and China.

Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told Agence France-Presse. “Lithuania no longer considers itself a 17+1 format member and does not participate in this initiative,” https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3134514/lithuania-announces-it-will-quit-divisive-china- cooperation-group

China touts success building a Tibet less focused on religion • • People prostrate and touch prayer drums at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse in China's autonomous region of Tibet. | REUTERS • • BLOOMBERG • SHARE • May 22, 2021 China’s top leader in Tibet lauded the progress his country has made developing the region, touting an ethnic-assimilation campaign that has fueled international accusations of human rights abuses.

“More and more believers have been trained from pursuing a good afterlife to living a good life in this life, and religion has been increasingly compatible with a socialist society,” Wu Yingjie, the Communist Party chief of Tibet, said at a press briefing in Beijing on Saturday.

Wu also listed a wide array of ways the ruling party has transformed the region where most people are Buddhist — from building schools and paved roads to improvements in health care — as China marks the 70th anniversary on Sunday of an agreement giving it control of the region.

The event puts a renewed focus on Tibet as China deals with broad criticism of its policies in Xinjiang, where several Western countries say Beijing is carrying out genocide. Both Tibet and Xinjiang have long endured intense social, security and religious controls, as China strives to suppress what it calls terrorist and separatist elements while providing economic opportunities.

In September last year, prominent Xinjiang researcher Adrian Zenz released a report alleging that Beijing was instituting a mass labor system in Tibet similar to the one that has ensnared Muslim Uyghurs. Tibet Gov. Qi Zhala said at the time that that forced labor transfer “does not exist,” maintaining the local government was focused on providing job training.

‘Equitable education’

On Saturday both Qi and Wu focused on the Chinese government’s efforts to provide education for Tibetans.

“Almost all the best buildings are schools,” Wu said. “Fair and equitable education is taken very seriously by government at all levels. There is a lot of funding and input.”

Wu said that “Chinese culture at large has all along provided a sentimental bond and a sense of belonging for all ethnic groups” in the western region he leads. “Tibetan Buddhism is an important part of Chinese culture, and Tibetan cultures are important components of the Chinese culture,” he said.

Wu Yingjie, the Chinese Communist Party chief of Tibet | REUTERS The People’s Republic of China asserted sovereignty over Tibet in 1951 as part of a broader effort by Mao Zedong’s communists to consolidate control over territory historically claimed by China before decades of colonialism, war and internal strife. The Dalai Lama fled to India with help from the Central Intelligence Agency to escape a government crackdown in 1959, and a Tibetan-independence movement has endured ever since.

Riots erupted in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa in 2008 over allegations of religious oppression, leaving at least a dozen dead. A spate of self-immolations by ethnic Tibetans followed a few years later.

Beijing has blamed the Dalai Lama for fomenting the unrest, and that sentiment continues to be expressed by Chinese officials who see religion as the root cause of some of Tibet’s biggest challenges. China’s Communist Party is officially atheist.

Deadly skirmishes

The Dalai Lama’s continued presence in India complicates China’s relationship with the South Asian nation. China and India fought sometime deadly skirmishes along their 3,488 kilometer disputed boundary last year and early in 2021, though tensions have eased in recent months

Earlier in May, Foreign Policy reported that China was building villages inside Bhutan, the Buddhist kingdom with which it also shares a border. The magazine concluded this was part of a campaign by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to “fortify the Tibetan borderlands.” Neither Wu nor Qi would take questions from Bloomberg News at the briefing, one of several held by Communist Party officials as President Xi prepares to celebrate the ruling party’s 100th anniversary in July.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/05/22/asia-pacific/china-touts-tibet-success/

China’s Tibet Communist Party chief targets religion and separatism

• Tibetan Buddhism has always been a part of Chinese culture, Wu Yingjie says as party marks 70 years of control of the region • Analysts say authorities are seeking to redefine history to tighten control

Tibet has called for greater stress on Chinese elements in religion and a further crackdown on “separatism” as the party marks 70 years of control of the region.The Communist Party’s top official in

Tibet party secretary Wu Yingjie said on Saturday that the country must pursue further

of religion and a stronger role for the party’s leadership in Tibet, a move analysts said was meant to reframe the region’s history and tighten Beijing’s grip on the area. “Sinicisation ”

“We must ... promote [the concept] that Tibetan Buddhism has always been a part of the Chinese https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3134501/chinas-tibet-commuculture,” Wu said. nist-party-chief- targets-religion-and

Israel-Gaza crisis an opportunity for China to position itself as peace broker

• Beijing’s offer to host talks between Israelis and Palestinians is also a chance to seize moral high ground from the US, observers say • But the Middle East is not likely to become another arena for US-China rivalries

Middle East in March, he pledged that China would play a “constructive role” in trying to solve the endless regional conflicts. He specifically floated an offerWhen to China’s host talks Foreign in Beijing Minister between Wang Yi Israel toured and the the Palestinians.

He renewed that offer on May 16, while chairing a meeting at the

UN Security Council on the latest armed clashes across the West Bank, and lambasted Washington for blocking international efforts to seek a de-escalation of the violence.

Hours after the Egypt-brokered ceasefire took effect on Friday morning, Beijing touted its own contribution to the truce between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas, and called for a return to the stalled peace talks. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3134478/israel-gaza-crisis-opportunity-china- position-itself-peace

Hong Kong’s Democratic Party, the last major opposition group standing, faces existential dilemma

• As Albert Ho and others prepare for jail, the city’s oldest opposition party must choose whether to take part in elections most of its supporters now see as meaningless following Beijing’s clampdown • Boycott the vote and it will please supporters but the camp may not survive; engage and the party may survive, but its support may not

Veteran Hong Kong democrat Albert Ho Chun-yan, 69, is struggling to get used to his new pair of plastic black-framed spectacles that lend him an oddly bookish air.

Gone are his signature metal-framed glasses. Hong Kong prisons ban personal items with metallic parts -yee, told him to get used to wearing the new pair early. and Ho’s wife of more than three decades, Tang Suk It was a scorching Sunday afternoon last weekend when Ho met This Week in Asia at his flat in Tin Hau, near Causeway Bay. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3134410/hong-kongs-democratic-party-last-major- opposition-group-standing

World Health Assembly set to rule on Taiwan's participation Taiwan's inclusion in World Health Assembly added as supplementary item to meeting's agenda

4874

By Kelvin Chen, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

2021/05/22 10:46

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said the issue of Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) has been added to the health meeting's agenda as a supplementary item.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou (歐江安) on Friday afternoon (May 21) said that Taiwan’s inclusion in the global health meeting is now a supplementary item to be discussed during the assembly.

Taiwan’s diplomatic allies all submitted proposals urging World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus to invite the East Asian nation to this year’s WHA. The list of allies who submitted proposals were: Belize, Eswatini, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Nicaragua, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tuvalu.

Ou also said that Paraguay, Taiwan’s sole Latin American ally, reiterated its firm support for the nation's participation in the WHO and WHA by writing a letter to Ghebreyesus. Taiwan-Paraguay relations are stable and friendly, she confirmed.

Ou added, “Based on the shared values of democracy, freedom, and human rights, the two countries have cooperated closely and supported each other in bilateral and multilateral fields for a long time, working together for the wellbeing of the two peoples and the nations’ sustainable development.” https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4208212

US, South Korea united on maintaining peace in Taiwan Strait US and South Korea seek regional stability and freedom of navigation in South China Sea

2177

By Kelvin Chen, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

2021/05/22 09:36

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — U.S. President Joseph Biden and South Korean President Moon Jae-in have agreed to cooperate on Taiwan Strait issues during a bilateral summit at the White House on Friday (May 21).

At a post-summit press conference, Biden said the two talked about issues vital to regional stability, such as maintaining freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and upholding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, according to a joint statement.

Regarding Taiwan, Moon said, "We've shared the view that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are extremely important, and we agreed to work together on that matter while considering special characteristics in relations between China and Taiwan,” Reuters cited him as saying.

This focus on the strait comes after China has ramped up political pressure and military threats against Taiwan, with almost daily incursions into Taipei’s air defense identification zone.

The two sides also discussed North Korea’s nuclear weapons development and said they are willing to engage in diplomatic contact with Pyongyang and take pragmatic measures to reduce tensions, while striving for denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4208203

As US-China tech war rages, Washington debates steps beyond just blocking the competition

• Debate continues over how much the government should be involved in research and development, and whether a single agency should oversee national tech strategy • US tech policy is divided between the Commerce, Defence and Homeland Security departments, as well as the National Security Council, each with a different focus

In the first of a five-part series on US-China technology policies, Jodi Xu Klein looks at how the strategies and approaches differ among US government departments and agencies towards China. The subsequent parts of the series will run on alternate Saturdays.

In 2018, ZTE became the first Chinese tech company cut off from US suppliers. Since then, the US government has blacklisted more than 100 Chinese firms on national security grounds. Its logic was simple: by blocking access to American technology, Washingto

n could thwart China’s ambition to overtake the US as the world’s tech superpower. o Commerce and Defence DepartmentTo a degree, blacklists,the strategy saw worked. revenue ZTE’s drop revenue 17 per fellcent in in the the US first and quart Euroerpean this marketsyear after last losing year, access and to crucialChina’s chiptech supplies.crown jewel, Huawei Technologies, which landed on at least tw https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3134270/us-china-tech-war-rages-washington-debates- steps-beyond-just-blocking

Afghan pullout raises fears in US of China's 'unfettered access'

Pentagon admits 'number of countries' have potential to exercise influence

U.S. forces and Afghan commando patrol Pandola village in the Achin district of Jalalabad, east of Kabul, Afghanistan. © AP

WAJAHAT KHAN, Nikkei staff writerMay 23, 2021 01:01 JST

NEW YORK -- As the U.S. military's withdrawal from Afghanistan continues, disparate voices in Washington, including some from within the Biden administration, have begun to admit that there could be serious consequences for the region after the Americans leave, including China, Russia and Iran filling a power vacuum created by what the Pentagon calls its "strategic retrograde" from the war-torn country.

To continue reading, subscribe today https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Afghan-pullout-raises-fears-in-US-of-China-s- unfettered-access

Biden says he will meet Kim Jong Un under right conditions

TEHRAN, May 22 (MNA) – Biden says he would be willing to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un under the right conditions.

US President Joe Biden says he is under "no illusions" about the difficulty of getting North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, ABC News reported.

Biden says he would be willing to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un under the right conditions, as the country works to denuclearise the Korean peninsula.

Speaking to media with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday, the pair injected fresh urgency into attempts to engage North Korea in dialogue over its nuclear weapons.

Both said the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula was their goal.

The US President said he was "under no illusions" about the difficulty of getting North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal after his predecessors failed.

Biden said he would be willing to meet Kim under the right conditions — if there was a commitment from the North Korean leader "that there's a discussion about his nuclear arsenal", and that his advisers first met with their North Korean counterparts to lay the groundwork.

"I would not do what had been done in the recent past; I would not give him all he's looking for — international recognition as legitimate and allow him to move in the direction of appearing to be more … serious about what he wasn't at all serious about," he said.

Biden's comments appeared to reflect a shift in his thinking.

The White House had said in March it was not his intention to meet with Kim. https://en.mehrnews.com/news/173773/Biden-says-he-will-meet-Kim-Jong-Un-under-right-conditions

South Korea will stand by US to defend liberal order: Moon tells VP

Harris says alliance can promote a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific

Vice President Kamala Harris meets with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in the ceremonial office in Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the White House complex on May 21. © AP

KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei Asia chief desk editorMay 22, 2021 08:26 JST

NEW YORK -- After meeting with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said his country will always stand with America in "defending liberal democratic international order," a pledge meant to show the strength of the alliance while not directly criticizing China.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/South-Korea-will-stand-by-US-to- defend-liberal-order-Moon-tells-VP

Nepal president dissolves parliament, new election in November

Gopal Sharma

President of Nepal Bidhya Devi Bhandari speaks during the COP24 UN Climate Change Conference 2018 in Katowice, Poland December 3, 2018. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel

Nepal plunged into fresh political turmoil on Saturday as President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved parliament and fixed general elections in November amid a worsening COVID-19 outbreak. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nepal-president-dissolves-parliament-new-election- november-2021-05-22/

Myanmar junta leader says Aung San Suu Kyi will soon appear

People look at thick columns of black smoke from Hkamti, Sagaing, Myanmar on May 22, 2021 in this picture obtained from social media. (Photo: News Anassador via Reuters)

22 May 2021 06:15PM(Updated: 22 May 2021 07:31PM) Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing said deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi was healthy at home and would appear in court in a few days, in his first interview since overthrowing her in a Feb 1 coup.

The coup has plunged the Southeast Asian country into chaos and one of several ethnic armed groups opposed to the ruling junta advanced to attack a military post in a northwestern jade mining town on Saturday (May 22), local media said.

Advertisement Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for her long struggle against previous military rulers, is among more than 4,000 people detained since the coup. She faces charges that range from illegally possessing walkie-talkie radios to violating a state secrets law.

"Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is in good health. She is at her home and healthy. She is going to face trial at the court in a few days," Min Aung Hlaing said by video link with the Hong Kong-based Chinese language broadcaster Phoenix Television, in excerpts released on Saturday. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/myanmar-military-leader-aung-san-suu-kyi-appear- court-coup-14863872

Myanmar coup latest: Junta seeks democracy 'within a year'

Min Aung Hlaing says Suu Kyi is healthy and will appear in a few days: reports

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, now Myanmar's junta leader, gazes through binoculars during a 2018 military exercise. © Reuters

Nikkei staff writersMay 17, 2021 10:10 JSTUpdated on May 23, 2021 06:38 JST

YANGON/BANGKOK -- Myanmar's military on Feb. 1 detained State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint in the country's first coup since 1988, bringing an end to a decade of civilian rule.

The Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy had won a landslide in a general election in November. But the military has claimed the election was marred by fraud.

For all our coverage, visit our Myanmar Coup page. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Myanmar-Coup/Myanmar-coup-latest-Junta-seeks-democracy-within- a-year

India asks social media firms to remove reference to 'Indian variant' of coronavirus

Aditya Kalra

3 minute read

A medical worker takes care of a patient suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), inside the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) hospital, in Greater Noida on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, May 21, 2021. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/File Photo

India's information technology (IT) ministry has written to all social media companies asking them to take down any content that refers to an "Indian variant" of the coronavirus, according to a letter issued on Friday which was seen by Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/india-asks-social-media-firms-remove- reference-indian-variant-coronavirus-2021-05-21/

Australia-PH's 75 years of mateship, bayanihan lauded by PM Morrison

Published May 22, 2021, 2:59 PM by Genalyn Kabiling Australia is committed to further strengthen relations with the Philippines and work together towards securing an inclusive, prosperous and free Indo-Pacific region.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison delivers a video message for Philippine-Australia Friendship Day on May 22 (Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the commitment after citing the two countries’ strong and enduring friendship, wide-ranging cooperative ties, as well as shared values of “mateship and bayanihan.”

Australia and the Philippines are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. The anniversary campaign carries the theme “Mateship and Bayanihan.”

In a video message on Philippines-Australia Friendship Day on May 22, Morrison said the bilateral relationship between the two countries is “far-reaching,” citing cooperation in trade, defense cooperation, education, counterterrorism, and development.

“Our people-to-people links are strong and enduring — as they should be for countries that share a home: our Indo-Pacific,” he said.

“We also share a vision of what our home should be. Open. Inclusive. Stable and prosperous. Free. That is what we have worked for over the last 75 years. And it is what we will continue to work for — together — over the next 75,” he added. https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/australia-phs-75-years-of-mateship-bayanihan-lauded-by-envoy/

Chip shortages in ‘danger zone’ as wait times reach new record BYBLOOMBERG NEWS MAY 23, 2021 A semiconductor worker assembles electronic chips at the Laguna Technopark in this 2018 file photo. Shortages in the semiconductor industry, which have already slammed automakers and consumer electronics companies, are getting even worse, complicating the global economy’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Chip lead times, the gap between ordering a chip and taking delivery, increased to 17 weeks in April, indicating users are getting more desperate to secure supply, according to research by Susquehanna Financial Group. That is the longest wait since the firm began tracking the data in 2017, in what it describes as the “danger zone.”

“All major product categories up considerably,” Susquehanna analyst Chris Rolland wrote in a note Tuesday, citing power management and analog chip lead times among others. “These were some of the largest increases since we started tracking the data.”

Chip shortages are rippling through industry after industry, preventing companies from shipping products from cars to game consoles and refrigerators. Automakers are now expected to lose out on $110 billion in sales this year, as Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co. and others have to idle factories for lack of essential components. That’s undercutting economic growth and employment, as well as raising fears of panic ordering that may lead to distortions in the future.

The chip industry and its customers watch lead times as an indicator of the balance between supply and demand. A lengthening of the gap indicates that buyers of semiconductors are more willing to commit to future supply to avoid a recurrence of shortfalls. Analysts track these numbers as a harbinger of hoarding that can lead to the accumulation of too much inventory and sudden declines in orders. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/05/23/chip-shortages-in-danger-zone-as-wait-times-reach-new- record/

Runway fix for PH-occupied Pag-asa Island to start soon By: Frances Mangosing - 18 hours ago

MANILA, Philippines—Work may soon officially start for the repair and upgrade of the decrepit runway on Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea.

According to a government source, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is set to sign the contract and notice to proceed for the project, which had been long planned even by previous administrations.

A notice of award was issued by the Department of National Defense to the company Mamsar Construction last April 27, the official said.

Mamsar also built the P450 million sheltered port on Pag-asa Island, which was inaugurated in 2020.

In 2020, the government launched a beaching ramp and sheltered port on the island, the biggest infrastructure upgrades since the Philippines occupied it in the 1970s.

