Today’s News 14 April 2021 (Wednesday)

A. NAVY NEWS/COVID NEWS/PHOTOS Title Writer Newspaper Page PH expects 20M doses from Russia`s K Calayag M Times A2 1 Gamaleya Pagtaaas pa ng COVID-19 cases asahan sa M Escudero B Ngay 2 Hunyo o Hulyo Marina no control on vax, No contract R Ayeng D tribune D24 3 “No ’ policy

B. NATIONAL HEADLINES Title Writer Newspaper Page J Clapano P Star 1 4 Gov’t to public: Brace for midyear COVID surge PH in a bind, experts warn; Chinese envoy J Andrade PDI A1 5 summoned

C. NATIONAL SECURITY Title Writer Newspaper Page 6 DFA summons Chinese envoy over lingering P Brago P Star 2 boats 7 DFA summons Chinese envoy over WPS S Locus D Tribune A3 8 PH summons Chinese envoy over vessels in A Hachero Malaya A10 disputed waters 9 China envoy summoned E Santos P Journal 2 10 DFA summons Chinese envoy P Tonight 6 11 DFA ipinatawag ang Chinese envoy sa isyu G Garcia Ngayon 2 ng vessels sa West Phl Sea 12 Chinese envoy, pagpapaliwanagin ng DFA G Garcia PM 2 sa presensya ng Chinese sa Julian Felipe Reef 13 PH boosts patrols in disputed sea Bloomberg M Bulletin 1

D. INDO-PACIFIC Title Writer Newspaper Page China`s exports rise at robust pace, imports Reuters B Malaya A2 14 growth highest in 4 years

E. AFP RELATED Title Writer Newspaper Page Duterte: Military would have ousted me if I L Salaverria PDI A2 15 were inutile 16 Rody talks to Putin; Sputnik V coming C Mendez P Star 1 Du30, Putin talk vaccines; PH orders 20M L Salaverria PDI A3 17 Sputnik V shots 18 Cash aid pay-out slow at 8% V Reyes Malaya A12 19 Sibugay towns under close watch N Lacson D Tribune B16 20 Soldier, civilian hurt in Basilan IED blast Z Capistrano Tempo 3

F. CPP-NPA-NDF-LCM Title Writer Newspaper Page Over 1k wanted persons, other lawbreakers A Dalizon P Tonight 5 21 neutralized as a result of PNP-IG’s intelligence-driven operations Over 1,000 wanted persons, lawbreakers P Journal 12 22 A Dalizon neutralized by PNP-IG

G. MNLF/MILF/BIFF/ASG Title Writer Newspaper Page Militant slain P Star 9 23 , 8 gov’t troopers wounded in R Pareño Marawi clash 24 Baby of slain DI subleader rescued B Ermac Tempo 3 25 Lider ng Dawlah Islamiyah utas sa raid D Franche Ngayon 4 26 2 wounded in Basilan bombing A Jacinto M Times A7

H. EDITORIAL-OPINION-COMMENTARY-SPECIAL Title Writer Newspaper Page 27 Never short of patriots F Jardeleza PDI A8 28 Continuation of a regime by other means L Lorenzana M Times A4 29 Is the President ill? R Aquino M Times A1 30 Duterte is fine, praying for the magic wand I Aberia M Times A6 Locsin so patently ignorant about arbitration M Times A1 31 R Tiglao suit D Tribune A5 32 Batongbacal’s reckless comments about the SCS situation 33 PH-US military exercise P Tonight 4 34 Mahalaga ang may kakampi Ngayon 4 Dapat igalang ng China soberanya ng B Revilla Bulgar 4 35 Pilipinas

I. ONLINE NEWS Title Link NATIONAL NEWS Philippines summons Chinese https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines- ambassador over vessels in disputed china-southchinasea/philippines-summons- 36 waters chinese-ambassador-over-vessels-in-disputed- waters-idUSKBN2C011L DFA confronts China envoy https://manilastandard.net/news/top- 37 stories/351800/dfa-confronts-china-envoy.html As Filipinos decry anti-Asian attacks in https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/04/13 38 the US, anti-Chinese sentiment festers /2090831/filipinos-decry-anti-asian-attacks-us- at home anti-chinese-sentiment-festers-home QC liquor ban, Manila QPass still in https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136671 39 effect PRRD, Putin share Covid notes in 30- https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136672 40 minute telesummit https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/russias-putin- 41 Russia’s Putin welcomes Duterte’s invitation to visit PH welcomes-dutertes-invitation-to-visit-ph/ DepEd promotes academic ease over https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136663 42 freeze Distance learning until 2022? DepEd https://news.abs- 43 says planning 'for all possibilities' cbn.com/video/news/04/13/21/deped-face-to- face-classes-2022-covid National ID https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/04/13/nat 44 key to human capital dev’t —NEDA ional-id-key-to-human-capital-devt-neda/ Tropical depression unlikely to affect https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/tropical- 45 PH in next five days — PAGASA depression-unlikely-to-affect-ph-in-next-five- days-pagasa/ NAVY NEWS Task force seeks increased maritime, https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/task-force- 46 sovereignty patrols in West PH Sea seeks-increased-maritime-sovereignty-patrols- in-west-ph-sea/ PHL deploys more warships to boost https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/04/14/phl- 47 sea patrols in WPS deploys-more-warships-to-boost-sea-patrols- in-wps/ No at-sea events for this year's https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136596 48 'Balikatan': PH Navy Ex-DFA chief Del Rosario supports https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/ex-dfa-chief-del- gov rosario-supports-govt-effort-in-summoning- 49 ’t effort in summoning Chinese envoy over the Julian Felipe Reef issue chinese-envoy-over-the-julian-felipe-reef- issue/ Mga mangingisda sa West PH Sea https://news.abs- 50 ibinahagi ang kalbaryong idinulot ng cbn.com/news/04/13/21/mangingisda-west-ph- China sea-ibinahagi-kalbaryo-china AFP RELATED Resumption of US-PH Balikatan to https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/resumption-of- 51 escalate tension in WPS, Bayan Muna us-ph-balikatan-to-escalate-tension-in-wps- warns bayan-muna-warns/ CPP: Balikatan reinforces Philippine https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/natio dependence on US amid China n/783610/cpp-balikatan-reinforces-philippine- 52 aggression dependence-on-us-amid-china- aggression/story/ Gov’t should stop tolerating China’s https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/govt-should- 53 duplicity, bullying — Hontiveros stop-tolerating-chinas-duplicity-bullying- hontiveros/ Reds torch more road equipment in https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/04/13/red 54 Surigao; pursuit underway s-torch-more-road-equipment-in-surigao- pursuit-underway/ Authorities nab alleged Abu Sayyaf https://news.abs- 55 member in Sulu cbn.com/news/04/13/21/authorities-nab- alleged-abu-sayyaf-member-in-sulu Soldier, civilian hurt in Basilan roadside https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regio 56 blast ns/783498/soldier-civilian-hurt-in-basilan- roadside-blast/story/ INDO PACIFIC NEWS PH calls for South China Sea code of https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/ph-calls-for- 57 conduct south-china-sea-code-of-conduct/ Unrest flares again in Minnesota after https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa- fatal police shooting of Black motorist minnesota-shooting/unrest-flares-again-in- 58 minnesota-after-fatal-police-shooting-of-black- motorist-idUSKBN2BZ21A Taser vs. gun mix-up raises concerns https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa- about training, design after Minnesota minnesota-shooting-taser/taser-vs-gun-mix-up- 59 shooting raises-concerns-about-training-design-after- minnesota-shooting-idUSKBN2C02RK US-China tech war: supercomputer https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech- sanctions on China begin to bite as war/article/3129362/us-china-tech-war- 60 Taiwan’s TSMC said to suspend chip supercomputer-sanctions-china-begin-bite- orders taiwans Psaki: U.S. approaches ties with China https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-04-14/Psaki- 61 as one of competition U-S-approaches-ties-with-China-as-one-of- competition-ZrDpxxxcPe/index.html US issues subpoena to Chinese firm https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united- 62 as part of supply chain review states-canada/article/3129422/us-issues- subpoena-chinese-firm-part-supply-chain US lawmakers seek to speed up Uygur https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united- 63 refugee applications states-canada/article/3129435/us-lawmakers- seek-speed-uygur-refugee-applications Calls for US, China to work together and https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/ 64 ‘set example’ on climate change article/3129415/calls-us-china-work-together- and-set-example-climate-change US climate envoy John Kerry to meet https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/ officials in China this week to discuss 65 article/3129427/us-climate-envoy-john-kerry- environmental crisis concerns meet-officials-china-week

Biden sends unofficial delegation to https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united- 66 Taiwan to in ‘personal signal’ states-canada/article/3129430/joe-biden- sends-unofficial-delegation-taiwan US urges Beijing to stop its pressure on https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archi 67 Taiwan ves/2021/04/14/2003755660 Taiwan ready to welcome former US https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/ 68 secretary of state Mike Pompeo article/3129258/taiwan-ready-welcome-former- us-secretary Chinese embassy unwittingly admits https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4176 69 Taiwan is independent in threatening 016 email to Swedish journalist Don't play with fire on Taiwan, China https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-taiwan- 70 warns U.S. diplomacy/dont-play-with-fire-on-taiwan-china- warns-u-s-idUSKBN2C00U5 Chinese premier calls for more https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china- communication between China, U.S. usa/chinese-premier-calls-for-more- 71 communication-between-china-u-s- idUSKBN2C01HI Chinese researchers say their AI text https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/arti 72 censor is 91 per cent accurate cle/3129414/chinese-researchers-say-theyve- developed-ai-text-censor-91-cent China warns of action over Japan’s https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/ 73 decision to dump radioactive article/3129322/china-warns-action-over- Fukushima water into the sea japans-decision-dump-radioactive Hong Kong announces more electoral https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong- system changes favouring pro-Beijing security-electoral/hong-kong-announces-more- 74 camp electoral-system-changes-favouring-pro- beijing-camp-idUSKBN2C019F https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/hong-kongs- 75 Hong Kong’s Activists in Exile activists-in-exile/ No nation is more important than India https://www.hindustantimes.com/world- as US seeks to counter China: Think news/no-nation-is-more-important-than-india- 76 tank as-us-seeks-to-counter-china-think-tank- 101618291338223.html Japan to release contaminated https://www.reuters.com/article/us-disaster- Fukushima water into sea after fukushima-water-release/japan-to-release- 77 treatment contaminated-fukushima-water-into-sea-after- treatment-idUSKBN2BZ2U3 Is Japan downplaying the danger https://www.scmp.com/week- Fukushima water poses to human asia/politics/article/3129354/japan- 78 health? downplaying-danger-fukushima-water-poses- human-health Why the decision to release treated https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Why-the- 79 Fukushima water took a decade decision-to-release-treated-Fukushima-water- took-a-decade2 Countries react to Japan's plans to https://www.reuters.com/article/us-disaster- release Fukushima water into ocean fukushima-water-reaction/countries-react-to- 80 japans-plans-to-release-fukushima-water-into- ocean-idUSKBN2C00WF Myanmar activists cancel new year https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar- festivities; U.N. urges end to 'slaughter' politics/myanmar-activists-cancel-new-year- 81 festivities-u-n-urges-end-to-slaughter- idUSKBN2C00CX UN fears Myanmar heading into ‘full- https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast- 82 blown’ Syria-type conflict asia/article/3129394/un-fears-myanmar- heading-full-blown-conflict-protesters Failed state: Myanmar collapses into https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/The-Big- 83 chaos Story/Failed-state-Myanmar-collapses-into- chaos Indonesia, South Korea aim for https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2021/04/ 84 inclusive regional order 13/indonesia-south-korea-aim-for-inclusive- regional-order.html Pakistan Islamists clash over French https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan- cartoons depicting Prophet Mohammad protest-blasphemy/pakistan-islamists-clash- 85 over-french-cartoons-depicting-prophet- mohammad-idUSKBN2C0167 Pakistan takes desperate moves to https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Belt-and- 86 revive Belt and Road's port Road/Pakistan-takes-desperate-moves-to- revive-Belt-and-Road-s-port Nepal chokes on smoke and ash as https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/04/13 87 fires rage, compounded by drought /asia-pacific/nepal-worsening-fires/ Kremlin says Biden in phone call told https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia- Putin he wanted to normalise ties biden-putin/kremlin-says-biden-in-phone-call- 88 told-putin-he-wanted-to-normalise-ties- idUSKBN2C02DB Russia blames US, other NATO nations https://www.hindustantimes.com/world- for turning Ukraine into 'powder keg' news/russia-blames-us-other-nato-nations-for- 89 turning-ukraine-into-powder-keg- 101618308366520.html IMF official on economic recovery in https://newsus.cgtn.com/news/2021-04- 90 Asia-Pacific region 14/IMF-official-on-economic-recovery-in-Asia- Pacific-region--ZrxvXD89JC/index.html https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/chinas-digital- 91 China’s Digital Silk Road and the Global Digital Order silk-road-and-the-global-digital-order/ Chip shortage will last beyond 2022 as https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2 92 demand far outstrips supply, Intel chief 021/04/13/intel-ceo-semiconductor-chip- says shortage/ The Biden-Suga Summit: What to https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/the-biden- 93 Expect suga-summit-what-to-expect/ Where does America’s return to https://appfi.ph/resources/commentaries/2954- 94 multilateralism leave China? where-does-america-s-return-to- multilateralism-leave-china https://www.wsj.com/articles/america-china- 95 China’s Message to America: We’re an Equal Now policy-biden-xi-11617896117 Indonesia’s ‘free and active’ foreign https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/indonesias- 96 policy on show in ministerial visits to free-and-active-foreign-policy-on-show-in- Japan and China ministerial-visits-to-japan-and-china/ Indonesia is a Pan Indo-Pacific super https://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/202 97 power 1/04/13/indonesia-is-a-pan-indo-pacific-super- power-.html DEFENSE NEWS PH told to add bite to bark in dealing https://globalnation.inquirer.net/195127/ph- 98 with China aggression told-to-add-bite-to-bark-in-dealing-with-china- aggression Whitsun Reef row: could the Philippines https://www.scmp.com/week- 99 lose another South China Sea feature to asia/politics/article/3129409/whitsun-reef-row- Beijing? could-philippines-lose-another-south-china-sea China’s gray zone operation in the https://adrinstitute.org/2021/04/10/chinas-gray- 100 making: A commentary on Julian Felipe zone-operation-in-the-making-a-commentary- Reef crisis on-julian-felipe-reef-crisis/ Chinese ships in West Philippine Sea https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/04/13 101 meant to pressure Duterte on VFA, /2090899/chinese-ships-west-philippine-sea- expert says meant-pressure-duterte-vfa-expert-says) Chinese militia vessels still in West https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1418699/task- Philippine Sea – task force 102 force-on-west-ph-sea-says-chinese-militia- vessels-still-within-territorial-waters

Patrols reveal 6 China navy ships, 240 https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/natio 103 militia in West Philippine Sea n/783618/philippine-patrols-reveal-240-china- ships-near-kalayaan-eez/story/ Chinese coast guard, navy boats https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/04/13 chasing civilian boat in West Philippine /2090761/chinese-coast-guard-navy-boats- 104 Sea 'unjustifiable' — expert chasing-civilian-boat-west-philippine-sea- unjustifiable-expert ATF-West eyes more sovereignty https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136565 105 patrols in West Philippine Sea Philippines boosts patrols to counter https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2099287/ 106 China in contested sea philippines-boosts-patrols-to-counter-china-in- contested-sea Gathering allies: PH, Malaysia reaffirm https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/gathering-allies- 107 commitment to defense cooperation ph-malaysia-reaffirm-commitment-to-defense- cooperation/ China push for global power tops U.S. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa- security threats: intelligence report intelligence/china-push-for-global-power-tops- 108 u-s-security-threats-intelligence-report- idUSKBN2C02FD Ex-U.S. official: China using force https://focustaiwan.tw/cross- 109 against Taiwan counter-productive strait/202104130019 House Armed Services chair ‘deeply https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2021/ 110 concerned’ by White House budget 04/13/house-armed-services-chair-deeply- delays concerned-by-white-house-budget-delays/ U.S. defense strategy is 'unachievable,' https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/ 111 warns House Armed Services chairman apr/13/us-defense-strategy-unachievable- says-head-house-a/ US intelligence gives China top billing in https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3129 112 new threat assessment 433/us-intelligence-assessment-moves-china- top-threat-list ODNI’s Annual Global Threat https://www.defensedaily.com/odnis-annual- 113 Assessment Returns; US Faces global-threat-assessment-returns-us-faces- Diverse Challenges diverse-challenges/cyber/ Pentagon turns to the stars to survive https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International- 114 China's electronic warfare relations/Indo-Pacific/Pentagon-turns-to-the- stars-to-survive-China-s-electronic-warfare US DOD Modernization Can't Happen http://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/ 115 Alone, Defense Official Says Article/2571576/dod-modernization-cant- happen-alone-defense-official-says/ Options to Ensure the Best Indo-Pacific https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/202 Policy in the U.S. Department of 1/04/13/options_to_ensure_the_best_indo- 116 Defense pacific_policy_in_the_us_department_of_defe nse_772496.html Okinawa base transfer limps along 25 https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International- 117 years after deal relations/Okinawa-base-transfer-limps-along- 25-years-after-deal Biden to withdraw US troops from https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united- 118 Afghanistan by September 11 states-canada/article/3129437/joe-biden- withdraw-us-troops-afghanistan-september 2 US carriers patrol south of Taiwan as https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4175 119 25 Chinese warplanes swarm strait 788 Reworking the Sea Base and Cross https://defense.info/featured- 120 Decking of Air Combat Assets story/2021/04/reworking-the-sea-base-and- cross-decking-of-air-combat-assets/ DESIGN, TRAIN, MOBILIZE: http://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News- Transforming our US Navy Reserve for Stories/Article/2571522/design-train-mobilize- 121 Great Power Competition transforming-our-navy-reserve-for-great- power-competition/ Shaping a 21st Century U.S. Navy - https://sldinfo.com/2021/04/shaping-a-21st- 122 U.S. 2nd Fleet century-u-s-navy-the-perspective-from- second-fleet/ USMC MOUT https://www.marines.mil/News/Marines- 123 TV/videoid/790472/ Japan and Germany’s foreign, defence https://www.scmp.com/week- ministers meet with China on their asia/politics/article/3129393/south-china-sea- 124 – mind diaoyus-and-north-korea-top-agenda-japan- and Japan proposes joint naval drill with https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan- 125 Germany germany/japan-proposes-joint-naval-drill-with- germany-idUSKBN2C01HC China Warplanes Simulated Attack on https://www.newsweek.com/china-warplanes- 126 U.S. Aircraft Carrier, Defense Analysts simulated-attack-us-aircraft-carrier-defense- Say analysts-say-1583112 Chinese soldiers given tips on how to https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/arti 127 prevent altitude sickness cle/3129239/chinese-soldiers-given-tips-how- prevent-altitude-sickness China sends 25 warplanes near Taiwan https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/04/13 128 in biggest drill this year /asia-pacific/taiwan-china-warplanes-biggest- drill/ Beijing shows it’s ‘not taking foot off the https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/arti 129 gas’ with Taiwan incursion cle/3129398/beijing-shows-its-not-taking-its- foot-gas-latest-incursion China Fighter Jets Will Fly Over Taiwan https://www.newsweek.com/china-fighter-jets- 130 to Declare Sovereignty, State Media will-fly-over-taiwan-declare-sovereignty-state- Says media-says-1583109 'Taiwan is Part of China,' Says Chinese https://www.newsweek.com/taiwan-part-china- 131 Navy Warship During Encounter With says-chinese-navy-warship-during-encounter- Taiwanese Vessel taiwanese-vessel-1583218 Exploring Chinese Military Thinking on https://jamestown.org/program/exploring- 132 Social Media Manipulation Against chinese-military-thinking-on-social-media- Taiwan manipulation-against-taiwan/ Taiwan bolsters navy with unveiling of https://www.reuters.com/article/us-taiwan- new amphibious warfare ship defence/taiwan-bolsters-navy-with-unveiling- 133 of-new-amphibious-warfare-ship- idUSKBN2C00MC Taiwan launches amphibious transport https://www.scmp.com/video/china/3129404/ta 134 dock iwan-unveils-new-amphibious-assault-and- transport-ship-service-south-china Taiwan launches new amphibious https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2021/04/ 135 vessel with anti-ship missiles 13/taiwan-launches-new-amphibious-vessel- with-anti-ship-missiles/ Foreign military exchanges can boost https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4175 136 Taiwan's defense capabilities: Scholars 642 French Joint Commander for Asia- https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/french-joint- 137 Pacific Outlines Paris’ Indo-Pacific commander-for-asia-pacific-outlines-paris- Defense Plans indo-pacific-defense-plans/ IAF brass to discuss operational https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/de strategies amidst continuing military fence/iaf-brass-to-discuss-operational- 138 confrontation with China strategies-amidst-continuing-military- confrontation-with- china/articleshow/82044016.cms Is India planning to spy on Chinese https://www.scmp.com/week- submarines from the Andamans? asia/politics/article/3129389/india-planning- 139 spy-chinese-submarines-andamans-little-help- japan Nuclear Sub Club: Do Rising Powers https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelpeck/202 Like India Really Need Nuclear Attack 1/04/13/nuclear-sub-club-do-rising-powers- 140 Submarines? like-india-really-need-nuclear-attack- submarines/?ss=aerospace-defense UK-India council pursues aircraft carrier https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news- 141 opportunities detail/uk-india-council-pursues-carrier- opportunities_16850 South Korea’s New KF-21 Fighter Is https://www.forbes.com/sites/erictegler/2021/0 More An Alternative To Chinese 4/13/south-koreas-new-kf-21-fighter-is-more- 142 Influence Than To The F-35 an-alternative-to-chinese-influence-than-to- the-f-35/?ss=aerospace-defense South Korea signs for anti-submarine https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news- 143 MH-60R helos detail/south-korea-signs-for-mh-60r-helos South Korean Army Vows Early https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/04/13/s 144 Deployment of ‘Dronebot’ Combat outh-korea-dronebot/ System North Korea may have almost 250 https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World- nuclear weapons by 2027 News/2021/04/13/nkorea-North-Korea-may- 145 have-242-nuclear-weapons-by- 2027/9961618301306/ North Korea may be considering https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2021 146 resumption of nuclear testing this year: /04/103_307117.html report Indonesia receives first batch of https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news- 147 Chinese-made AR-2 missiles for its CH- detail/indonesia-receives-first-batch-of- 4 UAVs chinese-made-ar-2-missiles-for-its-ch-4-uavs NATO Sec Gen flags China coercion of https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/de neighbours, hampering freedom of fence/raisina-dialogue-nato-secy-gen-flags- 148 navigation china-coercion-of-neighbours-hampering- freedom-of- navigation/articleshow/82054909.cms Ukraine minister calls for military help, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine- more Russia sanctions crisis-nato-kuleba/ukraine-minister-calls-for- 149 military-help-more-russia-sanctions- idUSKBN2C0129 Can Ukraine deploy US-made weapons https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/arti 150 against the Russians? cle/3129318/can-ukraine-deploy-us-made- weapons-against-russians US General Says NATO Prepared to http://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/ Respond to Aggression Should Article/2570896/general-says-nato-prepared- 151 Deterrence Fail to-respond-to-aggression-should-deterrence- fail/ NATO tells Russia to end Ukraine https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2099327/ 152 military build-up nato-tells-russia-to-end-ukraine-military-build- up Russia warns US warships to steer https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2021/04/ 153 clear of Crimea 'for their own good' 13/russia-warns-us-warships-to-steer-clear-of- crimea-for-their-own-good-.html Royal Australian Navy commissions https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news- 154 first Supply-class AOR vessel detail/royal-australian-navy-commissions-first- supply-class-aor-vessel US Defense Primer: What Is Command https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2 155 and Control 0613912/defense-primer-what-is-command- and-control-april-8-2021.pdf Fulfilling Our Duty To Afghan And Iraqi https://mwi.usma.edu/fulfilling-our-duty-to- 156 Interpreters Is A Matter Of Honor—And afghan-and-iraqi-interpreters-is-a-matter-of- Of National Security honor-and-of-national-security/ Can Japan and the US Lead the Way to https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/can-japan- 157 6G? and-the-us-lead-the-way-to-6g/ Artificial intelligence and the future of https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/artificial- 158 warfare intelligence-and-the-future-of-warfare/ NCSC warns against cyber security https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/ncsc-warns- 159 complacency against-cyber-security-complacency/ More Data Needed to Build Trust in https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/artic 160 Autonomous Systems les/2021/4/13/more-data-needed-to-build-trust- in-autonomous-systems Here’s how new space tech is helping https://www.c4isrnet.com/electronic- US electronic warfare forces on the warfare/2021/04/13/heres-how-new-space- 161 ground tech-is-helping-electronic-warfare-forces-on- the-ground/ America Must Secure Its Geospatial- https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/america- 162 Intelligence Information Supply Chain must-secure-its-geospatial-intelligence- information-supply-chain-182624 A Strategic Meltdown Over Ukraine https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/strategic- 163 Could Doom Taiwan meltdown-over-ukraine-could-doom-taiwan- 182612 Countering China's threat to the https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2021/04/ 164 Senkakus requires a full rethink of 13/commentary/japan-commentary/china- operations japan-senkakus/ US Needs to Show Its Willingness to https://www.stimson.org/2021/would-the- 165 Defend Taiwan american-public-really-defend-taiwan/ The Quad (Finally) Delivers: Can It Be https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/202 166 Sustained? 1/04/13/the_quad_finally_delivers_can_it_be_ sustained_772507.html Seventh Fleet move a reminder that https://theprint.in/opinion/seventh-fleet-move- 167 Quad must remain a group of equals, a-reminder-that-quad-must-remain-a-group-of- not a US-led posse equals-not-a-us-led-posse/638794/ An Old War Rekindled on Myanmar- https://worldcrunch.com/world-affairs/an-old- 168 Thailand Border war-is-rekindled-on-the-myanmar-thailand- border Developing the Spirit of the 21st https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2 169 Century Warfighter 021/april/character-courage-developing-spirit- 21st-century-warfighter Special Ops and CIA sabotage https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets/news/ 170 missions may shape future wars special-ops-and-cia-sabotage-missions-may- shape-future-wars COVID NEWS Philippines tilts towards full-blown Covid https://asiatimes.com/2021/04/philippines-tilts- 171 catastrophe towards-full-blown-covid-catastrophe/ Duterte: PH faces vaccine shortage; https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/duterte-ph- 172 Poor countries last to get supply faces-vaccine-shortage-poor-countries-last-to- get-supply/ Can Ivermectin really cure COVID-19? https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/can-ivermectin- 173 FDA says there is not enough evidence really-cure-covid-19-fda-says-there-is-not- on this enough-evidence-on-this/ 1M Sinovac vaccines to arrive on April https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/1m-sinovac- 174 22, April 29 — Galvez vaccines-to-arrive-on-april-22-april-29-galvez/ esearchers suggest new https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archi 175 Taiwan’s r treatment for COVID-19 ves/2021/04/14/2003755667 Singapore coronavirus case shows https://www.scmp.com/coronavirus/asia/article/ 176 vaccination doesn’t rule out infection 3129312/singapores-latest-coronavirus-case- shows-vaccination-doesnt-rule Contracting coronavirus from surfaces https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/12/contracting- 177 is ‘1-in-10,000 chance’ — US CDC coronavirus-from-surfaces-is-1-in-10000- chance-cdc/ U.S. pauses J&J COVID-19 vaccine https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health- over rare blood clots coronavirus-johnson-johnson-va/u-s-pauses-jj- 178 covid-19-vaccine-over-rare-blood-clots- idUSKBN2C01BC AstraZeneca shot is good if safety https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health- issues can be overcome, U.S. official coronavirus-fauci-astrazeneca/astrazeneca- 179 Fauci says shot-is-good-if-safety-issues-can-be- overcome-u-s-official-fauci-says- idUSKBN2C00NV What you need to know about the https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health- coronavirus right now coronavirus-snapshot/what-you-need-to-know- 180 about-the-coronavirus-right-now- idUSKBN2C00GH Mapping the Coronavirus Outbreak https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020- 181 Across the World coronavirus-cases-world- map/?srnd=coronavirus

J. OPINION/EDITORIAL/COMMENTARY Title Link 182 Never short of patriots https://opinion.inquirer.net/139303/never-short- of-patriots 183 Was PH colonized by the wrong https://opinion.inquirer.net/139307/was-ph- country? colonized-by-the-wrong-country 184 Batongbacal’s reckless comments https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/04/14/bat about the SCS situation ongbacals-reckless-comments-about-the-scs- situation/ 185 Civil Society and China’s Global Media https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/civil-society- Footprint and-chinas-global-media-footprint/ 186 Face-to-face diplomacy gives China the https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Face-to-face- edge in Southeast Asia diplomacy-gives-China-the-edge-in-Southeast- Asia 187 Understanding Economic Coercion https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/04/10/und erstanding-economic-coercion/ 188 China, Chernobyl and Virus https://www.myind.net/Home/viewArticle/china- chernobyl-and-virus Taiwan is the gravy train of Pentagon https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article 189 generals /3129434/taiwan-gravy-train-pentagon- generals

190 Rise of Domestic Terror https://www.csis.org/node/60539 191 Afghanistan’s Situation Didn’t Change. https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2021/04/af American Politics Did ghanistans-situation-didnt-change-american- politics-did/173330/ 192 The Seal on Autocracy's Rise in https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/12/world/asi Southeast Asia a/myanmar-coup-autocracy- democracy.html?action=click&module=In%20 Other%20News&pgtype=Homepage 193 As climate change threatens world https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Comment/As- peace, Japan must face up to risk climate-change-threatens-world-peace-Japan- must-face-up-to-risk 194 COVID-19 widens the cracks in a https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2021/04/ fragmented, contested world 13/commentary/world-commentary/covid-19- global-economy-climate-change-poverty/ 195 Japan's Fukushima dilemma: Damned if https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-04- you do, damned if you don't 13/Japan-s-Fukushima-dilemma-Damned-if- you-do-damned-if-you-don-t- ZqbwIucSc0/index.html

Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over vessels in disputed waters

By Reuters Staff 3 MIN READ

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines said on Tuesday it had summoned the Chinese ambassador to convey the Southeast Asian country’s “utmost displeasure” over the continued presence of Chinese vessels in disputed waters around a reef in the South China Sea.