The P268-million beaching ramp, built by Luzviminda Engineering Construction, was envisioned to allow the smooth transport of heavy construction materials to jumpstart the repair of the island’s runway and construction of other facilities.

Pag-asa, internationally known as Thitu, is the only Philippine-controlled outpost in the Municipality of Kalayaan that has civilian inhabitants. Eight other islands and reefs around the Spratly Islands occupied by the Philippines are guarded by the Philippine military. The basing support project, which will be overseen by the Philippine Air Force, has an estimated cost of P1.3 billion. It would include the restoration and concreting of the runway and construction of other facilities.

Only 850 kilometers of the 1.3 km unpaved runway, dotted with tufts of green grass, is currently usable, posing a challenge to pilots in landing big military planes. https://globalnation.inquirer.net/196457/runway-fix-for-ph-occupied-pag-asa-island-to-start-soon/amp

FBI investigates defense contractor’s Senate campaign donations

By: Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, The Associated Press 1 day ago

9 (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) HONOLULU — U.S. authorities are investigating allegations that a Hawaii- based defense contractor illegally donated $150,000 to the reelection fund of a Maine senator who advocated for an $8 million Navy contract with the company, according to court documents unsealed this week. A U.S. judge approved an FBI warrant application to search a hard drive containing images of an iPhone belonging to Martin Kao, former CEO of Navatek, now known as Martin Defense Group, based in Hawaii with offices in Maine, Washington, D.C., and other states. The warrant was also for an iPhone belonging to the company’s former chief financial officer. The news of the probe was first reported by the Axios website. The phones were seized during a separate investigation that led to an indictment accusing Kao of defrauding banks of more than $12.8 million meant to assist businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. He has pleaded not guilty in that case. His defense attorney didn’t immediately return a phone message seeking comment on the new allegations Wednesday. Navatek, which as a federal contractor was prohibited from making political campaign contributions, set up another business that was used to conceal the donation to a political action committee supporting the re-election of Republican Sen. Susan Collins, according to an FBI affidavit filed with the warrant application. In December 2019, Navatek’s Hawaii-based acco https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2021/05/21/fbi-investigates-defense-contractors-senate- campaign-donations/

FBI: Ransomware that crippled Irish health service previously seen in U.S. cyberattacks

By Andrew Blake - The Washington Times - Saturday, May 22, 2021

Conti, a type of ransomware strain responsible for recently crippling Ireland’s health service, has been seen in past cyberattacks waged against similar targets in the U.S., the FBI warned this week.

In a flash alert published on its website Friday, the FBI said more than 290 organizations in the U.S. were “victimized by Conti” before it recently claimed Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE). Without identifying any specific Conti victims in the U.S. or the consequences of the attacks, the FBI reported that several of the instances targeted networks relating to public health and safety. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/may/22/fbi-warns-conti-ransomware-crippling-irish- health-/

Defense Secretary Tells Cadets They're Ready to Meet Challenges in Changing World

M A Y 22, 2021 | BY DAVID VERGUN , D O D N E W S

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III today told the graduating class of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, that when he was a cadet in the 1970s, his leaders taught him valuable lessons that served him well during his 41- year Army career. During his first commencement speech at West Point, Austin said the academy was particularly rigorous at imparting military lessons, as well as academic subjects. "I sometimes wondered what good would come out of all this intensity." https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2628486/defense-secretary-tells-cadets-theyre- ready-to-meet-challenges-in-changing-world/

USINDOPACOM Commander, U.S. Defense Secretary highlight regional commitment to allies, partners IPDForum May 22, 2021 Top Stories 0 Comment

FORUM Staff Adm. John Aquilino, the new Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently emphasized the U.S. commitment to addressing collective security issues in the region while working alongside allies and partners.

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“The Indo Pacific is the most consequential region for America’s future, hosts our greatest during a change of command ceremony at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, pictured, on April 30, security challenge and remains the priority theater for the United States,” Aquilino said confront where we must to ensure we maintain a Free and Open Indo- 2021. “We will compete to achieve our national interests, cooperate where we can and USINDOPACOM is better prepared, trained and equipped than ever due,Pacific.” in part, to its focus on deterrence in the region and investments made with allies and partners under the ceremony. leadership of Aquilino’s predecessor, Adm. Philip Davidson, Austin said during the reated an environment

For more than 75 years, the U.S. and its allies and partners “have c where all nations could thrive and prosper,” Aquilino said. “I am honored and humbled to Withtake on more this than important 35 years position in the duringmilitary, a most consequentialrecently as command time.” er of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Aquilino knows how to lead in the Indo-Pacific theater, Austin said.

“Your new commander knows the stakes, he knows the people, and he knows the Aquilinochallenges,” becomes Austin the said. 26th “Adm. Commander Aquilino, ofyou USINDOPACOM, are the right leade leadingr at themore right than time.” 380,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Guardians, Coast Guardsmen and U.S. Department of Defense civilians. He is responsible for all U.S. military activity in the Indo-Pacific, covering 36 na

tions, 14 time zones and more than 50% of the world’s population. The U.S. will redouble efforts to work across commands and services as it develops capabilities, capacities and operational flexibility for the fights of the future, Austin said. Advances in technology mean renewed focus on securing all five domains of potential conflict not just air, land and sea, but also space and cyberspace.

— technology is changing th “Being the best today isn’t a guarantee of being the best tomorrow … not in an age when e character of warfare itself … and not at a time when our challenge is to ensure that our deterrence holds strong for the long haul, across all realms potential adversaries are very deliberately working to blunt our edge,” Austin said. “Our of potential c

The U.S. will useonflict.” existing and new capabilities in networked ways hand in hand with allies and partners, Austin said.

buttress U.S. diplomacy and advance a foreign policy that employs all of our instruments of “Under this integrated deterrence, the U.S. military isn’t meant to stand apart but to

national power,” Austin said. “As the president of the United States has made clear, diplomacy must come first, and the use of force must be a very last resort.”

USINDOPACOM’s leaders understand that they must work to prevent conflict. “And if we can’t prevent it, we need to be ready to win it,” Austin said, “and to win it decisively.” https://ipdefenseforum.com/2021/05/usindopacom-commander-u-s-defense-secretary-highlight- regional-commitment-to-allies-partners/

Here’s when the first two littoral combat ships will be mothballed Geoff Ziezulewicz

2 days ago

27 The Navy's first littoral combat ship, Freedom, will be decommissioned in September, less than 13 years after it entered service. (Navy) Just more than a decade after they entered naval service to great fanfare as the future face of the U.S. Navy, the first two littoral combat ships will be mothballed later this year, according to the Navy’s inactivation schedule for 2021.

The first LCS, Freedom, will head into inactive reserve status Sept. 30, less than 13 years after the ship was commissioned.

The second LCS, Independence, a separate class variant, will receive its shadow box on July 31 after just 11½ years of service.

LCS were billed as the future of the fleet, agile vessels that could be implemented with various mission modules.

But those modules have yet to materialize, and Navy brass has said in recent years that the elder LCSs aren’t worth the modernization money as the sea service faces a hefty bill for other shipbuilding and upgrading costs.

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2021/05/20/heres-when-the-first-two-littoral-combat- ships-will-be-mothballed/

US Navy has commissioned future USS Mobile LCS 26 Independence-variant littoral combat ship Naval News May 2021 Navy Forces Maritime Defense Industry POSTED ON SATURDAY, 22 MAY 2021 15:46

According to information published by the United States Department of Defense (DoD), the U.S. Navy has commissioned its newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship, the future USS Mobile (LCS 26), on Saturday, May 22, 2021, in Mobile, Alabama.

The USS Mobile (LCS 26) is an Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) built by the Austal USA. She was christened on December 7, 2019, and delivered to the U.S. Navy on December 9, 2020. In October 2020, the future USS Mobile has successfully concluded its acceptance trial in the Gulf of Mexico on September 25 after a series of in-port and underway demonstrations. The U.S. Navy conducted comprehensive tests of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship’s systems during the trial, spanning multiple functional areas including main propulsion, auxiliaries, and electrical systems.

Four additional Independence-variant LCS ships are under construction at Austal USA in Mobile. The final assembly is well underway on Savannah (LCS 28). The modules for Canberra (LCS 30) are erected. Additionally, Austal is fabricating modules for Santa Barbara (LCS 32) and fabrication has started on Augusta (LCS 34). Kingsville (LCS 36) and Pierre (LCS 38) will begin fabrication in 2021.

The LCS class consists of two ship variants, the Freedom variant and the Independence variant, designed and built by two industry teams. The Independence-variant is an aluminum trimaran design originally built by an industry team led by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works for LCS 2 and LCS 4. Currently, Independence-variant LCS (LCS 6 and subsequent even-numbered hulls) are constructed by Austal USA in the company's Mobile, Alabama, shipyard.

The Independence-variant is a highly maneuverable, lethal, and adaptable ship designed to support focused mine countermeasures, anti-submarine, and surface warfare missions. She integrates new technology and capability to affordably support current and future missions, from deep water to the littorals.

The USS Mobile has a length of 127.4 m, a beam of 31.6 m, and a draft of 4.96 m. The displacement is rated at 2,307 tons light, 3,104 tons full, and 797 tons deadweight. The ship is powered by two gas turbines, two diesel engines, four waterjets, a retractable Azimuth thruster, and four diesel generators. She can reach a top speed of 40 knots (74 km/h) with a maximum cruising range of 4,300 nautical miles (8,000 km) at 20 knots (37 km/h). She has a crew of 40 people including eight officers and 32 enlisted.

The USS Mobile is armed with one BAE Systems Mk 110 57 mm naval gun, four .50 cal (12.7 mm) heavy machine guns, Evolved SeaRAM 11 cell surface-to-air missile launcher, and Mission modules. https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/may/10181-us- navy-has-commissioned-future-uss-mobile-lcs-26-independence-variant-littoral-combat-ship.html

The Littoral Combat Ship Can’t Fight—And The U.S. Navy Is Finally Coming To Terms With It

David Axe

Forbes Staff

Aerospace & Defense

I write about ships, planes, tanks, drones, missiles and satellites.

USS 'Independence,' USS 'Manchester' and USS 'Tulsa' sail in formation in the eastern Pacific.

U.S. NAVY

The U.S. Navy has confirmed it will decommission the first two Littoral Combat Ships, likely beginning what could be a unhappy reckoning with a program that has consumed billions of dollars without delivering much in the way of useful capability.

A year after announcing its desire to get rid of the oldest four LCSs in order to avoid the high cost of upgrading the vessels, the Navy has firmed up its plans for the first two of the troubled, near-shore ships.

The news website of the U.S. Naval Institute was the first to report on the decommissioning plans. USS Independence, the lead vessel in the trimaran subclass, will decommission in July. USS Freedom, the lead monohull LCS, will follow her cousin into retirement in September. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/05/20/the-littoral-combat-ship-cant-fight-the-us-navy-is- finally-coming-to-terms-with-it/?sh=7c37de332587

US Talks With Israel About Buying More Iron Dome Systems

By ARIE EGOZIon May 21, 2021 at 12:02 PM Iron Dome fires Credit: IDF TEL AVIV: The performance of the Israeli Iron Dome air defense system in the Gaza clashes that ended in a ceasefire May 20 has sparked talks between Israel and US about buying more of the missile defense system for the U.S Army, Israeli defense sources here say.

“The fact that the Iron Dome intercepted big salvos of rockets launched from Gaza as well as armed drones is already creating big interest in the channels between the Israeli and the American defense ministries,” a defense source told BD.

Also, President Joe Biden announced yesterday that the U.S will help Israel renew its arsenal of Iron Dome Interceptors. The US, in effect, will replace the large number of interceptors used by Israel. https://breakingdefense.com/2021/05/us-talks-with-israel-about-buying-more-iron-dome-systems/

US Air Force’s newest refueling tanker to get gear allowing F-35 and F-22 to share data

By: Valerie Insinna 1 day ago

24 A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor and F-35A Lightning II fly in formation with the XQ-58A Valkyrie drone over an Arizona test range on Dec. 9, 2020. (Tech. Sgt. James Cason/U.S. Air Force)

WASHINGTON — The KC-46 will be the first aircraft to be outfitted with equipment that will make it a node in the U.S. Air Force’s new battle management system, the service confirmed Friday.

As part of the first capability release of the Air Force’s Advanced Battle Management System program, the service plans to outfit a portion of its Boeing KC-46 aerial refueling tankers with “an open architecture communications subsystem and edge processing” equipment that will allow it to pass data between the F- 35 and F-22 stealth fighters, the Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office said in response to written questions from Defense News.

The intent, the RCO stated, is to reach early operational capability by the end of fiscal 2022.

The F-35 and F-22 were both made by Lockheed Martin, but they use different data links, each with a low probability of intercept: the Multifunctional Advanced Data Link for the F-35 and the Intra-Flight Data Link onboard the F-22. Those links are incompatible and do not allow the fighters to share information while retaining stealth.

To solve that issue, a number of KC-46s will be equipped with a pod filled with communications equipment that translates between the two waveforms.

The RCO offered few specifics about what products it will seek to build the first ABMS capability release and what is the projected cost. It declined to comment on how many units it intends to buy.

Also left unclear is whether the ABMS “on ramp” demonstrations allowed the Air Force to cut down the development timelines of the technologies it will seek, or whether the exercises helped narrow the scope of what it will seek to buy.

To purchase the capability, the service will “utilize a range of contracts” that could include existing contracts, soliciting responses through broad agency announcements, Small Business Innovation Research awards, and cooperative research and development agreements, the RCO stated. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/05/21/the-air-forces-newest-refueling-tanker-to-get-gear- that-will-finally-allow-the-f-35-and-f-22-to-share-data/

USSOCOM eyes digital engineering for next-gen Dry Combat Submersible by Andrew White

US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) may utilise digital engineering to design its next-generation Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) concept, officials disclosed this week.

Speaking to Janes from the virtual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC), USSOCOM’s Acquisition Executive Jim Smith said DCS-Next (also referred to as DCS Block II) would be a “great candidate” for a digital engineering solution, based on lessons learned developing the original DCS programme.

The US Naval Special Warfare Dry Combat Submersible will be upgraded to Block II or ‘DCS-Next’ in the coming years, led by digital engineering to save costs in designing and manufacturing prototypes. (USSOCOM)

Development of the first generation DCS saw USSOCOM leasing an S301i dry manned submersible from Lockheed Martin before contracting the same company to construct a pair of prototypes following feedback from US Naval Special Warfare (NSW).

“We had a great idea of what the commercial industry could provide for a submersible that could work with the surface assets. And that was a fantastic risk reduction. By the time we entered into the programme, we felt very, very confident in our ability to deliver the DCS,” Smith said. However, he warned it would be cost prohibitive to use the same development model to design a DCS-Next solution for NSW.

“We think we can achieve the same results with a digital engineering model,” he said. “So we’ll look at competing a design for a digital engineering model, using a high-fidelity design that we can work with the navy to show the interoperability of it and make some really informed decisions before we award a production contract.” https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/ussocom-eyes-digital-engineering-for-next-gen-dry- combat-submersible SOCOM Leaders Say ‘Digital Spectrum’ Key To Next Fight

“The future will be won by those who dominate the full digital spectrum,” Lt. Gen. Francis Beaudette, commander of Army Special Operations Command, says. “It will be as important as seizing and holding terrain.”

By PAUL MCLEARYon May 20, 2021 at 11:31 AM

A Special Forces soldier relays information to his chain of command via radio during an operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan. WASHINGTON: After spending the past two decades kicking in doors and hunting insurgent targets in the Middle East, special operations leaders are looking to the digital domain as the key to their future.

“The future will be won by those who dominate the full digital spectrum,” Lt. Gen. Francis Beaudette, commander of Army Special Operations Command said at the annual Special Operations force Industry Conference this week. “It will be as important as seizing and holding terrain.” Information warfare will be a central component of any future operation, and will include “psychological operations…cyberspace, deception and electronic warfare at the tactical and operational levels,” he said. https://breakingdefense.com/2021/05/socom-leaders-say-digital-spectrum-key-to-next-fight/

Space Force aims to take on an Air Force surveillance mission

Vandenberg AFB gets new U.S. Space Force name (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rocio Romo)

MAY 22, 2021 TARA COPP - MCCLATCHY WASHINGTON BUREAU

A few years ago, the Air Force began looking at ways to replace its JSTARS surveillance aircraft, to ensure it could keep providing a clear picture of ground movement when the fleet of outfitted Boeing 707s encounters a highly contested environment. The Space Force has now taken on that challenge.

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Jay Raymond announced Wednesday the service is “building out” a Ground Moving Target Indicator, or GMTI, that would operate from space. https://americanmilitarynews.com/2021/05/space-force-aims-to-take-on-an-air-force-surveillance- mission/

United States considered nuclear strike on China over Taiwan in 1958, classified documents reveal

• The US also assumed that the Soviet Union would aid China and retaliate with nuclear weapons, according to the documents • Former military analyst Daniel Ellsberg is famous for his 1971 leak to US media of a top-secret Pentagon study on the Vietnam war known as the Pentagon Papers

US military planners pushed for nuclear strikes on mainland China in 1958 to protect Taiwan from an invasion by Communist forces, classified documents posted online by Daniel Ellsberg of The Pentagon Papers television show.

US planners also assumed that the Soviet Union would aid China and retaliate with nuclear weapons a price they deemed worth paying to protect Taiwan, according to the document, first reported by The New York Times. –

Former military analyst Ellsberg posted online the classified portion of a top-secret document on the crisis that had been only partially declassified in 1975. https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3134511/united-states-considered- nuclear-strike-china-over

Biden says US will provide COVID-19 vaccines for all S. Korean troops

By Korea Herald

Published : May 22, 2021 - 08:27 Updated : May 23, 2021 - 10:05

WASHINGTON/SEOUL -- US President Joe Biden said Friday his country will provide full COVID-19 vaccinations for all 550,000 South Korean troops and enter a partnership with Seoul on global vaccine supply.