FILE PHOTO: Chinese vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel, are seen at Whitsun Reef, South China Sea on March 27, 2021. Philippine Coast Guard/National Task Force-West Philippine Sea/Handout via REUTERS

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian was summoned on Monday and told that China should immediately withdraw all its vessels from the disputed Whitsun reef and other Philippine maritime zones.

The Philippines last month described the presence of about 220 boats believed to be manned by militias inside its 200 mile (322 km) exclusive economic zone as “swarming and threatening”, while the United States, Japan and others have voiced concern about China’s intentions, prompting rebukes by Beijing.

The foreign ministry said on Tuesday it had reminded Huang that the Philippines had won a landmark arbitration case in 2016, which backed its sovereign entitlements amid rival claims by China. It also called on the Chinese Embassy to ensure “proper decorum and manners in the conduct of their duties as guests of the Philippines” after the embassy had earlier said a call by Manila for a withdrawal of the flotilla was “unprofessional”.

“Both sides affirmed the use of peaceful settlement of disputes in addressing their differences in the South China Sea issue,” the foreign ministry said.

China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Chinese diplomats have previously said the vessels were taking shelter from rough sees and were not manned by militias, claims the foreign ministry called “blatant falsehoods.”

The last time a Chinese envoy was summoned by Manila was in 2019 after a Chinese vessel sunk a Philippine boat.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-china-southchinasea/philippines-summons-chinese- ambassador-over-vessels-in-disputed-waters-idUSKBN2C011L

DFA confronts China envoy

Expresses displeasure over lingering stay of Chinese boats in PH reef posted April 14, 2021 at 01:20 am by Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday summoned China’s Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian to protest the presence of Chinese vessels at the Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef in the West Philippine Sea.

AERIAL SHOT. This photo from the military’s Area Task Force West released Tuesday shows Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands replete with man-made buildings and a landing strip for airplanes built by Chinese militia.

Acting Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Elizabeth Buensuceso called Huang to the DFA to shed light on the presence of 220 Chinese vessels believed to be manned by Chinese militia at the Philippine reef since early March.

While the number of ships has dwindled over the past weeks, at least nine vessels have remained, the DFA said.

“The DFA expressed displeasure over the lingering presence of Chinese vessels in the Julian Felipe Reef. The continuing presence of Chinese vessels around the reef is a source of regional tension,” the DFA said, in a statement.

During the meeting, Buensuceso asserted to Huang that the Julian Felipe Reef is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. Buensuceso told Huang that the 2016 arbitral award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which ruled in favor of the Philippines, had already invalidated China’s excessive and historical claim over nearly the entire South China Sea.

“The 12 July 2016 Award in the South China Sea Arbitration ruled that claims to historic rights, or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction that exceed the geographic and substantive limits of maritime entitlements under UNCLOS, are without lawful effect,” Buensuceso said.

China, a signatory to the UNCLOS along with the Philippines, rejected the PCA ruling.

Aside from China and Philippines, other claimants over the disputed waters -- Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan — also have territorial claims over the South China Sea which analysts say could be Asia’s next potential flashpoint for a major armed conflict.

In March, the Philippines filed diplomatic protest against China over the swarming of Chinese militia vessels at Julian Felipe Reef and demanded the immediate pullout of the ships from the reef, which is located 175 nautical miles of Bataraza, Palawan and clearly within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. earlier vowed to file daily diplomatic protests against China until all their ships leave the reef.

Despite repeated calls and protests from the Philippines, Chinese ships continue to linger in the area and have even been spotted in other parts of the Kalayaan Island Group in the municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan off the country’s northwestern waters.

Buensuceso reminded the Chinese side of “proper decorum and manners in the conduct of their duties as guests of the Philippines” after its embassy spokesperson openly maligned Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana for demanding the immediate withdrawal of China’s ships in the reef.

Although both sides affirmed the peaceful settlement of disputes in addressing the South China Sea issue, Buensuceso emphasized the Philippine government’s demand for the immediate withdrawal of all Chinese vessels from the reef and other maritime zones of the Philippines, the DFA said.

Former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario on Tuesday supported the summoning of the Chinese ambassador. “In doing so, the DFA has acted consistent with our collective constitutional duty to protect our “national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination,” said Del Rosario, chairman of policy think tank Stratbase ADR Institute.

“This is truly the ‘independent foreign policy’ contemplated by our Constitution, which is to protect our national heritage in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

The former DFA chief said that as long as Chinese vessels remain in Julian Felipe Reef, which is part of the Philippines’ EEZ, those vessels are violating Philippine laws, which make it unlawful for any foreign person, corporation or entity to fish or operate any fishing vessel in Philippine waters.

“The lingering Chinese presence in Julian Felipe Reef is an open and continuing violation of our laws. It is but right that our leaders do whatever is necessary to address this open and continuing insult to Filipinos,” the former Foreign Affairs secretary said.

Getting the international community involved in the dispute over the South China Sea is the only way to stop China from increasing its aggressive moves in the West Philippine Sea, an expert said on Tuesday.

In a forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies’ research fellow Dr. Collin Koh said the Philippine should welcome international involvement in the issue.

“China's greatest fear is to internationalize the South China Sea dispute. It’s the only way to prevent China from going beyond what it’s currently doing,” Koh said.

Koh also recommended the Philippine government to have a “coherent” position on the issue and match it with ground actions such as more maritime patrols over the disputed area.

Carl Thayer of the University of New South Wales Canberra at the Australian Defense Force Academy said the United States will invigorate and modernize its alliances to hold China to account.

For Thayer, the presence of Chinese maritime militia and fishing vessels in Whitsun Reef or Julian Felipe Reef aims to pressure the Philippine government to cut its alliance with the US.

“The present of China's maritime militia and fishing vessels in Whitsun reef, in my opinion, is designed to put pressure on [Philippine President Rodrigo] Duterte who equivocates on whether or not he’s going to terminate the VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement),” he said. Senator Risa Hontiveros, for her part, encouraged unity among ASEAN countries and partnership with the Quad, a strategic dialogue including the United States, Japan, Australia and India, to address the issue.

“Our government must rethink its current alliances – and perhaps its allegiances. We must be consistent and firm in standing up for our national interests,” she said in the same forum.

“We cannot allow ourselves to be kicked out of our own backyard. The West Philippine Sea is part of the patrimony of the Filipino people,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Philppine Navy said there will be no at-sea events in this year's iteration of the "Balikatan" military exercises between American and Filipino military forces.

The exercises started Monday and will end on April 23.

Last year's exercises were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Philippine Navy (PN) chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said on Tuesday that the crew members of the BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna are undergoing various training and systems testing before their deployment.

"Our two frigates, FF-150 and FF-151 are conducting manufacturer's training and systems testing in preparation for their operational deployments," he added.

Both BRP Jose Rizal and the BRP Antonio Luna are capable of surface, sub-surface, air, and electronic warfare using state-of-the-art electronic sensors, long-range missiles, acoustic guided torpedoes, and an embarked anti-submarine helicopter.

BRP Jose Rizal formally joined the PN in July 2020 while BRP Antonio Luna was commissioned in March this year.

In other developments:

• The Defense Department said it discussed the developments in the West Philippine Sea with its Malaysian counterpart, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to defense cooperation. In a statement Tuesday, the department said it and the Malaysian Ministry of Defense will uphold the implementation of their 1994 memorandum of understanding.

• The Area Task Force West under the National Task Force for West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said it has intensified operations in the West Philippine Sea amid the presence of Chinese vessels in the area. In a statement on Monday, the Area Task Force West said “sea assets shall be continuously deployed to different areas in the WPS to conduct maritime and sovereignty patrols, and other law enforcement activities.” These operations will cover the Julian Felipe Reef, Pag-asa Cay, Recto Bank, and other parts of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).

• Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday expressed her indignation against China’s increasingly aggressive territorial expansion in the West Philippine Sea, after learning that there are still 28 Chinese vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef. “We demanded that every single Chinese vessel leaves Philippine territory. Why are they still there? China is becoming the region’s biggest bully," she said. She added that China exploited a global health crisis by executing a series of coordinated incursions into the WPS.

• Deputy Minority leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate on Tuesday raised concern over the ongoing Balikatan exercises between United States and Philippine armed forces, saying they would only heighten the tension between the US and China, putting the Philippines in the middle of two competing superpowers. “It would be best for the Philippine government to assert its sovereignty on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) without playing one superpower against the other," Zarate said in a statement.

https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/351800/dfa-confronts-china-envoy.html

As Filipinos decry anti-Asian attacks in the US, anti-Chinese sentiment festers at home

Bella Perez-Rubio (Philstar.com) - April 13, 2021 - 3:27pm

MANILA, Philippines — A gruesome attack perpetrated last month against a Filipino immigrant in New York City sparked outrage and horror in the Philippines. It was the second assault on a Filipino immigrant in as many months and the latest in a string of anti-Asian hate crimes that have swept across the US — largely perceived to be the fallout of the racist language surrounding discussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But as Filipinos decry anti-Asian racism abroad, academics and members of the Filipino Chinese community in the Philippines say anti-Chinese sentiment is on the rise at home.

Dr. Jonathan Corpus Ong, associate professor of Global Digital Media at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in an Internews report reelased earlier this year said "the Philippines was unfortunately no exception" to the "anti- China racist speech and conspiracy theory surged in the global context" in the wake of the pandemic.

In "Information Dystopia and Philippine Democracy," Ong said that what he called a "secondary contagion" of COVID-19 or the blaming of people of Chinese descent and Chinese culture for the virus, has also proliferated by Filipinos on social media. These views have consequences in the real world.

"The Philippines saw many incidents of physical altercations, parody and memes, racial slurs of 'chingchong,' and service refusals to mainland Chinese people unleashed by COVID-19."

'Race and politics are not the same' “The primary cause of racism, really, is that, in general....people cannot distinguish between racial issues versus political issues,” Meah Ang See, president of Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran and director of Bahay Tsinoy, told Philstar.com.

See said she observed this in discussions online, citing, in particular, the discourse around the illegal vaccinations of both the Presidential Security Group and of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator employees a few months ago.

Although the offense was the same, See said the groups were criticized in different ways.

"With the PSG, they're lambasted, and, you know, people are angry with them because it's so unethical, it's so illegal and you're supposed to be government," she said. "But with the arguments against the POGO, they weren't talking just about ethics. Ah, kasi, Intsik ka kasi, because they're Chinese, therefore, they will always do something illegal."

"[R]egardless of nationality, if it's a smuggled good...the issue should be dead there," she added. "[T]he discussions change and get distorted because a Chinese national or an ethnic Chinese is involved."

Filipinos of Chinese descent are not Chinese nationals Another "information gap" that See says is endemic to the Philippines is the failure of many to differentiate between Filipinos of Chinese descent and Chinese nationals.

"I'm ethnic Chinese but I'm not a Chinese national. When I go to China, I'm a tourist. But we're all lumped together."

Meanwhile, for Ong, the conflating of racial and political issues can be traced to the anti-China narratives in Philippine politics.

While opposition candidates in 2019 took an anti-China stance in response to the Duterte administration's "increasingly cozy ties with the Chinese government," Ong noted that online discourse "at times...slipped into racist expressions against Chinese people."

Ong also called out journalists for being complicit in this disinformation by failing to fact-check racist statements, reproducing hateful rhetoric in their personal accounts, and publishing conspiracy theories in national newspapers.

See, who said she believed the media is generally careful in its reporting around Chinese nationals, also acknowledged that "[c]ommentaries and opinions from columnists are a different matter." "Local journalists, activists, and academics need to develop a more sustained research agenda around hate speech and racism in the Philippines, attuned to the specific racial hierarchies and power dynamics in deep and recent historical context," Ong said.

Race-related violence in the Philippines? While acknowledging that there is good reason to raise alarm over the Duterte administration's policy towards China, Ong warned that the same narrative "could lead to real-life violence."

He cited instances in Indonesia, where, he said, "a mix of conspiracy theory...election-related black campaigning, and COVID-19 related conspiracies about Chinese biological weaponry, has led to eruptions of physical violence, doxing, and shaming in social media."

"Unlike in the Philippines, Indonesia has a more recent history of racial violence against Chinese immigrants in their country," Ong noted, but also warned that the country must "prepare for scenarios where digital disinformation and hate speech converge and harm multicultural relations."

However, for See, a surge in race-related violence is not an imminent or likely threat in the Philippines. "History-wise, if you look at the historical trends of race-relations here in Asia, the Philippines [has] had the best ride."

"We're still very fortunate that it hasn't come to that and I don't think it will come to that," she said. "And we have a very strong academic community who really pave the way for understanding."

"In general, people do conflate different aspects of society and kinda like whittle it down to racial issues when you shouldn't but on the flip side you also have so many people who are able to differentiate issues and tackle issues head-on as issues and not racial tensions."

Where is the government in all this? See also said that she cannot blame entirely those who generalize the Chinese, regardless of nationality, because she believes the government plays a "contributary" role in their poor perception by failing to penalize Chinese nationals who do participate in illegal activity in the country.

"The Chinese are illegal, the Chinese are all into these gambling, the Chinese are into exerting their power, the Chinese want to claim the Philippines, we can't blame the general public because the government has always had that stance," she said, referring to the government's pursuit of close ties with China.

"It's always extending their political hand to China, not protecting the sovereignty of our waters."

The government's failure to deport POGO workers also contributes to unflattering perceptions of the Chinese, according to See.

"It's more of really horrible people who happen to be Chinese nationals. They're here in the Philippines illegally. They are into gambling, the POGO, they are undesirable people, period. But they're the ones everybody sees and government's not doing anything about them."

"I[f] government already knows they're here illegally, I mean... it's called deportation. Why is it not happening?"

See added that POGOs are "coddled" in the Philippines in comparison to other Southeast Asian countries that have cracked down on their operations. Even Beijing has called on Manila to ban all online gambling in the country.

"We keep welcoming all of these gambling dens and then complain," she said.

"I'd go as far as blame the people who keep welcoming them into the country in the first place."

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/04/13/2090831/filipinos-decry-anti-asian-attacks-us-anti- chinese-sentiment-festers-home

QC liquor ban, Manila QPass still in effect

By Marita Moaje April 13, 2021, 9:40 pm

File photo

MANILA – The Quezon City government will still impose a liquor ban despite the shift to a more relaxed modified enhance community quarantine (MECQ) amid rise of the Covid-19 cases.

Mayor Joy Belmonte signed a memorandum containing the MECQ guidelines which states that liquor ban “shall take effect immediately” until April 30.

“All retail sales of alcoholic beverages shall remain suspended for the duration of these guidelines,” the memorandum read.

With the unified curfew in the National Capital Region from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., the updated guidelines state all persons should be at home, except for persons going to or returning from work in essential businesses or traveling for purposes of air or sea travel as shown by pre-booked tickets.

The guideline also states that essential activities may operate on a 24-hour basis, including public transportation, couriers, cargo vehicles, market delivery, food take-out and delivery, pharmacies, hospitals, convenience stores, and delivery of essential goods.

The business process outsourcing (BPO), and other businesses exporting goods or services are also allowed to operate on a 24-hour basis.

Indoor dine-in services are not allowed in QC, however, al fresco or outdoor dine-in are allowed from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. imposing proper distancing or setting up barriers in between customers.

In Manila, persons who wish to go out of their homes for essential needs still need to show quarantine pass (QPass).

“Considering that restrictions on the movement of persons are the same during ECQ and MECQ, the requirement of quarantine pass observed under ECQ is validly carried over to MECQ as a requirement,” the Manila Barangay Bureau’s guidelines read.

Like Quezon City, Manila will also continue to limit persons to accessing essential goods and services and for work in permitted establishments.

Manila City government also reminds the public that violators may be penalized. “In both ECQ and MECQ, any violation of restrictions shall constitute non-cooperation of the person or entities punishable under Section 9 par (d) or as the case may be, of RA 11332,” the guideline read.

Last Sunday, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the recommendation to downgrade the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to MECQ in the NCR Plus composed of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal from April 12 to 30. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136671

PRRD, Putin share Covid notes in 30-minute telesummit

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos April 13, 2021, 8:03 pm

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ALLIES. President Rodrigo Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a 30-minute conversation on Tuesday (April 13, 2021). They agreed on the importance of cooperation among nations to defeat the pandemic, according to Sen. Bong Go (left). (Photo courtesy Sen. Bong Go) MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telesummit on Tuesday afternoon and discussed ways to help each nation defeat the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Malacañang confirmed.

In a statement, the Palace said Duterte’s “open and productive” phone conversation with Putin lasted around 30 minutes.

“President Duterte and President Putin reaffirmed their shared commitment to further enhance cooperation as the Philippines and Russia commemorate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year and vowed to cooperate in the fight against Covid-19,” the Palace statement read.

It was on June 2,1976 when the Philippines forged formal diplomatic ties with the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Malacañang said Duterte was thankful to Putin for Russia’s commitment to bolster its cooperation with the Philippines in combatting the Covid-19 pandemic.

The two leaders discussed the global and regional vaccine landscapes and emphasized the need to mobilize Covid-19 vaccines like Russia’s Sputnik V to “as many countries as possible”, the Palace said.

Malacañang added that Duterte told Putin about the Philippines’ plan to order 20 million doses of Sputnik V vaccine from Russia.

“Both leaders stressed the importance of ramping up global production and supplies,” the Palace said. “President Duterte and President Putin underscored the need for continuing and strengthened collaboration to defeat the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The Philippines is expected to receive around 500,000 Sputnik V vaccines this month.

‘Greater’ cooperation in other areas

Malacañang said Duterte and Putin also tackled the two countries’ “greater” cooperation in various fields like defense and cooperation, trade and investments, agriculture, energy, and politics.

“Both leaders also noted the steady progress in defense and security cooperation between the two countries, fostered by regular exchanges between defense, intelligence and military agencies, and vowed to sustain the momentum gained over the past five years,” it said.

The Palace said Putin stressed the “positive trajectory” of Russia’s relations with the Philippines.

The Russian leader also noted the “many opportunities for greater cooperation in the fields of trade and investments, agriculture and energy development even as both countries work on further enhancing political-security cooperation.”

Renewed invitation

Duterte also reiterated his invitation for Putin to visit the Philippines “as soon as circumstances allow.”

Malacañang said Putin welcomed Duterte’s renewed invitation.

In December last year, Duterte invited Putin to go the Philippines. In case it pushes through, it will be his first trip to the Philippines.

Duterte, on the other hand, visited Russia in 2017 and 2019.

Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Senator Christopher Lawrence Go were present during the teleconference, the Palace said. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136672

Russia’s Putin welcomes Duterte’s invitation to visit PH

Published April 13, 2021, 7:55 PM by Genalyn Kabiling Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted President Duterte’s invitation to visit the Philippines when circumstances would allow.

(Photo via Genalyn Kabiling)

The invitation was relayed by the President to the Russian leader during their 30-minute phone conversation Tuesday in an effort to broaden relations.

“President Duterte also reiterated his invitation for President Putin to visit the Philippines as soon as circumstances allow, which President Putin welcomed,” the Palace said in a statement.

The two leaders have reaffirmed commitment to boost cooperation in defense and security, trade and investments, as well as efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic, during their telesummit.

Duterte and Putin likewise committed to continue the momentum of robust bilateral relations as the two nations mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year.

In December, President Duterte, who has described Putin as his “idol,” invited the Russian President to visit the country once possible, citing plans to promote “a more robust and deeper cooperation” between the two countries.

Duterte embarked on two official trips to Russia since the start of his term in 2016. The Russian leader has yet to reciprocate the visit.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/russias-putin-welcomes-dutertes-invitation-to-visit-ph/

DepEd promotes academic ease over freeze

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor April 13, 2021, 7:54 pm

MANILA – An education official on Tuesday said the Department of Education (DepEd) sees no need for academic break despite the request of some learners due to lack of gadgets to be used for learning.

In a televised public briefing, DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio said teachers and some learners believe that learning need not stop amid pandemic as there are different ways to learn such as the use of printed self-learning modules.

“Mayroon din tayong sinasabing academic ease. Ang kailangan po ay mas maging considerate tayo sa mga sitwasyon ng bawat bata (We also have what we call academic ease. We need to be considerate of the situation of each learner),” he said.

San Antonio reminded teachers not to be “very strict with the deadlines and to monitor the learners if they need support”.

“Nauunawaan natin na masyadong mapanghamon ang mga ginagawa at ang iba ay nagsasabi na masyadong overloaded iyong mga kailangang isumite ng mga bata (We understand some (academic) activities are challenging for learners and they are overloaded with things to submit))” he added.

San Antonio said some teachers undertake various academic activities even without instruction.

“Nagpupunta sila sa bahay at gumagawa ng personal follow-up para po iyong mga guidance nila ay maibigay sa mga mag-aaral na nangangailangan nito (They go to the learners’ homes doing a personal follow-up and asking what other guidance they need),” he added.

As the country fights against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the DepEd continues to promote learning continuity in public and private schools nationwide.

To date, 2,686,834 enrollees have taken part in the early registration in public schools.(PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136663

Distance learning until 2022? DepEd says planning 'for all possibilities'

ABS-CBN News Posted at Apr 13 2021 06:43 PM The Department of Education said on Tuesday it was preparing "for all possibilities" after a lawmaker warned that distance learning might extend until next year.

Face-to-face classes may not be possible this year because COVID-19 shots for children below 16 might not be available until the summer of 2022, Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor recently said.

"We plan for all possibilities," Education Secretary Leonor Briones said in a public briefing, when asked to respond to the lawmaker.

"Iyong request ni congressman na tayo ay magplano for a prolonged blended learning, distance learning, eh talagang kasama na iyan sa pagpaplano natin," she added.

(The request of the congressman that we plan for a prolonged bended learning, distance learning, that's already part of our planning.)

President Rodrigo Duterte twice rejected a pilot test for face-to-face classes, the latest in February, because the COVID-19 vaccination drive had yet to be launched then.

Briones in February said a survey by her agency showed "more than 50 percent" of students were in favor of attending in-person classes.

A “significant portion” of teachers also want to hold limited in-person classes while parents remain undecided on the matter, she said.

The education chief said prolonged school closures have an impact on the psychosocial welfare of students.

The Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia that has yet to hold in-person classes, even on a limited scale to supplement distance-learning modalities, she added.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/04/13/21/deped-face-to-face-classes-2022-covid

National ID key to human capital dev’t — NEDA

Published 20 hours ago on April 13, 2021 05:28 PM By Joshua Lao @tribunephl_lao The implementation of the Philippine identification system, also known as PhilSys, will play a key role in the country’s human capital development amid the health crisis, Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said.

“The Philippine government is looking forward to implementing three use cases for PhilSys in the immediate term: first, ensuring efficient and effective distribution of emergency subsidies; second, strengthening financial inclusion; third, facilitating efficient vaccine distribution for the general population,” Chua said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed several institutional weaknesses, including the difficulty in identifying beneficiaries for social programs and the lack of bank accounts for the efficient distribution of subsidies,” he added.

According to him, they are aiming to register around 50 to 70 million individuals by the end of the year in light of President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to accelerate its implementation.

Still, the Cabinet official noted that PhilSys will have a three-step registration process, the last of which is the issuance of PhilSys numbers, slated to begin this month.

“At the height of the quarantine last year, the government had zero registrations for the national ID. At the same time, the government provided the largest-ever emergency subsidy to the poorest 18 million families or the bottom 75 percent. However, only 22 percent of beneficiaries had bank accounts which led to delays in the payouts,” Chua explained.

“Providing each household with a national ID will allow them to open a bank account and access government subsidy programs efficiently. We also envision PhilSys to spark widespread use of electronic payments which can provide more and better opportunities for people, especially the poor and underserved, to access services,” he added.

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/04/13/national-id-key-to-human-capital-devt-neda/

Tropical depression unlikely to affect PH in next five days — PAGASA

Published April 13, 2021, 4:58 PM by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz

The tropical depression outside the country’s area of responsibility (PAR) may not bring significant impact over the country within the next five days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday afternoon, April 13.

In the PAGASA’s weather bulletin, the tropical depression was estimated at 1,290 kilometers east of Mindanao at around 3 p.m.

The tropical depression will be given a local name “Bising” once inside the Philippine area of responsibility over the weekend.

PAGASA said the weather disturbance has slightly intensified with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 70 kph while moving west at 20 kph.

It will likely intensify into a tropical storm in the next 24 hours, it added.

As of Tuesday afternoon, PAGASA said the easterlies, or the warm air coming from the Pacific Ocean, remain the dominant weather system bringing warm and humid weather conditions across most of the archipelago.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail due to the easterlies, it added.

However, it warned the public to take necessary precautions against possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/tropical-depression-unlikely-to-affect-ph-in-next-five-days-pagasa/

Task force seeks increased maritime, sovereignty patrols in West PH Sea

Published April 13, 2021, 3:56 PM by Martin Sadongdong Intensified inter-agency maritime operations should be a norm in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to assert the country’s sovereignty and resist other nations’ illegal claims, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said.

West Philippine Sea (PNA file photo)

“Sea assets are, and shall be, continuously deployed to differents areas in the WPS to conduct maritime and sovereignty patrols, and other law enforcement activities, including the Julian Felipe Reef, Pag-asa Cay, Recto Bank, and other parts of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG),” Vice Admiral Ramil Roberto Enriquez, chairman of ATF-West and commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Command (AFP - WesCom), said in a statement.

According to Enriquez, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed BRP Cabra (MRRV 4409) while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) sent two more ships in the area to conduct patrol operations. Meanwhile, he said the WesCom deployed four Philippine Navy vessels namely BRP Dagupan City (LS 551), BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS 36), BRP Magat Salamat (PS 20), and BRP Miguel Malvar (PS 19) to provide support and assistance to the PCG and BFAR.

“These inter-agency efforts are very essential in the way we address the national concerns in the WPS,” Enriquez said.

“The ATF-West shall continue to do so to ensure that our government forces and agencies will be able to collaborate, complement and support each other in performing respective mandates in support to national policy and strategy,” he added.

Further, Enriquez urged the public, especially Palawenos, “to know and understand their role, and to take their part in the national’s stake in the WPS, so that through the whole-of-nation efforts, the national interests and security will be safeguarded for the present and future generation of the Filipino people.”

The government has repeatedly protested the continued stay of around 220 Chinese vessels at the Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef in WPS which was monitored by security forces as early as the first week of March. The vessels later dispersed to other parts of the WPS and Kalayaan Island Group.

On Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to express “displeasure” over the “illegal lingering presence” of the Chinese vessels at the reef.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/task-force-seeks-increased-maritime-sovereignty-patrols-in-west-ph- sea/ PHL deploys more warships to boost sea patrols in WPS By Rene Acosta

April 14, 2021

In this March 31, 2021, file photo provided by the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea, Chinese vessels are moored at Julian Felipe Reef in West Philippine Sea. The Philippine government has summoned the Chinese ambassador to press a demand for Chinese vessels to immediately leave the reef claimed by Manila in the disputed South China Sea and said the illegal presence was stoking regional tension, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday, April 13, 2021.

The Philippines has deployed additional ships to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to boost its maritime patrols amid the tense security situation borne by the presence of Chinese ships in Julian Felipe Reef, which a Southeast Asian expert see as both a pressure and test for President Duterte.

The Area Task Force-West under the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said the Coast Guard’s BRP Cabra; the Navy’s BRP Dagupan City, BRP Apolinario Mabini, BRP Magat Salamat and BRP Miguel Malvar and two more ships from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) are already in the WPS for inter-agency maritime operations.

“These inter-agency efforts are very essential in the way we address the national concerns in the WPS,” said ATF-West Chairman Vice Admiral Ramil Roberto. “The ATF-West shall continue to do so to ensure that our government forces and agencies will be able to collaborate, complement and support each other in performing respective mandates in support to national policy and strategy.”

Roberto said assets would be continuously deployed to different areas in the WPS to “conduct maritime and sovereignty patrols, and other law-enforcement activities, including the Julian Felipe Reef, Pag-asa Cay, Recto Bank, and other parts of the Kalayaan Island Group.”

‘Biggest bully’

Opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros pressed anew on Tuesday an earlier demand for China to “completely vacate” the Julian Felipe Reef well within the WPS territory, lamenting that China is “becoming the region’s biggest bully.”

“We cannot allow ourselves to be kicked out of our own backyard,” Hontiveros stressed, asserting, “the West Philippine Sea is part of the patrimony of the Filipino people. Above and beyond considerations of access to resources, diplomacy and geopolitics, our national dignity is at stake.”

In a news statement, the senator protested “China’s increasingly aggressive territorial expansion” in the West Philippine Sea, citing latest situation report from the Armed Forces of the Philippines that there are still 28 Chinese vessels in Julian Felipe Reef.

“We demanded that every single Chinese vessel leaves Philippine territory,” Hontiveros recalled. “Why are they still there? China is becoming the region’s biggest bully,” she said, denouncing that China had also “exploited a global health crisis by executing a series of coordinated incursions into the WPS, and insisting her presence even after several diplomatic actions from our end.”

The senator deplored the latest developments in Julian Felipe Reef “only shows how China will do what she wants for her own selfish interest, even if it means threatening peace and stability in the region; even if it means attacking already vulnerable countries, including the Philippines.”

Moored

ON Sunday, Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Cirilito Sobejana said that at least 28 ships from China’s Coast Guard and maritime militia, including fishing vessels, are still in the country’s maritime waters that China is disputing. He did not however say how many ships are still moored in Julian Felipe Reef.

Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, however, said on Saturday that at least 32 Chinese maritime militia vessels are still berthed around Julian Felipe, from 44 just a week earlier. At least 222 militia ships were seen anchored at the reef on March 7, but most of them have dispersed three weeks later and redeployed in various parts of the WPS and Kalayaan Island Group.

Carlyle Thayer, an emeritus professor with the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy, said the presence of Chinese militia ships in Julian Felipe Reef was a test of leadership for President Duterte that was designed by China to pressuring him to make a choice between Beijing and the West.

It was also crafted to disrupt the US-Philippines alliance and show President Duterte that the US has “no strategy to alter the status quo,” or Beijing’s “dominance and presence” in the South China Sea.

Thayer told Manila-based journalists working for foreign news agencies that an assertive China has become the US’s greatest competitor that is potentially capable of combining “economic, diplomatic, military and technological power” to mount an American-led international system.

He said the military advantage of the US over Beijing has gone down as the People’s Liberation Army fields much improved assets and weaponry, adding that the greatest danger for the US is its erosion of combat-credible conventional deterrence.

“Without credible conventional deterrence, China will be emboldened to undermine international order and our values for free and open Indo-Pacific,” Thayer said.

He declared that the balance of military forces in the Indo-Pacific is becoming more “unfavorable” to the US and raises the risk that Beijing will be emboldened to alter the status quo that may also cover Taiwan and the entire South China Sea.

Thayer said the Philippines must equip and develop itself into an agile and joint fighting force in order to hamper China’s momentum with the help of the US and its regional allies. whose sovereignty is also challenged by China. With Butch Fernandez

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/04/14/phl-deploys-more-warships-to-boost-sea-patrols-in-wps/

No at-sea events for this year's 'Balikatan': PH Navy

By Priam Nepomuceno April 13, 2021, 1:35 pm

•

MANILA – There will be no at-sea events in this year's iteration of the "Balikatan" military exercises between American and Filipino military forces.

"This year's Balikatan Exercises do not include at-sea events as agreed upon by the Philippine-US defense officials due to the ongoing pandemic," Philippine Navy (PN) chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said on Tuesday, when asked whether the country's two missile frigates, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), will be participating in the two-week military drills.

This year's "Balikatan" (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises started Monday and will end on April 23.

Last year's exercises were canceled due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Bacordo said the crew members of the BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna are undergoing various training and systems testing before their deployment.

"Our two frigates, FF-150 and FF-151 are presently conducting manufacturer's training and systems testing in preparation for their operational deployments," he added.

Both BRP Jose Rizal and the BRP Antonio Luna are capable of surface, sub-surface, air, and electronic warfare using state-of-the-art electronic sensors, long-range missiles, acoustic guided torpedoes, and an embarked anti-submarine helicopter.

BRP Jose Rizal formally joined the PN in July 2020 while BRP Antonio Luna was commissioned in March of this year. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136596

Ex-DFA chief Del Rosario supports gov’t effort in summoning Chinese envoy over the Julian Felipe Reef issue

Published April 13, 2021, 8:24 PM by Roy Mabasa Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario on Tuesday said the lingering of Chinese vessels at Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef) in the West Philippine Sea is an “open and continuing violation of our laws.”

Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario

Del Rosario made this statement shortly after the news broke out that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has summoned Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian over the presence of the Chinese vessels in the Reef which is located inside the country’s exclusive economic zone.

The former top diplomat who was one of the architects behind the Philippine arbitration case against China also expressed his support for the DFA’s effort in summoning Huang over the presence of the Chinese vessels in Julian Felipe Reef.

“The lingering Chinese presence in Julian Felipe Reef is an open and continuing violation of our laws. It is but right that our leaders do whatever is necessary to address this open and continuing insult to Filipinos,” said Del Rosario who served as foreign secretary under the administration of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

By summoning the Chinese envoy, Del Rosario said the DFA has acted consistently with its collective constitutional duty to protect the country’s “national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination.”

“This is truly the ‘independent foreign policy’ contemplated by our Constitution, which is to protect our national heritage in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

Del Rosario further explained that the continued lingering of the Chinese vessels in Julian Felipe Reef “violates the country’s laws specifically the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 (RA 8550, as amended). In part, the law provides that “it shall be unlawful for any foreign person, corporation or entity to fish or operate any fishing vessel in Philippine waters.”

“Our law also provides that the entry of any foreign fishing vessel in Philippine waters shall constitute a prima facie presumption that the vessel is engaged in fishing in Philippine waters,” said the former DFA secretary who now chairs a Manila-based think-tank named after him.

On Monday, DFA Acting Undersecretary Elizabeth Buensuceso formally informed Huang that the continuing presence of Chinese vessels around Julian Felipe Reef is a “source of regional tension”.

Buensuceso told the Chinese envoy that the July 2016 Award in the South China Sea Arbitration ruled that Beijing’s claims to historic rights or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction that exceed the geographic and substantive limits of maritime entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) are “without lawful effect”.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/ex-dfa-chief-del-rosario-supports-govt-effort-in-summoning-chinese- envoy-over-the-julian-felipe-reef-issue/

Mga mangingisda sa West PH Sea ibinahagi ang kalbaryong idinulot ng China

ABS-CBN News Posted at Apr 13 2021 08:12 PM

MAYNILA — Nagkuwento ang ilang mangingisda ng West Philippine Sea kung gaano kalaki ang epekto sa buhay nila ng presensiya at pananaboy sa kanila ng mga barko ng China.

Sa Sabina Shoal, 99 milya mula sa mainland Palawan, sa loob ng exclusive economic zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas, namalagi pansamantala ang ilang mangingisdang Pinoy.

Pero kahit EEZ iyon ng Pilipinas, karamihan sa mga nakasalubong nilang bangka ay malalaking lantsa ng China.

Sa Southern Banks, isang bangkang Pilipino ang nagkuwento ukol sa kanilang paghahanapbuhay. Isang grupo sila ng mga nangangawil at ang huli nila ay agad nilang dinadaing.

Hindi sila puwedeng mag-uwi ng sariwang huli dahil buwan ang binibilang nila bago umuwi sa pantalan.

"Sobra na isang buwan po... Ganu'n po. Abutin pa po ng mga 75 days," ani Nardin Salih, mangingisda, nang tanungin kung pang-ilang araw na nila sa karagatan ngayon.

Pero hindi daw dating ganito ang buhay nila.

Kuwento ni Salih, noong nakakapunta pa ang mga Pilipino sa Union banks, kung nasaan ang Julian Felipe reef, dalawang linggo lang ay napupuno na nila ng huli ang bangka.

Pero may 10 taon na raw mula nung huling pumunta roon sina Salih dahil alam nila ang dadatnan nila sa lugar.

"Kasi 'yung mga China kasi maano. Nag-aano sila ng mga tao. Kung may nagpunta doon na mga ibang [lahi], tinataboy nila... Siyempre ma'am, natatakot din... Alis na lang, dito na lang kami, paikot-ikot," ani Salih.

Sa tagal nila sa laot, hindi na nabalitaan nina Salih ang dumog ng mga barko ng Tsina na lalo nang dumami sa Union banks.

Hindi na rin nila nakita ang itsura ng mga isla ng Tsina na nasa paligid din doon.

Pero sana, ayon sa kanya, isang araw, makabalik sila.

"Hiling lang namin 'yung kung puwede lang sana makapasok doon. Kagaya ng dati. 'Yun ang hiling namin. Wala naman kaming ibang hiling... Pero kung talagang hindi kami makapunta, wala kaming magawa," ani Salih. Bago maghiwalay ang bangka nila Salih, binulungan ng kapitan ng kabilang bangka ang batang miyembro ng grupong nangangawil sakay ng bangka ni Salih.

Siya si Alnastraf, 21 anyos. Inihatid sa kaniya ang masamang balita na pumanaw ang nanay niya.

Nagpaalam si Alnastraf kung puwedeng lumipat sa kabilang bangka para siya makauwi dahil kung hindi ay buwan pa ang bibilangin bago siya makapagluksa.

Ni hindi na siya nag-empake, agad nang sumampa.

Habang tinatanaw niya ang bangka niyang papalayo, tahimik na siyang lumuha.

—Ulat ni Chiara Zambrano, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/13/21/mangingisda-west-ph-sea-ibinahagi-kalbaryo-china

Resumption of US-PH Balikatan to escalate tension in WPS, Bayan Muna warns

Published April 13, 2021, 6:38 PM by Vanne Elaine Terrazola Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate on Tuesday, April 13, aired his party-list’s opposition to the reopening of the joint exercises of American and Filipino soldiers, saying the move would only heighten the tension between the United States and China, and in the West Philippines Sea (WPS).

Representative Carlos Zarate

The House deputy minority leader warned that the 36th Balikatan Exercises will place the Philippines “smack in the middle of two competing super powers”.

“It would be best for the Philippine government to assert its sovereignty on the WPS without playing one superpower against the other. If this competition for dominance escalate, we will surely be crushed in the middle of it all,” Zarate said in a statement.

“What can be done now is to call for a de-escalation of tensions in the WPS and to demilitarize the area. The Philippines should be in the forefront instead in the passage of code of conduct among claimant countries in the South China Sea that can be strictly implemented,” said the progressive lawmaker.

Zarate said legislators can also help ease the tension in the WPS. He called on the leaders of Congress seek the support of the Asian Parliamentary Association (AIPO) and the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) to denounce China’s aggression in the South China Sea

“As standing members of the AIPO and the IPU, we should use these venues to gather international support to oppose Chinese expansionism and militarization of the West Philippine Sea,” he proposed.

“We may not win through military might against China or any superpower but certainly we are strong in the legal, moral, and diplomatic arenas,” Zarate stressed.

The Balikatan Exercises of the US and Philippine armed forces opened on Monday, April 12, amid the ongoing tension in the WPS.

China insists on its sweeping territorial claim in the South China Sea, including parts of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The joint military drills of around 1,800 Filipino and American soldiers will run until April 23, and will include a bilateral staff exercise, close air support training, subject matter exchanges, maritime security training, and humanitarian and civic assistance activities.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/resumption-of-us-ph-balikatan-to-escalate-tension-in-wps-bayan- muna-warns/

CPP: Balikatan reinforces Philippine dependence on US amid China aggression By CONSUELO MARQUEZ, GMA News

Published April 13, 2021 10:12pm

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) slammed the opening of the Balikatan military exercises, arguing that it reinforces the Philippine military's dependence on the United States amid China's incursions in the West Philippine Sea.

"Amid increasing Chinese aggression in the Philippine seas, the Balikatan exercise fosters the false notion that the US military is the only option for the Philippines to stand up to China," CPP Information Officer Marco Valbuena said in a press statement.

"In fact, because of its long standing reliance on the US military, the AFP remains incapable of defending the country independently."

The Philippines earlier summoned the Chinese Ambassador over the presence of Chinese boats at the Julian Felipe Reef.

The Chinese vessels staying at the Julian Felipe Reef decreased from more than 200 to only nine, according to Foreign Affairs Department.

Meanwhile, Department of National Defense spokesperson Aresnio Andolong said the Philippines would keep its options open over managing the West Philippine Sea situation "including leveraging our partnerships with other nations such as the United States."

The US State Department, for its part, made it clear that an armed attack against the Philippines' armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea "would trigger US obligations under the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty."

Meanwhile, the CPP also criticized the Duterte government for failing to create a comprehensive plan in asserting the country's sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. "This reliance is made worse by the Duterte government's failure to come up with a more robust and comprehensive plan of resisting China's aggression," Valbuena said.

Also, the CPP claimed that the annual Balikatan exercises reinforced US operational control over Philippine military forces.

The CPP also said the annual exercise between the two nations "trains the Philippine military to provide support services to the US military in its overseas operations especially in this part of the globe."

The Balikatan exercise will also be used to influence the Armed Forces of the Philippines to prioritize anti-insurgency operations.

The Philippine military opened its joint exercises with the US on Monday. This year's Balikatan includes a bilateral staff exercise, close air support training, subject matter exchanges, maritime security training, and humanitarian and civic assistance activities.

While AFP chief General Cirilito Sobejana said that the exercise fostered a stronger and more robust military relationship and interoperability between the Philippine and US militaries, US Balikatan exercise director Colonel Aaron Brunk added that by training together, the two militaries built upon each other and strengthen each other.

The Balikatan exercise was suspended last year to allow the country to prioritize its efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic. — DVM, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/783610/cpp-balikatan-reinforces-philippine- dependence-on-us-amid-china-aggression/story/

Gov’t should stop tolerating China’s duplicity, bullying — Hontiveros

Published April 13, 2021, 2:13 PM by Hannah Torregoza Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday, April 13, said Malacañang should stop tolerating China’s “duplicitous strategy” and bullying by ditching its “special friendship” with Beijing in favor of protecting the country’s assets in the West Philippine Sea and it’s over-all sovereignty.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros(Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN)

At the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) forum on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Hontiveros said it is imperative for the Duterte administration to assert the country’s rights to its own exclusive economic zones (EEZ) and tell Beijing to withdraw its ships in the Julian Felipe Reef and other maritime territories of the Philippines.

“The Chinese like to tell others to refrain from irresponsible behavior—but their recent behavior has been far from honest or responsible. The Chinese like to tell others to avoid actions that threaten bilateral relations as well as the peace and stability in the region—but it is Chinese greed for territory, power and hegemony that threatens to suck the world into a regional conflict,” Hontiveros said at the forum.

“To convince us of its good intentions, China has given us its vaccines – possibly for free, or perhaps – as many people fear – in exchange for our waters. As I’ve said in previous statements, we must not allow China to shake our hands on vaccines and procurement, but stab us in the back on the West Philippine Sea. But Malacañang has tolerated China’s duplicitous strategy,” she lamented.

Even after the most recent incident at the Ayungin Shoal where the Chinese Navy harassed a boat carrying a team of Filipino journalists, the opposition senator said Malacañang still “likes to call China our friend, likes to talk about our special friendship with China.”

“But this isn’t how a friend treats you. This isn’t even the act of a good neighbor. This is how imperialists have treated their vassals and client states since time immemorial,” Hontiveros pointed out.

“By talking about this so-called ‘special friendship,’ the Palace is telegraphing its incapacity—or, unwillingness—to defy Beijing, further emboldening the latter’s imperial ambitions. Moreover, by letting Beijing demean and abuse our country, the President is only signaling that we are weak; that we will not stand up for ourselves and our interests,” she said.

The Palace, she said, should learn from Indonesia, which was able to acquire COVID-19 vaccines and Chinese investments, while resisting its encroachment into its territory.

She said she believes that China’s aggressive territorial expansion in the WPS and its territorial disputes with other Asian countries in the region is its way of threatening “to draw the whole world into a wider conflict.”

“The recent conduct of the Chinese Coast Guard as well as the People’s Liberation Army Navy, or PLAN, make it clear that our freedom of navigation within our own waters has been severely impaired,” Hontiveros noted.

“Our government must rethink its current alliances – and perhaps its allegiances. We must be consistent and firm in standing up for our national interests. We should hold China accountable for the damage she has done to fragile marine ecosystems within our EEZ,” she said.

“We should ensure that our environmental laws, and not China’s, are the laws being implemented and enforced in the WPS,” she appealed.

Hontiveros said she will press the Senate to take up the two resolutions she filed seeking to address China’s construction of artificial islands and to demand compensation for the ecological damage caused by their artificial islands.

“I intend to make these resolutions a priority once the Senate resumes its sessions in May,” she said, referring to Senate Resolution Nos. 369 and 509, respectively.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/govt-should-stop-tolerating-chinas-duplicity-bullying-hontiveros/

Reds torch more road equipment in

Surigao; pursuit underway Published 20 hours ago on April 13, 2021 04:47 PM By John Roson Government forces are pursuing suspected members of the New People’s Army who burned yet more equipment being used to build roads in Surigao del Norte.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat, Caraga regional police director, said members of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 16B carried out the latest arson attack before noon Monday, in Brgy. Mapawa, Surigao City.

The rebels set fire to a back hoe, mixer truck, and generator set owned and being used by a local construction firm to build a farm-to-market road, he said. Extortion is being eyed as motive for the attack, which left at least P5 million worth of damage, said Caramat.

The incident came barely three months after members of Guerilla Front 16B burned a dump truck and backhoe also being used to build a farm-to-market road in Brgy. Binocaran, Malimono town, on February 24.

The previous attack left at least P5.95 million worth of damage. “These desperate NPA terrorists do not care for the local folk who are to benefit from roads connecting communities to market centers,” Caramat said.

Members of the Surigao del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company and Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion were sent to pursue the rebels.

Maj. Dorothy Tumulak, regional police spokesperson, said pursuit operations were still underway Tuesday, while Surigao City police are conducting investigation for the filing of charges.

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/04/13/reds-torch-more-road-equipment-in-surigao-pursuit- underway/

Authorities nab alleged Abu Sayyaf member in Sulu

ABS-CBN News Posted at Apr 13 2021 08:21 PM

MANILA - The military and the police said they have arrested an alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf group in Omar, Sulu on Sunday.

The suspect was identified by authorities as Berhamin Ellih, also known as Berhamin Hamad.

Reports showed that Ellih was apprehended in Barangay Capual due to his supposed standing warrant of arrest for arson.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/13/21/authorities-nab-alleged-abu-sayyaf-member-in-sulu

Soldier, civilian hurt in Basilan roadside blast Published April 13, 2021 11:31am

A soldier and a civilian were wounded after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in Tipo- Tipo, Basilan, on Monday, according to the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom).

Wesmincom commander Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr. said troops from the 12th Division Reconnaissance Company were conducting mobile patrol at Sitio Bohe Bekew in Barangay Baguindan when the incident happened.

“Around 6:25 in the morning, today, a roadside IED exploded which resulted in the wounding of one Accordingof our valiant to Wesmincom, soldiers and onethe twocivilian,” were Vinluanimmediately said in given a statement first aid onand Monday. brought to a hospital in Lamitan City for further medical treatment.

Joint Task Force Basilan commander Brigadier General Domingo Gobway said the victims are now in stable condition.

Gobway said they are exerting "all efforts" to identity the perpetrators.

Vinluan associated the explosion to the Abu Sayyaf, saying the group usually engages in "desperate" attacks to gain popularity and to show off their potential. capability can no - —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA“The AbuNews Sayyaf Group tends to conduct desperate attacks since their weakened manpower and longer withstand the military’s all out offensives,” he said. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/783498/soldier-civilian-hurt-in-basilan-roadside- blast/story/

PH calls for South China Sea code of conduct

Published April 13, 2021, 5:42 PM by Genalyn Kabiling The Philippines has made another pitch for the adoption of a code of conduct in the South China Sea to avoid escalating tension among claimants.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said President Duterte hopes the code of conduct will be finalized as he pressed for a peaceful and rules-based resolution to the territorial conflict.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (OPS / FILE PHOTO)

Tension in the region has been reignited after the Philippines protested the unlawful stay of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea. The government earlier raised alarm over the presence of over 200 Chinese maritime militia vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef last month. The number of Chinese ships at the local reef has reportedly dwindled but the vessels simply spread to other parts of the local waters.

“Umaasa po tayo na magkakaroon tayo ng Code of Conduct nang maiwasan ang hidwaan diyan sa lugar na iyan (We are hoping there will be a code of conduct to avoid the conflict in the area),” Roque said during an online briefing Tuesday, April 13.

“Inaasahan natin mariresolba po ito nang mapayapa sa panig ng mga magkakaibigan (We are also hopeful this could be resolved peacefully between friends),” he added.

A substantive and effective code of conduct in the South China Sea is still being negotiated by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China since the first non-binding declaration was forged in 2002. The group earlier agreed to finalize the code by 2022 but negotiations have reportedly been derailed by the movement restrictions arising from the pandemic.

Apart from the Philippines, ASEAN member-nations Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam have overlapping claims with China in the South China Sea.

Roque said the President’s position on the West Philippine Sea has not changed, citing an arbitral ruling that nullified China’s claims over the area.

“Kinakailangan maresolba po ang hindi pagkakasunduan diyan sa West Philippine Sea sa pamamagitan po ng UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (The conflict in the West Philippine Sea must be resolved through the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea),” Roque said.

“Nandiyan po ang desisyon ng ating UN Tribunal for the Law of the Sea na nagsasabi na walang basehan ang tinatawag na historic claims to waters at kinikilala po na ang malaking bahagi ng West Philippine Sea ay kabahagi ng ating exclusive economic zone (The UN Tribunal for the Law for the Law of the Sea has ruled that its hi storic claims to water have no basis and it recognized the large part fo the West Philippine Sea is part of our exclusive economic zone),” he added.

Manila has asked Beijing to pull out its vessels from local waters, insisting the country’s sovereign rights over the territory. China however ignored the country’s plea, insisting the fishing vessels were taking shelter from rough seas and that no militia were onboard.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/ph-calls-for-south-china-sea-code-of-conduct/

Unrest flares again in Minnesota after fatal police shooting of Black motorist By Nicholas Pfosi, Jonathan Allen 5 MIN READ

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (Reuters) -A suburban Minneapolis police officer apparently drew her gun by mistake, instead of her Taser, when she shot a young Black man to death during a traffic stop, a police chief said on Monday, hours before a second night of unrest sparked by the killing.

Family members of the slain motorist, Daunte Wright, 20, rejected the notion that a mere accident was to blame for Sunday’s shooting in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, with Wright’s grieving brother denouncing the police as “trigger happy.”