Biden made the announcement at a joint press conference with President Moon Jae-in at the White House following their summit talks.

"There are 550,000 Korean soldiers, sailors, airmen who work in close contact with the American forces in Korea," the US president said. "We'll provide full vaccinations for all 550,000 of those Korean forces engaging with American forces on a regular basis, both for their sake, as well as the sake of the American forces."

Some 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against North Korean aggression.

Moon thanked Biden for the pledge, calling it a meaningful step demonstrating the special history of the bilateral alliance. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210522000066

Lifting of US missile restrictions signifies Seoul's missile sovereignty, Washington's China strategy: experts

By Yonhap

Published : May 22, 2021 - 10:48 Updated : May 23, 2021 - 10:13

Lifting of US missile restrictions signifies Seoul's missile sovereignty, Washington's China strategy: experts

The full lifting of US restrictions on South Korean missiles is expected to beef up Seoul's defense capabilities by allowing it to secure longer-range missiles that can fly beyond the Korean Peninsula, experts said Saturday.

The decision is also seen as part of the US strategy to counter China, and South Korea's deployment of longer-range missiles could bring the country further into the great power game between Washington and Beijing, the experts said.

Following a summit with US President Joe Biden, President Moon Jae-in announced their decision to scrap the bilateral "missile guidelines," which ban South Korea from developing or possessing ballistic missiles with a maximum range greater than 800 kilometers. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210522000103

China, US lose chance for military talks as Covid-19 halts Shangri-La Dialogue

• Annual security forum, due to be held in June, is cancelled in the light of host Singapore’s coronavirus battles • Military sources say the cancellation denies China and the US an important platform for military-to-military exchange

Chinese military officials and their American counterparts have lost an important opportunity for face-to-face engagement after the cancellation of a major regional security forum for a second year running because of the coronavirus.

The cancellation of the Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) in Singapore, which was scheduled for June 4-5, was confirmed on Thursday by its organiser the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

rise in local cases, recently introduced new restrictions, and the prospect of further tightening cannot be ruled out said“In Singapore in a statement. there has been a – all of which creates uncertainty,” the IISS, a British think tank, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3134370/china-us-lose-chance-military-talks-covid- 19-halts-shangri-la

China says Martian rover takes first drive on surface of Red Planet

Ryan WooYilei Sun 4 minute read

Chinese rover Zhurong of the Tianwen-1 mission drives down the ramp of the lander onto the surface of Mars, in this screenshot taken from a video released by China National Space Administration (CNSA) May 22, 2021. CNSA/Handout via REUTERS Read More

A remote-controlled Chinese motorised rover drove down the ramp of its landing capsule on Saturday and onto the surface of Mars, making China the first nation to orbit, land and deploy a land vehicle on its inaugural mission to the Red Planet.

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/china-says-martian-rover-takes-first-drive-surface-red- planet-2021-05-22/

Japan's Self-Defense Forces conduct live- fire drill in scenario for defending remote islands

• • The Ground Self-Defense Force conducts a drill at the East Fuji training area in Shizuoka Prefecture on Saturday. | KYODO

• KYODO • SHARE • May 22, 2021 The Ground Self-Defense Force conducted a major artillery live-fire drill in central Japan on Saturday, featuring a scenario for preventing enemy troops from landing on remote islands.

The annual firepower exercise at the East Fuji training area in Shizuoka Prefecture comes as Japan has been increasingly vigilant over China’s maritime assertiveness in the East China Sea where Beijing claims the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands.

Japan is stepping up its capabilities to protect the Nansei Islands, a chain stretching southwest toward Taiwan and covering Okinawa and the Senkakus, uninhabited isles which China calls the Diaoyu. The two-hour drill mobilized some 3,100 troops, 45 tanks and armored vehicles, and 54 pieces of artillery, using 43 tons of live ammunition worth ¥780 million. Combat helicopters also joined the training.

The event was livestreamed on YouTube as the GSDF refrained from allowing the public to see it on site for the second straight year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The drill is normally held in late August but was brought forward due to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/05/22/national/sdf-live-fire-island-protect/

Japan opposition leader calls for suspension of U.S. base relocation in latest book

The Yomiuri Shimbun Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Edano speaks about his new book at a press conference in the Diet building on Wednesday.

10:39 am, May 22, 2021

The Yomiuri ShimbunConstitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) leader Yukio Edano has called for the relocation of a U.S. base in Okinawa Prefecture to be suspended in his latest book, “Edano Vision: Sasae-au Nihon (A Japan in which people support each other).”

With his eyes fixed on the House of Representatives election to be held by autumn, Edano has outlined his vision for a CDPJ administration in the book, which was published by Bunshun Shinsho on Thursday.

However, questions have been raised regarding the feasibility of his policies.

At a press conference in the Diet building on Wednesday, Edano said the aim of the book was to “properly organize my ideas regarding what kind of society I have been trying to realize, and present them to the public.”

The government has been pushing ahead with work to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station in Ginowan to the Henoko district in Nago. Edano is calling for the project to be suspended.

The administration of the then-Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), in which Edano served as a Cabinet member, called for the base to be relocated outside Okinawa Prefecture, but later abandoned the idea as it could not find an alternative idea, triggering a backlash in the prefecture.

“The relocation has been made more difficult because the DPJ administration made the unrealistic proposal of relocating the base outside the prefecture, but [the lawmakers from the former party] have not reflected on its conduct at all,” said a senior official of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

In the book, Edano indicated that he considers the Japan-U.S. alliance to be the cornerstone of Japan’s security policy, but he has opposed a government’s position on the right of collective self-defense in a limited manner, which is the basis for deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance.

Edano’s stance on the Japan-U.S. alliance is far from the policy of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP), with which the CDPJ has been deepening cooperation ahead of the upcoming election. https://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0007415871

Infiltration act examined • By Chen Yu-fu, Hsieh Chun-ling and William Hetherington / Staff reporters, with staff writer

A report examining the implementation of the Anti-infiltration Act (反滲透法) laid out potential reasons for no charges having been laid since it took effect on Jan. 15 last year.

The report, which the Executive Yuan submitted to the Legislative Yuan, said that the act has not been invoked in laying charges against any suspect.

Implementation of the act itself might have been a deterrent, with would-be offenders taking a wait-and-see approach, the report said.

A significant decrease in cross-Taiwan Strait activity amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the act’s focus on election activities might also be factors, the report said.

Moreover, the judiciary needs time to understand and apply the act, and to collect evidence in cases, it said.

One China researcher, who asked to remain anonymous, said that the act has been an effective deterrent.

Taiwanese businesspeople operating in China could use the act as a reason to refuse to help Chinese authorities with illicit activities, as doing so would put them at risk of prosecution, the researcher said.

“For example, Beijing might give a Taiwanese businessperson money and ask them to donate to a particular election candidate, which the businessperson is compelled to do, as they benefit from doing business in China,” the researcher said.

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文) said the act should be expanded to make it more applicable outside of election time.

Those who would attempt to infiltrate Taiwanese society could do so at any time, not just in election seasons, Kuo said.

Article 6 should be amended to add provisions for those who kill, harm or threaten others, damage property or obstruct the use of computer systems on behalf of a foreign power, he said.

“This would prevent people from doing things like throwing paint or feces on people, and getting only a light punishment,” he said, apparently referencing attacks in the past few years on Hong Kongers in Taipei by pro-China individuals. Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Jang Chyi-lu (張其祿) said that during deliberations for the then-draft act, its provisions were intended to have greater significance.

However, implementing the intentions of lawmakers is not as easy as it seems, Jang said.

Infiltration cases invariably involve foreign funding, but more work should have gone into determining specifically what activities would be breaches of the act, he said.

New Power Party Legislator Chiu Hsien-chih (邱顯智) said it was strange to believe that China would be deterred by the act.

The scope of the act should be expanded, Chiu said.

Citing infiltration patterns in Australia and the US, he said that foreign powers would not limit infiltration attempts to election seasons. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/05/23/2003757899

Disinformation targeting is increasing: politician • By Ko Yu-hao and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer

Chinese disinformation campaigns are becoming more selective over their targets, while the messages show an increased level of customization to target audiences, the Taiwan Statebuilding Party said on Friday.

Taiwan Statebuilding Party Kaohsiung chapter director Chou Tsu-yu (周則宇) said that on Friday he received a message in which the author claimed to be an editor at the Chinese-language Liberty Times(the Taipei Times’ sister paper). The message said that Taiwan Statebuilding Party Taoyuan chapter head Lan Shih-po ( 藍士博) had been filmed entering a meeting with Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) members, Chou said.

He immediately suspected that the message was a “phishing” attempt and warned his colleagues, Chou said.

An encrypted file sent with the message had a Chinese Internet protocol address, another indicator that it was a Chinese attempt at disinformation, he said.

The Liberty Times said that its personnel would not send such a message nor obtain such footage, calling on the public not to be deceived.

Messages of this sort have previously been presented as from former US military officers, doctors abroad or lawyers, in the hope of lowering the guard of recipients, “but now they are posing as people who you are likely to come across in your everyday life,” Chou said.

A message claiming to be from a newspaper editor and citing a familiar name is enough to sow a seed of doubt, so everyone should be careful, he said.

The incident indicates that Beijing’s disinformation campaign is getting more sophisticated by the day, he said.

“China is still China. Its ultimate goal is to undermine and unravel Taiwan’s solidarity,” Chou said, urging people to be careful regarding information they receive.

Lan said that a friend recently received an e-mailed phishing attempt disguised as a customer complaint.

Chou’s and the friend’s cases show that Beijing has gotten a better handle on who people are in Taiwan and is customizing messages to better spread disinformation, Lan said. Such attempts could also be Beijing’s attempts to deliver Trojan viruses and other malicious software that allow hackers to create backdoors into computer networks, he said. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/05/23/2003757901

Taiwan gets 6 new Black Hawk rescue helicopters Helicopters equipped with military grade thermal imaging cameras, auxiliary fuel tanks

1603

By Kelvin Chen, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

2021/05/22 17:10

National Airborne Service Corps Black Hawk helicopter mid-air.(National Airborne Service Corps)

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Six National Airborne Service Corps Black Hawk helicopters will be deployed in north and south Taiwan, with three at Taipei’s Songshan Airport and three in Kaohsiung, a person familiar with the matter has said.

However, before the three helicopters are deployed at Songshan airport, aircraft storage issues must be addressed in order to improve air rescue capabilities. The Cabinet has already approved construction of a custom hangar for the rotor aircraft, which will cost approximately NT$2.76 million (US$98,948) and is expected to be completed in 2026, Liberty Times cited the unnamed individual as saying.

He added the new helicopters will be fitted with upgraded equipment such as military-grade infrared thermal imaging cameras and internal auxiliary fuel tanks, which enable the aircraft to perform day and night maritime search and rescue missions and will extend the scope of Taiwan’s flight information region.

The six Black Hawk helicopters were delivered to Taiwan from the U.S. in October 2020. https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4208413

Taiwan health official warns of China's 'cognitive warfare' There has been a spike in misleading information from China amid a recent surge in domestic COVID-19 infections

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By Sophia Yang, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

2021/05/22 13:23

CECC Deputy Chief Chen Tsung-yen. (YouTube screenshot)

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The government is proactively debunking online misinformation amid a recent surge in domestic COVID-19 infections, with a fine of up to NT$3 million (US$107,300) for those who spread fake pandemic information, a senior health official has said.

Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Friday (May 21) reported 312 local COVID-19 cases, including 72 of unknown origin, marking the seventh day of triple-digit increases for local cases.

At a press conference on Saturday morning (May 22), CECC Deputy Chief Chen Tsung-yen (陳宗彥) advised the public to stay at home and leave only for essential items, so as to curb the spread of community transmissions. He also urged caution about "the spread of misinformation and panic," which aims to seed distrust in the government.

Chen revealed "the top three worst rumors of the day" on Facebook, LINE, YouTube chat rooms, and the country's largest anonymous social media platform Dcard. The rumors were: "Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) tested positive for coronavirus," "Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) profit-taking from local pharmaceutical stocks as virus spreads and people seek vaccination," and "homeless advised to go home." Chen said the rumors are either fabrications or are distortions of CECC messages, designed to mislead and inspire anger among the public.

"There has recently been evidence of a growing threat from China, which is waging a cognitive war against Taiwan to undermine social stability," Chen said on Saturday. "We will continue to single out the rumors and clarify on a daily basis."

Initial police investigations found multiple IPs located in China that are being used to intensively disseminate false information, according to a CECC statement the same day.

At recent CECC updates, officials have urged the public to conduct basic fact- checks and go to official and non-official platforms, before sharing news that is untrue and breaks the law. Those spreading fake information could be fined up to NT$3 million, Chen added.

A government-funded military think tank in early January issued a report warning of sabotage by Chinese internet trolls. It described the trolling as "cognitive warfare," which could jeopardize democracy in Taiwan and Western countries. https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4208260

Myanmar rebels attack jade mining town: media • Reuter

Forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), one of the ethnic factions opposed to Myanmar’s coup, yesterday attacked military positions at the northwestern jade mining town of Hkamti, local media reported.

The attack marks an advance into new territory by the KIA at a time Myanmar has been plunged into chaos since the army seized power on Feb. 1, detained elected leader Burmese State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and cut short a decade of democratic reforms.

KIA fighters attacked an army post at Hkamti township in the Sagaing region early yesterday, the Irrawaddy and Mizzima online publications said.

Pictures showed columns of dark smoke rising from what they said was the scene of the attack.

KIA spokesman Naw Bu told reporters that he was aware of the attack, but could give no details.

Reuters was unable to reach a junta spokesman for comment on the reports.

“The fighting is still ongoing. I can still hear the gunshots,” Mizzima quoted one resident as saying.

It said the site attacked was near a mining venture that involves the military-owned Myanma Economic Holdings Ltd conglomerate.

Reuters was unable to confirm the reports independently.

Since the coup, open conflict resumed between the army and the KIA, which has been fighting for greater autonomy for Kachin for about six decades and has voiced support for anti-junta protesters.

Mizzima said the army was using jets in attacks on the KIA at Hkamti, a town on the Chindwin River in a remote region rich in jade and gold that lies about 50km from the border with India.

The army has carried out numerous bombing attacks on KIA positions in the past few weeks, and has also clashed with ethnic armies in the east and west of Myanmar.

Security forces have killed at least 812 people since the coup, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners advocacy group has said. The military has disputed the figure and said at least two dozen members of the security forces have also been killed.

The army seized power alleging fraud in an election in November last year won by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy. The then-electoral commission had rejected its accusations. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2021/05/23/2003757912

Myanmar: The small embattled town that stood up to the army

By Jonathan Head Southeast Asia correspondent

Last week, Myanmar's military stormed into the town of Mindat, where a local militia group had put up tenacious resistance to the armed forces.

Much of the population fled into the forest after armed forces bombarded the town with mortars and rockets.

Volunteers say many of them now need urgent humanitarian assistance. They have little food or shelter, and no access to medical care.

The army has blocked road access to the town, and cut off its water supply, making life very difficult for those who stayed behind.

"Soldiers are constantly patrolling and shooting. They are breaking into houses to arrest people. That's why so many are leaving," one volunteer said. Taking matters into their own hands

Mindat's struggle - by a population of fewer than 50,000 people - has inspired protesters across Myanmar, who have been holding daily rallies under the slogan "Mindat Fighting". https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57197081

New Zealand's defence budget returns to growth by Jon Grevatt

New Zealand has announced a strong increase in its defence budget for 2021–22, reflecting the country’s robust economic recovery to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Budgetary documents issued by the New Zealand Treasury on 20 May show that the total military expenditure for 2021–22 will be NZD5.18 billion (USD3.7 billion), a year- on-year increase of nearly 11% over the ‘estimated actual’ defence budget for 2020–21, which was NZD4.68 billion.

Janes forecasts moderate growth for New Zealand’s defence budget over the next few years. (Janes Defence Budgets)

The figure for 2020–21 – announced in May 2020, shortly after New Zealand’s worst Covid-19 outbreak – represented a decline against the previous year of about 7%, with cut funding reappropriated for the country’s Covid-19 recovery fund.

New Zealand’s defence budget comprises two appropriations: ‘Vote Defence Force’ and ‘Vote Defence’.

In 2021–22, the Vote Defence Force – covering salaries, training costs, and military preparedness – has been allocated NZD4.28 billion, an increase of 8% against the estimated actual for last year of NZD3.96 billion. The ‘Vote Defence’ expenditure – including funding for procurement and refurbishment of defence equipment – is NZD900.5 million, a rise of 25% over the NZD720.5 million allocation last year.

Contained in the Vote Defence Force allocation is funding for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).

In 2021–22 the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) received NZD985.3 million, an increase of 3% over the estimated actual figure for 2020–21 of NZD954.4 million. The New Zealand Army and Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) are allocated NZD886 million and NZD500.2 million, increases of 2% and 1% respectively.

The Vote Defence Force allocation also includes NZD1.16 billion for capital expenditure. According to the document, this represents an increase of 36% over the NZD856.4 million allocation in 2020–21. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/new-zealands-defence-budget-returns-to-growth Australian academic Yang Jun to face spying trial in China

Australian writer Yang Hengjun. (Photo: Reuters/Twitter, Yanghengjun)

22 May 2021 05:59PM SYDNEY: Chinese-born Australian academic and author Yang Jun will go on trial in China on espionage charges next week, after spending more than two years in detention, Canberra's foreign minister has confirmed.

Yang is one of two high-profile Australians detained in China on spying allegations amid escalating tensions between Canberra and Beijing.

The trial for Yang, who also goes by his pen name Yang Hengjun, will begin on Thursday, Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement late Friday.

"Despite repeated requests by Australian officials, Chinese authorities have not provided any explanation or evidence for the charges facing Dr Yang," Payne said. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/australian-academic-yang-jun-spying-trial-china- 14863472

British Navy HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carriers at sea together for the first time Naval News May 2021 Navy Forces Maritime Defense Industry POSTED ON SATURDAY, 22 MAY 2021 18:46

Following the British-led multinational naval exercise, the UK’s two aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales were deployed at sea for the very first time.

This naval exercise was designed to push the Carrier Strike Group to the limits and ensure its readiness for any situation during this year’s seven-month global deployment, Exercise Strike Warrior provided the largest and most demanding assessment it has faced so far.

The two-week exercise formed part of the wider military bi-annual exercise, Joint Warrior, where the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, British Army and UK Strategic Command – alongside NATO and Australian partners – conducted land, cyber and space exercises.

The HMS Queen Elizabeth's state-of-the-art F-35 fighter jets conducted missile firings during the exercise, marking the first time British jets have done so at sea for 15 years.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is the lead ship of the Queen Elizabeth class of aircraft carriers. The ship began sea trials in June 2017, was commissioned on 7 December 2017 and entered into service with the Royal British Navy in 2020.

The HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier weighs 65,000 tonnes and can reach a top speed of 25 knots (46 km/h). She can carry up to 72 aircraft, with a maximum capacity of 36 F-35B fighter jets. The ship has a flight deck of 280 m long and 70 m wide.

The HMS Queen Elizabeth has a crew of about 700, increasing to 1,600 when a full complement of F- 35B jets and naval helicopters are embarked.

The HMS Prince of Wales (R09) is the second Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier. The ship was christened in September 2017 and commissionned in December 2019. The ship is currently planned to carry up to 40 F-35B Lightning II stealth multirole fighters and Merlin helicopters for airborne early warning and anti-submarine warfare, although in surge conditions the class is capable of supporting 70+ F-35B.

The HMS Prince of Wales has a crew of 1,600 people with accommodation for 250 Royal Marines and the ability to support them with attack helicopters and troop transports up to and larger than Chinook size. https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/may/10185-british- navy-hms-queen-elizabeth-and-hms-prince-of-wales-aircraft-carriers-at-sea-together-for-the-first- time.html UK's Queen Elizabeth visits new aircraft carrier before Asia voyage

Reuters 2 minute rea

1/6 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks with a group of senior figures from the armed forces during a visit to HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier in Portsmouth, Britain, May 21, 2021. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERS

Britain's Queen Elizabeth visited the country's new aircraft carrier on Saturday, named in her honour, before it leads a flotilla of Royal Navy ships to Asian waters on its maiden operational voyage.

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uks-queen-elizabeth-visits-new-aircraft-carrier-before-asia-voyage- 2021-05-22/

Queen Elizabeth visits new aircraft carrier before voyage to Asia, Philippine Sea

Published May 23, 2021 6:50am LONDON - Britain's Queen Elizabeth visited the country's new aircraft carrier on Saturday, named in her honor, before it leads a flotilla of Royal Navy ships to Asian waters on its maiden operational voyage.

The queen, aged 95, stepped aboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth, seven years after she named the vessel alongside her late husband Prince Philip who died last month.

The 65,000-tonne Queen Elizabeth will carry eight British F-35B fighter jets and 10 US F-35s as well as 250 US marines as part of a 1,700-strong crew.

It will lead the flotilla alongside two destroyers, two frigates, a submarine and two support ships on its journey of 26,000 nautical miles over 28 weeks. The group will be joined by a US destroyer and a frigate from the Dutch navy.

The group will sail through the contested South China Sea, parts of which are claimed by China and South East Asian countries, on its way to the Philippine Sea. The ships will also stop in India and Singapore. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/world/788517/queen-elizabeth-visits-new-aircraft-carrier- before-voyage-to-asia-philippine-sea/story/

HMS Queen Elizabeth: Why is a UK aircraft carrier going on a world tour?

By Jonathan Beale Defence correspondent, BBC News

Britain is about to embark on a world tour - in the shape of the Royal Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by a fleet of warships.

The Royal Navy says it will be the most powerful UK naval deployment in a generation. The government sees the fleet, named the Carrier Strike Group, as a potent symbol of "Global Britain" - and as proof of Boris Johnson's promise to restore the Royal Navy as Europe's foremost naval power and end what he called an "era of retreat".

The prime minister spent this morning on board HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth naval base, ahead of its maiden operational deployment.

But is this world tour more than a symbol of national virility or a flag-waving exercise? And what's the point of sailing halfway across the world?

Over the next 28 weeks the Carrier Strike Group will cover 26,000 miles - further than the distance around the world at the equator. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-57195317

Hamas warns Palestinians: Don’t talk about the sites targeted by Israel

Palestinians were also warned against making statements to “suspicious parties impersonating relief or charitable institutions.” By KHALED ABU TOAMEH MAY 22, 2021 18:16 Hamas on Saturday warned Palestinians not to talk about the sites that Israel targeted during the 11-days of fighting. The warning, issued by the Hamas Internal Security Agency (ISA), called on Palestinians to “raise the level of security awareness.” The ISA warned Palestinians against “the transmission of information and holding unnecessary conversations related to what happened during the [Israeli] aggression, especially about the places and sites that were targeted.” The ISA claimed that Israel has stepped up its intelligence activities “to gather information about the resistance and its movements as part of an effort to update its bank of targets.” The Hamas security agency also warned Palestinians against making statements to “suspicious parties impersonating relief or charitable institutions.” https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/hamas-warns-palestinians-dont-talk-about-the-sites- targeted-by-israel-668839

When will America protect itself against EMP, cyber and ransomware attacks? BY PETER PRY, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR — 05/21/21 11:00 AM EDT 126 THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY CONTRIBUTORS ARE THEIR OWN AND NOT THE VIEW OF THE HILL -term outage owing to EMP could disable most critical supply chains, leaving the U.S. population living in conditions similar to centuries past, prior to the“A long advent of electric power. In the 1800s, the U.S. population was less than 60 million, and those people had many skills and assets necessary for survival An extended blackout today could result in the death of a large fraction of the American people through the effects of societal collapse,without today’s disease infrastructure. and starvation. While national planning and preparation for such events could help mitigate the damage, few such actions are currently under Congressional EMP Commission (2017)

Theway peopleor even of being Rangely, contemplated.” Colo., are not — waiting for Washington to protect them from a Great American Blackout caused by a solar superstorm or cyber warfare or electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack. Like several other Western municipalities, Rangely, a town of 2,300 in northwest Colorado, home to a community college, has rolled up its sleeves and, in the best traditions of Western pioneering spirit, independence and self-sufficiency, is building redundant microgrids so they can survive anything.

o bill to protect the Texas electric gridTexas from state all Sen. hazard Bobs Hall including and his colleagues EMP, cyber aren’t warfare waiting and forsabotage Washington recently t passed“provide the for state the commonSenate. defense,” either. Hall’s — — storm caused statewide rolling blackouts, resulting in property damage totaling billionsTexans hadof dollars, a small fuel taste shortages of “electronic including apocalypse” a reduction in February in the national when anfuel ice supply, industrial accidents, including a major explosion and fire in a chemical plant, and 100 deaths. Experts have cautioned the same could happen during hot, summer weather.

Sen. Hall, a former Air Force officer and an EMP expert, has been warning Texas for years that electric grid vulnerability to EMP and cyber attack could have catastrophic consequences. The Electric Reliability Council Of Texas (ERCOT), that they which manages the state’s electricity infrastructure, proved in February and the utilities are not even prepared to cope with a severe ice storm, let alone existential threats from EMP and cyber warfare.

In South Carolina, Ambassador Henry Cooper, a former Air Force officer, EMP expert and engineer, is working with Duke Energy on the Lake Wylie project to protect a nuclear reactor from EMP a pilot project that could result in nation recover in the event of an EMP or— cyber attack, or both. The Lake Wylie projectconverting began, 100 and U.S. continues, nuclear reactors as a local into grassroots “islands of initiative survivability” receiving to help no financial the or technical support from the Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or other agencies of the federal government. https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/554503-when-will-america-protect-itself-against-emp- cyber-and-ransomware

Air India says data on 4.5 million passengers stolen

By AFP - May 22, 2021 @ 4:29pm

Names, credit card numbers and passport information were among the data stolen, Air India said in a statement. MUMBAI: Hackers have stolen data on about 4.5 million Air India passengers around the world in the latest breach reported by a major airline.

Names, credit card numbers and passport information were among the data stolen, Air India said in a statement released late Friday.

The state-owned giant said it was "securing the compromised servers" and using "external specialists" on data security as well as working with credit card companies.

"We deeply regret the inconvenience caused and appreciate continued support and trust of our passengers," the airline said.

A number of airlines have been hit by data breaches in recent years. British Airways was fined US$28 million last year by a British watchdog after details of 400,000 passengers were lost in a 2018 cyberattack.

Cathay Pacific was fined US$700,000 after details of more than nine million clients were lost in 2018. https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2021/05/692176/air-india-says-data-45-million-passengers- stolen

Cultivate an Age of Sail Culture

Leadership Essay Contest—Third Prize Sponsored by Dr. J. Phillip London and CACI International By First Lieutenant Andrew S. Benn, U.S. Marine Corps

May 2021

Decentralized control—necessitated by the lack of communications technology and the global theater—was fundamental to naval operations during the Age of Sail. Success was enabled by an organizational culture predicated on a high degree of initiative, a keen sense of honor, trust between seniors and subordinates, and clear communication of commander’s intent. All of these cultural characteristics are needed today and are of increasing importance in an era of contested communications and great power competition. With recent policy changes in the Marine Corps specifically oriented toward the employment of expeditionary advanced base operations, one can see increased parallels between historical sailing ships and current isolated expeditionary bases. https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2021/may/cultivate-age-sail-culture

Horizon Technologies gets funding for maritime surveillance satellites by Jason Rainbow — May 19, 2021 IOD-3, Horizon Technologies's first satellite, will be deployed from the International Space Station after an August resupply mission. Credit: Horizon Technologies

TAMPA, Fla. — A British company that equips spy planes and drones to track satellite telephones has raised capital to launch a handful of tiny surveillance spacecraft to listen for signals from ships operating clandestinely.

Horizon Space Technologies, a recently established subsidiary of Berkshire, England-based Horizon Technologies, is prime contractor for the U.K. government’s cubesat signals intelligence program called IOD-3 Amber.

Amber IOD-3, its first satellite, is part of the In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) program run by government-backed nonprofit Satellite Applications Catapult.

With funding from the U.K. government’s innovation agency, the Amber IOD-3 cubesat is being built by AAC Clyde Space to provide data for the country’s National Maritime Information Centre (NMIC). L3Harris Technologies is assisting with the payload’s development.

The satellite is slated to launch aboard a SpaceX Cargo Dragon mission in August fordeployment from the International Space Station shortly after arrival. Houston-based NanoRacks arranged for the cubesat’s deployment from the ISS.

More satellites incoming

Horizon Technologies CEO John Beckner told SpaceNews the company has secured funds to launch two more Amber satellites next year, amid plans for an initial constellation of six satellites.

Beckner declined to discuss the size of Horizon’s Series A funding round, which was led by private equity firm Maven Capital Partners. An industry source said it is in the “single-digit millions of dollars.”

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson’s financial services firm Virgin Money participated in the round through its Clydesdale Bank lender. Virgin Orbit, Branson’s air-launch rocket startup, has been investing in other space ventures in return for launch agreements. https://spacenews.com/horizon-technologies-gets-funding-for-maritime-surveillance-satellites/

THE STRATEGIC REALITIES OF TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY “SMALL WARS”— AN OPINION ESSAY

Sat, 05/22/2021 - 2:36pm

The Strategic Realities of Twenty-First Century “Small Wars"— An Opinion Essay

Max G. Manwaring

“You know you never defeated us on the battlefield,” said the American colonel. The North Vietnamese colonel pondered this remark a moment. “That may be so,” he replied, “but it is also irrelevant.”[1]

Introduction and Problem The traditional distinctions between crime, terrorism, subversion, and insurgency are blurred. This new dynamic involves the migration of the monopoly of political power (i.e., the authoritative allocation of the values in a society) from the traditional nation-state to unconventional actors such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), transnational criminal organizations, Leninist-Maoist insurgents, tribal militias, mafia organizations, private armies, cartel enforcers, third generation gangs (3GEN Gangs),[2] and other modern mercenaries and entrepreneurs. These actors conduct some form or level of war against various state and non-state adversaries and promulgate their own rule of law—within alternatively governed spaces—within the societies they control. That activity creates an ambiguous bazaar of violence where criminal entrepreneurs fuel the convergence of crime and war.[3] That kind of activity must inevitably result in an epochal transition from traditional Western nation-state systems and their liberal democratic values to something else dependent of the values—good, bad, or non-existent—of any given winner.[4] All this represents a quintuple threat to the authority, legitimacy, and stability of targeted governments. Generally, these threats include the following: 1) undermining the ability of a government to perform its legitimizing functions; 2) significantly changing a government’s foreign, defense, and other policies; 3) isolating religious or racial communities from the rest of a host nation’s society, and replacing traditional state authority with alternative governance; 4) transforming socially isolated human terrain into “virtual states” within the host state, without a centralized bureaucracy, or any easily identified legitimate military or police forces; and 5) conducting low-cost actions calculated to maximize damage, minimize response, and display carefully staged media events that lead to the erosion of the legitimacy and stability of a targeted state’s political-economic-social system. The intent of this destabilization effort is to move the state into the state failure process and exploit the situation for one’s own purposes. State failure, however, is not the ultimate threat.[5] Somewhere near the end of the destabilization process, the state will be able to control less and less of its national territory and fewer and fewer people in it. Nevertheless, just because the state fails to perform its legitimizing functions does not mean that it will go away. The diminution of responsible governance and personal security generates greater poverty, violence, and instability—and a downward spiral in terms of development and well- being. It is a zero-sum game in which non-state or individual actors (e.g., insurgents, transnational criminal organizations, and corrupt public officials) are the winners and the rest of a given society are the losers. Ultimately, failing or failed states become dysfunctional states, dependencies, tribal states, rogue states, criminal states, narco-states, new “peoples’ republics,” draconian states (e.g., military dictatorships), neo-populist states (civilian dictatorships), or just melt into the geopolitical landscape. Again, state failure is not the ultimate threat. The ultimate threat is the coerced transition of extant values of a given society to the values of an antagonist. This is the cruel human reality of where it is that the bad guys lead.[6] Lessons that should have been learned by governments and military and security organizations involved in various destabilizing and bloody small wars demonstrate that a given response to a given conflict often ends—or continues on-and-on—in greater misery and violence than was ever anticipated. Too often this is because too much time, treasure, and blood are dedicated to ineffective tactical and operational level military/police efforts as opposed to defining and implementing a strategic geopolitical end-game. https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/strategic-realities-twenty-first-century-small-wars-opinion- essay

Philippines investigating illegal sale of COVID-19 shots, vaccine slots

FILE PHOTO: A woman reacts as she is vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with AstraZeneca vaccine at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, May 17, 2021. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

22 May 2021 07:03PM MANILA: The Philippines is investigating reports that some people have been illegally selling COVID-19 shots or their vaccine slots for financial gain, officials said on Saturday (May 22) as they reminded the public that the vaccines are free.

Law enforcers learned of the illicit activity through social media posts where sellers offer vaccine slots for as much as 15,000 pesos (US$313), Philippine police chief Guillermo Eleazar said in a statement.

"The sale of COVID-19 vaccines that have been granted emergency use authorisation is illegal," Eleazar said as he ordered the police to identify and arrest those behind the scam.

The Philippines, which has recorded more than 1 million coronavirus infections and nearly 20,000 deaths, has approved for emergency use seven brands of COVID-19 vaccines, including China's Sinovac Biotech and Pfizer-BioNTech.

"Those who are engaged in the unauthorised sale of anti-COVID vaccines, we ask you to stop what you are doing," the government's coronavirus task force said in a statement. "The long arm of the law will soon catch up on you." https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/philippines-covid-19-illegal-sale-vaccine-shots-slots- 14864154

Filipinos urged not to be ‘brand conscious’ on COVID-19 vaccines

Published May 22, 2021, 3:58 PM by Jhon Aldrin Casinas Filipinos should not be “brand conscious” when it comes to vaccines against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) because all of them have been thoroughly evaluated by experts.

Dr. Lulu Bravo, executive director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, made the statement in an interview over TeleRadyo on Saturday, May 22, amid the issue of announcing the brands of the vaccines to be used in the vaccination sites.

“Maski anong kunin mo, hindi ka naman talaga sigurado na ‘yun talaga ang masasabing pinaka effective dito sa Pilipinas (No matter what vaccine you choose, you are not really sure that that is really the most effective here in the Philippines),” Bravo said.

“Nagiging brand conscious na tayo…hindi dapat ganun. Ang bakuna, buhay mo ang nakasalalay diyan. Buhay ang nakasalalay dito at ‘yan ay pinag-usapan nang husto ng ating mga eksperto (We are becoming brand conscious… it shouldn’t be like that. Your life depends on the vaccine. Your life depends on it and that has been reviewed a lot by our experts,” she added.

In a recently issued survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), 51 percent of Filipino adults have indicated that they are “confident” of the government’s evaluation of the COVID-19 vaccines.

However, the nationwide poll results also showed that only 33 percent have expressed their willingness “willing” to get inoculated, while 35 percent are “uncertain”, and 33 percent are “unwilling” to get the jab.