The shooting roiled a region already on edge, as last year’s killing of George Floyd, a Black man who died with his neck pinned to a Minneapolis street under a white policeman’s knee, was being recounted in graphic detail in the trial of former officer Derek Chauvin, charged with his murder.

Wright was killed just 10 miles from where Floyd, 46, lost his life while under arrest for allegedly passing a bogus $20 bill, unleashing a months-long nationwide upheaval of protests against racial injustice in the U.S. law enforcement system.

Brooklyn Center’s police chief, Tim Gannon, said during a news briefing on Monday that Wright was pulled over for an expired vehicle registration and that the shooting was apparently unintentional, judging from his initial review of police video footage of the incident.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-minnesota-shooting/unrest-flares-again-in-minnesota-after- fatal-police-shooting-of-black-motorist-idUSKBN2BZ21A

Taser vs. gun mix-ups draw fresh scrutiny in wake of Minnesota killing By Tim Reid, Alexandra Ulmer 5 MIN READ

(Reuters) - The company that manufactures Tasers says it has implemented design features and training recommendations to reduce the chances that law enforcement officers would confuse the electroshock weapon for a handgun when using force.

FILE PHOTO: An X26P Taser gun is shown on display at the Taser booth during the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in San Diego, California, U.S. October 17, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo

But after a police officer shot and killed a Black man in Minnesota on Sunday when, according to authorities, she mistakenly drew her gun instead of her Taser, experts said it is clear that problems persist with Taser training and the weapon’s design.

At least 18 officers have made such errors in the past two decades, sometimes with deadly outcomes, according to data collected by John Peters, a former police officer who served as an expert witness in a prominent “weapon confusion” case involving a 2009 fatal shooting in California.

Daunte Wright, 20, died in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center after what the city’s police chief on Monday called an apparent “accidental discharge” by an officer who drew her gun instead of her Taser during a struggle following a traffic stop.

Officer Kim Potter, a 26-year veteran of the Brooklyn Center Police Department, and Police Chief Tim Gannon both resigned on Tuesday. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the department has not yet said what caused Potter to draw the wrong weapon.

Civil rights advocates have balked at the notion that Wright’s death was accidental. In interviews, experts in police use of force said they did not have enough information about Sunday’s shooting to assess what went wrong.

Philip Stinson, a criminal justice professor at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, said the design of Tasers remains a major issue. “What we’re seeing is that in these incidents police officers often act in ways that are inconsistent with their law enforcement training,” Stinson said. “These devices look and feel like handguns, and that’s the core problem.”

Arizona-based Axon Enterprise Inc, which makes Tasers, said in an email that its efforts to minimize confusion have included giving the weapons a different grip and making them heavier than firearms. Tasers are also available in yellow to contrast with a black gun, the company added.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-minnesota-shooting-taser/taser-vs-gun-mix-up-raises- concerns-about-training-design-after-minnesota-shooting-idUSKBN2C02RK

US-China tech war: supercomputer sanctions on China begin to bite as Taiwan’s TSMC said to suspend chip orders

• TSMC said to be no longer accepting new orders from Phytium, one of seven Chinese entities involved in supercomputing blacklisted by the US last week • The blacklist could hurt China’s supercomputer efforts, but experts say it might not have much impact on military technology, a main concern of the US

Washington’s new supercomputer sanctions on China are already beginning to bite, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has suspended new orders from Phytium Information Technology Co, one of seven Chinese organisations related to supercomputing that was put on the US Entity List last week, according to a person familiar with the matter.

TSMC will complete orders placed before the US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security added the entities to the trade blacklist on national security grounds, the person told the South China Morning Post.

A TSMC representative declined to comment on the matter but said the company would “abide by all the laws and regulations as always, and will operate according to the export restrictions”, without elaborating further.

https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3129362/us-china-tech-war-supercomputer-sanctions- china-begin-bite-taiwans

Psaki: U.S. approaches ties with China as one of competition

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Tuesday that the United States is approaching its relationship with China as one not of conflict but of competition.

The spokesperson made the remarks when she answered a question about addressing the country's tensions with China in the upcoming climate summit.

"We are engaged, as you know, at a range of levels," said Psaki.

"We believe that the most important steps we can take is to rebuild and support our own economy here at home, and to also be candid about areas where we have concerns," she added.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-04-14/Psaki-U-S-approaches-ties-with-China-as-one-of-competition- ZrDpxxxcPe/index.html

US issues subpoena to Chinese firm as part of supply chain review

• Similar to the Trump White House, Biden’s administration has taken a relatively hard line on Chinese companies, citing national security • The president’s team has said it plans to allow a Trump-era rule targeting Chinese technology firms deemed a threat to the US to go into effect

The US Commerce Department said on Tuesday it had issued a subpoena to an unnamed Chinese company as part of the Biden administration’s review of its supply chain for any risks posed to US national security.

The administration of President Joe Biden has taken a relatively hard line on Chinese companies, similar to that of the previous Trump White House, citing US national security and underscoring the president’s view that China is America’s most serious competitor.

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3129422/us-issues-subpoena- chinese-firm-part-supply-chain

US lawmakers seek to speed up Uygur refugee applications amid Xinjiang human rights abuse claims

• Bipartisan bill would grant Priority 2 refugee status to groups facing repression in China’s Xinjiang region • Move would allow up to thousands of Uygurs to forgo a UN referral and apply directly as refugees to the US

A bipartisan pair of US senators on Tuesday introduced a bill to expedite refugee applications from Uygurs, matching an effort in the US House of Representatives to assist members of the largely Muslim ethnic group that advocates say face persecution in China.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Democratic Senator Chris Coons put forward the “Uygur Human Rights Protection Act”, which would grant Priority 2 refugee status to Uygurs and other groups, including Kazakhs and Kyrgyz, who have faced repression in or fled from China’s Xinjiang region.

Priority 2 status would allow hundreds, or possibly thousands, of Uygurs to forgo a United Nations referral and apply directly as refugees to the US government, reducing concerns that Beijing could be notified by a third country and seek their deportation back to China.

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3129435/us-lawmakers-seek-speed- uygur-refugee-applications

Calls for US, China to work together and ‘set example’ on climate change

• Experts at virtual talks say cooperation on climate, energy and green finance will benefit everyone • The countries are the two biggest emitters of carbon dioxide in the world

China and the United States should work together in areas like climate, energy and green finance for the benefit of everyone, even as their rift deepens in other areas, academics from the two countries say.

Speaking at virtual round-table talks on China-US cooperation last week, Liu Yuanchun, vice-president of Renmin University in Beijing, asked: “The relationship between China and the US is at a critical juncture. Will it be possible to start a new development path in the post-Trump era for the Biden administration?”

The discussion involved more than 50 experts from the two countries, according to a social media post by Renmin University, which co-hosted the talks with Columbia University.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3129415/calls-us-china-work-together-and-set- example-climate-change

US climate envoy John Kerry to meet officials in China this week to discuss environmental crisis concerns

• Kerry is expected to arrive in Shanghai on Wednesday, ahead of meetings with officials on Thursday and Friday, Reuters reports • Those meetings will include discussions with Kerry’s Chinese counterpart, Xie Zhenhua

John Kerry, the Biden administration’s climate envoy, will travel to China later this week to meet Chinese officials to discuss “raising global climate ambition,” the US State Department said on Tuesday.

Kerry was expected to arrive in Shanghai on Wednesday, ahead of meetings with officials on Thursday and Friday, Reuters reported. Those meetings will include discussions with Kerry’s Chinese counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, whom Kerry has lauded as a “capable advocate”.

Kerry may conduct additional talks with other top Chinese officials, including vice-premier Han Zheng, top diplomat Yang Jiechi, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, reported The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the planning.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3129427/us-climate-envoy-john-kerry-meet- officials-china-week

Joe Biden sends unofficial delegation to Taiwan in ‘personal signal’

• Ex-senator Chris Dodd and ex-deputy secretaries of state Richard Armitage and James Steinberg, who are ‘personally close’ to the president, have been selected • The US has announced new guidelines on Taiwan amid stepped-up Chinese military activity around the island

Former US senator Chris Dodd and former deputy secretaries of state Richard Armitage and James Steinberg headed to Taiwan on Tuesday at President

Joe Biden’s request, in what a White House official called a “personal signal” of the president’s commitment to the Chinese-claimed island and its democracy.

A senior Biden administration official said the dispatch of the “unofficial” delegation comes as the United States and Taiwan mark the 42nd anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, for which Biden voted when he was a US senator.

The delegation will meet senior Taiwanese officials and followed “a long-standing bipartisan tradition of US administrations sending high-level, unofficial delegations to Taiwan”, the official said. https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3129430/joe-biden-sends-unofficial- delegation-taiwan

US urges Beijing to stop its pressure on Taiwan DIALOGUE SOUGHT: Washington said it was concerned about the pattern of ongoing attempts to intimidate Taiwan after the 10th day of PLA activity in the region

• Staff writer, with CNA The US on Monday urged Beijing to stop its multifaceted pressure campaign against Taiwan after China sent 25 military jets into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.

“The United States notes with concern the pattern of ongoing PRC [People’s Republic of China] attempts to intimidate the region, including Taiwan,” a US Department of State spokesperson said in an e-mail response to questions. “We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure against Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan.”

The Ministry of National Defense said that 25 Chinese military aircraft entered the zone on Monday.

It was the 10th straight day that Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) planes entered the zone, while the number of aircraft was the highest in a single day since Sept. 17 last year, when the ministry began to publish such activity by Chinese aircraft on its Web site.

The previous high of 20 was on March 26, after Taipei and Washington signed an accord to bolster maritime cooperation.

The PLA aircraft in the sorties on Monday were 14 J-16 multi-role fighters, four J-10 multi-role fighters, four H-6K bombers, two Y-8 marine patrol planes and one KJ-500 airborne early warning and control plane, the ministry said.

All of the aircraft operated in airspace southwest of Taiwan, between Taiwan proper and the Pratas Islands (Dongsha Islands, 東沙群島), a chart on the ministry’s Web site showed.

Taipei responded by scrambling air force planes to monitor the Chinese aircraft, issuing radio warnings and mobilizing air defense assets until they left the area, the ministry said.

It was unclear why Beijing deployed so many military aircraft to the area on Monday, but it coincided with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s warning to Beijing on its “increasingly aggressive actions” against Taiwan.

Blinken on Sunday said in an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press that Washington has a longstanding bipartisan commitment to Taiwan under the US’ Taiwan Relations Act to ensure that Taiwan “has the ability to defend itself” and make sure the US is sustaining peace and security in the western Pacific. “It would be a serious mistake for anyone to try to change that status quo by force,” he said.

After the interview, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei issued a statement expressing appreciation for Blinken’s support of Taiwan, and US recognition of the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/04/14/2003755660

Taiwan ready to welcome former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo

• Deputy foreign minister Tien Chung-kwang says ‘we’re working hard’ to make arrangements for trip which is likely to anger Beijing • Pompeo, a strong supporter of the island during his time in office, says it would be ‘wonderful’ to visit

Taiwan is making arrangements for former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo to visit the island later this year -a move that is likely to anger Beijing.

Pompeo, known for his strong support of the island during his time as the US secretary of state, had expressed his interest in visiting the island soon after he stepped down in January.

On Monday deputy foreign minister Tien Chung-kwang said “we’re working hard on this” in response to questions in the legislature.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3129258/taiwan-ready-welcome-former-us- secretary

Chinese embassy unwittingly admits Taiwan is independent in threatening email to Swedish journalist Swedish politicians call for expulsion of Chinese 'wolf warrior' ambassador for threatening Taiwan-based journalist

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By Keoni Everington, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

2021/04/13 18:01

Jojje Olsson. (Jojje Olsson photo)

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Swedish politicians are calling for the expulsion of the Chinese ambassador after he sent a series of threatening emails to a Swedish journalist, while netizens are mocking the embassy for unwittingly conceding that Taiwan is not a part of China.

Swedish journalist Jojje Olsson told Taiwan News that he has received four "threatening emails" this year from the Chinese embassy in Sweden over articles he has written that have been critical of Beijing's policies, particularly regarding Xinjiang. Olsson, a native Swedish speaker who is skilled in Mandarin and English, has carved out a niche for himself as one of the few Swedish journalists independently reporting on China in his native tongue.

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4176016

Don't play with fire on Taiwan, China warns U.S. By Gabriel Crossley 3 MIN READ

BEIJING (Reuters) - China told the United States on Tuesday to stop playing with fire over Taiwan and lodged a complaint after Washington issued guidelines that will enable U.S. officials to meet more freely with officials from the island that China claims as its own.

The U.S. State Department’s Friday decision to deepen relations with self-ruled Taiwan came amid stepped-up Chinese military activity around the island, including almost daily air force incursions into Taiwan’s air defence zone.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters they had lodged “stern representations” with the United States.

China urges the United States “not to play with fire on the Taiwan issue, immediately stop any form of U.S.-Taiwan official contacts, cautiously and appropriately handle the matter, and not send wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces so as not to subversively influence and damage Sino-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait”, he said.

Washington has watched with alarm the uptick in tensions, and on Sunday U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States was concerned about China’s aggressive actions against Taiwan.

In a written response to Reuters on Blinken’s remarks, China’s Foreign Ministry said the government had the absolute determination to protect the country’s sovereignty. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-taiwan-diplomacy/dont-play-with-fire-on-taiwan-china-warns- u-s-idUSKBN2C00U5

Chinese premier calls for more communication between China, U.S. By Reuters Staff 3 MIN READ

BEIJING (Reuters) - China and the United States should step up their communication while managing their differences and respecting each other’s core interests, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told a group of senior U.S. executives on Tuesday.

China hopes the United States could work with China to meet each other halfway, said Li at a virtual conference with presidents and chief executives from more than 20 large U.S. companies.

“(We need to) step up dialogue and communication, and expand practical cooperation, properly manage differences, and push Sino-U.S. relations towards the direction of overall stability,” Li was quoted as saying by state television.

Bilateral ties had sunk to the lowest level in decades under the Trump administration, which accused China of committing a range of misdeeds from intellectual property theft to the spread of the novel coronavirus.

High-level talks in Alaska last month, the first since U.S. President Joe Biden took office, yielded no breakthrough.

The need for communication was echoed by China’s state planner also on Tuesday when it told China representatives from over 40 U.S. firms at a roundtable that it welcomed conversations with U.S. firms on any complaint, including forced technology transfers and intellectual property rights. “If you believe you’ve been harmed or bullied in China, tell us first,” Zhang Huanteng, vice director of the Department of National Economy at the NDRC.

“We’d feel very wronged if we aren’t aware of things and the U.S. government tells us first,” said Zhang, adding that Chinese regulators were baffled when they first read the U.S. Section 301 Report, which set off the Sino-U.S. trade war.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-usa/chinese-premier-calls-for-more-communication- between-china-u-s-idUSKBN2C01HI

Chinese researchers say they’ve developed an AI text censor that is 91 per cent accurate

• They claim it could be useful to ‘identify and filter sensitive information from online news media’ • China’s internet is tightly controlled and the government relies on a huge army of censors to vet content

A research team in China claims to have developed a text censor that can filter “harmful information” on the internet with unprecedented accuracy using artificial intelligenceTraditional machine censors rely mainly on keywords to do this and struggle to achieve 70 per cent accuracy, while AI technology – which needs to be trained by humans – has taken that to about 80 per cent in recent years.

The team from Shenyang Ligong University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences say their AI technology does not need to be trained by humans and “outperforms other approaches” to achieve more than 91 per cent accuracy.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3129414/chinese-researchers-say-theyve- developed-ai-text-censor-91-cent

Hong Kong announces more electoral system changes favouring pro-Beijing camp By Reuters Staff 3 MIN READ

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced amendments to voting laws on Tuesday that critics say favour pro-Beijing candidates by redrawing constituency boundaries, creating more electoral districts, and criminalising calls for voters to leave ballots blank.

Having become Hong Kong’s least popular chief executive in the near quarter century since the handover from British colonial rule, it remains unclear whether Lam will seek re-election. She faced the largest and most violent anti-government protests in 2019 after proposing a bill to allow extraditions to mainland China.

Lam announced the poll date for the electoral committee to select the chief executive and 40 of the 90 seats in the city’s mini-parliament, the Legislative Council, known as LegCo, is set for Sept. 19.

LegCo elections are set for Dec. 19, while the chief executive elections are set for March 27, 2022.

The proposals will be discussed on Wednesday in the LegCo, though there is no opposition left in the council after mass resignations last year in protest against the disqualification of some pro-democracy legislators.

The amendments, detailed over 600 pages across eight ordinances, are meant to facilitate and complement Beijing’s move last month to overhaul Hong Kong’s electoral system by significantly curbing democratic representation in its institutions to ensure that only “patriots” can rule.

“We all want the election to be very fair so any manipulation to jeopardize or sabotage the election should not be permitted,” Lam told a news conference.

The changes announced by China in March reduce the number of directly elected representatives and increase the number of Beijing-approved officials in an expanded legislature. A powerful new vetting committee will monitor candidates for public office and work with new national security authorities in Hong Kong to ensure they are loyal to Beijing.

But China’s parliament left some of the smaller details, such as the poll dates or the drawing of new constituencies, to be legislated by Hong Kong authorities. On Tuesday, Lam said the government will increase the number of electoral districts from which vetted candidates can be elected to 10, with two winners from each region. Previously, 35 seats were split between five electoral districts.

The redrawing of constituencies could result in stronger showings for pro-Beijing candidates in rural regions bordering mainland China and the east of the Hong Kong island, where they usually fare better, analysts say.

“Manipulating” the election by advocating for blank or invalid protest votes or obstructing other people from voting will also constitute a crime, according to amendments to the elections ordinance.

Critics fear voters would feel robbed of a genuine choice if candidates are vetted for their loyalty to Beijing, while most opposition figures are either in jail or in exile. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-security-electoral/hong-kong-announces-more-electoral- system-changes-favouring-pro-beijing-camp-idUSKBN2C019F

No nation is more important than India as US seeks to counter China: Think tank

The report describes how India is making important progress in research and development, innovation centres, machine learning, analytics, product design and testing, and other areas, especially in IT and life sciences.

PTI |

PUBLISHED ON APR 13, 2021 11:00 AM IST

A leading think tank for science and technology policy has said as Washington seeks to counter a rising China, no nation is more important than India with its abundance of highly skilled technical professionals and strong political and cultural ties with the United States.

It however cautioned that "overreliance" on India as an IT services provider could become a strategic problem if major disagreements emerge between the two nations on issues such as intellectual property, data governance, tariffs, taxation, local content requirements or individual privacy.

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) think-tank in a report released on Monday describes the worst and best-case scenarios. In one, tensions between India and China are reduced and the many business synergies between these two neighbouring nations come to the fore. In this case, the heart of the global economy would shift to the east, and there would be little the United States could do about it, the report stated.

In the second scenario, the interests of India and the United States become increasingly aligned, as the economic, military, and international relations challenges from China grow. In such a case, democratic norms could prevail across most of the developed world, as developing nations start looking to a 'Delhi model' instead of a 'Beijing model', it stated.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/no-nation-is-more-important-than-india-as-us-seeks-to- counter-china-think-tank-101618291338223.html

Japan to release contaminated Fukushima water into sea after treatment By Yuka Obayashi, Aaron Sheldrick 5 MIN READ

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan will release more than 1 million tonnes of contaminated water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, the government said on Tuesday, a move China called “extremely irresponsible”, while South Korea summoned Tokyo’s ambassador in Seoul to protest.

The first release of water will take place in about two years, giving plant operator Tokyo Electric Power time to begin filtering the water to remove harmful isotopes, build infrastructure and acquire regulatory approval.

Japan has argued the water release is necessary to press ahead with the complex decommissioning of the plant after it was crippled by a 2011 earthquake and tsunami. It says similarly filtered water is routinely released from nuclear plants around the world.

Nearly 1.3 million tonnes of contaminated water, or enough to fill about 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools, is stored in huge tanks at the plant at an annual cost of about 100 billion yen ($912.66 million) -- and space is running out. “Releasing the ... treated water is an unavoidable task to decommission the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant and reconstruct the Fukushima area,” Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said of the process that will take decades to complete.

The decision comes about three months ahead of the postponed Tokyo Olympic Games, with some events to be held as close as 60 km (35 miles) from the wrecked plant. Former Japanese Minister Shinzo Abe in 2013 assured the International Olympics Committee in pitching for the games that Fukushima “will never do any damage to Tokyo.”

Tepco plans to filter the contaminated water to remove isotopes, leaving only tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen hard to separate from water. Tepco will then dilute the water until tritium levels fall below regulatory limits, before pumping it into the ocean.

Tritium is considered to be relatively harmless because it does not emit enough energy to penetrate human skin. Other nuclear plants around the world routinely pump water with low levels of the isotope into the ocean.

The United States noted that Japan has worked closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency in its handling of the site. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-disaster-fukushima-water-release/japan-to-release-contaminated- fukushima-water-into-sea-after-treatment-idUSKBN2BZ2U3

Is Japan downplaying the danger Fukushima water poses to human health?

• Tokyo’s decision to release over a million tons of contaminated water from the nuclear plant into the Pacific has angered China, fishermen and Greenpeace, but Japan insists safety standards are being met • However, Tokyo’s focus on the nuclide tritium is disingenuous, campaigners say. Why the silence on strontium, rhodium, iodine and ruthenium, they ask

Environmental groups incensed at Japan’s decision to release more than a million tons of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean are accusing the government of downplaying the true scale of the danger the water poses to human health.

After a cabinet meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday morning, Prime Minister

Yoshihide Suga announced that, “Disposing of the treated waters is an unavoidable issue for decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi plant.”

He said the water would be released into the Pacific “while ensuring that safety standards are cleared by a wide margin and firm steps are taken to prevent reputational damage” to the local fisheries industry.

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3129354/japan-downplaying-danger-fukushima- water-poses-human-health

Why the decision to release treated Fukushima water took a decade

Distrust of TEPCO and government hindered plans for scientifically safe discharge

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (Photo by Yuki Nakao)

JUNYA IWAI and TOMOHIRO EBUCHI, Nikkei staff writersApril 13, 2021 18:08 JST

TOKYO -- Japan's cabinet and government officials on Tuesday decided to release treated wastewater into the ocean from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant at a meeting to discuss the decommissioning of the crippled facility.

To continue reading, subscribe today https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Why-the-decision-to-release-treated-Fukushima-water-took-a-decade2

Countries react to Japan's plans to release Fukushima water into ocean By Reuters Staff 5 MIN READ

TOKYO (Reuters) - South Korea summoned Japan’s ambassador to Seoul on Tuesday to protest the Japanese government’s plan to release huge amounts of contaminated water that have built up at the wrecked Fukushima plant after treatment and dilution.

FILE PHOTO: The reactor units No.1 to 4 are seen over storage tanks for radioactive water at Tokyo Electric Power Co's (TEPCO) tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Okuma town, Fukushima prefecture, Japan February 18, 2019. Picture taken February 18, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato

China also reacted with strong opposition to the plan and the following lists detailed reactions from Japan’s neighbours in Asia along with the U.S. and other parties. Japan often has testy relations with China and South Korea over historical and territorial issues.

KOO YOON-CHEOL, SOUTH KOREA’S OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT POLICY COORDINATION

“Our government expresses strong regret over the decision and will take all necessary steps with the safety of our citizens as the top priority.

“The decision can never be accepted and would not only cause danger to the safety and maritime environment of neighbouring countries, it was also made unilaterally without sufficient consultations with our country, which is the closest neighbour to Japan. “We will strongly demand Japan take concrete steps to ensure the safety of our citizens and prevent any damage to the maritime environment.

“Second, we will convey our government’s concerns to the international community, including the IAEA, and request it seek transparent information and international inspections over the entire process of handling the contaminated water.

“Third, we actively demand the Japanese government release relevant information based on our right guaranteed under international law, while working with the international community to thoroughly verify the entire water treatment process. We will never accept any behaviour that could cause damage to our people.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-disaster-fukushima-water-reaction/countries-react-to-japans- plans-to-release-fukushima-water-into-ocean-idUSKBN2C00WF

Myanmar activists cancel new year festivities; U.N. urges end to 'slaughter' By Reuters Staff 4 MIN READ

(Reuters) -Opponents of military rule in Myanmar cancelled traditional new year festivities on Tuesday and instead showed their anger with the generals who seized power through low-key displays of defiance and small protests across the country.

The United Nations human rights office said it feared that the military clampdown on protests since the Feb. 1 coup risked escalating into a civil conflict like that seen in Syria and appealed for a halt to the “slaughter”.

A Myanmar activist group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, says the security forces have killed 710 protesters since the ouster of an elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Protesters were out again on the first day of the five-day New Year holiday, known as Thingyan, which is usually celebrated with prayers, ritual cleaning of Buddha images in temples and high-spirited water- dousing on the streets.

“We do not celebrate Myanmar Thingyan this year since over 700 of our innocent brave souls have been killed,” said one Twitter user named Shwe Ei.

Women wearing fine clothes for the most important holiday of the year protested in several towns holding traditional pots containing seven flowers and sprigs that are displayed at this time, media pictures showed.

Many people painted the protesters’ three-finger salute on their Thingyan pots.

“People’s power, our power,” women marching on a street in the main city of Yangon chanted as passersby clapped, video posted by the Myanmar Now media group showed.

In some places, people set out dozens of Thingyan pots daubed with messages such as “Save Myanmar” in silent shows of opposition to the military. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics/myanmar-activists-cancel-new-year-festivities-u- n-urges-end-to-slaughter-idUSKBN2C00CX

Failed state: Myanmar collapses into chaos

A divided international response, a fractured country and a murderous regime DOMINIC FAULDER, GWEN ROBINSON and MARWAAN MACAN-MARKAR, Nikkei staff writersAPRIL 14, 2021 06:01 JST

BANGKOK/YANGON -- At 5 a.m. on Friday, April 9, in Bago, one of Myanmar's ancient capitals, heavily armed troops mounted an assault on demonstrators barricaded in along Ma Ga Dit and San Taw Din roads on the east side of town.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/The-Big-Story/Failed-state-Myanmar-collapses-into-chaos

Pakistan Islamists clash over French cartoons depicting Prophet Mohammad By Asif Shahzad, Mubasher Bukhari 3 MIN READ

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -Thousands of Pakistani Islamists clashed with police for a second day on Tuesday in protest against the arrest of their leader ahead of rallies denouncing French cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad, officials said.

At least one activist and one police officer died from wounds suffered overnight after Islamists blocked highways, rail tracks and main entry and exit routes, paralysing business in almost all major cities.

Police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters, government official Naveed Zaman told Reuters, adding that they had refused to leave until the release of their leader, Saad Rizvi, who was arrested on Monday.

Rizvi is the head of an extremist group, Tehrik-i-Labaik Pakistan (TLP), that rose to prominence making the denunciation of blasphemy against Islam its rallying cry.

The protesters beat one officer, who died on Tuesday, and wounded at least 40, a police spokesman in eastern Lahore told Reuters.

One protester died in a southwestern district, a police chief said on condition of anonymity.