Among those who are “unwilling” to be inoculated, 30 percent have responded that they afraid of the possible side effects of the vaccine.

The health expert believes that what the people read about the vaccines’ side effects and its differences from other jabs have fueled the public’s doubts of getting the vaccine.

“Lahat naman ng bakuna may side effects. Walang bakuna na walang kang sasabihing side effects (All vaccines have side effects. There is no vaccine that you can says that it has no side effect),” Bravo said.

“Hindi ‘yan dapat ang isipin nila. Mahalaga ang bakuna (That’s not what they should think. The vaccine is important),” she added. https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/22/filipinos-urged-not-to-be-brand-conscious-on-covid-19-vaccines/

Philippines, US eye collaboration in vaccine manufacturing, distribution Louella Desiderio (The Philippine Star ) - May 22, 2021 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine and US governments are exploring areas of collaboration in vaccine manufacturing and distribution as jabs remain in limited supply amid the pandemic.

In a statement yesterday, the Philippine embassy in Washington said it recently organized a virtual forum with the US government to provide a platform for pharmaceutical and logistics companies to learn about the tools and products available through the US International Development Finance Corp. (DFC) and US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to support their growth and expansion plans across the entire vaccine development, manufacturing and distribution value chain.

The forum was also attended by officials of the Philippines’ Board of Investments, Department of Health, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Food and Drug Administration and private sector participants including IG Biotech, Lloyd Laboratories, Unilab, Roche Philippines, Sydenham Laboratories, New Marketlink Pharmaceutical Corp., Royal Cargo, Philippine pharmaceutical industry associations, as well as cold chain and logistics firms.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and the limited global supply of vaccines have magnified the importance of building domestic capacity that would ensure some degree of vaccine self-reliance critical to prepare countries to deal with future pandemics,” Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said.

While Washington has provided assistance to the Philippines’ COVID-19 response through the additional P170-million funding from the US Agency for International Development to further support vaccine delivery through the COVAX Facility; empowerment of Filipino health workers; boosting of testing and treatment capabilities and the expansion of water, sanitation and hygiene services, DFC and USTDA see opportunities for collaboration in the vaccine space.

DFC, which partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the challenges faced by developing countries, launched the Global Health and Prosperity Initiative last year to encourage proposals from private sector firms in need of support for health-related investments. “Through the initiative, our goal is to mobilize the private sector investment to support global health resilience worldwide. The agency is seeking to invest between $5 million and $500 million per eligible project through our agency’s full range of financial tools, and our goal in the next three years is to commit up to $2 billion across eligible projects,” Nafisa Jiwani, DFC managing director for health Initiatives, said.

Verinda Fike, USTDA regional director for Indo-Pacific, said the Philippines has grown to be the most active portfolio in Southeast Asia as the agency helps companies create US jobs through export of goods and services for development projects in emerging economies.

“We have so much demand that we are really working closely with the Philippine government currently to set up an office at the US embassy in Manila, hopefully by the end of this year,” Fike said.

The Philippines has come up with a vaccine development and manufacturing roadmap and is looking for suitable investment partners for technology transfer, capacity-building and financing.

Science Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara said in the medium term, the DOST Pharma Center is seen to bridge the gap between academe and the industry for pharmaceutical development.

“We are also establishing the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines through a law,” Guevara said.

Involving the private sector can complement the aid efforts seen across the board and promote sustainable investments in preparedness and health care delivery in order to build resiliency to respond and prevent future outbreaks, Jiwani said, underscoring the critical role that the DFC plays.

DFC director for Indo-Pacific Erin Murphy expressed hope the beginning of the conversation would result in continued collaboration between the two countries to develop a resilient health care sector in the Philippines. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/05/22/2099996/philippines-us-eye-collaboration-vaccine- manufacturing-distribution

Malaysia running out of ICU beds for Covid-19 patients

By New Straits Times - May 22, 2021 @ 9:44pm

A view of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Specialist Children's Hospital (HPKK). - Pic source: Facebook/DGHisham KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is running out of intensive care unit (ICU) beds to treat Covid-19 patients as the number of category 4 and 5 cases requiring critical care beds continues to surge.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry recorded a 60 per cent increase in ICU admissions nationwide compared to the previous two weeks.

He said Klang valley recorded a higher increase of 94 per cent compared to the last two weeks.

"The utilisation rate of ICU beds in the Klang Valley hospitals is now over 100 per cent," he wrote on his Facebook page.

As a measure to address the sharp increase in Covid-19 category 4 and 5 cases requiring admission to the ICUs, he said the ministry's top management had met with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to discuss the possibility of using UKM's Specialist Children's Hospital (HPKK) as a Covid-19 hospital.

This, he said was made possible with the Emergency Ordinance 2021 in place. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/05/692245/malaysia-running-out-icu-beds-covid-19- patients

Indian villagers turn to unlicensed clinics as COVID spreads to the countryside

Adnan Abidi 2 minute read

1/4 A man sits next to his wife, who is suffering from fever as she receives treatment at a clinic set up by a local villager, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Parsaul village in Greater Noida, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, May 22, 2021. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi Read More

An Indian former hospital worker with no medical education is running a small unlicensed clinic, tending to patients with breathing difficulties and checking their oxygen levels as they lie on cots on the mud floor.

https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian-villagers-turn-unlicensed-clinics-covid-spreads- countryside-2021-05-22/

Climbing guide says at least 100 people infected with coronavirus on Mount Everest

• Lukas Furtenbach of Austria gave the first comprehensive estimate amid official Nepalese denials of a Covid-19 cluster • China last week cancelled climbing from its side of Mount Everest over fears the virus could be spread from the Nepalese side

An expert climbing guide said on Saturday that a coronavirus outbreak on Mount Everest has infected at least 100 climbers and support staff, giving the first comprehensive estimate amid official Nepalese denials of a Covid-

Lukas Furtenbach 19of Austria,cluster onwho the last world’s week highestbecame peak. the only prominent outfitter to halt his Everest expedition over virus fears, said one of his foreign guides and six Nepali Sherpa guides have tested positive.

confirmed from (rescue) pilots, from insurance, from doctors, from expedition leaders I have the positive tests so we can prove this “I think with all the confirmed cases we know now – – ,” Furtenbach said https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3134515/climbing-guiin Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. de-says-least-100-people- infected-coronavirus

Mapping the Coronavirus Outbreak Across the World Updated: May 23, 2021, 10:20 AM GMT+8

Brazil 2,131 76,307 N/A N/A

U.K. 1,956 68,406 2,592.3 2.5

U.S. 1,786 100,232 1,325.0 2.8

France 1,602 88,441 N/A 6.0

Germany 1,087 45,485 736.2 8.0

Russia 818 34,769 925.1 8.1

India 225 20,044 247.4 0.5

Japan 97 5,688 102.0 13.1

Mainland China 3 65 N/A 4.3

Testing data as of May 21, 2021, 8:42 PM GMT+8 Sources: OECD for number of hospital beds (2016 for the U.S., 2017 for other countries), government agencies and the COVID Tracking Project via Our World in Data for testing data (various recent dates) (reported in the past 45 days) and the U.S. Census Bureau for population figures (2019).

The world is bracing for a new wave of Covid-19 infections, as the coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 165 million people and killed more than 3.4 millionglobally since late January 2020. Efforts many countries took to stamp out the pneumonia-like illness led to entire nations enforcing lockdowns, widespread halts of international travel, mass layoffs and battered financial markets. Recent attempts to revive social life and financial activities have resulted in another surge in cases and hospitalizations, though new drugs and improved care may help more people who get seriously ill survive.

01002003004001 yrDays since 100 confirmed cases1001,00010,000100,0001,000,00010,000,00030,000,000CasesMainland ChinaSouth KoreaJapanFranceSingaporeSpainU.K.Hong KongU.S.AustraliaBrazilIndiaRussiaTaiwanNew Zealand Note: JHU CSSE reporting began on January 22, 2020, when mainland China had already surpassed 500 cases. Source: Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering 166,444,966 Confirmed cases worldwide 3,449,807 Deaths worldwide Jurisdictions with cases confirmed as of May 23, 2021, 10:20 AM GMT+8 1–99

100–999

1,000–9,999

10,000–99,999

100,000–999,999

1,000,000–9,999,999 10 million or more Where deaths have occurred Deaths Cases U.S. 589,702 33,103,373 Brazil 448,208 16,047,439 India 295,525 26,289,290 Mexico 221,597 2,395,330 U.K. 127,978 4,476,297 Italy 125,153 4,188,190 Russia 116,144 4,935,302 France 108,345 5,979,597 Germany 87,320 3,653,019 Colombia 84,228 3,210,787 Spain 79,620 3,636,453 Iran 78,381 2,823,887 Where deaths have occurred Deaths Cases Argentina 73,688 3,514,683 Poland 72,882 2,864,546 Peru 67,569 1,915,566 Show more Note: Totals for Denmark, France, the Netherlands, the U.K., and the U.S. include overseas territories and other dependencies. Cases and deaths for cruise ships have been separated in accordance with JHU CSSE data.

The epicenter of the pandemic has continued to shift throughout the year, from China, then Europe, then the U.S., and now to developing countries like Brazil. Cases globally surpassed 10 million in late June, but ever since infections have been multiplying faster. The U.S. and India have the most infections, accounting for more than a third of all cases combined.

Global Cases Added Per Day New cases: 607,596 Jan 21, 2020 May 21, 2021 India New cases: 257,299 Jan 21, 2020 May 21, 2021 Brazil 76,855 U.S. 28,341 Iran 11,250 Russia 8,811 Germany 8,096 U.K. 2,708 France 270 Mainland China 10 Note: On February 14, 2020, Hubei officials changed their diagnostic criteria, resulting in a spike in reported cases.

Countries took drastic measures to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 on their homefront— with varying degrees of success. More than 140 governments placed blanket bans on incoming travelers, closed schools and restricted gatherings and public events, according to data compiled by Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government and Bloomberg reporting. As countries loosen lockdowns in an effort to reboot their economies, many have seen a resurgence of infections. The number of new daily cases in the U.S. rose to record highs after some states relaxed social distancing requirements. Even places that successfully contained infections earlier in the year, like China and South Korea, have seen cases bubble back up. Theories that warmer weather in the Northern Hemisphere would bring relief appear to be unfounded.

Mar 2020Jan 2021May 2100.5K1.0K1.5K2.0K2.5K3.0K3.5K4.0KNew deaths by dayU.S.IndiaRussiaU.K. Note: Shown are the 15 places with the highest totals of confirmed cases, as of May 21. Negative values resulting from governments revising their totals have been excluded from rolling average calculations.

The “worst is yet to come” given a lack of global solidarity, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, said at a briefing in Geneva on June 29.

In May, the WHO emphasized the need for a plan that includes testing for the virus and its antibodies, effective contact tracing and isolation, and community education. Antibody tests on the market that could potentially indicate a person’s immunity have been unreliable so far. Researchers and drugmakers are racing to develop treatments that could hold the key to recovery.

Gilead Sciences Inc.’s antiviral remdesivir is one of the first widely used drugs for Covid- 19. It received an emergency use authorization from U.S. regulators in May, after a trial found it sped recovery by about four days in hospitalized patients. It was also part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s treatment after he tested positive for the coronavirus in early October, along with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s antibody cocktail and the generic drug dexamethasone.

Vaccines are also in development, though the study of one leading candidate from the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca Plc is on hold in the U.S. while regulators investigate a potential safety issue. https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-coronavirus-cases-world-map/?srnd=coronavirus

Covid map: Coronavirus cases, deaths, vaccinations by country

By The Visual and Data Journalism Team BBC News

Covid-19 is continuing to spread around the world, with more than 165 million confirmed cases and three million deaths across nearly 200 countries.

The US, India and Brazil have seen the highest number of confirmed cases, followed by France, Turkey, Russia and the UK. Very few places have been left untouched. Zoom to

Show 165,555,872cases3,430,955deaths 32,900,000 Circles show number of confirmed coronavirus cases per country. In the table below, countries can be reordered by deaths, death rate and total cases. In the coloured bars on the right-hand side, countries in which cases have risen to more than 10,000 per day are those with black bars on the relevant date. data in detail

Scroll table to see more data *Deaths per 100,000 people Filter:

New Cases 0 10 100 1k 10k Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases ** US 585,907 179.1 32,908,079 JAN 2020 MAY 2021 Brazil 444,094 212.0 15,894,094 India 291,331 21.5 26,031,991 Mexico 221,080 175.2 2,390,140 UK 127,701 190.2 4,455,221 Italy 124,810 205.9 4,178,261 Russia 115,393 79.2 4,917,906 France 108,314 166.7 5,568,551 Germany 87,144 104.8 3,640,687 Colombia 83,233 167.6 3,177,212 Spain 79,601 170.5 3,631,661 Iran 77,994 95.3 2,804,632 Argentina 72,699 163.9 3,447,044 Poland 72,500 191.2 2,861,351 Peru 67,253 210.2 1,910,360 South Africa 55,568 96.2 1,625,003 Ukraine 51,069 115.4 2,232,384 Indonesia 48,887 18.3 1,758,898 Turkey 45,626 55.4 5,160,423 Czech Republic 29,990 281.2 1,656,874 Romania 29,777 152.7 1,074,297 Hungary 29,380 302.7 800,368 Chile 28,169 150.4 1,308,311 Canada 25,093 67.7 1,355,733 Belgium 24,794 215.9 1,041,706 New Cases 0 10 100 1k 10k Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases ** Pakistan 20,089 9.5 893,461 Ecuador 20,022 117.2 415,255 Philippines 19,641 18.4 1,165,155 Netherlands 17,523 102.7 1,617,106 Bulgaria 17,447 247.4 416,055 Portugal 17,014 165.9 843,729 Iraq 16,102 41.9 1,156,137 Egypt 14,559 14.8 250,391 Sweden 14,351 143.9 1,055,173 Bolivia 13,780 121.4 343,065 Bangladesh 12,284 7.6 785,194 Slovakia 12,272 225.0 388,391 Tunisia 12,089 104.5 331,674 Japan 12,010 9.4 707,233 Greece 11,641 110.6 385,444 Switzerland 10,762 126.2 686,152 Austria 10,527 118.4 639,616 Jordan 9,295 93.3 726,432 Morocco 9,109 25.3 516,091 Bosnia and 9,096 273.7 203,018 Herzegovina Paraguay 8,012 115.2 324,063 Guatemala 7,952 46.1 245,247 Croatia 7,828 188.3 352,692 Lebanon 7,658 111.6 537,437 Saudi Arabia 7,214 21.4 437,569 Serbia 6,739 96.5 708,878 Israel 6,396 76.3 839,281 Panama 6,314 151.2 372,800 Honduras 6,093 63.6 230,311 Moldova 6,061 149.6 254,379 Nepal 5,847 20.8 488,645 North Macedonia 5,265 252.8 154,937 Ireland 4,941 102.5 254,870 China 4,846 0.3 102,822 Azerbaijan 4,828 48.5 331,477 Georgia 4,540 113.4 334,705 New Cases 0 10 100 1k 10k Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases ** Armenia 4,364 147.8 221,559 Slovenia 4,345 209.1 250,811 Lithuania 4,155 148.3 268,684 Ethiopia 4,048 3.7 268,035 Costa Rica 3,736 74.7 296,632 Uruguay 3,691 107.0 253,941 Dominican Republic 3,600 33.9 280,994 Palestinian Territories 3,448 70.9 304,532 Kazakhstan 3,409 18.6 423,130 Algeria 3,401 8.1 126,156 Myanmar 3,216 6.0 143,183 Libya 3,102 46.4 182,649 Kenya 3,040 5.9 166,876 Afghanistan 2,772 7.5 64,575 Belarus 2,742 29.0 381,546 Sudan 2,568 6.1 34,889 Denmark 2,506 43.6 270,557 Venezuela 2,465 8.5 219,864 Albania 2,440 84.6 132,118 Latvia 2,301 119.3 129,794 Kosovo 2,242 121.5 106,712 Oman 2,239 46.4 208,607 El Salvador 2,206 34.4 72,220 Malaysia 2,099 6.7 492,302 Nigeria 2,067 1.1 165,901 South Korea 1,922 3.8 134,678 Kyrgyzstan 1,735 27.5 101,878 Syria 1,720 10.2 23,939 Kuwait 1,711 41.4 295,861 United Arab Emirates 1,642 17.0 551,430 Zimbabwe 1,585 11.0 38,635 Montenegro 1,569 249.9 99,098 Yemen 1,301 4.6 6,613 Zambia 1,265 7.3 92,754 Estonia 1,235 93.4 128,084 Cameroon 1,189 4.7 77,429 Malawi 1,153 6.4 34,251 New Cases 0 10 100 1k 10k Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases ** Senegal 1,128 7.1 40,961 Sri Lanka 1,089 5.1 154,786 Finland 929 16.8 90,946 Australia 910 3.7 30,000 Jamaica 902 30.7 47,672 Cuba 840 7.4 129,346 Mozambique 828 2.8 70,527 Luxembourg 809 133.9 69,465 Botswana 784 34.8 51,620 Ghana 783 2.6 93,456 Madagascar 783 3.0 40,519 Norway 781 14.6 120,797 Bahrain 780 49.7 209,293 DR Congo 779 0.9 30,757 Somalia 767 5.1 14,594 Namibia 739 30.2 51,827 Thailand 735 1.1 123,066 Angola 704 2.3 31,661 Uzbekistan 678 2.1 97,856 Eswatini 672 59.1 18,539 Qatar 539 19.4 214,463 Mali 512 2.7 14,226 Mauritania 457 10.4 19,011 Malta 417 94.9 30,491 Cyprus 350 29.4 71,610 Uganda 350 0.8 43,223 Rwanda 349 2.8 26,529 Guyana 349 44.8 15,743 Trinidad and Tobago 341 24.5 18,227 Belize 323 84.3 12,761 Lesotho 320 15.2 10,806 Ivory Coast 298 1.2 46,834 Haiti 276 2.5 13,598 Cape Verde 253 46.5 28,898 Guadeloupe 245 61.3 16,079 Mongolia 240 7.6 51,247 Suriname 240 41.7 12,571 New Cases 0 10 100 1k 10k Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases ** Bahamas 222 57.6 11,396 Niger 192 0.9 5,361 Nicaragua 185 2.9 7,193 Réunion 176 19.9 23,566 Gambia 175 7.7 5,968 Chad 173 1.1 4,918 Mayotte 171 65.9 20,176 Cambodia 165 1.0 24,157 Burkina Faso 165 0.8 13,408 Guinea 155 1.2 22,963 Papua New Guinea 154 1.8 14,910 Djibouti 152 15.9 11,485 Congo 150 2.9 11,476 Gabon 147 6.9 24,039 Comoros 146 17.5 3,864 French Polynesia 141 50.8 18,841 Andorra 127 164.9 13,569 Togo 125 1.6 13,340 Curaçao 122 75.0 12,266 South Sudan 115 1.0 10,652 Maldives 114 22.1 50,802 Equatorial Guinea 113 8.6 8,436 French Guiana 110 38.9 22,115 Aruba 106 100.1 10,892 Benin 101 0.9 8,025 Central African 96 2.1 7,010 Republic Gibraltar 94 278.8 4,286 Tajikistan 90 1.0 13,308 Martinique 90 24.0 11,669 San Marino 90 266.4 5,087 Channel Islands 86 50.4 4,059 Liberia 85 1.8 2,142 Sierra Leone 79 1.0 4,115 Saint Lucia 77 42.3 4,923 Guinea-Bissau 68 3.6 3,746 Liechtenstein 58 153.0 2,994 New Cases 0 10 100 1k 10k Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases ** Barbados 47 16.4 3,975 Antigua and Barbuda 42 43.6 1,255 Vietnam 39 0.0 4,809 Seychelles 35 36.0 9,764 Sao Tome and Principe 35 16.6 2,334 Singapore 32 0.6 61,730 Monaco 32 82.7 2,499 Bermuda 32 51.0 2,483 Iceland 29 8.6 6,555 Isle of Man 29 34.5 1,591 Saint Martin 27 72.5 2,346 New Zealand 26 0.5 2,662 Tanzania 21 0.0 509 Turks and Caicos 17 45.1 2,407 Islands Mauritius 17 1.3 1,288 Taiwan 15 0.1 2,825 Eritrea 14 0.4 3,906 Diamond Princess 13 712 cruise ship St Vincent and the 12 10.9 1,954 Grenadines Timor-Leste 11 0.9 5,121 Burundi 6 0.1 4,418 Fiji 4 0.5 190 Brunei 3 0.7 235 Laos 2 0.0 1,751 Cayman Islands 2 3.1 574 MS Zaandam cruise 2 9 ship Bhutan 1 0.1 1,338 Saint Barthelemy 1 10.2 1,005 Faroe Islands 1 2.1 670 British Virgin Islands 1 3.4 248 Grenada 1 0.9 161 Montserrat 1 20.0 20 Vanuatu 1 0.3 4 New Cases 0 10 100 1k 10k Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases ** Dominica 0 0.0 184 New Caledonia 0 0.0 125 Anguilla 0 0.0 109 Falkland Islands 0 0.0 63 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 0.0 46 Greenland 0 0.0 34 Vatican 0 0.0 27 Saint Pierre and 0 0.0 25 Miquelon Solomon Islands 0 0.0 20 Marshall Islands 0 0.0 4 Samoa 0 0.0 3 Micronesia 0 0.0 1 Show more Note: The map, table and animated bar chart in this page use a different source for figures for France and the UK from that used by Johns Hopkins University, which results in a slightly lower overall total. US figures do not include Puerto Rico, Guam or the US Virgin Islands.