Video showed some protesters beating and dragging police and pedestrians, which government adviser Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi condemned. He told Reuters the law would take its course against those responsible. The group blocked one of the main roads into the capital late last year and called off their protest only after the government signed a deal with them, agreeing to endorse a boycott of French products.

At the time, protests had broken out in several Muslim countries over France’s response to a deadly attack on a teacher who showed cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammad to pupils during a civics lesson.

Pakistan’s parliament had condemned the re-printing of the cartoons in France, urging the government to withdraw its ambassador.

For Muslims, depictions of the Prophet are blasphemous. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-protest-blasphemy/pakistan-islamists-clash-over-french- cartoons-depicting-prophet-mohammad-idUSKBN2C0167

Pakistan takes desperate measures to revive Belt and Road's port Struggling Gwadar effectively chosen as regional subcapital and tourist destination

Gwadar Port, the centerpiece of the Pakistan component of the Belt and Road Initiative, suffers from infrastructure gaps. (Source photos by AP)

ADNAN AAMIR, Contributing writerApril 13, 2021 16:54 JST

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan's federal and regional governments are taking a series of actions, including giving the status of regional subcapital and promoting tourism, to revive the struggling town of Gwadar, whose port -- built and operated by the Chinese -- hardly receives ship calls.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Belt-and-Road/Pakistan-takes-desperate-measures-to-revive-Belt-and- Road-s-port

Nepal chokes on smoke and ash as fires rage, compounded by drought

• • Members of Nepal's army try to control a fire on Sunday at Shivapuri National Park, overlooking Kathmandu, as forest fires have raged many areas in Nepal. | REUTERS

• BY AADESH SUBEDI • THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION • SHARE • Apr 13, 2021 DANG, NEPAL – In the eight years that Basudev Pokharel has worked as a forest guard, he has rarely seen a fire as huge as the one that raged through his village in western Nepal in March. Hundreds of such fires have been spreading across the country since November, in the worst wildfire season Nepal has seen in a decade.

The night the blaze reached Pokharel’s village of Sungure, in Dang district, a neighbor woke him to warn him.

“We tried to control the fire, but it spread so rapidly that we were helpless,” the 55-year- old recalled.

“The fire came very close to my house and burned all the hay that I had piled up to feed the animals. Luckily, I could save my house.” The government sent a fire control expert to direct the villagers as they tackled the blaze, and by the next day it was out — but only after destroying more than 80 hectares (198 acres) of forest.

“That night, I couldn’t sleep the whole night,” Pokharel said, as he worried that another fire would make its way to Sungure — one the villagers could not fight. As large swathes of Nepal and some northern parts of neighboring India continue to burn, the smoke and ash have caused air pollution levels to spike, with experts warning increasingly frequent droughts linked to climate change could make massive wildfires more common.

Pokharel said the fire reached his village through the surrounding forest, where a lack of significant rainfall for the past six months has left leaves tinder dry. Villagers say the fire has been a disaster for the 460 households who live near the forest and rely on it for food and fuel, in a country that prides itself on its community-managed forests.

“Many people here depend on firewood as their cooking fuel and much of it has been destroyed by the forest fire,” said Bimal Kumar Bhusal, one of the villagers.

“We are also going to face a shortage of grass (for animals) as it has all been burned down,” he added. According to Bijay Raj Subedi, a forest officer in Dang, wildfires in Nepal are most often caused by humans, either internationally or by accident, such as when a cigarette is carelessly discarded.

Villagers regularly set fire to trees to create charcoal, to scare animals out of hiding so they can hunt them, or to clear areas in the hope of encouraging the growth of mushrooms or new flushes of grass.

But an unusually dry winter this year has meant smaller fires can more easily spread out of control, Subedi noted.

“There had been almost no forest fire incidents in Dang last year, as we had good rainfall,” he said, adding that this year there have been more than 20 major forest fires in the district.

Figures from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology show there has been about 15 millimeters of rain in Nepal this winter, 75% less than average.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/04/13/asia-pacific/nepal-worsening-fires/

Kremlin says Biden in phone call told Putin he wanted to normalise ties

By Reuters Staff 1 MIN READ

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said U.S. President Joe Biden told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Tuesday that he wanted to normalise bilateral ties and to cooperate on arms control, Iran’s nuclear programme, Afghanistan and climate change.

It also confirmed that Biden had proposed a high level meeting with Putin, but gave no indication of how the Russian leader had responded to that suggestion.

The Kremlin said in the same readout that the call had taken place at Washington’s initiative and that Putin had explained his views on eastern Ukraine where a simmering conflict has escalated.

The White House gave its own readout of the call earlier on Tuesday.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-biden-putin/kremlin-says-biden-in-phone-call-told- putin-he-wanted-to-normalise-ties-idUSKBN2C02DB

Russia blames US, other NATO nations for turning Ukraine into 'powder keg'

Clashes between Ukrainian forces and Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine have escalated in recent weeks, upending a ceasefire brokered last year

AFP |

PUBLISHED ON APR 13, 2021 03:39 PM IST

Moscow on Tuesday accused the United States and other NATO countries of turning Ukraine into a "powder keg," after the West sounded the alarm over Russian soldiers massing on the border.

"The United States and other NATO countries are deliberately turning Ukraine into a powder keg," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies, adding that countries were increasing their arms supplies to Ukraine.

Clashes between Ukrainian forces and Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine have escalated in recent weeks, upending a ceasefire brokered last year.

Following an uptick in violence, Russia has built up troops along the border, raising fears of a major escalation in the long-running conflict in Ukraine's mainly Russian- speaking east.

"If there is any aggravation, we of course will do everything to ensure our security and the safety of our citizens, wherever they are," Ryabkov said.

"But Kiev and its allies in the West will be entirely responsible for the consequences of a hypothetical exacerbation," he added.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/russia-blames-us-other-nato-nations-for-turning- ukraine-into-powder-keg-101618308366520.html

https://appfi.ph/resources/commentaries/2954-where-does-america-s-return-to-multilateralism-leave- chinaadministraat Beijing’s decades of not challenging the U.S. as

global leader are over U.S. and Chinese officials meet in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 18. FREDERIC J. BROWN/PRESS POOL

By Lingling Wei

and

Bob Davis

April 12, 2021 10:06 am ET

It quickly became obvious in Anchorage, Alaska, last month that Chinese President brought a new world view. Xi Jinping’s diplomatic envoys hadn’t come carrying olive branches. Instead they As Biden administration officials expected in their first meeting with Chinese counterparts, Yang -policy aide, and Foreign Minister Wang Yiasked them to roll back Trump-era policies targeting China. Beijing wanted Jiechi, Mr. Xi’s top foreign

U.S. and Chinese officials briefed on the Alaska meeting. to restore the kind of recurring “dialogue” Washington sees as a waste of time, say

Mr. Yang also delivered a surprise: a 16-minute problems and democratic failings. The objective, say Chinese officials, was to make lecture about America’s racial clear that Beijing sees itself as an equal of the U.S. He also warned Washington against challenging China over a mission Beijing views as sacred the eventual reunification with Taiwan. —

https://www.wsj.com/articles/america-china-policy-biden-xi-11617896117

Indonesia’s ‘free and active’ foreign policy on show in ministerial visits to Japan and China

13 Apr 2021|David Engel

Anyone seeking to isolate the burbling quintessence of Indonesian foreign policy need look no further than at what took place on 2 April in Fujian, China.

The episode in question was a visit by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, together with Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, to Nanping for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. It was quintessential because it followed so swiftly on the heels of a visit by Retno and Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto to Tokyo for a 2+2 meeting with their Japanese counterparts.

The earlier talks appear to have been the more substantial. Besides reiterations of shared commitments to the bilateral commercial and developmental partnership, they resulted in an agreement on the transfer of Japanese defence materiel and technology, which Prabowo and his counterpart Nobuo Kishi signed during the event and after holding their first-ever face-to-face meetingon 28 March.

ChinaA key elementSea) and of to the the defence rule of internationalministers’ initial law bilateralin resolving discussion disputes. was The the latter importance point was both alsoattached a feature to the of ‘freedom the 2+2 talks,of overflight along with and such navigation’ issues as(impliedly the situation in relation in Myanmar. to the South specifics are still sketchy, the official releases by the respective ministries point to a tangibleThe defence increase agreement, in the level however, of defence was by and far security the most coope importantration ‘delbetweeniverable’. Tokyo While and its Jakarta, including formalities like more senior-level visits and dialogues, education and tra handfulining, of bilateral such accords and multilateral permitting exercises, Japanese anddefence commitments exports that to Tokyoexplore has ‘defence inked with ASEANequipment partners and technology and just the cooperation’ 10th such agreement (read: ‘exports’). that Japan It represent has signeds the with latest other of anations. As Prabowo gushed

at the time, ‘I think this is an historical first in bilateral relations.’ Just how significant the agreement turns out to be will obviously depend on how well both parties especially Indonesia defence procurement offers reasons for scepticism as to how well Jakarta will take advantage— of what Tokyo can —turnoffer. commitments into deeds. Indonesia’s flawed history of

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/indonesias-free-and-active-foreign-policy-on-show-in-ministerial- visits-to-japan-and-china/

PH told to add bite to bark in dealing with China aggression

By: Frances Mangosing - Reporter / @FMangosingINQ

INQUIRER.net / 04:11 PM April 13, 2021

MANILA, Philippines The Philippines would have to add bite to its bark in inued — aggression and expansion through the gray zone strategy. defending its sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea against China’s cont The lingering presence of Chinese maritime militia vessels at Julian Felipe has pushed the Philippine government to file diplomatic protests and send more (Whitsun) Reef, which is inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), patrols to the area.

It also led to a verbal tussle between Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and the Chinese Embassy in Manila, which had given insulting replies to the Philippine defense chief.

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday (April 12) summoned Chinese continued

Ambassador Huang Xilian to express “utmost displeasure” over the presence of Chinese vessels inside the Philippines’ EEZ. https://globalnation.inquirer.net/195127/ph-told-to-add-bite-to-bark-in-dealing-with-china-aggression

A commentary on Julian Felipe Reef crisis

Dr.China’s Renato de Castro,gray Trustee zone and operationConvenor of the National in the Security making?: and East Asian Affairs Program, Stratbase ADR Institute

On March 20, 2021, Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana officially informed the Filipino nation about the presence of around 220-blue hulled Chinese fishing vessels moored in line formation at Julian Felipe Reef (international name Whistin Reef). The reef is a wide boomerang-shaped shallow coral reef at the northeast of Pagkaisa Banks and Reefs (Union Reefs), located approximately 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan.

According to him, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) sighted and reported the presence of around 220 Chinese fishing vessels, allegedly manned by the Chinese maritime militia, as early as March 7. The PCG reported its sighting to a relatively unknown interagency body, the National Task Forces for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS).

The national security adviser, initially observed that these huge number of vessels might to safety of -WPS changed its earlier observationengage in “possible when it overfishing noticed that and the destruction fishing vessels of the were marine believe environment,d to be manned as well by asChinese risks maritime militianavigation.” personnel, Interestingly, and despite however, clear weather the NTF at the time, the Chinese fishing vessels showed no actual fishing activities and had their full white lights turned on all night. This generated doubts on their real purpose. immediately recall these boats violating our maritime rights, and encroaching into our soveLorenzana issued a statement calling on the “Chinese to stop this incursion and

reign territory.” The statement also warned the Chinese that the Philippines is “committedhttps://adrinstitute.org/2021/04/10/chinas-gray-zone-operation- to uphold its sovereign rights over the West Philippinein-the-making-a-commentary- Sea.” on- julian-felipe-reef-crisis/

Chinese ships in West Philippine Sea meant to pressure Duterte on VFA, expert says

Bella Perez-Rubio (Philstar.com) - April 13, 2021 - 7:39pm

MANILA, Philippines — The hundreds of Chinese ships seen swarming Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef since December 2020 were sent there to pressure President Rodrigo Duterte to terminate the country's Visiting Forces Agreement with the US, an expert said Tuesday. Carlyle Thayer, professor emeritus at the University of New South Wales Canberra and the Australian Defence Force Academy, said that China's outsized presence in the West Philippine Sea reef was meant "to disrupt any possibility of getting the US alliance with the Philippines reinvigorated and demonstrate that the US has no strategy that would alter the status quo.”

He shared this assessment during an online forum hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.

“The arrival of China’s maritime militia and fishing fleet at Whitsun Reef, in my opinion, is designed to put pressure on Duterte, who equivocates on whether or not he's going to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement."

The Philippines expressed its intent to terminate the VFA in February 2020, after the cancellation of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa's US visa earned Duterte's ire, but has suspended the abrogation twice, also at the president's instruction.

'Action-reaction cycle' Thayer also said China's swarming of Julian Felipe Reef forms part of an "action-reaction cycle" that began during the Trump administration and has continued during the Biden administration.

"The US would flex its muscles, China would push back," he said. "So we're seeing counter People's Liberation Army deployments to what the Biden administration is sailing through the South China Sea."

He was referring to US freedom of navigation operational patrols, naval presence patrols, flights of strategic bombers from the continental US, aerial reconnaissance, and the presence of carrier strike groups, that have combined into a carrier strike force on some occasions, in the critical waterway.

Warships from US allies such as Japan, Australia, Canada, France, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands have also made increased appearances in the South China Sea, Thayer noted while adding that more deployments from these nations are expected for military exercises.

What's happening now? The Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday announced that it summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to discuss the continued presence of Chinese ships within the vicinity of Julian Felipe Reef — the first time it has summoned a Chinese envoy since 2019, when Filipino fishing boat Gem Ver was sunk by a Chinese vessel. Shortly after, top diplomat Teodoro Locsin Jr. said only nine Chinese ships remain in the area.

The development comes after Chinese Embassy and the country's departments of defense and foreign affairs. The DFA last week began filing diplomatic protests for every day that some 44 ships continued to linger within the reef's vicinity while the Department of National Defense sent more ships to the area.

The US and many of its allies, the same ones earlier referenced by Thayer, also called on China to adhere to rules-based order consistent with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, leaving Beijing incensed.

In all this time, however, Duterte has been silent on the issue.

He has raised the Philippines' arbitral win over the West Philippine Sea at the UN but has repeatedly made the claim that taking any action on the maritime dispute would be tantamount to going to war with China. While the flare-up surrounding Julian Felipe Reef seems to be calming down, Thayer said heightened tension in the South China Sea is "inevitable" due to the action-reaction process he previously described.

"The military balance in the Indo-Pacific is becoming more unfavorable to the US and that raises the risk that China will become emboldened to alter the status quo," he said, referencing an assessment made by Washington.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/04/13/2090899/chinese-ships-west-philippine-sea-meant- pressure-duterte-vfa-expert-says

Chinese militia vessels still in West Philippine Sea – task force

By: Gabriel Pabico Lalu - Reporter / @GabrielLaluINQ

INQUIRER.net / 01:24 AM April 14, 2021

MANILA, Philippines Around 240 Chinese militia vessels not mere fishing vessels as claimed by

Chinese authorities — are still inside the territorial waters of— the country, the National Task Force for the West Philippine —Sea (NTF-WPS) said on Tuesday.

According to the NTF-WPS, the latest sovereignty patrols done by government assets showed that ships of the Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) and the Chinese Coast Guard have remained on the waters off Kalayaan town in Palawan well within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines. —

The NTF-WPS report, which cited the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command, detailed the number of Chinese maritime militia per area in the West Philippine Sea:

• 136 CMMs at Burgos (Gaven) Reef

• 6 at Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef

• 65 at Chigua (McKennan) Reef

• 6 at Panganiban (Mischief) Reef

• 3 at Zamora (Subi) Reef

• 4 at the Pag-asa (Thitu) Islands

• 1 at Likas (West York) Island

• 5 at Kota (Loaita) Island

• 11 at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal

-WPS denounces the continuous swarming in the WPS by Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and

“NTF Maritimeforce said. Militia which are claimed by Chinese authorities to be ordinary fishing vessels,” the task -asa Islands, are about“These sixty 240 (60)CMM meters vessels, in now length. dispersed A minimum at the estimatePagkakaisa that (Unio eachn) can Banks catch and one Pag (1) ton of fish amounts to a conservative total of 240,000 kilos of fish illegally taken from Philippine waters every single day that the massed Chinese fishing vessels remain in the West P

hilippine Sea,” it added. According to the NTF-

WPS, these acts fall under “illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF).” The task force also noted that a previous patrol made by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) found Chinese poachers collecting giant clams in the vicinity of the Pag-asa Islands.

“Theviolation poachers of Philippine quickly fisheriesdeparted and when wildlife approached laws, and by the PhiliConventionppine Coast on International Guard. This actTrade is a of blatant Endangered -WPS said.

Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),” NTF The task force also confirmed the presence of Houbei class missile warships within the Philippines EEZ the same type of warship that chased a boat carrying an ABS-CBN news team that tried to check— the situation over the Julian Felipe Reef.

“Also(PLAN) spotted vessels during two the (2) sovereignty Houbei class patrol missile were warships the following at Panganiban People’s Reef,Liberation one (1) Army Corvette Navy class warship at Kagitingan— noted. (Fiery Cross) Reef, and one (1) Navy Tugboat at Zamora Reef,” the task force

-asa Islands. Additional monitoring“Further, two by (2) the CCG AFP vessels reported were two seen (2) PLAN,in the territorialthree (3) CCG sea ,of and the ten Pag (10) CMM vessels at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough) Shoal. All these warships of the PLA Navy contribute to the militarization of

the area,” it added. The latest issue between the Philippines and China started last March 21, when the PCG and the NTF- WPS made a report about 220 Chinese ships spotted in line formation near the Julian Felipe Reef.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has filed a diplomatic protest over the issue since then, while Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has given out strong-worded statements as the Chinese ships remained in the area despite the repeated demands by the Philippine government to leave.

Previously,the ships still Lorenzana present at said the that reef, Chinese stressing Ambassador that he was Huang no fool Xilian referring had “a lot to ofthe explaining insistence to of do” the with Chinese ships to stay despite weather now being better. —

This is not the first time China made an incursion into the West Philippine Sea, which has prompted the Philipines to file numerous diplomatic protests against the Asian superpower.

China claims ownership of almost the entire South China Sea, saying that their nine-dash-line territorial claim had historical basis.

However, even as the Philippines won in the ruling released by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 -dash line claim China said that it would acknowledge the decision. — which invalidated China’s nine — PLAN warships, CCG and CMM in the Municipality of Kalayaan and the Philippine EEZ is prejudicial to the peace and secu -WPS said on Tuesday. “The combined presence of rity of the region,” NTF

“Thesea, and continuous impedes swarming the exclusive of Chinese vessels poses a threat to the safety of navigation, safety of life at adde right of Filipinos to benefit from the marine wealth in the EEZ,” it d. “The Philippine government reiterates its demand upon China to withdraw all its vessels from the Municipality of Kalayaan and the Philippine EEZ.”

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1418699/task-force-on-west-ph-sea-says-chinese-militia-vessels-still- within-territorial-waters

Patrols reveal 6 China navy ships, 240 militia in West Philippine Sea Published April 13, 2021 11:25pm

Six vessels of the Chinese navy, including at least three warships, have been spotted in the West Philippine Sea by Philippine sovereignty patrols in the area.

According to tweets by GMA News' Joseph Morong, the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said the patrols spotted two Houbei class missile warships at Panganiban Reef, one Corvette class warship at Kagitingan Reef, and one navy tugboat at Zamora Reef.

There were also two People's Liberation Army Navy vessels seen in Bajo de Masinloc.

"All these warships of the PLA Navy contribute to the militarization of the area," the NTF-WPS said in a statement.

The presence of the Chinese navy vessels were on top of the estimated 240 Chinese militia vessels scaterred in the territorial waters off Kalayaan in Palawan and in the Philippines exclusive economic zone.

"The latest round of sovereignty patrols conducted by the Philippine Government on April 11 observed an estimated two hundred forty Chinese vessels lingering in the WPS," read the statement.

Of the 240 Chinese militia, 136 are at Burgos Reef, nine at Julian Felipe Reef, 65 at Chigua Reef, six at Panganiban Reef, three at Zamora Reef, four at Pag-asa Islands, one at Likas Island, five at Kota Island, and 11 at Ayungin Shoal.

NTF-WPS estimated that the continued presence of Chinese fishing vessels could catch one ton of fish amounts to a conservative total of 240,000 kilograms of fish illegally taken from Philippine waters.

"These acts fall under illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing," it added.

In another patrol of Philippine Coast Guard, the NTF-WPS also found Chinese poachers collecting giant clams at the Pag-asa Islands. The illegal poachers quickly left the area after they were approached by the PCG.

"This is a violation of Philippine fisheries and wildlife laws, and the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wilde Fauna and Flora," the statement read.

The NTF-WPS said the warships and "swarming of Chinese vessels" were a threat to the safety of navigation and life at sea and impedes Filipinos' right to benefit from marine wealth at its maritime territory.

It reiterated its demand that China withdraw all its vessels from Kalayaan and the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier summoned the Chinese Ambassadorto the country to tackle its concerns over the presence of Chinese boats at the Julian Felipe Reef, which caused tension between the two Asian countries.

The Philippine military had previously said that it would conduct joint exercises with US forces amid the growing incursions of China at WPS.

China has consistently ignored the arbitral ruling which favored Philippines' claims over the West Philippine Sea as it maintained its historical claim over the Julian Felipe Reef.

Chinese government also previously stated that its vessels will not permanently stay at Julian Felipe Reef. It also rejected claims that its fishing vessels were manned by maritime militia. --Consuelo Marquez/NB, GMA News https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/783618/philippine-patrols-reveal-240-china-ships- near-kalayaan-eez/story/

Chinese coast guard, navy boats chasing civilian boat in West Philippine Sea 'unjustifiable' — expert Patricia Lourdes Viray (Philstar.com) - April 13, 2021 - 10:23am

MANILA, Philippines — The interception and pursuit of a Filipino civilian boat by Chinese navy and coast guard in the West Philippine Sea are unjustified and illegitimate, a maritime law expert said.

Last week, ABS-CBN News reported that their boat was chased by a China Coast Guard vessel and later on two Chinese navy Type 022 Houbei fast attack craft when the boat they were riding attempted to go near Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

ABS-CBN reporter Chiara Zambrano narrated how the China Coast Guard ship radioed the Philippine vessel and required its identity, purpose or destination.

The captain of the Philippine boat, however, did not understand English and decided to return to mainland Palawan instead.

The Chinese vessels went after the Philippine boat for at least an hour while the latter was sailing back to land. According to the report, the Chinese ships chased them until within 90 nautical miles from Palawan, well within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, said such action from the China Coast Guard ship is an attempt to exercise jurisdiction over a Philippine vessel in the Philippine EEZ and continental shelf.

In a Facebook post on April 11, Batongbacal listed the reasons why this is invalid:

• its patrols in the PH EEZ are not a valid exercise of high seas freedoms but an unlawful assertion of China’s invalid claims to Ayungin Shoal as part of broad and excessive claim to the SCS

• it is an extension of China’s unlawful assertion of ownership and jurisdiction over Ayungin Shoal, through the purported exercise of governmental authority thereon able to control access to it

• it is an illegitimate attempt to exercise jurisdiction over a PH vessel, i.e., a vessel not flying a Chinese flag, in contravention of the principle of flag State jurisdiction

"Since the Chinese vessel has no legal competence over vessels of the PH, the PH vessel was therefore under no legal obligation to respond to such an invalid and illegitimate assertion and exercise of jurisdiction," Batongbacal wrote.

'Classic naval tactic' Two People's Liberation Army Navy Type 022, armed with anti-ship missiles and 30mm cannon, continued to chase the Philippine boat after the coast guard vessel pulled back.

In a TV Patrol report Thursday night, ABS-CBN reporter Chiara Zambrano also narrated how the two Chinese missile boats positioned themselves on either side of their boat.

Batongbacal said this move is called the "flanking maneuver," a classic naval tactic "by which the two vessels can attack both sides of the target vessel."

The maritime law expert also noted that this is unjustifiable due to the following:

• the Philippine vessel represented no threat, nor was it involved in any incident that threatened the safety of life at sea, security, or environment

• it was already well on its way back to Palawan

• the missile boats also had no valid ground for the exercise of the right of approach and visit

"The action is also a borderline threat of the use of force, in violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. This escalatory action by the CCG and PLA-N risks a wider outbreak that endangers international peace and security," Batongbacal said.

Under 2(4) of the UN Charter: All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.

'Exercise prudence' Following the incident, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reminded members of the media to "exercise prudence" in covering the West Philippine Sea.

"While we understand the journalists’ insatiable desire to be ahead in reporting, we appeal to them to exercise prudence in the course of their job," AFP spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, said Philippine authorities are looking into the reports and will raise the matter with the Chinese government if proven true.

"The public is reminded to coordinate with Philippine authorities when planning a visit to the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea," the DFA said in a statement released April 10.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/04/13/2090761/chinese-coast-guard-navy-boats-chasing- civilian-boat-west-philippine-sea-unjustifiable-expert

ATF-West eyes more sovereignty patrols in West Philippine Sea

By Priam Nepomuceno April 13, 2021, 10:00 am

MANILA – Government sea assets will be continuously deployed to different areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) for maritime sovereignty patrols and other law enforcement activities, the Area Task Force (ATF)-West of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the body said this is part of its efforts in addressing the recent developments in the WPS through a more extensive and collaborative effort among its member agencies.

"Sea assets are and shall be continuously deployed to different areas in the WPS to conduct maritime and sovereignty patrols, and other law enforcement activities, including the Julian Felipe Reef, Pag-asa Cay, Recto Bank, and other parts of the Kalayaan Island Group," the body said.

It added that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409), while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has sent two more ships in the area.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through the Western Command, has deployed four Philippine Navy vessels, namely BRP Dagupan City (LS-551), BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36), BRP Magat Salamat (PS-20), and BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19).

These ships will provide support and assistance to PCG and BFAR vessels in the area.

"These inter-agency efforts are very essential in the way we address the national concerns in the WPS. The ATF-West shall continue to do so to ensure that our government forces and agencies will be able to collaborate, complement, and support each other in performing respective mandates in support to national policy and strategy," ATF-West chair Vice Admiral Ramil Roberto Enriquez said.

The ATF-West also urged all Palawan residents and all Filipinos to know and understand their role, and to take their part in the nation's stake in the West Philippine Sea.

It added that through a whole-of-nation approach on the issue, the country's interests and security will be safeguarded for the present and future generation of Filipinos. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136565 Philippines boosts patrols to counter China in contested sea

PUBLISHED : 13 APR 2021 AT 14:27 WRITER: BLOOMBERG NEWS

Chinese vessels are seen anchored at Whitsun Reef, some 320 kilometres (175 nautical miles) west of Palawan Island in the South China Sea, on March 31, 2021. (AFP PHOTO / National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) via Philippine Communications Operations Office (PCOO))

The Philippines has deployed extra vessels to patrol the South China Sea where Chinese ships had been spotted at a disputed reef as tensions deepen between the two nations.

Four Philippine Navy ships have been sent to back up Coast Guard and fishing vessels at

Whitsun Reef, Reed Bank and the Spratly Islands, the South China Sea task force said in a statement Monday. “Sea assets are and shall be continuously deployed to different areas” for patrol, the statement added.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs summoned China’s Ambassador to the

Philippines Huang Xilian on Monday to express “displeasure over the illegal lingering presence” of Chinese vessels in Whitsun Reef, the agency said in a statement Tuesday. Tensions between the Philippines and China have been rising since more than 200 Chinese vessels were seen moored at Whitsun Reef -- within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone -- on March 7, with the Southeast Asian nation later warning of a barrage of diplomatic protests if

Beijing did not remove its ships. The US also earlier aired concerns over China’s “maritime militia” in the area.

Beijing had said the boats were sheltering from the wind and described the US characterization of the fishing boats as “maritime militia” as ill-intentioned, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian telling a regular briefing in Beijing on April 9 the craft were normal and legitimate.

An armed Chinese Navy vessel was also reported last week to have chased down a civilian craft carrying a Filipino news crew in the area.

US defence and diplomatic officials have discussed recent South China Sea incidents with their

Philippine counterparts, as the longtime allies resumed military drills and discussed faster coronavirus vaccine shipments.

The Philippines has deployed extra vessels to patrol the South China Sea where Chinese ships had been spotted at a disputed reef as tensions deepen between the two nations.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2099287/philippines-boosts-patrols-to-counter-china-in- contested-sea

Gathering allies: PH, Malaysia reaffirm commitment to defense cooperation

Published April 13, 2021, 4:04 PM by Martin Sadongdong The Department of National Defense (DND) and the Malaysian Ministry of Defense vowed to maintain a robust cooperation by upholding the implementation of a 27-year-old defense pact between Manila and Kuala Lumpur.

(Pixabay / FILE PHOTO)

Defense Spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement Tuesday, April 13, that the DND and the Malaysian Ministry of Defense recently held the ninth Philippines-Malaysia Combined Committee on Defense Cooperation (CDCC) to reaffirm their commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation signed in 1994.

Defense Undersecretary Cesar Yano co-chaired the virtual meeting with Malaysian Ministry of Defence Secretary General Sri Muez bin Abd Aziz last March 31.

Andolong disclosed that the two defense officials exchanged views on the recent developments in the South China Sea after China intensified its efforts to assert claims of the vast waters, including the West Philippine Sea (WPS) or the areas within the 220- nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.

“The two defense officials acknowledged the consistent enhancement of bilateral defense cooperation throughout the years with significant interactions and engagements between military officials and personnel,” he noted.

The national government has repeatedly protested the presence of hundreds of Chinese vessels in the WPS which, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, could be a prelude to their illegal occupation and militarization of artificial islands, reefs, and other features.

Aside from this, Andolong said Yano and Aziz also shared best practices on the respective government’s response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Further, Andolong said Yano acknowledged Malaysia’s “invaluable contribution” as Head of Mission of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), a joint collaboration which follows the continuing peace process in Mindanao. Andolong added that Yano commended the efforts of the IMT in monitoring the implementation of the security, socio-economic development, humanitarian and civilian protection components of the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/gathering-allies-ph-malaysia-reaffirm-commitment-to-defense- cooperation/

China push for global power tops U.S. security threats: intelligence report By Jonathan Landay, Mark Hosenball 3 MIN READ

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China’s push for global power is the leading threat to U.S. national security, while Russia’s efforts to undermine American influence and assert itself as a major actor also pose a challenge, said a U.S. intelligence report released on Tuesday.

FILE PHOTO: The Chinese national flag is seen in Beijing, China April 29, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File Photo/File Photo

The 2021 Annual Threat Assessment lays out U.S. spy agencies’ views of the chief foreign policy issues facing U.S. President Joe Biden in his first year in office, complicated by the coronavirus pandemic and global climate change.

While China and Russia are presented as the leading challenges, Iran and North Korea will also test U.S. national security, the report said.

The report, sent to Congress, will be the subject of Senate and House intelligence committee meetings on Wednesday and Thursday. Biden’s Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and CIA Director William Burns will testify publicly for the first time since being confirmed.

The report said the ruling Chinese Communist Party will press “whole-of-government efforts to spread China’s influence, undercut that of the United States, drive wedges between Washington and its allies and partners” and foster acceptance of its authoritarian system.

At the same time, Chinese leaders will “seek tactical opportunities” to lower tensions with the United States when it suits their interests, the report said.

It said China possesses substantial cyber-attack capabilities that, at a minimum, can cause localized, temporary disruptions to critical infrastructure within the United States.

Russia seeks to undermine American influence, sow disagreement among Western countries and inside Western alliances, and build its abilities to “shape global events as a major player,” the report said, adding that it too will “remain a top cyber threat.” The agencies’ assessment of Iran’s nuclear program and intentions was mixed. They said they continued to believe that Iran “is not currently undertaking the key nuclear weapons-development activities that we judge would be necessary to produce a nuclear device.”

But they said, after President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal with world powers, Tehran “resumed some nuclear activities” that violate the accord.

Iran will “present a continuing threat to U.S. and allied interests” in the Middle East, working to undermine American influence, the report said.

North Korea, they said, “will pose an increasing threat to the United States, South Korea, and Japan” as it upgrades its conventional military capabilities. Pyongyang’s interest in developing weapons of mass destruction will remain a major concern, the report said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “remains strongly committed to the country’s nuclear weapons, the country is actively engaged in ballistic missile research and development” and remains interested in developing chemical and biological weapons, the report said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-intelligence/china-push-for-global-power-tops-u-s-security- threats-intelligence-report-idUSKBN2C02FD

China using force against Taiwan counter-productive: ex-U.S. official

04/13/2021 09:27 PM

A PLA Y-8 plane, one of the types of the Chinese military aircraft that entered Taiwan's ADIZ on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of National Defense

Singapore, April 13 (CNA) A former U.S. defense official said Tuesday that China's continuing military pressure on Taiwan is counter-productive amid the deteriorating cross-Taiwan Strait relations.

Drew Thompson, who served as director for China, Taiwan and Mongolia in the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 2011 to 2018, made the remarks when asked by CNA to comment on Beijing's decision a day earlier to send 25 military aircraft into the southwestern part of Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

It was the 10th consecutive day since April 3 that China had flown sorties into Taiwan's ADIZ and the number of aircraft was the highest in a single day since the nation's Ministry of National Defense began to publish the movements of Chinese aircraft near the country on its website on Sept. 17, 2020.

Thompson, who is now a visiting research fellow at the National University of Singapore, said Beijing's deployment of military aircraft near Taiwan's airspace on an almost daily basis shows its concern "about the deteriorating cross-strait relationship and perceived inability to influence calculations in Taiwan."

"Despite the fact that such shows of force alienate Taiwan's population, Beijing must feel it has no better options than to threaten the use of force to apply pressure on Taipei, however counter- productive," he said.

The record high incursion of Chinese military aircraft into Taiwan's ADIZ came a day after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern about China's aggressive actions toward Taiwan. On Sunday, Blinken said in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press" that the U.S. is concerned about the increasingly aggressive actions by the government in Beijing directed at Taiwan, raising the tension in the strait.

"It would be a serious mistake for anyone to try to change that status quo by force," Blinken warned.

https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202104130019

House Armed Services chair ‘deeply concerned’ by White House budget delays By: Joe Gould 12 hours ago

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Roger Zakheim, left, Washington director of the Ronald Reagan Institute, speaks with House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., during an event in Washington on April 13, 2021. (Courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Institute)

WASHINGTON ― The Democratic chairman of the House Armed Services Committee blasted the White House on Tuesday for “dragging their feet” on the federal budget, urging its release by May 10 to avoid a continuing resolution.

“I am deeply concerned about the Biden administration dragging their feet on getting us the damn budget,” Rep. Adam Smith of Washington said at a Ronald Reagan Institute event, noting that the White House is prioritizing pandemic relief and infrastructure spending.

“I am really worried if we get into mid- to late May and we don’t have the specific budget numbers, then you’re guaranteed a continuing resolution; we don’t have time to do our job,” Smith warned. “Shout it from the rafters. I can’t get the White House to take my calls on this one. Just send it to us. We need it in order to pass a budget and move forward.”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Smith painted an unusual picture of dysfunction there: Officials at the White House budget office want numbers too, but they are stalled by White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain and the Cabinet.

New administrations often roll out their budget requests late in their first year, but this year’s planning has been particularly difficult for Biden administration officials, they say, because the Trump administration blocked the incoming administration from accessing budget documents until just before the inauguration.

https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2021/04/13/house-armed-services-chair-deeply-concerned- by-white-house-budget-delays/

US intelligence assessment moves China to the top of the threat list

• A report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence begins with a section on ‘China’s push for global power’ • The first threat assessment of Joe Biden’s presidency picks up where the Trump administration left off

The US intelligence community has put China at the top of its annual report of national security threats, warning of Beijing’s struggle to realise “an epochal geopolitical shift”, including increased air and naval operations in Asia intended to assert its control in contested areas.

“Beijing is increasingly combining its growing military power with its economic, technological and diplomatic clout to preserve the CCP [Chinese Communist Party], secure what it views as its territory and regional pre- eminence and pursue international cooperation at Washington’s expense,” said the report, published last week and declassified on Tuesday.

The Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community, published by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), begins with a section on “China’s push for global power”, followed by three sections describing the “provocative actions” of Russia, Iran and North Korea, before moving on to international issues such as Covid-19 and climate change.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3129433/us-intelligence-assessment-moves-china-top- threat-list

ODNI’s Annual Global Threat Assessment Returns; US Faces Diverse Challenges

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By Cal Biesecker | 9 hours ago | 04/13/2021

The U.S. intelligence community on Tuesday released its annual global threat assessment, leading with a wide array of challenges posed by China and its Communist Party leadership, although the report cites numerous threats from other nation states, as well as a…

https://www.defensedaily.com/odnis-annual-global-threat-assessment-returns-us-faces-diverse- challenges/cyber/

Pentagon turns to the stars to survive China's electronic warfare US military studies 'magnetic compass' in birds in case of GPS blackout

Stars and a lone light illuminate the USS Ronald Reagan, the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, as the vessel sails through the Luzon Strait. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy)

KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei Asia chief desk editorApril 14, 2021 02:10 JST

NEW YORK -- Every newly commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy's surface fleet carries a copy of Nathaniel Bowditch's "The American Practical Navigator" (originally published in 1802) on its bridge. This thick encyclopedia on maritime navigation is packed with data on the latitudes and longitudes of various landmarks -- from the Bugio Lighthouse in Lisbon, Portugal, to the Kannonzaki Lighthouse in Yokosuka, Japan.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/Pentagon-turns-to-the-stars-to- survive-China-s-electronic-warfare

DOD Modernization Can't Happen Alone, Defense Official Says

A P R I L 13, 2021 | BY C. TODD LOPEZ , D O D N E W S Technology development that's competitive with that of adversaries is something the Defense Department can't accomplish on its own. It must be done in partnership with academia, partner nations and the U.S. private sector technology industry, said the DOD official who's performing the duties of the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering.

"Presenting a credible deterrent to potential adversaries requires us to develop and field emerging technologies," Barbara McQuisto, told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee. "We must innovate at speed and scale. Success requires more than a go-it-alone approach. We must explore more flexible partnerships with the private sector and academia, with small businesses and [historically black colleges and universities]. We must reinvigorate our federal research capabilities, elevate science, promote technology and expand partnerships with our allies."

https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2571576/dod-modernization-cant-happen- alone-defense-official-says/

Options to Ensure the Best Indo-Pacific Policy in the U.S. Department of Defense By Chandler Myers

April 13, 2021

Chandler Myers is an officer in the U.S. Air Force. He holds a BS in English from the Air Force Academy and a MA in international relations with a focus in cyber diplomacy from Norwich University. Chandler contributes to WAR ROOM, the U.S. Army’s online national security journal. Divergent Options’ content does not contain information of an official nature nor does the content represent the official position of any government, any organization, or any group.

National Security Situation: Since the 9/11 attacks and the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, the U.S. Secretary of Defense (SecDef) has focused on the Middle East at the expense of the other, greater threats. While U.S. interest in the Indo-Pacific has increased since 2009[1], there has not been a SecDef with deep professional experience in this region. While some may look at the SecDef, as the principal member in the DoD responsible for executing defense strategy to fulfill U.S. policy goals strictly as a generalist, without a sizable length of professional experience in the Indo-Pacific region, or the right mix of Indo-Pacific experts available for consultation, risk of military failure increases.

https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2021/04/13/options_to_ensure_the_best_indo- pacific_policy_in_the_us_department_of_defense_772496.html

Okinawa base transfer limps along 25 years after deal 'Most dangerous base' caught between local opposition and US security concerns

The Futenma Air Base sits in the middle of the city of Ginowan in Okinawa, posing risks to local residents. © Reuters

JUNNOSUKE KOBARA, TAKUYA MIZOROGI and RINTARO TOBITA, Nikkei staff writersApril 13, 2021 10:45 JST

TOKYO -- Monday marked a quarter-century since the U.S. agreed to return its controversial Futenma Air Base in Okinawa to Japan, but a planned relocation remains years away at best, leaving a potential seed of instability in the alliance and raising questions about the future of a key deterrent against China.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Okinawa-base-transfer-limps-along-25-years- after-deal

Joe Biden to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan by September 11

• The deadline for pulling out the remaining 2,500 troops is set 20 years after the al-Qaeda attacks that triggered America’s longest war • A US intelligence report forecasts low chances of a peace deal this year and warns the local government will struggle to hold the Taliban at bay without support

President Joe Biden plans to withdraw the remaining 2,500 US troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021, 20 years to the day after the al-Qaeda attacks that triggered America’s longest war, US officials said on Tuesday.

The disclosure of the plan came on the same day that the US intelligence community released a gloomy outlook for Afghanistan, forecasting “low” chances of a peace deal this year and warning that its government would struggle to hold the Taliban insurgency at bay if the US-led coalition withdraws support.

Biden’s decision would miss a May 1 deadline for withdrawal agreed to with the Taliban by his predecessor Donald Trump. The insurgents had threatened to resume hostilities against foreign troops if that deadline was missed. But Biden would still be setting a near-term withdrawal date, potentially allaying Taliban concerns.

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3129437/joe-biden-withdraw-us- troops-afghanistan-september

2 US carriers patrol south of Taiwan as 25 Chinese warplanes swarm strait USS Theodore Roosevelt, USS Makin Island patrol to south of Taiwan as 25 Chinese warplanes buzz ADIZ

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By Keoni Everington, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

2021/04/13 13:36

USS Makin Island (background), deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt. (US Navy, Seaman Faith McCollum photo)

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — As 25 Chinese warplanes buzzed Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), two different U.S. aircraft carriers were spotted patrolling to the south of Taiwan.

On Monday (April 13), a total of 25 Chinese military aircraft intruded into Taiwan's ADIZ, including 14 Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, four Chengdu J-10 fighters, and four Xian H-6 bombers, reported the Ministry of National Defense (MND). This marked the largest incursion seen by People's Liberation Army Airforce (PLAAF) aircraft thus far this year.

At 9 a.m. that same day, the Beijing-based South China Sea (SCS) Probing Initiative claimed that the USS Theodore Roosevelt was located to the northwest of the northern Philippine island of Luzon. Nearly two hours later, it posted an image of the carrier maneuvering in the South China Sea to the west of Luzon and claimed it was taking part in the two-week joint "Balikatan" Exercises with Philippine forces.

By 5 p.m., SCS posted a map showing Wasp-class amphibious assault ship the USS Makin Island appearing to be off the coast of the Philippine island of Mindoro. It claimed that the ship "should be the main U.S. participant" in the exercises.

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4175788 Reworking the Sea Base and Cross Decking of Air Combat Assets

04/13/2021

By Robbin Laird

Carrier Strike Group 4, or CSG-4, runs Carrier Strike and Amphibious Readiness Groups through the final phases of their inter-deployment training cycles to prepare these units for their future deployments.

According to the U.S Navy:

ready naval forces to U.S. 2nd Fleet (C2F) and U.S. Fleet Forces Command capable of conducting full-spectrum integrated Maritime, Joint, and Combined Operations“Carrier Strike in support Group 4 of trains U.S. National and delivers interests. combat– CSG-4 conducts training through exercises that create a realistic training environment and includes academic, synthetic and live training. Groups trained include Carrier Strike Groups, Amphibious Ready Groups and Marine Expeditionary Units, independent deployers and Forward Deployed Naval Forces Europe (FDNF-

– E).” But as the Navy rethinks how to use its aircraft carriers, how to use its amphibious forces and how to use the whole gamut of its surface and subsurface forces to fight as a fleet, an opportunity for change is clear: why not rework how air assets move across the sea bases to provide the Fleet a wider variety of combat capabilities tailored to specific combat scenarios?

Notably, moving helicopters and tiltrotor assets across the Fleet provide for a wider variety of options than simply having a set piece of equipment onboard each class of ship.

To determine how best to do so, Naval Aviation Leaders must begin to focus focus on exercises, fleet battle experiments, and lessons learned during training and real-world operations.

A key enabler for cross-decking is to ensure that all aircraft operating throughout the maritime battlespace have the digital interoperability commanders must have and rely on to ensure mission success.

With the potential to refocus the amphibious fleet operations on sea control and denial missions such as Black Widow exercise with the USS WASP, exercising an integrated carrier and expeditionary strike force with a cross-decking capability would make a great deal of sense towards drivingwas evident increased in last innovation year’s as well. For example, with the Viper attack helicopter becoming Link-16 and Full Motion Video capable, its ability to work with the SH-60R provide ships at sea with a significant self-defense capabilities.

Not only could the Vipers function with a wide array of weapons which they can carry in both anti-air and anti-surface roles, but new roles could be invented for the Ospreys operating throughout the fleet. https://defense.info/featured-story/2021/04/reworking-the-sea-base-and-cross-decking-of-air-combat- assets/

DESIGN, TRAIN, MOBILIZE: Transforming our Navy Reserve for Great Power Competition

13 April 2021

From Commander, Navy Reserve Force Public Affairs WASHINGTON - Over the last twenty years the Navy Reserve has accomplished much, all the while optimizing reserve equities to thrive in a post-9/11 conflict. And yet today we recognize that expecting to fight tomorrow’s conflict with today’s tactics, force structure and assets is a fool’s errand. To that end, we are now, and will remain, unambiguously focused on warfighting readiness as outlined in the Navy Reserve Fighting Instructions 2020.

To ensure the force’s focus on Chief of Navy Reserve Mustin’s singular priority, warfighting readiness, he released the Fighting Instructions 2020, which reaffirms the Navy Reserve’s strategic alignment with the National Defense Strategy, the Tri-Service Maritime Strategy, “Advantage at Sea,” and the CNO’s Navigation Plan 2.

The Fighting Instructions details necessary overhauls to processes associated with designing, training, and et and efforts. It requires deep structural and operational change. While such change is never easy, it is absolutely necessary, andmobilizing timely, ourand nation’s every Reserve 100,000 Sailor, citizen in Sailors.one way, This shape requires or form, a significant will play a s hiftrole. in minds

We must move out with a sense of urgency in order to achieve a conflict-ready posture, emphasizing traditional Navy missions, prioritizing contribution to combat power over administrative roles. And while these necessary changes are substantial, history has proven for over a century that the Navy Reserve is designed with the inherent resiliency and tenacity to evolve with changing global realities.

https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2571522/design-train-mobilize-transforming- our-navy-reserve-for-great-power-competition/ Shaping a 21st Century U.S. Navy: The Perspective from Second Fleet

04/12/2021

By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake

The advantage of visiting two startup commands C2F and Allied JFC Norfolk under one Vice Admiral is that one can see how the 21stcentury navy is being shaped. We started our March ief of Staff –for C2F, CAPT Hallock Mohler,– who gave us a visit by meeting with VADM Lewis’s Ch Captaintour d’horizon Mohler of is the a four-decade challenges ofU.S. setting Navy upveteran the new whose comman significantd and experiencenavigating ahas way been ahead. crucial in setting up the command. When we asked him which ship was his favorite one on which to serve, his answer came quickly: The USS Wisconsin. Going from a battleship to shaping the newest command in the Navy is definitely an interesting path.

When we visited his office, he was working from an old desk and with no secretary. The command wishes to be lean, and frankly, everything we saw when visiting it, was that the command clearly is focused on driving innovation from the standpoint of having a lean command structure.

We followed up with the visit on-site with a phone interview this month to discuss the startup approach and to look back at his career, as he is retiring from the Navy this month. He has very significant leadership management experience at all ranks in the U.S. Navy and his experience has been a key part of what he has brought to the process of standing up the new command. Among those assignments: Director of Management at JFC Norfolk, Department of Defence, Executive Security in the office of OSD, and Director for Training and Quality Assurance, Navy Recruiting command.

We started by asking him, how one went about finding the right talent for a new command. capabilities termsCaptain of Mohler: this person “You is start a human by looking resources for the person, right thispeople one in is terms a public of havingaffairs person,vision, and and so on. You are lookingto shape for people something who havenew andexperienced innovative. growth What and you would don’t donurture is pigeonhole it in the people in command. Not every starting quarterback from a college football team can go to the pros and

play quarterback in the pros. Sometimes they’re a wide receiver. really“We were are untilgiven about no blueprints. 20 years fromWe were now. given no resources. We were just told to do it. And it’s all about relationship building, and that’s all it is. And we’re not going to know how good we https://sldinfo.com/2021/04/shaping-a-21st-century-u-s-navy-the-perspective-from-second-fleet/

South China Sea, Diaoyus and North Korea to top agenda as Japan and Germany’s foreign, defence ministers meet with China on their mind

• Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi spoke with their German counterparts Heiko Maas and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer via live video link on Tuesday • It is part of Japan’s push ‘to develop new allies and alliances’ amid fears the US is faltering in its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, according to one analyst

Japan and Germany’s first “2-plus-2” meeting between their respective foreign and defence ministers opened vialive video link on Tuesday, with security and a shared concern over

China’s increasingly aggressive approach to regional territorial issues set to top the agenda.In addition to Beijing’s island building in the South China Sea and its claims to sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands, which Japan controls and refers to as the Senkakus, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi were also expected to discuss with their German counterparts Heiko Maas and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer the threat posed by

North Korea, after the latter launched a number of ballistic missiles in March. Germany’s government released a new set of Indo-Pacific policy guidelines in September

and is aiming to increase its presence in the region – a development that Tokyo welcomes, according to Toshimitsu Shigemura, a professor of international relations at Tokyo’s Waseda University.

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3129393/south-china-sea-diaoyus-and-north-korea- top-agenda-japan-and

Japan proposes joint naval drill with Germany By Reuters Staff 2 MIN READ Slideshow ( 3 images )

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan on Tuesday proposed holding a naval drill with Germany when a German frigate visits Asia later this year, the Japanese government said, as Tokyo aims to bolster security ties with other democracies in the face of China’s maritime expansion.

The proposal was made during the first security dialogue between the foreign and defence ministers of Japan and Germany, and the two sides agreed to look into the matter further, a Japanese government statement said.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi held the talks with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer via video conferencing.

Last month, German government officials said a German frigate would set sail for Asia in August and, on its return journey would become the first German warship to cross the South China Sea since 2002.

During the security dialogue, the Japanese and German ministers exchanged views on the East and South China Sea situation, and agreed on the importance of rules-based international order, the government statement said. China claims almost all the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea, where it has established military outposts on artificial islands. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to parts of the sea.

In the East China Sea, Beijing claims a group of uninhabited Japanese- administered islets, and the dispute has long troubled bilateral relations.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-germany/japan-proposes-joint-naval-drill-with-germany- idUSKBN2C01HC

Chinese soldiers given tips on how to prevent altitude sickness

• Guidelines for troops serving at high altitude will help keep them ready for combat, analyst says • ‘Altitude sickness is a common problem that has been affecting troops stationed on the plateau for a long time,’ army officer based in Xinjiang says

Topic | China-India relations

Kristin Huang

Published: 9:00am, 13 Apr, 2021 Why you can trust SCMP

China’s military has introduced guidelines to prevent troops serving on the Tibetan plateau from getting altitude sickness, a move seen as boosting combat readiness as the country remains locked in a border dispute with India

.“Altitude sickness is a common problem that has been affecting troops stationed on the plateau for a long time,” an unnamed army officer was quoted as saying in a report on Monday by PLA Daily, the mouthpieceof the Liberation Army.One of the problems was that the early symptoms of altitude sickness were not too serious so soldiers tended to ignore them, the person said. But if it progressed it could result in them People’s being unable to do their jobs. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3129239/chinese-soldiers-given-tips-how-prevent- altitude-sickness

China sends 25 warplanes near Taiwan in biggest drill this year

• Beijing deployed 14 J-16 and four J-10 fighters, four H-6K bombers, two Y-8 anti-sub warfare planes and one KJ-500 early warning aircraft into the southwest section of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone Monday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has said in a statement. | REUTERS • • • • BLOOMBERG • • SHARE • Apr 13, 2021 China’s air force sent 25 fighters and bombers over the Taiwan Strait, escalating military pressure on the Taiwanese government as Taipei boosts ties with the U.S.

Beijing deployed 14 J-16 and four J-10 fighters, four H-6K bombers, two Y-8 anti-sub warfare planes and one KJ-500 early warning aircraft into the southwest section of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone Monday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.

The sortie was the largest China has sent toward Taiwan this year. The ministry said the Taiwanese air force responded by sending patrol aircraft to the area and tracking the Chinese planes with missile defense systems.

Chinese military activity has steadily picked up around democratically ruled Taiwan in recent months. The Chinese Defense Ministry said last week that the Liaoning aircraft carrier had carried out exercises near Taiwan recently and the navy is planning more drills. The People’s Liberation Army also said that it monitored the USS John S. McCain destroyer as it sailed through the Taiwan Strait.

Washington and Beijing have been issuing warnings to each other regarding Taiwan since U.S. President Joe Biden took office in January, adding to tensions that increased steadily during the Trump administration. On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said China should avoid encroaching on Taiwan, adding Beijing was fomenting tensions in the strait with “aggressive actions.”

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/04/13/asia-pacific/taiwan-china-warplanes-biggest-drill/

Beijing shows it’s ‘not taking its foot off the gas’ with latest incursion into Taiwan airspace

• PLA sent 25 warplanes into the island’s air defence identification zone on Monday • Analysts say it was a bid to put further strain on the Taiwanese military and a message for Washington

Beijing’s move to send 25 warplanes into air defence identification zoneon Monday aimed to heap more pressure on the island and send a message to Washington, according to analysts. Taiwan’s Taiwan’s defence ministry said 14 J-16 fighter jets, four J-10 fighter jets, four H-6K bombers, two Y-8 anti- submarine warfare planes and one KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft were sent into the southwest of the ADIZ.

It was the biggest ever incursion by Liberation Army warplanes into Taiwanese airspace, according to the defence ministry. People’s https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3129398/beijing-shows-its-not-taking-its-foot-gas- latest-incursion

April 12, 2021 01:56 PM Age: 2 days

Image: Supporters of the Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Ting Shou-chung watch Taipei City mayoral election results come in on November 24, 2018 (Image source: Taiwan News).

https://jamestown.org/program/exploring-chinese-military-thinking-on-social-media-manipulation- against-taiwan/

Taiwan bolsters navy with unveiling of new amphibious warfare ship By Reuters Staff 3 MIN READ

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan (Reuters) - Taiwan unveiled a new amphibious warfare ship on Tuesday that can be used to land troops and will bolster supply lines to vulnerable islands offshore China and in the South China Sea.