Confirmed cases have been rising steeply since the middle of last year, but the true extent of the first outbreaks in 2020 is unclear because testing was not then widely available. The 100 millionth Covid case was recorded at the end of January - about a year after the first officially diagnosed case of the virus.

Deaths have also been rising, however official figures may not fully reflect the true number in many countries. Data on excess deaths, a measure of how many more people are dying than would be expected based on the previous few years, may give a better indication of the actual numbers in many cases.

Who has vaccinated the most? Several coronavirus vaccines have been approved for use, either by individual countries or groups of countries, such as the European Union and the World Health Organization (WHO). Of the 189 countries and territories administering vaccines and publishing rollout data, 66 are high-income nations, 100 are middle-income and 23 low-income. The map below, using figures collated by Our World in Data - a collaboration between Oxford University and an educational charity - shows the total number of doses given per 100 people, mostly first doses.

Global vaccine rollout Click or tap the map Reset Total doses per 100 people No data 0 10 20 30 40 50+ Scroll table Filter table:

Location Doses per 100 people Total doses World 20.4 1,590,731,528 China 32.4 468,888,399 US 83.5 279,397,250 India 13.6 187,886,885 UK 87.6 58,489,834 Brazil 26.3 55,960,152 Germany 52.0 43,549,672 France 45.7 30,883,216 Italy 48.6 29,409,913 Turkey 32.1 27,083,374 Russia 17.2 25,166,959 Mexico 19.4 24,988,066 Indonesia 8.8 24,033,424 Spain 50.3 23,503,085 Location Doses per 100 people Total doses Canada 52.6 19,841,562 Poland 45.6 17,254,902 Chile 89.4 17,083,965 Saudi Arabia 35.7 12,436,389 Morocco 32.6 12,015,720 United Arab Emirates 119.5 11,822,054 Israel 121.9 10,549,741 Argentina 23.3 10,549,521 Bangladesh 5.9 9,650,852 Japan 6.3 7,990,398 Colombia 15.5 7,862,802 Hungary 79.1 7,644,400 Netherlands 44.4 7,600,981 Romania 36.5 7,026,106 Belgium 49.5 5,737,676 South Korea 10.3 5,255,441 Portugal 47.9 4,888,521 Pakistan 2.1 4,747,033 Greece 45.3 4,716,739 Czech Republic 41.9 4,488,482 Sweden 43.9 4,437,814 Austria 48.8 4,393,804 Serbia 61.5 4,184,634 Switzerland 42.4 3,673,576 Cambodia 21.5 3,590,729 Dominican Republic 32.2 3,488,131 Singapore 58.2 3,407,068 Australia 13.2 3,371,728 Philippines 3.0 3,299,470 Denmark 49.7 2,878,240 Peru 8.5 2,799,717 Kazakhstan 14.7 2,754,555 Thailand 3.8 2,648,256 Myanmar 4.7 2,543,762 Nepal 8.7 2,539,590 Finland 45.7 2,533,353 Mongolia 77.0 2,522,900 Uruguay 71.8 2,492,672 Malaysia 7.4 2,384,183 Iran 2.8 2,329,379 Norway 41.9 2,271,224 Slovakia 40.8 2,226,477 Location Doses per 100 people Total doses Qatar 76.0 2,190,807 Ireland 38.9 1,922,913 Nigeria 0.9 1,894,794 Azerbaijan 18.7 1,891,703 Kuwait 42.6 1,820,000 Sri Lanka 8.0 1,707,323 Ecuador 9.2 1,627,070 El Salvador 23.8 1,543,904 Bahrain 90.0 1,531,600 Ethiopia 1.3 1,501,724 Croatia 35.3 1,450,169 Jordan 13.9 1,419,950 Uzbekistan 4.2 1,412,312 Lithuania 50.8 1,383,714 Egypt 1.3 1,371,976 Costa Rica 24.6 1,251,900 Bulgaria 17.6 1,225,601 Bolivia 10.2 1,194,572 Ukraine 2.4 1,031,728 Vietnam 1.0 1,011,395 Kenya 1.8 948,980 Slovenia 44.3 921,918 Panama 20.4 882,282 Zimbabwe 5.8 867,396 Ghana 2.7 852,047 Cuba 6.5 740,000 Albania 24.5 703,743 Tunisia 5.8 684,173 Angola 2.1 681,502 Lebanon 9.6 651,850 Estonia 46.6 617,882 South Africa 1.0 597,406 Latvia 30.4 574,129 Laos 7.7 563,466 Afghanistan 1.3 504,502 Bhutan 62.5 482,308 Cyprus 54.3 476,020 Palestinian Territories 9.3 475,965 New Zealand 9.8 474,435 Uganda 1.0 466,823 Maldives 84.3 455,940 Iraq 1.1 453,361 Location Doses per 100 people Total doses Belarus 4.8 450,000 Malta 101.0 445,830 Senegal 2.6 435,504 Ivory Coast 1.6 418,455 Mozambique 1.3 393,105 Rwanda 2.7 350,400 Malawi 1.8 339,481 Oman 6.4 326,269 Guatemala 1.8 323,720 Venezuela 1.1 316,000 Luxembourg 48.6 304,062 Sudan 0.7 290,500 Taiwan 1.2 281,647 Togo 3.3 276,000 Moldova 6.8 275,627 Paraguay 3.4 240,584 Guinea 1.8 234,856 Iceland 65.9 225,051 Mauritius 17.3 220,646 North Macedonia 10.6 219,977 Equatorial Guinea 12.5 175,770 Nicaragua 2.5 166,350 Guyana 19.5 153,494 Montenegro 24.1 151,522 Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.2 136,965 Jamaica 4.6 135,473 Seychelles 133.8 131,546 Zambia 0.7 126,291 Somalia 0.8 124,471 Barbados 42.9 123,177 Niger 0.5 121,626 Georgia 2.9 117,289 Honduras 1.2 114,225 Libya 1.6 106,559 Jersey 96.3 97,366 Fiji 10.4 93,000 Mali 0.4 84,280 Isle of Man 94.5 80,356 Cayman Islands 114.6 75,284 Gibraltar 223.1 75,181 Algeria 0.2 75,000 Botswana 3.0 71,500 Location Doses per 100 people Total doses Tajikistan 0.7 70,517 Bermuda 106.9 66,564 Belize 16.7 66,387 Sierra Leone 0.8 64,966 Suriname 11.0 64,793 Trinidad and Tobago 4.5 62,985 Namibia 2.4 60,539 Guernsey 87.6 58,743 Kyrgyzstan 0.8 54,101 Cameroon 0.2 47,488 Kosovo 0.000 46,097 Comoros 5.2 44,975 Saint Lucia 24.2 44,362 Turkmenistan 0.7 41,993 San Marino 121.4 41,204 Congo 0.7 38,268 Lesotho 1.7 36,637 Liberia 0.7 36,404 Bahamas 9.2 36,000 Eswatini 3.0 35,227 Antigua and Barbuda 35.2 34,441 Dominica 47.2 33,949 Andorra 40.9 31,633 Timor-Leste 2.3 30,599 Monaco 73.0 28,663 Faroe Islands 55.2 26,977 Gambia 1.1 25,776 Turks and Caicos Islands 64.7 25,039 Tonga 22.4 23,712 Cape Verde 4.1 22,531 Samoa 10.4 20,553 Grenada 17.3 19,519 Armenia 0.6 19,249 Greenland 33.9 19,241 Saint Kitts and Nevis 35.1 18,695 Yemen 0.062 18,555 St Vincent and the Grenadines 16.1 17,893 Liechtenstein 42.8 16,333 Brunei 3.6 15,905 Mauritania 0.3 15,661 Solomon Islands 2.1 14,279 Anguilla 88.2 13,235 Location Doses per 100 people Total doses Djibouti 1.3 13,042 Sao Tome and Principe 5.6 12,374 Gabon 0.6 12,364 Papua New Guinea 0.1 11,537 DR Congo 0.013 11,155 Benin 0.088 10,683 Nauru 68.2 7,392 Saint Helena 116.8 7,091 South Sudan 0.057 6,403 Guinea-Bissau 0.3 5,889 Falkland Islands 126.5 4,407 Madagascar 0.014 3,890 Syria 0.014 2,500 Tuvalu 20.4 2,400 Montserrat 38.2 1,909 Central African Republic 0.014 667 British Indian Ocean Territory 0 0 British Virgin Islands 0 0 Burkina Faso 0 0 Burundi 0 0 Chad 0 0 Cook Islands 0 0 Eritrea 0 0 Haiti 0 0 Kiribati 0 0 Niue 0 0 North Korea 0 0 Pitcairn 0 0 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 0 0 Tanzania 0 0 Tokelau 0 0 Vanuatu 0 0 Vatican 0 0 Show more

This information is regularly updated but may not reflect the latest totals for each country. Total vaccinations refers to the number of doses given, not the number of people vaccinated. It is possible to have more than 100 doses per 100 population as some vaccines require two doses per person.

Source: Our World in Data, ONS, gov.uk dashboard

Last updated: 21 May 2021, 13:05 BST

Overall, China and the US have given the most doses, with almost 470 million and 280 million respectively, while India has administered almost 190 million so far. But when breaking the figures down by doses per 100 people in countries with a population of at least one million, Israel and the United Arab Emirates top the list.

Most countries are prioritising the over-60s, health workers and people who are clinically vulnerable. Some countries have secured more vaccine doses than their populations need, while other lower- income countries are relying on a global plan known as Covax, which is seeking to ensure everyone in the world has access to a vaccine. The Covax programme is currently 140 million doses short because of India's continuing Covid crisis. The Serum Institute of India (SII), the largest single supplier to the Covax scheme, has made none of its planned shipments since exports were suspended in March. • How fast is vaccination progress around the world?

Where are cases still high? With many countries now having started widespread vaccine rollouts, the number of daily cases is stable or falling in most regions. Asia, however, is the notable exception, mostly due to India's recent surge in cases.

Here's a breakdown of the situation by region: Asia Asia was the centre of the initial outbreak that spread from China in early 2020, but the number of cases and deaths there was initially lower than in Europe and North America. However, the recent surge in cases in India, Nepal and Japan is changing the picture. India, which has the second-highest number of cases in total after the US, is currently seeing about 260,000 new confirmed cases every day. The healthcare system is under extreme pressure, with hospitals at full capacity and daily reports of oxygen shortages.

The total number of coronavirus deaths reported in India is more than 291,000 - still well behind the numbers recorded in the US and Brazil. However, with many people avoiding testing, or struggling to access it, and deaths in rural areas often going unregistered, the actual death toll could already be much higher. • A visual guide to the Covid crisis in India As the chart below shows, India is far from the only country in Asia with rapidly climbing infections and many are experiencing the highest number of cases since the pandemic began. Thailand has also seen a spike in cases, centred on the country's prisons.

Europe Several European countries have seen spikes in Covid cases in recent months. But the number of daily infections has slowed in the worst affected countries, such as Turkey, France and Germany, and the overall trend in Europe is downward. Vaccine rollouts across the European Union have been problematic. There have been delays to deliveries and concerns over the safety of the Oxford-Astra Zeneca vaccine, which a number of countries have withdrawn from use or restricted to certain age groups.

France has changed the way it counts cases. Now, it only includes individuals testing positive rather than all positive tests - so multiple positive tests from the same person have been removed from the data. This means it is not included in the chart above, even though it has had around 5.5 million cases since the start of the pandemic - the highest in Europe. North America The US has recorded more than 33 million cases and nearly 590,000 deaths, the highest figures in the world. Daily cases now appear to be levelling off after a steep fall in February. Canada, which has a far lower death rate than the US, also experienced a recent surge. Daily cases there fell in January before rising in March and April.

Latin America In Latin America, there has been particular concern about a variant of the virus in Brazil. The country has recorded more than 15 million cases and 440,000 deaths - the world's second highest death toll - but the number of daily infections has slowed since March. Argentina has seen a recent surge in cases, prompting a new lockdown. There are now more cases per one million people in Argentina than in Brazil.

Middle East Several countries in the Middle East have had severe outbreaks of the virus, with Iran and Iraq having seen the highest numbers of deaths. Iran has the highest official death toll in the region and the country has recently experienced its biggest spike in cases. Israel, which has rolled out a highly successful vaccination programme, has seen its number of daily infections drop significantly in recent months.

Africa Africa has recorded more than 4.7 million cases and more than 125,000 deaths - but the true extent of the pandemic in many African countries is not known as testing rates are low. South Africa, with more than 1.6 million cases, is the worst affected country on the continent, according to official figures. Morocco, Tunisia, Ethiopia and Egypt have all recorded more than 250,000 cases. • Coronavirus in Africa tracker

Oceania Australia and New Zealand have been praised for their response to the pandemic, with both countries having seen comparatively few deaths. In a sign of how effective their lockdown measures have been, the average number of cases in both countries is similar to that in French Polynesia, a sprawling network of islands in the Pacific Ocean. Elsewhere in the region, Papua New Guinea saw a recent spike in infections, taking total cases there to more than 14,000.

How did coronavirus spread? Covid-19 was first detected in the city of Wuhan, China, in late 2019 but the outbreak spread quickly across the globe in the first months of 2020. It was declared a global pandemic by the WHO on 11 March 2020. A pandemic is when an infectious disease is passing easily from person to person in many parts of the world at the same time.

• UK LOOK-UP: How many cases in your area? • TESTING: What tests are available? • SYMPTOMS: What are they and how to guard against them? • VACCINE: How do I know the Covid vaccine is safe?