The 10,600-tonne Yu Shan, named after Taiwan’s tallest mountain, is the latest part of President Tsai Ing-wen’s ambitious programme to modernise the armed forces amid pressure from China, which claims the island as its own.

Built by state-backed CSBC Corporation Taiwan, the ship will enter service next year, and will be armed with a cannon for use against air and surface targets, anti-aircraft missiles and rapid-fire Phalanx close-in anti-aircraft and anti-missile guns.

Formally naming the new ship in the southern port city of Kaohsiung, Tsai said it represented a “milestone” in Taiwan’s indigenous warship- building plans.

“I believe that this ship will certainly strengthen to navy’s ability to fulfil its mission and further solidify our defences,” she said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-taiwan-defence/taiwan-bolsters-navy-with-unveiling-of-new- amphibious-warfare-ship-idUSKBN2C00MC

Taiwan launches new amphibious vessel with anti-ship missiles By: Mike Yeo 13 hours ago

The Yu Shan is fitted with a pair of missile launchers that are believed to be capable of holding eight indigenous Hsiung Feng II anti-ship or 16 Hai Chien naval surface-to-air missiles. (Taiwan's Office of the President) MELBOURNE, Australia — Taiwan has launched the first of a new class of multimission amphibious ships that can carry troops and equipment to its offshore and South China Sea islands. The vessels can also conduct surface warfare missions with anti-ship missiles. The landing platform dock, named Yu Shan after Taiwan’s tallest mountain, was launched at the shipyard of the state-owned shipbuilder CSBC Corporation in the southern Taiwanese port city of Kaohsiung on Tuesday. The launch ceremony was attended by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng, among other senior civilian and military officials. Speaking at the ceremony, Tsai called the launch of the Yu Shan a “milestone” for the self-governing East Asian island’s plans to bolster its shipbuilding capabilities, adding that the ship “will strengthen the Navy’s ability to fulfil its mission and further solidify our defenses.” Previously released specifications for the LPD indicate that the ship displaces 10,600 tons when fully loaded and measures 152 meters, or about 500 feet, with a hull draught of 20 feet. Top speed of the LPD is said to be 21 knots with a range of 7,000 miles. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said the Yu Shan can accommodate up to 673 troops and its vehicle deck can carry AAV7 tracked amphibious vehicles, among other land platforms. The ship also has a twin hangar sized for Sikorsky Seahawk and Black Hawk helicopters as well as a single flight deck spot to conduct helicopter operations. A well dock is incorporated in the design to stow, launch and recover landing craft. Unusually for an LPD, the Yu Shan is fitted with a pair of missile launchers believed to be capable of holding eight indigenous Hsiung Feng II anti-ship or 16 Hai Chien naval surface-to-air missiles, giving the ship a combat capability. The ship is also equipped with a single 76mm multipurpose gun and a pair of Phalanx close-in weapon systems; the latter is for defense against missile threats. https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2021/04/13/taiwan-launches-new-amphibious-vessel-with-anti- ship-missiles/

Foreign military exchanges can boost Taiwan's defense capabilities: Scholars Taiwan must demonstrate its determination to strengthen defense before gaining foreign support: INDSR analyst

1385

By Kelvin Chen, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

2021/04/13 12:39

Han Kuang live-fire exercise. (CNA photo)

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan can improve its defense capabilities by substantially deepening international military exchanges, according to Taiwanese scholars.

Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲), a senior analyst at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR), said he believes U.S. President Joe Biden has embraced the concept of an "American-led alliance."

Su observed that the U.S. State Department has significantly relaxed its guidelines for exchanges with Taiwan. Under the policy of military exchanges preceding politics, Taiwan will have more opportunities to participate in multilateral military exchanges, the Liberty Times quoted him as saying.

Su pointed out that during the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Taiwanese military participated in multinational video conferences, such as the Indo-Pacific Landpower Conference, as well as an air force conference last year.

The analyst also noted that Japanese State Defense Minister Nakayama Yasuhide has called on Biden to firmly support Taiwan and that former Canadian Chief of the Defence Staff Jonathan Vance has warned China to be aware of the consequences of attacking the country. U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Phil Davidson and his expected successor, Admiral John Aquilino, have also expressed concern for Taiwan’s security, Su said.

According to Su, if Taiwan is able to participate in more transnational military exchanges, including those related to strategic intelligence, handling gray zone threats, and marine patrols, it would be extremely helpful for the nation’s defense. However, he stressed that Taiwan must demonstrate a determination to strengthen its defense before it gains foreign support.

Taiwan Thinktank advisory committee member Tung Li-wen (董立文) pointed out that discussions on the threat of China's potential annexation of Taiwan are becoming deeper and more extensive. The Taiwanese military should therefore seize on opportunities to participate in international exchanges, he said.

Meanwhile, other countries would be interested in learning from Taiwan’s experience responding to Chinese cognitive warfare, sharp power strategy, and cyberattacks, Tung mentioned.

He remarked that after Biden took office, the continued implementation of the U.S.' Indo-Pacific strategy and transnational exchanges with regional allies, such as the four-party Quadrilateral Security Dialogue talks, have essentially created a “little Asian NATO.” However, whether this alliance will become formal remains to be seen.

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4175642

Is India planning to spy on Chinese submarines from the Andamans, with a little help from Japan?

• Long considered an underutilised security asset, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have come into sharper focus amid rising India-China tensions and Beijing’s increased maritime assertiveness • The islands have long been off limits to foreign navies for fear of spooking India’s neighbours, but analysts say recent moves with Japan hint at them opening up more to friendly nations

India’s move, with a little help from Japan, to develop a strategically located island chain near the mouth of Southeast Asia’s main shipping lane is part of a broader plan by New Delhi to keep a closer watch on China’s naval assets, say analysts and former Indian officials – especially its submarines.

The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago of 524 islands, only 38 of which are inhabited, stretches across some 1,000km (620 miles) of Indian Ocean by the western entrance to the Malacca Strait, through which an estimated 80 per cent or more of China’s seaborne trade passes.

“It is like a [permanent] aircraft carrier,” Kanwal Sibal, a former foreign secretary of India, told This Week In Asia, “that gives India very extensive control over maritime space and sea lanes of communication to monitor shipping and naval vessels.”

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3129389/india-planning-spy-chinese-submarines- andamans-little-help-japan

Nuclear Sub Club: Do Rising Powers Like

Indian Navy personnel stand on an Indian Navy submarine during the International Fleet Review in ... [+]

AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

India’s plan to build nuclear-powered attack submarines could be bad news for China. A fleet of nuclear attack subs – among the most lethal weapons on Earth – prowling the Indian Ocean could threaten Beijing’s growing naval presence in the region.

Or, a fleet of nuclear subs could be a boondoggle that drains India’s limited military resources. Even some Indian experts believe the Indian Navy would be better off buying cheaper diesel-electric subs more suitable for missions such as coastal defense. https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelpeck/2021/04/13/nuclear-sub-club-do-rising-powers-like-india- really-need-nuclear-attack-submarines/?ss=aerospace-defense&sh=1757261260cf

South Korea’s New KF-21 Fighter Is More An Alternative To Chinese Influence Than To The F-35

Eric Tegler

Contributor

Aerospace & Defense

The KF-21 Boramae (Hawk) unveiled last week at KAI headquarters in the southern city of Sacheon, ... [+]

KOREA AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES

Many of the headlines accompanying the rollout of South Korea’s new 4.5th generation KF-21 Boramae (Hawk) fighter last week trumpeted it as a cheaper alternative to the F-35. While it may not have the full stealth and network capabilities of the Lightning, it represents a capable and expensive investment in South Korean independence and regional options outside of China’s sphere.

South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, said as much during last Friday’s rollout ceremony, asserting that “a new era of independent defense has begun, and it’s a historic milestone in the development of the [South Korean] aviation industry.”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/erictegler/2021/04/13/south-koreas-new-kf-21-fighter-is-more-an- alternative-to-chinese-influence-than-to-the-f-35/?ss=aerospace-defense&sh=5e17838e4763

South Korea signs for MH-60R helos by Gareth Jennings

South Korea has signed for 12 Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters for USD447.2 million.

South Korea has signed for 12 MH-60R Seahawk ASW helicopters, having selected the type for its MOH Batch II requirement in December 2020. (US Navy)

Announced by the US Department of Defense (DoD) on 12 April, the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract is for the second phase of South Korea’s maritime ASW helicopter procurement programme. All 12 helicopters will be delivered to the US Navy by December 2024, ahead of their formal handover to the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN).

In securing this sale, Lockheed Martin beat-off competition from Leonardo with its AW159 Wildcat and NHIndustries with its NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH).

News of the award came about four months after South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced the selection of the MH-60R to fulfil the Maritime Operation Helicopter Batch II (MOH Batch II) requirement on 15 December 2020. At that time, DAPA noted an estimated USD800 million budget for the 12 helicopters over the life of the project.

When the US State Department approved the potential sale of the MH-60R to South Korea in August 2019, it listed the requested mission kit as including AN/APS-153(V) multimode radars, Thales/Raytheon AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar Systems (ALFS), and AN/AAS-44C(V) Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems.

Once received, the 12 MH-60Rs will join eight Wildcats that were acquired in 2013 under the MOH Batch I requirement. As the latest customer, South Korea will join Australia, Denmark, Greece, India, Saudi Arabia, and the United States in flying the more than 300 MH-60Rs that are currently in service.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/south-korea-signs-for-mh-60r-helos

Report: North Korea may have almost 250 nuclear weapons by 2027

By

Thomas Maresca

(0)

North Korea may develop up to 242 nuclear weapons by 2027, according to a research report by Asan Institute and Rand Corp. released Tuesday. File Photo by KCNA | License Photo

SEOUL, April 13 (UPI) -- North Korea's nuclear arsenal will continue to grow over the next several years, reaching as many as 242 nuclear weapons and dozens of intercontinental ballistic missiles by 2027 and posing a threat that will be increasingly difficult for South Korea and the United States to contain, a report released Tuesday said. https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2021/04/13/nkorea-North-Korea-may-have-242-nuclear- weapons-by-2027/9961618301306/

North Korea may be considering resumption of nuclear testing this year: report Posted : 2021-04-14 09:30 Updated : 2021-04-14 09:30

In a mass rally, people celebrate the election of Kim Jong-un as general secretary of the Workers Party of Korea at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Jan. 15. AP

North Korea may be considering whether it should resume its nuclear and long- range missile testing this year as it seeks to deal with the new U.S. administration on its own terms, a U.S. intelligence report said Tuesday.

The report from the Office of Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) also noted North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may take a "number of aggressive" actions.

"Kim may be considering whether to resume long-range missile or nuclear testing this year to try to force the United States to deal with him on Pyongyang's terms," said the 2021 report on annual threat assessment.

"North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may take a number of aggressive and potentially destabilizing actions to reshape the regional security environment and drive wedges between the United States and its allies ― up to and including the resumption of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) testing," it added.

Still, the report noted the North has left the door open for denuclearization talks, noting the North has yet to resume its nuclear and intercontinental ballistis missiles (ICBM) testing.

"Despite announcing an end to North Korea's self-imposed moratorium on nuclear weapons and ICBM testing in December 2019, Kim thus far has not conducted long-range missile testing and has left the door open to future denuclearization talks with the United States," the report said.

Pyongyang conducted its sixth and last nuclear test in September 2017. It has also maintained a self-imposed moratorium on long-range missile testing since November 2017.

North Korea has resumed its short-range ballistic missile testing after a yearlong hiatus, firing two short-range ballistic missile late last month.

The ODNI report said the North will continue to advance its conventional military capabilities, as well as its nuclear capabilities.

"We assess that Kim views nuclear weapons as the ultimate deterrent against foreign intervention and believes that over time he will gain international acceptance and respect as a nuclear power," said the report. "North Korea will pose an increasing threat to the United States, South Korea, and Japan as it continues to improve its conventional military capabilities, providing Kim with diverse tools to advance his political objectives or inflict heavy losses if North Korea were attacked."

The report comes amid an ongoing review of North Korea policy that Washington earlier said will lead to a "new" approach toward the North.

The unclassified report suggested the level of pressure currently put on North Korea may not be enough to persuade the North to denuclearize.

"He (Kim) probably does not view the current level of pressure on his regime as enough to require a fundamental change in its approach," it said.

In addition to its military capabilities, the North's cyber capabilities also pose a threat to th United States and its allies, the report noted.

"Pyongyang probably possesses the expertise to cause temporary, limited disruptions of some critical infrastructure networks and disrupt business networks in the United States, judging from its operations during the past decade, and it may be able to conduct operations that compromise software supply chains," it said. (Yonhap)

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2021/04/103_307117.html

Indonesia receives first batch of Chinese-made AR-2 missiles for its CH-4 UAVs by Ridzwan Rahmat

The Indonesian military has received its first batch of Chinese-made AR-2 air-to- surface, precision-guided missiles.

A CH-5 UAV at Airshow China 2016, fitted with four AR-1 (blue) and four AR-2 (white) missiles. The Indonesian Air Force test-fired the AR-1 missiles from its CH-4 UAVs in 2019, and recently took delivery of an initial batch of of AR-2s. (Janes/Kelvin Wong)

Information and images provided to Janes indicate that the weapons, which will be deployed on the Indonesian Air Force’s (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Udara: TNI-AU’s) CH-4 medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), arrived at the service’s main ammunition depot on the Iswahyudi Air Force Base on 8 April.

These images also indicate that the missiles, which were packed in crates of two projectiles each, were delivered in a shipping container that also included an undisclosed number of pylons and rail launchers.

The AR-2 relies on its inertial guidance system for mid-course updates and on its semi- active laser (SAL) seeker for terminal homing. The weapon can carry a 5 kg armour- piercing warhead and has a maximum range of about 8 km.

The TNI-AU currently operates a fleet of six CH-4 UAVs, the first two of which made their public debut in October 2019. The CH-4 variant supplied to Indonesia has an operating radius of between 1,500 km and 2,000 km and can be operated via satellite link.

The TNI-AU’s CH-4s were also seen armed with the larger AR-1 missiles during a 2019 exercise in East Java, Indonesia.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/indonesia-receives-first-batch-of-chinese-made-ar- 2-missiles-for-its-ch-4-uavs

NATO Secy Gen flags China coercion of neighbours, hampering freedom of navigation

Raisina Dial ..

Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/raisina-dialogue-nato-secy-gen-flags-china-coercion-of- neighbours-hampering-freedom-of- navigation/articleshow/82054909.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/raisina-dialogue-nato-secy-gen-flags-china-coercion-of- neighbours-hampering-freedom-of-navigation/articleshow/82054909.cms

Ukraine minister calls for military help, more Russia sanctions

By Reuters Staff

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO and the West must act quickly to prevent an escalation of violence between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Tuesday, saying further sanctions against Moscow and more military help to Kyiv could help.

“At the operational level, we need measures which will deter Russia and which will contain its aggressive intentions. This could be ... a new round of sanctions which would raise the price of Russian aggression,” Kuleba told a news conference at NATO alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

“This could be direct support aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities. Because we do know that Russia spares no effort to prevent third countries from cooperating with Ukraine in the defence sector. Russia is working hard to undermine our defence capabilities.”

Reporting by Robin Emmott and Sabine Siebold, Editing by Gabriela Baczynska

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-nato-kuleba/ukraine-minister-calls-for-military-help-more-russia- sanctions-idUSKBN2C0129

Can Ukraine deploy US-made weapons against the Russians?

• Tensions in eastern Ukraine escalate as Russia masses troops along frontier • US has supplied its European ally with Javelin anti-tank missiles

Published: 1:06pm, 13 Apr, 2021

Updated: 1:06pm, 13 Apr, 2021

As Russia amasses the highest number of troops on Ukraine’s border since 2014, the question for Kiev now becomes: is it time to start putting US-made weapons in the field?

Ukraine purchased 210 Javelin anti-tank missiles and 37 launchers from the US in 2018 for approximately US$47 million, and the State Department approved the sale of a second batch of 150 missiles and 10 launch units in late 2019. But with them came a variety of restrictions on their usage, including that they be stored in western Ukraine, far from the front lines.

The Javelin is a shoulder-fired missile that uses infrared guidance to target and destroy an enemy tank from up to 5km (about 3 miles) away. Former president Donald Trump first approved the sale of the weapon to Ukraine after his predecessor, former president Barack Obama, refused the request, due to fears that providing lethal aid to Kiev would provoke Moscow.

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3129318/can-ukraine-deploy-us-made-weapons-against-russians

General Says NATO Prepared to Respond to Aggression Should Deterrence Fail

April 13, 2021 | BY David Vergun , DOD News

Generals provided testimony today regarding tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border and the ability of U.S. allies to move large numbers of forces quickly over great distances.

Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, commander of the U.S. European Command, and Army Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, testified at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to review the fiscal 2022 defense authorization request and the Future Years Defense Program.

The current NATO security posture in Europe is strong, yet challenged by Russia's actions in the vicinity of Ukraine, said Wolters, adding that America's allies and partners in Europe remain a key strategic advantage.

https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2570896/general-says-nato-prepared-to-respond-to- aggression-should-deterrence-fail/

NATO tells Russia to end Ukraine military build-up

PUBLISHED : 13 APR 2021 AT 18:45 BRUSSELS: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday told Russia to end its "unjustified" military build-up around Ukraine as Kiev and Washington's top diplomats gathered for talks in Brussels. Concern is mounting that the long-simmering conflict in east Ukraine could spiral back into wider fighting after reports of major Russian troop movements and an intensification of clashes with Moscow-backed separatists. "Russia's considerable military build-up is unjustified, unexplained and deeply concerning," Stoltenberg said. "Russia must end this military build-up in and around Ukraine, stop its provocations and de-escalate immediately."

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"In recent weeks, Russia has moved thousands of combat-ready troops to Ukraine's borders, the largest massing of Russian troops since the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014," Stoltenberg said. Ukraine -- which applied to join the US-backed alliance in 2008 -- is pressing Western powers for "practical" support as it seeks to deter any new aggression from Moscow. "Russia will not be able to catch anyone by surprise anymore. Ukraine and our friends remains vigilant," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said alongside the NATO chief. "We do not and will not lose time, and should Moscow take any reckless move or start a new spiral of violence it will be costly in all senses." Kuleba was to hold talks in Brussels later Tuesday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has jetted back for fresh talks at NATO after a visit last month. NATO members remain deeply reluctant to heed Ukraine's appeal to speed up its push for admission as they seek to avoid ratcheting up the tension. The Kremlin, which has not denied the troop movements along the border, has said it is not planning to go to war with Kiev, but also added that it "will not remain indifferent" to the fate of Russian speakers in the east. - 'Powder keg' - Moscow on Tuesday accused the US and other NATO countries of turning Ukraine into a "powder keg". "If there is any aggravation, we of course will do everything to ensure our security and the safety of our citizens, wherever they are," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. "But Kiev and its allies in the West will be entirely responsible for the consequences of a hypothetical exacerbation," he added. The troop build-up comes amid a spike in violence along the front line between Russian- backed separatists and Ukrainian forces in the east of the country. Ukraine's military said that one of its soldiers was killed on Tuesday when a drone dropped grenades on his position, taking to 29 the number of fatalities for Kiev this year. Fighting subsided in 2020 as a ceasefire agreement took hold last July, but clashes have picked up again since the start of the year, with each side blaming the other.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2099327/nato-tells-russia-to-end-ukraine-military-build-up

Russia warns US warships to steer clear of Crimea 'for their own good'

News Desk Reuters Moscow, Russia / Tue, April 13, 2021 / 04:05 pm

Russia on Tuesday warned the United States to ensure its warships stayed well away from Crimea "for their own good", calling their deployment in the Black Sea a provocation designed to test Russian nerves.

Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and two US warships are due to arrive in the Black Sea this week amid an escalation in fighting in eastern Ukraine where government forces have battled Russian-backed troops in a conflict Kyiv says has killed 14,000 people.

The deployment comes as the West sounds the alarm over what it says is a big and unexplained build-up of Russian forces close to Ukraine's eastern border and in Crimea. Russia has said it moves its forces around as it sees fit, including for defensive purposes.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was cited by Russian news agencies on Tuesday as warning US warships in the Black Sea to keep their distance, saying the risk of unspecified incidents was very high.

"There is absolutely nothing for American ships to be doing near our shores, this is purely a provocative action. Provocative in the direct sense of the word: they are testing our strength, playing on our nerves. They will not succeed," Ryabkov was cited as saying.

"We warn the United States that it will be better for them to stay far away from Crimea and our Black Sea coast. It will be for their own good."

The Pentagon has declined to discuss the ships' deployment, saying only that the US military routinely sends vessels to the region.

Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based in Crimea and it has powerful missile and radar facilities on the peninsula.

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2021/04/13/russia-warns-us-warships-to-steer-clear-of-crimea-for-their-own- good-.html

Royal Australian Navy commissions first Supply-class AOR vessel by Gabriel Dominguez

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) commissioned its first of two Supply-class auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) ships in a ceremony held on 10 April at Fleet Base East in Sydney, New South Wales.

Named HMAS Supply (II) (with pennant number A195), the 19,500-tonne vessel had arrived at the naval base on 15 January, only a few days after the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) formally accepted it from Spanish shipbuilder Navantia.

Launched in November 2018, Supply completed sea acceptance trials off the Spanish coast in August 2020 before arriving in Australia in October of that year for final fit-out and testing activities.

The 173.9 m-long AOR is one of two of the class ordered as part of a AUD642 million (USD500 million) contract signed in May 2016 under Australia’s Project Sea 1654 Phase 3 Maritime Operational Support Capability programme.

Second-of-class Stalwart (III) (with pennant number A304) was launched on 30 August 2019 and is expected to join the RAN later this year.

“The AORs will enhance fleet capability by extending the time a task group can spend at sea and the distance travelled,” said the DoD in a statement, with Defence Minister Peter Dutton adding, “Supply will help sustain our lethal naval capability and will play a critical role in enabling our joint force to maintain the security, sovereignty, and prosperity of Australia and our regional partners.”

The new vessels, which are based on the Spanish Navy’s Cantabria-class AORs, are to replace the AOR ship HMAS Success (II), which was decommissioned on 29 June 2019 after 33 years of service, and supply ship HMAS Sirius.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/royal-australian-navy-commissions-first-supply-class-aor-vessel

Defense Primer: What Is Command and Control?

The Department of Defense (DOD) defines command and control (C2) as “[t]he exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned forces in the accomplishment of the mission.” At its most fundamental level, C2 represents how DOD makes operational decisions. One can view C2 through the context of five variables: who, what, when, where, and how (see Figure 1). Traditionally, Congress has focused on the authorities (the “who”) and technology (the “how”) variables, and less so on the force mix (“what”), temporal (“when”), and geographic (“where”). China and Russia have developed strategies to disrupt or potentially deny DOD its ability to make decisions; as a result, DOD is modernizing systems and processes to command and control military forces.

https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/20613912/defense-primer-what-is-command-and-control-april-8- 2021.pdf

FULFILLING OUR DUTY TO AFGHAN AND IRAQI INTERPRETERS IS A MATTER OF HONOR—AND OF NATIONAL SECURITY

Douglas Livermore | 04.13.21

Throughout the nearly two decades of America’s post-9/11 wars, most Americans have been largely oblivious to the bureaucratic plight of and physical dangers faced by Afghan and Iraqi interpreters who apply to the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. The State Department’s SIV program, which was originally created to allow individuals who “provided faithful and valuable service to the United States” to apply for and receive special consideration for immigration, has long been plagued by inefficiencies, under resourcing, indifferent and complacent execution, and unconscionable delays in the processing of applications. The Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University recently published a scathing report by Noah Coburn highlighting the lack of progress in addressing the SIV program’s many shortcomings. Reforming the SIV program is an American moral obligation and is vitally important to our national security. https://mwi.usma.edu/fulfilling-our-duty-to-afghan-and-iraqi-interpreters-is-a-matter-of-honor-and-of-national-security/

Can Japan and the US Lead the Way to 6G?

The Biden-Suga summit this week will help set the tone on the allies’ cooperation on “Beyond 5G” technologies.

By James L. Schoff and Joshua Levy

April 13, 2021

https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/can-japan-and-the-us-lead-the-way-to-6g/

Artificial intelligence and the future of warfare

13 Apr 2021|Clive Williams

Artificial intelligence is changing the world we live in. It will redefine the workplace and have significant implications for everything we do, probably by the end of this decade. Some AI applications are already a part of our everyday lives, such as intelligent car navigation systems.

So, what is artificial intelligence? AI can be defined as ‘the ability of machines to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence’.

AI has in fact been around for several decades. The IBM chess-playing computer called ‘Deep Blue’ defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov as far back as 1997. But the development of AI has been accelerating rapidly in recent years with a substantial increase in the number of real-world applications where AI is now practical.

According to the US Department of Defense’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, the reasons for this are more massive datasets, increased computing power, improved machine-learning algorithms, and greater access to open-source code libraries.

Let’s look at these in turn.

First, massive datasets. Today, computers, digital devices and sensors connected to the internet are constantly producing and storing large volumes of data, whether in the form of text, numbers, images, audio or other data files.

Second, increased computing power has come from graphics processing units, or GPUs, that are highly parallelised, which means they can perform large numbers of calculations at the same time. Massive parallelism is speeding up the training of AI models and running those models operationally.

Third, better algorithms have made machine-learning models more flexible, more robust and more capable of solving different types of problems.

Fourth, access to open-source code libraries now allows organisations to use and build on the advanced work of others without having to start from scratch.

In defence areas, it means that autonomous platforms could in the future operate without the need to carry a vulnerable or capability-limiting human, be they airborne or underwater systems. Platforms should still be controlled by humans for moral, ethical and legal reasons, but ‘kill’ decisions could end up being distilled down to simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ commands.

A control problem might arise in a conflict situation where there’s difficulty in maintaining a continuous link to an autonomous platform. In those circumstances, for example, an underwater attack drone placed on the ocean bottom in the Sunda Strait could be programmed to identify enemy submarines and automatically destroy them if they pass by. The same decision delegation could be made to long-endurance solar-powered drones programmed to eliminate key insurgents and terrorists through facial or gait recognition.

AI could mean that high-tech countries like Australia will have far fewer battle casualties, but glamourous hotshot jobs like being a fighter pilot or stealthy submariner might no longer exist. Instead, commanders and combatants would more likely be controlling robot attackers from behind computer screens in relatively safe locations.

The ‘risk to blue force’ factor will of course depend on the nature of the enemy—whether it’s a low-tech insurgent group like al-Shabaab or a high-tech nation-state like China.

The most practical areas to invest in military AI—at least in the short term—are those that are relevant to technologically uncontested domains, like Afghanistan. In state-versus-state conflict we must assume that potential adversaries are a match for us in AI—if not more advanced in the case of China—and will attempt to manipulate our AI systems or destroy them kinetically.