About this data The data used on this page comes from a variety of sources. It includes figures collated by Johns Hopkins University, data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, national governments and health agencies, as well as UN data on populations. When comparing figures from different countries it is important to bear in mind that not all governments are recording coronavirus cases and deaths in the same way. This makes like for like comparisons between countries difficult. Other factors to consider include: different population sizes, the size of a country's elderly population or whether a particular country has a large amount of its people living in densely- populated areas. In addition, countries may be in different stages of the pandemic.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51235105

Who are PH's true friends? By Marlen Ronquillo

May 23, 2021

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Marxists coined a term called "praxis" that essentially means the fusion of theory and practice. Say it and you practice it, that is the temporal definition. In the Book of James, there is an equivalent. Faith has to be backed up by deeds. Otherwise it is all nominal faith--and useless.

The two are recollected amid the polluted and hazy discussion on who, really, are the country's true friends. A foreign embassy apparatchik recently lamented that we don't even value our " true friends," referring to his country, whose friendship, he said, should be valued by Filipinos because it is the real thing. Why, we even composed a song to celebrate that historic friendship. To that, Filipinos have responded, "Talk is cheap."

There are really no definitive metrics by which we can really measure true friendship - true friendship bestowed on us by foreign countries and international institutions in particular. Because of that lack, the closest thing that we can use as a gauge is this: who are the generous givers of official development assistance (ODA), which is considered as the " gold standard" in measuring foreign aid? ODA, remember, comes in the form of concessional loans and grants and the giver-country or giver- institution delivers ODA with the most magnanimous of intentions and the least of self-interest.

Based on the news archives, the most generous ODA givers as of the third quarter of 2020, the latest figures, were the following: Japan with $11.2 billion; the Asian Development Bank (ADB), $8.5 billion; and the World Bank, $5.3 billion.

The rest gave below the $1-billion level. South Korea was fourth with $700 million in concessional loans and grants.

It was the same story of generous ODA delivery in the third quarter report of 2019: Japan, $8.5 billion; ADB, $5.7 billion; and WB, $4.3 billion. From the 4th ODA giver down to the 10th placer, loans and grants were all below the $1-billion level.

In the third quarter report on ODA deliveries in 2018, it was a repeat of the 2020 and 2019 reports, but with a tweak. The World Bank was the second most generous giver and the ADB was third. They were also the givers of the only grants and loans in the billion-dollar level.

It is also important to note that while the ADB has its headquarters in Manila, it has always been led by a Japanese. And the decision-making process is heavily influenced by Japan. And that gives more weight to Japan' ODA-giving. In this Covid regime, one fact stands out: the RITM, or the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, was established in 1981 through a generous grant from Japan. We all remember the RITM, which served as the only Covid infection-testing site after the first cases were reported from Wuhan.

The spirit that drives the ODA is giving, not taking.

And it is also in this light that we have to take note of the fact that in the Philippines, the gift that keeps on coming also originates from overseas - the blood and sweat of our overseas Filipino workers, the OFWs in the various diasporas that prop up the national economy via their jumbo remittances.

What are the top sources of overseas remittances, which as a share of the national economy are in the 10 percent level? The Philippines, take note of this, is the only country in the world where OFW remittances have an outsized role in shoring up the broader economy.

From the time the WB migration desk found a way to accurately track overseas global remittances, the undisputed top sender of hard currency to the Philippines has been the United States. Filipinos in the US used to send roughly 50 percent of total remittances. There were even years when Filipino-Americans sent more hard currency to the country than the second to 10th top senders combined. Although the level of US remittances is not on that scale over the past few years, it is still in the 37 percent to 40 percent of the yearly total. In 2019, it was 37 percent of the total. It was 39 percent in 2020. The second and third big senders have been Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

So a claim of "true friendship" from any other country or institution that does not fall under either of the two categories - a generous ODA giver or a major source of hard currency on a sustained basis - does not wash. While there are no metrics that measure true friendship, there are certain acts and gestures that suggest/telegraph virtuous intent and noble intent. In contrast, there are acts and gestures that suggest, as the Bard said of Brutus, "vehement intent."

Such as grabbing Philippine territories and building military garrisons in those areas.

Such as depriving Filipino fishermen of their fishing grounds and terrorizing them when they venture into the same fishing grounds that have been fished by their ancestors from time immemorial. https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/05/23/opinion/columns/who-are-phs-true-friends/1800310

China’s great power ambitions

BREAKTHROUGH - Elfren S. Cruz (The Philippine Star ) - May 23, 2021 - 12:00am Several books, including John Mearsheimer’s The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, have shown that throughout history, Great Powers have always tried to achieve regional hegemony. This has never been done peacefully since neighboring countries will always try to resist. History has shown some of these attempts, like Napoleon in Europe, Japan in East Asia, Russia in Eastern Europe and America in the Western Hemisphere.

It should be expected that China, with its rise as an economic superpower, will seek to dominate Asia, especially East and South Asia just as previous imperial powers have done.

In 1823, the United States issued the Monroe Doctrine which became the cornerstone of its foreign policy. This policy was enunciated by then American president James Monroe. Among the basic points in the doctrine was that any attempt by a European power to oppress or control any nation in the Western Hemisphere would be viewed as a hostile act by the United States. One example of the implementation of this act was the blockade of Cuba by American forces when Russia tried to ship missiles to Cuba in the 1960s.

It is clear that China is already beginning to impose its own version of the Monroe Doctrine in Asia. It is therefore only logical to assume that China will also try to push the United States out of the Asia Pacific region. China will also try to make itself so powerful that even the larger countries who are its neighbors will not be able to challenge its power. During the time of Deng Xiaoping, China kept a low profile and avoided generating fear among its neighbors or the United States. During this “honeymoon” period, neighboring countries and even America thought that China would become a reliable partner in bringing peace to the region.

Since then, however, China has been involved in a number of contentious territorial disputes with India and Japan. It has also physically grabbed territories in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea which has alarmed its neighbors and the international community. It has refused to accept the concept of freedom of navigation in the territories it has grabbed and thus endanger shipping in one of the world’s most important shipping lane. Almost anything that China does now to improve its military capabilities will be seen by Beijing as defensive actions; but, in places like Washington, Tokyo, Hanoi, New Delhi, Sydney and the European Union, it will appear offensive in nature. This means that other nations will conclude that Beijing is not only determined to acquire significant offensive capabilities but has offensive and territorial intentions as well.

Mearsheimer believes that Chinese leaders believe it is compelled to react vigorously because they believe that these disputes concern China’s sovereignty and there is strong public sentiment on these issues. He notes that “…since 2008, the Chinese government has become increasingly reluctant to constrain the expression popular nationalism and more willing to follow the popular nationalist calls for confrontation against the Western powers and its neighbors.”

China’s neighbors will have three options – submit to a rising China, join the alliance to contain China’s aggression or remain neutral. This will not be possible because everyone will have to take sides. All these states which are weaker than China and America will need a powerful protector in the event their security is threatened.

The most logical alliance for the Philippines is the Quad, the four countries – India, United States, Japan, Australia – whose objective is to contain China’s expansionist threat. The main reason is that the Quad has no territorial ambitions of acquiring Philippine territory by force while China has already taken Scarborough Shoal by force and is now threatening to do the same in Juan Felipe Reef.

The other aspect of this rivalry in the Asia Pacific region is also ideological. China is not only authoritarian, but it is also publicly propagating authoritarianism as a model for developing countries. The QUAD and its allied countries have governments primarily based on the liberal democratic model which the Philippines adheres to through its Constitution.

The world should also remember that a superpower cannot impose its will on another country and necessarily win. Even small countries have been able to resist superpowers and remain unconquered. Think of Cuba and Venezuela against America, and Vietnam and Taiwan against China.

Plants and greenhouse gases My last column was on climate disaster. I reproduced a table that shows the different sources of greenhouse gases. Surprisingly the item that caused the most comments from readers was the inclusion of plants as one of the sources of greenhouse gas emissions. That is why I decided to give a brief explanation.

First, the category of plants does not include trees. Perhaps that is why the justification for cutting down some ipil ipil trees in the Nayong Pilipino compound has been justified by its proponents because these are considered plants not trees.

Certain varieties or types of plants emit nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas that affects the ozone layer and the earth’s climate. Interdisciplinary research team from the University of Applied Sciences Bingen and Heidelberg University have looked more closely at at the source of this gas. The result of the study is that it is the earth’s flora that contributes to the greenhouse gas effects. Unlike human induced global warming, this process is part of a natural effect.

Nitrous oxide is not the same as carbon dioxide; but it still has the same effect in causing the emissions of greenhouse gases. This forms a very small percentage of the greenhouses gases. The overwhelming majority is still caused by man-made activities, especially manufacturing and producing electricity. https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2021/05/23/2100189/chinas-great-power-ambitions

What’s the fuss about Julian Felipe Reef?

By: Artemio V. Panganiban - @inquirerdotnet

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:03 AM May 23, 2021 This question has evoked confusing answers. Let me try to clarify them based on my humble understanding of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of known stance. the Sea (Unclos), the July 12, 2016 Arbitral Award (AA), our local laws, and China’s To begin with, coastal states are granted by Unclos an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to their adjoining sea computed at 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) seaward from their baselines (shores) at low waterline (low tide).

ADVERTISEMENT They are given sovereign rights to develop and exploit the marine resources therein like fish, oil, and minerals, but not ownership and sovereignty. This is akin to the right to enjoy the trees, plants, and fruits borne of a lease over a piece of but not to the Torrens title thereto. land adjacent to one’s home, about 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan. Thus, it lies within our EEZ. Julian Felipe Reef (English name: Whitsun, Chinese name: Niu’e Jiao) is located Nonetheless, Whitsun is alleged to be within the territorial sea (TS) of McKennan entitles an HTE to a TS of 12 nautical miles around its shores. In contrast, Whitsun, Reef which was judged by the AA to be a “High Tide Elevation” (HTE). Unclos -

Unclosas a “Low alsoTide states Elevation” that the (LTE),TS of an does HTE not is generatesuperior toa TS. the overlapping EEZ of a state. Thus, the TS may be deemed an “independent” enclave or pocket within the state that has sovereignty over an HTE is entitled to all the living and nonliving EEZ of such state. And under the Unclos principle of “land dominates the sea,” the resources in its TS.

To be clear, the dispositive portion of the AA, specifically Paragraph 1203-B-3-b,

“finds” six HTEs in the contested Spratlys: “Scarborough Shoal, Gaven Reef (North), McKennan Reef, Johnson Reef, Cuarteron Reef, and Fiery Cross Reef…” Under its so- nine- over McKennan, the nearby Hughes Reef, and Whitsun; in fact, over almost the called “ dash line,” China asserts ownership of and sovereignty entire South China Sea (SCS) including our EEZ. China has upgraded Hughes with reclamations, airports, buildings, etc. of vessels and its recent ban on fishing in the SCS, an assertion disputed by us, By the same assertion, it justifies its “swarm” Vietnam, and the great powers of the world. judged to be an HTE by Paragraph 1203-B-3- Vietnam claims occupancy of and sovereignty over Sin Cowe “Island” that was Though not a party to the AA, it also claims sovereign rights over Whitsun, which f of the AA’s dispositive portion. allegedly lies within the TS of Sin Cowe.

Our claim over Whitsun is based on Presidential Decree No. 1596 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1978 before the Philippines signed the Unclos in

1982. This decree declared the “KALAYAAN ISLAND GROUP” (or Spratlys) PROVID[ED] FOR THEIR GOVERNMENT A including Whitsun to be “PART OF THE PHILIPPINE TERRITORY AND original) ND ADMINISTRATION.” (Caps in Consequently, if repeat, if China can prove its occupancy and sovereignty over Hughes/McKennan as an HTE, and their distances from Whitsun, then China may — — enjoy the TSs granted by Unclos to Hughes/McKennan. This is a question of fact that can be judged by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

https://opinion.inquirer.net/140495/whats-the-fuss-about-julian-felipe-reef

Neighbors united by trust DIPLOMATIC POUCH - Koshikawa Kazuhiko (The Philippine Star ) - May 23, 2021 - 12:00am Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and President Rodrigo Duterte held a summit telephone talk last May 19th. Although it was the Prime Minister’s strong wish to come to the Philippines this month, he had to postpone and focus on addressing a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Like the rest of the world, Japan and the Philippines must swiftly work towards resolving it and bring a semblance of normalcy to the daily lives of our peoples.

A productive discussion on Japan-Philippines economic cooperation, including the fight against the pandemic and regional affairs, also took place during the recent summit talk, the second discussion between the two leaders since their first exchange last December. The strong bond between Japan and the Philippines is that of neighbors united by trust, and it is an essential foundation of our diplomatic relations and cooperation. This bond shall allow us to continue building our trust as neighbors, as our countries share the fundamental values of freedom and democracy.

Japan and the Philippines have been working together to contain the spread of COVID-19, which has unfortunately affected the whole world. To date, Japan has provided the Philippines a total of $1 billion worth of assistance, including $2.6 million for the provision of medical equipment and supplies. Additionally, Japan has provided Avigan tablets free of charge for the joint clinical trials for finding an effective cure for COVID-19.

Prime Minister Suga has conveyed to President Duterte that Japan will disburse 20 billion yen more to the Philippine government as part of the Post- Disaster Standby Loan Phase 2 to support further Philippine economy and vulnerable people, who are severely affected by the pandemic. Additionally, Prime Minister Suga announced the allocation of an additional 1 billion yen to build a cold chain facility for the faster distribution of vaccines in the Philippines.

Another crucial area of cooperation we can explore for post-COVID-19 economic recovery is employment opportunities. Japan is currently struggling with a shortage in workforce brought about by a declining birth rate and aging population, while the Philippines is abounding in young and capable workers. This mutual, complementary relationship between our two countries can spark more dynamism in our people-to-people exchanges in the years to come. Not to be left behind in our ongoing cooperation is the “Build, Build, Build” program of the Duterte administration. Significant progress has been made in the Metro Manila Subway and the North-South Commuter Railway, two projects that would improve congestion in metropolitan areas and nearby regions. Last February, the tunnel boring machines for constructing the Subway arrived in Manila. Soon, these mass transit systems will hit the tracks and make Filipinos experience the convenience and quality of this Japan- Philippines cooperation project.

Japan’s assistance to the “Build, Build, Build” program started in January 2017 when former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo announced this massive support to the Philippines. Out of the one-trillion-yen worth of pledges in the public and private sectors to be implemented in five years, 940 billion yen worth of projects are already underway. The Philippines can be certain that Japan will continue to carry out our agreements in a fast and sure manner.

Carrying over the strong human security aspiration of the late Madame Ogata Sadako, former UN High Commissioner for Refugees and former JICA president, Japan has been consistently supporting peace in Mindanao over the past 20 years. To help realize stability in the region, we have given support in facilitating the top-level meeting between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2011, decommissioning the MILF combatants and weapons, developing road networks and improving livelihood. With the Mindanao peace process in its final phase, the Philippines has shown that lasting peace can be achieved through peaceful talks. It is our hope that a safe and peaceful everyday life for those in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao will become a reality.

On matters concerning security policy, Japan and the Philippines have a shared vision that promoting free and open seas and a rules-based international order are a precondition for peace, stability and prosperity. This was reiterated at the recent summit talk, during which both Prime Minister Suga and President Duterte concurred on close coordination for the promotion of both a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and “the ASEAN Outlook for the Indo- Pacific (AOIP),” and to work together closely towards the maintenance of peace and stability in the region under the rule of law such as the UNCLOS.

Prime Minister Suga expressed his opposition to the continued and strengthened unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. In line with this, Japan has contributed to human resource development for strengthening maritime law enforcement and has provided patrol vessels, high-speed boats and coastal radars to the Philippine Coast Guard in response to the Philippine government’s request.

This year, which marks the 10th anniversary of Strategic Partnership between Japan and the Philippines, is a turning point. The shared values of our countries have allowed this partnership to develop. As Japan looks forward to the next 10 years, we wish for the close cooperation between Japan and the Philippines – neighbors united by trust – to be strengthened even more. https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2021/05/23/2100185/neighbors-united-trust

What Explains America’s Antagonism Toward China?

May 21, 2021ZHANG JUN In the last few years, the view of China as a strategic rival has taken over the American political mainstream, with leaders largely choosing confrontation over cooperation. Two features of this shift stand out: how quickly it occurred, and the extent to which Americans – and their leaders – have united behind it.

SHANGHAI Last month, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee officially backed the Strategic Competition Act of 2021, which labels China a strategic competitor in a number of areas, including trade, technology,– and security. Given bipartisan support exceedingly rare in the United States nowadays Congress will most likely pass the bill, and President Joe Biden will sign it. With that, – . – TheAmerica’s Strategic antagonism Competition toward Act purpoChina would effectively become enshrined in US law

rts to highlight supposed “malign behaviors” in which little China of it engagesflattering to attainthan it an does “unfair about economic China. advantage” and the “deference” of other countries to “its political and strategic objectives.” In truth, the bill says a lot more about the US itself – –

Thepowerhouse, US used to successive take a sanguine US administrations view of China’s generally economic regarded development, China as recognizing a strategic thepartner, lucrative rather thanopportunities a competitor. that it represented. Even after China’s emergence as a political and economic

But, in the last few years, the view of China as a strategic rival has taken over the American political mainstream, with leaders largely choosing confrontation over cooperation. Two features of this shift stand out: how quickly it occurred, and the extent to which Americans and their leaders have united behind it. – – Ironically, the problem is partly rooted in extreme ideological polarization, which has impeded US transformation in the age of globalization and digitalization. These failures fueled popular frustrationpolitical leaders’ and social ability tensions, to govern creating effectively fertile and ground minimize for for themer social costs of structural . President Donald Trump’s Vilificationpopulist “America of China First” which, campaign unlike the US, prudently managed the risks of economic globalization to minimize the costs of structural change – administration. – was central to Trump’s electoral appeal. It is also perhaps the most notable feature of the Trump doctrine to have survived the transition to Biden’s https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/us-china-relations-strategic-competition-act-media-by- zhang-jun-2021-05

Biden's Worst Move Yet: Giving U.S. Vaccine Tech to China by Gordon G. Chang May 22, 2021 at 5:00 am

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▪ A TRIPs waiver will not only impede vaccine production at this moment, it will also cause long-term harm. There are two principal concerns in this regard. First, a waiver for COVID-19 vaccines will obviously decrease the incentive for companies to make vaccines for the next disease. "The recent rhetoric will not discourage us from continuing investing in science," wrote Bourla, the Pfizer chief. "But I am not sure if the same is true for the thousands of small biotech innovators that are totally dependent on accessing capital from investors who invest only on the premise that their intellectual property will be protected." ▪ Second, a TRIPs waiver will eliminate the most important of the barriers to China making sophisticated vaccines: patent protection. Reuters reports that the Biden administration does not want a waiver to aid the Chinese pharmaceutical industry and believes it can address this issue "through the WTO negotiations," but unfortunately it "did not specify how." ▪ Of course, the Biden administration cannot stop Chinese companies once patent protection is waived. Furthermore, Beijing is not going to adhere to the terms of the waiver. As Reuters tells us, "Enforcing limits on use of the technology could be very difficult." ▪ Chinese ruler Xi Jinping a year ago said China's vaccines would be made available as a "global public good," but Beijing has not offered them as such. Instead, China has offered its vaccines to other countries on extraneous and harsh conditions, such as de-recognition of Taiwan or the purchase of 5G networking gear from Huawei Technologies. ▪ So why should the United States support China's biological weapons program to enable another deadly attack? That is exactly what Biden is doing with his proposed TRIPs waiver. https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/17393/biden-giving-china-vaccine-tech Moon and Biden Must Revamp the U.S.-South Korea Alliance

CHUNG MIN LEE

Summary: When South Korean President Moon Jae-in meets U.S. President Joe Biden, North Korea will be on the agenda. But the two leaders should prioritize a broader range of issues. Related Media and Tools

• Print Page South Korean President Moon Jae-in is in Washington from May 21 to 22 for a crucial summit with U.S. President Joe Biden. Much of the world remains under the dark cloud of the pandemic. Global economic recovery is just beginning, but as shown by a huge shortage in computer chips, more resilient supply chains must be made. As the United States ponders how to counterbalance China and reformulate its Russia policy, North Korea and Iran continue to present challenges. While aware of Biden’s full foreign policy plate, Moon still wants to convince him that re-engaging with North Korea should be at the forefront of U.S. foreign policy priorities.

Biden is all for diplomacy with North Korea, as his national security team has repeatedly stated. But what Biden really wants is for South Korea to stand up as a truly globalized, model G20 country. Moon is only the second foreign leader (after Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga) to visit the White House since Biden took office. Biden is rolling out the red carpet for Moon because he needs the South Korean leader as a vital wingman during treacherous times. https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/05/21/moon-and-biden-must-revamp-u.s.-south-korea-alliance- pub-84590

In preparing Taiwan contingency, Tokyo must remain discreet • Taiwan and the merits of such a strategy. | BLOOMBERG • BYExperts YOICHI are FUNABASHI divided on the question of China’s ability to launch an invasion of • CONTRIBUTING WRITER • SHARE • May 22, 2021 The joint declaration issued during last month’s U.S.-Japan summit reads, in part: “We underscore the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encourage the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.” The last time that Taiwan was mentioned in a joint declaration was 52 years ago during the 1969 summit between U.S. President Richard Nixon and Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato. The 1969 statement read: “Prime Minister (Sato) said that the maintenance of peace and security in the Taiwan area was also a most important factor for the security of Japan.” Even compared to the relatively dry wording of the 1969 declaration, the 2021 statement struck a perfunctory tone. The U.S. side reportedly pushed for more explicit wording regarding U.S.-Japan coordination for Taiwan’s defense, but the Japanese side preferred more cautious phrasing.

Some in Washington have criticized the Japanese delegation’s constrained stance on the Taiwan issue. In the words of the Pentagon’s former China country desk officer, Joseph Bosco: “On the Senkakus, Tokyo recognized the need for strategic clarity to provide deterrence against Chinese adventurism. It urgently sought, and received, a public commitment that the U.S. security guarantee would extend to those uninhabited rocks. Yet, when it comes to Taiwan … Japan shies away from joining with the United States in an open commitment to resist Chinese aggression. The joint ambiguity simply encourages Beijing to keep pushing the military envelope … .” Ever since the Nixon administration, which sought closer ties with China to counter the Soviet Union, successive U.S. administrations have stuck to a basic policy of strategic ambiguity on the subject of the Taiwan Strait. “Strategic ambiguity” refers to a deliberate refusal to clarify whether or not the U.S. would hasten to Taiwan’s defense in the event of a Chinese military attack. It was devised as a means of simultaneously deterring both a declaration of independence by Taiwan and a Chinese offensive aimed at forcing Taiwan’s unification with the mainland. In the mid-1990s, China issued a pointed threat by launching missiles toward Taiwan in the lead-up to Taiwan’s presidential election. Top Clinton administration officials simply warned China that if it were to invade Taiwan: “We don’t know what we’d do. You don’t know what we’d do. It all depends on the situation.” Such language epitomizes the strategy of strategic ambiguity. Yet some are raising doubts about the actual effectiveness of strategic ambiguity. One such skeptic is Dr. Richard Haas, president of the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations. Writing in Foreign Affairs last autumn, Haas argued: “Ambiguity is unlikely to deter an increasingly assertive China with growing military capabilities.” Instead, “the time has come for the United States to introduce a policy of strategic clarity.” Specifically, Haas proposed stationing additional U.S. naval and air force personnel in the region, dispersing these forces to complicate Chinese planning and “mak(ing) preparing for a Taiwan contingency a top priority for Department of Defense planners.” Haas also recommended that the U.S. consult with Japan and South Korea to establish the types of assistance these U.S. allies could offer in the event of a Taiwan contingency.

Yet a transition to a policy of “strategic clarity” with regard to Taiwan carries its own risks.

To begin with, depending on how this clarity is introduced, China could overreact, setting off an arms race.

Next, the U.S. could fall into the redline trap if it presents strategic clarity as a kind of redline — and if it is perceived as such. Observing this redline would become a litmus test for American credibility.

Furthermore, such clarity is not very effective when it comes to gray zone geopolitical challenges involving cyberattacks, supply chain disruption and SNS-based battles for political influence. Here it would be wiser to adopt China’s specialty of deceptive planning.

Finally, we should not overestimate China’s abilities. Even experts are divided on the question of China’s ability to launch an invasion of Taiwan and the merits of its strategy. In Michael Beckley’s analysis, China would have difficulty bringing Taiwan to the point of capitulation regardless of whether it attempted a landing operation, a sea blockade or strategic bombing. Indeed, one scenario involves a war of attrition, with Taiwan employing a so-called “porcupine strategy” of making itself exceedingly painful to invade and surviving an onslaught until the arrival of American assistance.

Still, as China redoubles its efforts to establish sovereignty over Asian waters, Taiwan’s growing strategic value to both the U.S. and Japan is undisputable. Taiwan, the Senkaku Islands and Okinawa are vital points along the first island chain. In the event of a Taiwan crisis, the Senkakus and Okinawa will face the type of threat to national survival necessary for the exercise of collective self-defense.

Or, if Taiwan is lost, the U.S. will no longer be able to maintain a line of defense along the first island chain. This would signal the demise of the U.S. as a power in the western Pacific. It would also jeopardize the U.S.-Japan security alliance and the security of Japan’s sea lanes. During World War II, Douglas MacArthur referred to Taiwan, which faces the South China Sea and the East China Sea, as “an unsinkable aircraft carrier.” Today, Taiwan’s geostrategic position remains unchanged. The 1969 joint statement of Prime Minister Sato and U.S. President Nixon underlined American recognition of regional security issues ahead of the 1972 reversion of Okinawa to Japanese control and reconfirmed the continued strategic importance of U.S. military bases on Okinawa. The reference to Taiwan in the 2021 joint declaration is nothing other than a “new Taiwan statement,” which clearly takes into account a possible Taiwan contingency and the role of Japan.

It is precisely for this reason that we must keep our “words” discreet and quietly prepare for “actions” that serve the goals of deterrence and dialogue. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2021/05/22/commentary/world-commentary/taiwan-u-s-japan- defense/

The Indonesia factor in ASEAN’s response to Myanmar 21 May 2021

Author: Gibran Mahesa Drajat, Sophia University

ASEAN’s capacity to spearhead a collective response to a regional crisis was tested at the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting (ALM) in Jakarta on 24 April following the February coup in Myanmar. Facing backlash for its decision to invite Myanmar’s military junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing to the event, the stakes were high for ASEAN to find a unified stance on Myanmar’s rogue behaviour. But it was Indonesia’s leadership that made possible the resulting five-point consensus.

Hours before the release of the ALM chairman’s statement, Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo held a press conference outlining Indonesia’s position on Myanmar, which resembled the final draft of ASEAN’s collective statement. Several differences between Indonesia and the ALM chairman’s statement stand out.

First, Jokowi conveyed that the situation in Myanmar is ‘unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue’. The watered-down ALM statement stated a ‘deep concern on the situation in the country, including reports of fatalities and escalation of violence’.

Second, Jokowi called on the military government in Myanmar to cease its use of violence, while the ALM statement made no direct reference to the junta.

Third, Jokowi called for political prisoners to be released. The ALM chairman’s statement worded this as: ‘we also heard calls for the release of all political prisoners including foreigners’.

One of the biggest shortcomings of the ASEAN five-point consensus is the absence of a call for the junta to honour the results of the 2020 general elections that the National League for Democracy (NLD) won in a landslide. While Jokowi emphasised the Myanmar people as Indonesia’s priority, General Min Aung Hlaing’s inclusion in the ALM dashes any hope of restoring a pre-coup state of affairs. The ALM chairman’s statement confirms this. The ALM was convened on 19 March — five weeks after Jokowi called for an ASEAN special summit to discuss the political crisis in Myanmar. While the meeting was being arranged, the Myanmar military’s violent crackdown against protesters and civilians continued, with at least 739 deaths and 3331 arrests as of 21 April.

ASEAN’s collective stance on the Myanmar political crisis differs from its response during Myanmar’s 2007 Saffron Revolution. When anti-government protests grew in number across Myanmar in September 2007, the military government responded violently, culminating in an ASEAN chairmanship statement three weeks later. The statement singled out the Myanmar military government and expressed revulsion for what had transpired.

Yet despite Indonesia’s best efforts, the ALM chairman’s statement is less assertive than it was in 2007. Naypyidaw’s detachment from ASEAN after forfeiting its chairmanship position in 2006 encouraged ASEAN and its key member states at the time — Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines — to ensure that Myanmar ameliorated its human rights record before it was trusted with further engagement in ASEAN-led processes. https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/05/21/the-indonesia-factor-in-aseans-response-to-myanmar/

ADRi vTHD: “Enabling Health Solutions and Innovations to improve the Philippine Public Health System”

More than a year into this pandemic, the Philippines is again faced with another significant surge in COVID-19 cases. This surge no doubt has many concerned about the consequences for the national economy and the lives of millions of Filipinos.

This resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the country, despite being home to one the longest lockdowns in the world, has Filipinos looking for other innovative solutions to combatting this pandemic.

Globally, new vaccines, accurate testing kits, contact tracing apps, e-health services, and AI- powered public health management systems and technologies are the primary weapons utilized to combat the pandemic. Indeed, the impact of these innovations in the health care sector are pivotal to controlling the spread of COVID-19. On a broader level, they also improve the quality of health care, reduced costs, and improved access to public health services in general.

As the Philippines continues to face public health challenges, the Stratbase ADR Institute organized a virtual town hall discussion to bring attention to the importance of enabling health solutions and innovations to improve the Philippine Public Health system.

By bringing experts from the public, private, and civil society sector together in this discussion, it is our hope to raise awareness for the potential of current and future innovative solutions in the health sector, the challenges these solutions can address, and the strategies needed to enable them to make an impact. https://adrinstitute.org/2021/05/21/adri-vthd-enabling-health-solutions-and-innovations-to-improve- the-philippine-public-health-system/

Prosecute the Populists?

May 21, 2021NINA L. KHRUSHCHEVA As legal investigations of current and former populist leaders get underway, it is easy to succumb to schadenfreude. But the assumption that Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, and Sebastian Kurz are finally getting their comeuppance is premature.

MOSCOW Until the cease- Gaza, which may have suited Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who is facing trial on corruption– charges. And Netanyahufire, the world’s is hardly attention the only was populist trained leader on Israel’s in legal airstrikes peril. From on Austria to the United Kingdom to the United States, similar investigations are underway. Have democracies finally found the means, and the willingness, to vanquish their domestic enemies?

To answer that question, let us begin by looking at the poster child for anti-democratic populism: former US President Donald Trump. He is in the crosshairs of prosecutors in both New York (for potential tax and other business-related crimes) and Atlanta (for his efforts to overturn the 2020 US presidential election).

lso have targets on their backs. Rudolph W. Giuliani, aSome federal of Trump’s criminal closest investigation associates into a his dealings in Ukraine. the former mayor of New York City who became Trump’s personal lawyer, is facing If he is charged, Giuliani, who rose to prominence in the 1980s as a mafia-fighting federal prosecutor, will not be the first Trump crony to face criminal prosecution. He will follow airman, Paul Manafort, and his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn. The difference is that, with Trump no longer president, Giuliani cannot count on a pardon.Trump’s campaign ch

To Trump’s acolytes, such investigations are utterly illegitimate: the prosecutors are feelingrepresentatives schadenfreude: of a “deep after state” years bent of open on protecting contempt the for corruptUS law, Trumpelites from and ahi Trumps cronies are finallyadministration getting their that comeuppance.heroically stood up to them. Trump’s detractors, meanwhile, may be https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/justice-system-investigations-trump-johnson-kurz-by- nina-l-khrushcheva-2021-05

How Myanmar’s military took hold of the telecommunications sector to spy on citizens Documents reveal that telecom and Internet firms were ordered to deploy intercept spyware before the Feb. 1 coup

• By Fanny Potkin and Poppy McPherson / Reuters

In the months before the Myanmar military’s Feb. 1 coup, the country’s telecom and Internet service providers were ordered to install intercept spyware that would allow the army to eavesdrop on the communications of Burmese, sources with direct knowledge of the plan told Reuters.

The technology gives the military the power to listen in on calls, read text messages and e-mails, and track the locations of users without the assistance of telecom and Internet firms, the sources said.

The directives were part of a sweeping effort by the army to deploy electronic surveillance systems and exert control over the Internet with the aim of keeping tabs on political opponents, squashing protests and cutting off channels for any future dissent, they added.

Decisionmakers at the civilian Ministry of Transport and Communications, which delivered the orders, were former military officials, one industry executive with direct knowledge of the plans and another briefed on the matter said.

“They presented it as coming from the civilian government, but we knew the army would have control and were told you could not refuse,” the executive said, adding that officials from the military-controlled Ministry of Home Affairs also attended the meetings.

More than a dozen people with knowledge of the intercept spyware have been interviewed by Reuters. All asked to remain anonymous, citing fear of retribution from the military junta.

Neither representatives for the junta nor those for politicians attempting to form a new civilian government responded to requests for comment.

Budget documents from the past two years for the previous government led by Burmese State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, which were not disclosed publicly, contain details of a planned US$4 million purchase of intercept spyware products and parts, as well as sophisticated data extraction and telephone hacking technology. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2021/05/23/2003757878

In admiration of our 'Navy people'

By Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Reza Mohd Sany - May 22, 2021 @ 12:01am

The sacrifices of family members are not forgotten. - Pix courtesy of writer

When your workplace is a naval outpost some 300km from the mainland, being a frontliner is a given, in all but name. The term "frontliners" became perhaps the most popular word since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Initially, it referred to the amazing healthcare workers, who gave their all in trying to manage the massive Covid-19 cases. As time went on, the term had greatly expanded to include others who played an equally important role in trying to manage the pandemic.

They include those from the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Royal Malaysian Police and other agencies for their unwavering efforts in helping the country to persevere through the pandemic.

This article attempts to highlight just one particular agency whose relentless efforts and sacrifice, more often than not, go unnoticed.

A picture in this article shows a minute piece of real estate which belongs to Malaysia. The sovereignty of this real estate is protected by a small band of people, namely from the Royal Malaysian Navy. They have done so for almost four decades and yet very much unknown to most Malaysians. https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2021/05/692092/admiration-our-navy-people

The Airborne Covid Threat Is Confirmed. What to Do About It?

By It’sFaye not Flam too late for a simple, effective public health message. May 22, 2021, 8:00 PM GMT+8

Maybe this was dumb. Photographer: Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images You know something is wrong with the public health messaging in the U.S. when a tow truck driver is giving out better information on Covid-19 transmission than the WHO or CDC. His words of wisdom to me, when he came to tow my car back to the dealer earlier this spring, was that if you’re indoors with people and one of them is infected, you can still get infected even if everyone is wearing a mask. And if you’re outdoors and someone is infected, you’re probably not going to get it.

He was speaking from direct experience, having done essential work through the worst of the pandemic. He said he’d seen co-workers get sick and that his boss had died.

And he was right. The SARS-CoV2 virus can travel on very small particles that disperse quickly outdoors but can build up inside. Indoors, these particles can affect people who stay more than six feet away. And the hodgepodge of masks Americans have adopted may provide some protection, but they don’t render an unsafe situation safe.

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-05-22/what-does-airborne-transmission-of-covid- 19-mean?srnd=premium-asia