For the time being at least, AI is still short of human achievement when it comes to multitasking. A soldier can identify an enemy target, decide on a weapon system to employ against it, predict its path, and engage it. AI cannot currently accomplish that simple set of related tasks.

Potential AI problems can also arise from biased data and context misunderstanding. AI systems have problems distinguishing between correlation and causation. (One example is the correlation between drowning deaths and ice-cream sales. An AI system fed with data about these two outcomes would not be aware that the two correlate because they are a function of warmer weather. AI might conclude that to prevent drowning deaths, we should restrict ice-cream sales.)

However, AI is rapidly overcoming these basic limitations and we could see a much more comprehensive range of AI capabilities by 2030, particularly in the defence sector.

In the interim, we are likely to see an exponential increase in the use of AI in crewed platforms to allow humans to concentrate on the tasks that humans do better.

In the longer term, removing humans from combat platforms is a logical and likely progression. The US Air Force’s next-generation air superiority fighter is expected to include optional unmanned autonomous operation. And autonomous unmanned underwater attack platforms are expected to be in service with China’s

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/artificial-intelligence-and-the-future-of-warfare/

NCSC warns against cyber security complacency

ByGeorge Allison

April 13, 2021

In her first speech as chief executive of the new National Cyber Security Centre Lindy Cameron has paid tribute to the bold decision to create a public-facing cyber security organisation within GCHQ.

The virtual speech to an audience at Queen’s University, Belfast, saw Lindy Cameron outline why she thinks all of the UK has a role to play in making the UK the safest place to live and do business online.

During the speech, she suggested that “basic cyber hygiene” is as important a life skill as knowing how to wire a plug – and that digital literacy is as non-negotiable in boardrooms as financial literacy.

Cameron said:

“The cyber security landscape we see now in the UK reflects huge progress and relative strength – but it is not a position we can be complacent about. Cyber security is still not taken as seriously as it should be, and simply is not embedded in UK boardrooms.

The pace of change is no excuse – in boardrooms, digital literacy is as non-negotiable as financial or legal literacy. Our CEOs should be as close to their CISO as their Finance Director and General Counsel. And we want to help them to develop this knowledge, as we’re all too aware that cyber skills are not yet fundamental to our education – even though these are life skills like wiring a plug or changing a tyre as well as skills for the future digital economy.”

The NCSC’s CEO also cited examples like recent ransomware cases and the SolarWinds and Microsoft Exchange compromises as showing the real danger the UK faces – and how she envisions the NCSC helping to further increase the UK’s cyber resilience.

She also set out her vision of how the NCSC can help to further increase the UK’s cyber resilience and usher in a new era of technological ambition, agility and internationalism to make the UK the safest place to live and do business online.

Lindy Cameron went on to outline that key priorities for the NCSC included ensuring that; • critical infrastructure is made as hard a target as possible for those that might seek to disrupt it • the ever-increasing amounts of data generated and processed are properly protected – and privacy is appropriately managed • the next generation of commodity technologies don’t repeat the security mistakes of the past • future generations are better equipped to deal with this complexity than any of their predecessors

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/ncsc-warns-against-cyber-security-complacency/

More Data Needed to Build Trust in Autonomous Systems

4/13/2021 By Meredith Roaten Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to LinkedInShare to Google Bookmark The demand for more autonomous capabilities is growing, but more trust in the systems is needed, defense industry executives say.

To bolster faith in autonomous platforms, industry should collect more data to train robots and focus on developing capabilities that help the United States keep pace with adversaries, aeronautics executives said during a panel discussion at the Air Force Association’s virtual Aerospace Warfare Symposium in February.

Jared Hayes, senior director of autonomous aviation and technology at Boeing, said aircraft can already fly “completely autonomously,” but the capability isn’t being fully utilized.

“The only way we’re going to build that trust is if we get it out there into the field,” he said. “We start to mature that, as a part of some of those operational exercises, and put it in the warfighters’ hands and see what the game-changing effect that comes out of that is.”

Darren Moe, senior director of automation, autonomy and artificial intelligence at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, said the defense industry has made progress changing minds about robotic platforms.

“In the past, it was always, ‘Hey, let’s talk about automation making manpower more efficient, but don’t talk about autonomy,’” Moe said.

“We don’t want to be seen as Terminator Skynet, making killer robots with no human in the loop.”

The 2018 National Defense Strategy’s call for more autonomous systems played a role in increasing demand as possibilities soared for unmanned weapons, he noted.

Autonomous systems could benefit from modeling-and-simulation technology, which has taken on a renewed importance in the industrial base, said Tim Barton, chief technology officer of Dynetics Group. He pointed to the rise in digital twin technology — virtual replicas of physical devices used for simulations — as a way to expose automated systems to more scenarios which could reduce uncertainty around a platform’s performance. Manufacturers need to continue to develop autonomous systems’ ability to sense when they are being tampered with and protect their mission, Barton noted.

Hayes added that industry should focus on progressing past deterministic behaviors sets, or a rules-based set of decision aids, going into a system. When manned and unmanned systems team up, pilots should be able to rely on autonomous platforms to do their job, Hayes said.

“It is easier to follow an autonomous asset than it is to have an autonomous asset follow you and safely maintain formation patterns, etc.,” he said. “That’s really the journey we’re on and the technology is close.”

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2021/4/13/more-data-needed-to-build-trust-in-autonomous- systems

Here’s how new space tech is helping electronic warfare forces on the ground

Mark Pomerleau

WASHINGTON — The Space Development Agency is providing valuable and rapid electronic warfare capabilities in the tactical sphere, a top Pentagon official said.

Previously, most of the tactical electronic warfare support from the space sensing layer resulted from collaboration between the military and the intelligence community, which created barriers to timely information sharing for war fighters on the ground. Now with organic, so-called Title 10 space sensors deployed by the Space Development Agency, data can be shared more quickly. The sensors deployed in orbit by the agency create organic military capabilities with real-time access and that provide greater force protection, according to David Tremper, director of electronic warfare within the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, who spoke during an April 13 virtual conference hosted by the Association of Old Crows. The speed becomes especially important as adversaries’ abilities to sense and target friendly systems is becoming more expansive, Tremper said. Forces also have a much wider area to defend. “High-altitude sensors become really important. Space Development Agency providing Title 10 sensors in space with tactical data links becomes really important,” Tremper said. “Now SDA capability with proliferated [low Earth orbit] LEO in space allows us then to, on demand, get sensing information 1,000 kilometers above us. That is critically important to wide-field-of-view types of sensing and targeting.”

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https://www.c4isrnet.com/electronic-warfare/2021/04/13/heres-how-new-space-tech-is-helping-electronic-warfare- forces-on-the-ground/

America Must Secure Its Geospatial-Intelligence Information Supply Chain

The U.S. government’s growing appetite for GEOINT has caused it to consider contracting services from commercial providers, including non-U.S. companies. by Dan Goure

The United States is in competition with China on multiple fronts: economics, technology, geography, politics, and military power. A major battleground between the two countries is in the field of information. Both sides are racing to gain an advantage in how they acquire, disseminate and exploit information. One of the most important classes of information is geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) which focuses on geography and human activities. GEOINT is increasingly central to the activities of governments, companies, non-governmental organizations, and militaries. That makes it unbelievably valuable.

That is why nations such as China are seeking to establish domination over the ways GEOINT is collected, processed, and disseminated. If the United States is going to compete successfully against China and other countries trying to get the upper hand in the information domain, it must have a secure GEOINT information supply chain. GEOINT is derived from a fusion of multi-sensor imagery with other sources of information about physical features or human activities tied to a particular location. Anyone who uses Google Maps or peruses Google Earth is taking advantage of commercially available GEOINT.

GEOINT has created an extremely valuable ecosystem. For example, information on soil conditions and how crops are planted allows experts to predict the size of global yields. This can be worth millions of dollars to commodity traders. It can also allow early warnings of impending famines. Governments and businesses alike can watch how cities evolve, industrial sites are built, and transportation networks are developed. This information can then be used to guide future investments. GEOINT related to natural disasters can inform response activities saving lives, time, and money.

GEOINT is transforming the way the U.S. military operates. Knowing where friendly and hostile forces are, how they are moving and what they are doing can mean the difference between winning and losing a conflict. GEOINT is particularly valuable in the operations of so-called smart weapons. Knowing what targets to strike, where, how and when is a product of detailed information, much of it provided by GEOINT systems.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/america-must-secure-its-geospatial-intelligence-information-supply-chain- 182624

A Strategic Meltdown Over Ukraine Could Doom Taiwan

Our leaders risk sleepwalking into a grand strategic meltdown that they may not be able to fix. by Greg R. Lawson

Saber rattling once more is infecting the U.S.-Russia relationship with the Biden administration’s offer of “unwavering“ support for Ukraine against Russia. Several things need to be considered in order to avoid a grand strategic meltdown for the United States that includes losing out to China in Asia. First and foremost, Russia is a great nuclear power. Currently, is the only nuclear power that can kill tens of millions of Americans in short order. Let that sink in... It is not hyperbole.

A mistake or misinterpretation of intentions could lead to a catastrophic accident between America and Russia. Near misses like the Arkhipov incident during Cuban Missile Crisis, the 1979 NORAD error, the 1983 Petrov incident, even the 1995 Norwegian Rocket Incident show we have narrowly missed nuclear catastrophe numerous times.

If America is to confront Russia, it should be over something of existential importance. Tempting fate over Ukraine today seems highly risky with limited benefit for the United States and certainly is not of existential import. Second, the United States, with Europe following along, has long sought to include Ukraine, a nation on Russia’s border, into NATO. This threat is behind a lot of the problems we have had with Russia during the post-Cold War era.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/strategic-meltdown-over-ukraine-could-doom-taiwan-182612

Countering China's threat to the Senkakus requires a full rethink of operations • Protecting the waters around the Senkaku Islands has become a priority for Japan in the wake of China's adoption of its new coast guard law. | REUTERS • BY SHIN OYA • CONTRIBUTING WRITER • Apr 13, 2021 The Senkaku Islands, which were not included in the territories that Japan renounced under the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty, have long been considered Japanese territory, both historically and under international law.

China, however, has repeatedly intruded into Japan’s territorial waters around the islands. To respond to such activities, Japan should consider revising its domestic laws in case of contingencies at sea.

China’s coast guard law, which came into force on Feb. 1, has some points that concern both Japan and the United States.

In security talks involving the two nations’ foreign and defense ministers held in Tokyo on March 16, “serious concerns” were expressed over the law and opposition “to any unilateral action that seeks to change the status quo or to undermine Japan’s administration of these islands.”

One of the problems arising from China’s coast guard law is that it broadly permits the use of weapons against foreign military ships and foreign government ships.

Article 32 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) largely grants immunity to warships and other government ships operated for non-commercial purposes. This is based on the principle that states are equal under international law and they have the right to conduct affairs without outside interference.

There are exceptions, as a coastal state can require a foreign warship to leave its territorial sea if it disregards a request for compliance of the state’s regulations. But it is not clear under international law to what degree a coastal state can force a warship to exit its territorial waters if it fails to comply with the request.

Therefore, the point about the China coast guard law largely allowing enforcement measures and use of weapons against warships and other government ships becomes a problem.

The biggest part of that problem lies in China’s behavior. Recklessly driving an illegally modified car in a pedestrian zone is certainly not permitted, but recklessly driving a car that underwent legal maintenance in a pedestrian zone is also not permitted.

Even if China’s coast guard law is consistent with international law, the China Coast Guard shouldn’t be allowed to unlawfully invade Japanese territorial waters. It is incorrect to say that all acts of entering another state’s territorial sea violate international law, since the UNCLOS states foreign warships and other government vessels enjoy the right of innocent passage through territorial sea.

But the China Coast Guard ships’ acts of approaching Japanese fishing boats within Japan’s territorial waters, claiming they are conducting law enforcement activities under Chinese domestic laws, do not fall under innocent passage.

We must be vigilant not only against what is stipulated under the China coast guard law but also against what China is attempting to do by acting under the law.

U.S. concerns

In January 2019, U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson reportedly told his Chinese counterpart, Vice Adm. Shen Jinlong, that the U.S. Navy would not treat China’s coast guard patrol ships or “maritime militia” — fishing boats that work with the military — differently from the Chinese navy, and would respond to their provocative acts in the same way it reacts to the Chinese navy.

Also in 2019, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency released a report on China’s military that stated: “Under Chinese law, maritime sovereignty is a domestic law enforcement issue under the purview of the CCG. Beijing also prefers to use CCG ships for assertive actions in disputed waters to reduce the risk of escalation and to portray itself more benignly to an international audience.”

The report also identifies that China’s maritime militia, a reserve force of civilians, plays a major role in coercive activities to achieve China’s political goals. In the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2021, U.S. Congress urged the U.S. government to investigate and report on China’s use of fishing vessels in coast guard activities.

What countries including the U.S. are worried about is China’s “gray zone” strategy. For now, China wants to avoid getting into a war with the U.S., which overwhelms China in terms of military power.

That is why Beijing is putting the China Coast Guard at the front end to intrude on territorial waters and conduct what it calls law enforcement activities so that they won’t be regarded as constituting an armed attack.

The coast guard coordinates seamlessly with the maritime militia and the navy. And while it emphasizes its function as a domestic law enforcement agency backed by the China coast guard law, it attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in a long-term perspective.

But while China is building up a seamless maritime security system, the U.S. also has a seamless system. The U.S. Coast Guard, which is a law enforcement agency, is also part of the U.S. military. It operates under the Homeland Security Department during peacetime but serves under the navy in times of conflict.

The Navy, Marine Corps and the coast guard together released in December a new maritime strategy entitled “Advantage at Sea” aimed at deepening tri-service integration.

In February, the U.S. Coast Guard held joint exercises with the Japan Coast Guard near the Ogasawara Islands, some 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo, with an aim to improve interoperability and enhance collective ability to respond to maritime threats and challenges.

An unresolved issue

How can Japan respond to such developments? There are three key points to consider.

First, Japan should work together with countries that express concerns over the China coast guard law, including the U.S., Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, to broadly appeal to the international community in raising awareness and put stronger pressure on China to stop acts that violate international law.

China’s “maritime militia,” a reserve force of civilians, has been playing a major role in coercive activities to achieve Beijing’s political goals. | PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD / NATIONAL TASK FORCE-WEST PHILIPPINE SEA / VIA REUTERS

When China declared the establishment of an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea in November 2013, the U.S., Australia, South Korea and Japan lodged a protest against China.

Following the announcement, the U.S. sent B-52 bombers into the ADIZ without informing Beijing ahead of time.

In late 2014, it was reported that China’s Civil Aviation Administration removed from the ADIZ rules in its Aeronautic Information Publication the warning that it would adopt “defensive emergency measures” against uncooperative aircraft in the zone. This indicates the significance of continuing diplomatic efforts in cooperation with other countries including the U.S.

Secondly, Japan should strengthen its coast guard.

Until 2012, Japan exceeded China in the number of patrol ships of 1,000 tons or more, but China now holds twice the number of such ships compared with Japan and is working on building larger vessels.

Thirdly, Japan should create a system that enables it to respond seamlessly to China’s gray zone strategy. Regarding this seamless response, the Japan Coast Guard tasked with enforcement of domestic laws is currently dealing with the intrusion of China Coast Guard vessels into Japan’s territorial waters.

The Japan Coast Guard’s use of weapons basically follows the police duties execution law.

Moreover, Article 25 of the Japan coast guard law prohibits the Japan Coast Guard from being trained or organized as a military establishment or to function as such.

Japan’s system differs in this regard from the U.S. Coast Guard or the China Coast Guard, which have a military function in addition to conducting law enforcement.

In the case of contingencies that cannot be dealt with by the Japan Coast Guard, the government can assign the Self-Defense Forces to conduct maritime security operations upon Cabinet approval.

However, such SDF operations will be conducted for enforcement of domestic laws and the criteria for use of weapons will essentially be based on the police duties execution law, the same as for the Japan Coast Guard.

If China’s actions were taken as an attempt on the Senkaku Islands, it would be possible to consider issuing a defense operation order to the SDF, which would allow it to exercise the use of force if deemed necessary.

But Japan faces high hurdles concerning the use of force in defense operations since it can be exercised only after there is an armed attack.

Japan has strictly defined “armed attack” as the “organized and premeditated use of force against Japan.” The advisory panel on reconstruction of the legal basis for security, set up by then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, released a report in May 2014, urging the need to fill the gap in Japan’s response to security incidents or situations that fall short of a full-scale armed attack, as the nation cannot deal with such cases under the police duties execution law and there is no legal framework to exercise the right of self-defense in such situations.

In June 2014, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito held talks and agreed to deal with the issue by operational improvement instead of exploring a fundamental overhaul.

Their decision to prioritize the other part of the report, which was to “allow the limited exercise of the right to collective self-defense,” was groundbreaking, and we cannot criticize the political judgment made at the time.

Although the Cabinet approved in May 2015 an operational improvement including speeding up procedures for issuing a maritime security operation order, the issue of creating a legal framework enabling seamless response to security situations was left unresolved. The proposals in the report released seven years ago also remain unresolved.

Seamless response

What can be done to close the gap?

One idea is to relax the criteria for use of weapons during maritime security operations by the Japan Coast Guard or the SDF, and the other idea is to ease the conditions for SDF operations. It would be possible to implement both measures.

As for the first part, it would be possible to relax the conditions under Article 20 paragraph 2 of the Japan Coast Guard law for the use of weapons against foreign vessels when they refuse to stop and resist inspection.

The paragraph, however, explicitly excludes warships and foreign government vessels. Therefore, while the law is applicable to responses against foreign fishing boats, it cannot be applied to respond to the China Coast Guard vessels.

Concerning the second part about easing the requirements for SDF operations, it would be possible to revise the definition of armed attack so as not to restrict it to “organized and premeditated use of force against Japan” and make it easier to assign the SDF to defense operations.

It would also be possible to consider a new type of operation in which the SDF exercises the right of self-defense against the use of force which falls short of an armed attack, while being careful to remain consistent with international law.

China didn’t just come up with the idea of establishing the coast guard law. The nation is deliberately targeting the gray zone.

Japan, which strictly defines armed attacks, is an attractive target for China aiming to expand its gray zone.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard’s official motto is Semper Paratus, Latin for “always ready.”

Every time a China Coast Guard ship enters Japan’s territorial waters, a Japan Coast Guard ship travels alongside it and repeatedly calls on the Chinese ship to leave the area, sending warnings using radio and an electronic bulletin board.

While we should feel gratitude for the Japan Coast Guard’s continuous efforts, we cannot depend solely on its work.

The entire nation must effectively prepare for contingencies by establishing the necessary legal framework, allocating resources including increasing budgets and working together and sharing roles beyond organizational boundaries. We cannot afford to maintain the present condition amid the changing strategic environment and China’s intensifying gray zone activities.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2021/04/13/commentary/japan-commentary/china-japan-senkakus/

Would the American Public Really Defend Taiwan? The doctrine of “strategic ambiguity” makes it critical that any military action taken in defense of Taiwan has the overwhelming support of the American public.

BY James Loomis

If 2020 marked a record year in the history of Sino-American relations, the watchword of the Indo- Pacific was “Taiwan.” Tensions between China and Taiwan reached their highest point since the 1996 Crisis: China displayed the largest show of force in the Strait in 25 years, U.S. policymakers are openly rethinking “strategic ambiguity”, and cabinet-level officials for the first time in a generation have visited the island. Headlines routinely questioned if this was the year the mainland would attempt to retake Taiwan.

It is essential that the United States maintain Taiwanese independence. Taiwan represents a lynchpin of America’s Indo-Pacific security strategy, and increasingly, its overall strategy to contain China’s hegemonic ambitions. Taiwan is the “crown jewel” of the First Island Chain; its defense against mainland invasion is viewed as necessary to retarding Chinese militarization of the Indo-Pacific and preventing China from achieving its stated goal of eventual reunification. As economic decoupling continues under President-Elect Biden, Taiwan’s status as a reliable and secure destination for critical supply chains will grow as well. So, too, will the likelihood that China will increase military aggression against Taiwan, and most importantly, the probability that the American military will be expected to intervene on Taiwan’s behalf.

https://www.stimson.org/2021/would-the-american-public-really-defend-taiwan/ The Quad (Finally) Delivers: Can It Be Sustained?

By Susan Thornton

April 13, 2021

On 19 March, the leaders of four important democracies of the Indo-Pacific region – the United States, Japan, Australia and India – held (virtually) their first-ever “Quad Summit.” This meeting at the leaders’ level of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue was significant on two counts.

It showed, for one, that the extent of frustration with Chinese behaviour has reached a pitch where all four countries have overcome past reservations to deliver a potent message of solidarity. Following border clashes between Chinese and Indian soldiers in the Himalayas and export sanctions meted out as punishment by China to Australia, the new Biden administration’s determination to rally this grouping as a show of strength in the region was more easily realised than it otherwise might have been.

Perhaps more importantly, though, the Quad was finally able to show the substantive utility of the grouping in its collaborative effort to provide a badly needed global public good: more vaccines. Provided that the deal hatched for the summit is realised, the world will now be up another billion Covid-19 vaccines, based on Indian production and financial, technical and logistical assistance from the other three players.

This development probably would not have happened without this Quad summit as an “action-forcing event”, but now provides a template for possible future projects. This promising start has boosted enthusiasm on both sides of the Pacific about the Quad’s finally coming together; Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison hailed the meeting as ushering in a “new dawn”.

https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2021/04/13/the_quad_finally_delivers_can_it_be_sustained_772507.html

Seventh Fleet move a reminder that Quad must remain a group of equals, not a US-led posse

New Delhi must keep in mind that Quad is not a military alliance.

Lt General Prakash Menon 13 April, 2021 8:41 am IST

Joe Biden (top left), Yoshihide Suga (top right), Scott Morrison (bottom left), and Narendra Modi, during the virtual Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) meeting, on 12 March 2021 | Bloomberg

The US Navy’s Seventh Fleet statement of 7 April 2021, after the freedom of navigation operation off Maldives in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone or the EEZ, even if legally valid, and watered down later by the Pentagon Spokesman, was unwarranted and seems indifferent to the sensitive phase in India-US relations. Post the statement, it is understood that China’s defence attaché in New Delhi went to town pointing out the US’ treatment of India as a rebuke of a subordinate. The possibility of this poke in India’s strategic eye being a lower level gaffe cannot be ruled out. But if it was earlier sanctioned by the US Secretary of Defence, then one can surmise that it was meant to convey who is the boss. That would be unfortunate for India-US relations because a reluctant New Delhi has now finally shed its inhibitions with regards to the Quad. The US seems to have misunderstood India’s political stance, especially New Delhi’s understanding of the nature of Quad.

In India’s view, the resurrected Quad is a platform that has four partners at its core with others being invited to participate, depending on common interests. Therefore, the specific issues that relate to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, Vietnam, Philippines or any effected country, could be potentially co-opted. Such flexibility can be a fruitful method for the Quad to adopt.

For sure, the Quad is not a military alliance — the attack on one nation does not mean attack on the other. This makes a huge difference. It is also the case that apart from India, all other members have military alliances with each other. But India has made it very clear that the Indo-Pacific conception is not based on a grouping aimed at any particular country and views it as promotion of principles for regional governance by seeking a free, open, inclusive and rules-based order.

https://theprint.in/opinion/seventh-fleet-move-a-reminder-that-quad-must-remain-a-group-of-equals-not-a-us-led- posse/638794/

An Old War Is Rekindled On The Myanmar-Thailand Border

Barricades in Yangon, Myanmar - Theint Mon Soe/SOPA Images via ZUMA Wire

MAE SAM LAEP — Seen from the Thai side of the Salouen River, the Burmese army's outpost does not look like much: on the top of a bare hilltop, several shabby bunkers, plank walls and zinc roofs are lined up. There's no living soul, apparently, except for the crowing of a rooster whose stubborn cackle intermittently reaches the other bank. A little higher up, balancing on the void stands the silhouette of a building that looks like a Buddhist pagoda. Strangely enough, a red flag is flying there. The Thai police say that it is a sign of war for their Burmese neighbors. This isolated outpost is not just a godforsaken hole stunned by the April heat, locked in the torpor of a foggy afternoon awaiting the monsoon rains. It is instead a military barracks of the Tatmadaw (official armed forces of Myanmar), the same forces whose soldiers have in just two months massacred more than half a thousand demonstrators opposing the Feb. 1 military coup. The conflict is never far away. Under the cover of a sky still veiled by the smoke of the agricultural fires that mark the end of the dry season, the small border town of Mae Sam Laep, which faces the Burmese barracks, is recovering from recent events.

https://worldcrunch.com/world-affairs/an-old-war-is-rekindled-on-the-myanmar-thailand-border

Developing the Spirit of the 21st Century Warfighter

By Rear Admiral Gregory N. Todd, Chaplain, Marine Corps

April 2021

Since the plain of Thermopylae, character is the critical starting point in developing soldierly readiness and will be increasingly important in current competition and future conflicts. Character is, and will be, such a critical element of combat success that all leaders must deliberately approach character development as integral to combat readiness. This is the heart of the spiritual fitness effort in the Marine Corps—preparing the warrior for today’s competition and any future conflict.

The Marine Corps has a history of considering the role of the spiritual in conflict going back to General John Lejeune.

There is no substitute for the spiritual in war. Miracles must be wrought if victories are to be won, and to work miracles men’s hearts must be afire with self-sacrificing love for each other, for their units, for their division, and for their country. If each man knows that all the officers and men in his division are animated with the same fiery zeal as he himself feels, unquenchable courage and unconquerable determination crush out fear and death becomes preferable to defeat and dishonor.1

Character that produces the courage to press the fight begins with paying attention to the spiritual, thus making spiritual fitness a critical aspect of readiness.

Strengthening alliances and attracting new partners is the second goal of the National Defense Strategy. A materialistic approach to meeting this goal—an approach that builds alliances solely on the value of the arms or material support the United States provides to allies—is an unstable foundation that may not survive a better deal on equipment or greater material resources. Stable alliances are built on trust and an admiration of the high character of one’s ally. Herein, the far- sightedness of General Charles C. Krulak’s “Strategic Corporal: Leadership in the Three Block War” is still current: It will be the individual character, the trustworthiness of our Marines and sailors, that will be the long-term foundation of U.S. alliances and make the United States the partner of choice.

In his Commandant’s Planning Guidance, General David H. Berger envisions decentralized command and control at the tactical level. Small-unit leaders are entrusted with making the right decisions with split-second timing. This environment must drive senior leaders to build the character of subordinates so they can make difficult, ethical decisions quickly and in the absence of consultation with higher echelons. Here again, Krulak’s Strategic Corporal will be the one making decisions that gain or lose allies or the support of the American public.

It is important to note that leaders cannot assume the character of those led. Americans arrive to the “yellow footprints” carrying a variety of personal experiences, and their own cultures, traumas, and worldviews. The institutions of American society that traditionally took on the role of character development— religious institutions, youth organizations, organized sports, etc.—are no longer as influential as they once were. Therefore, character development has moved from a societal effort to an individual effort, almost a private endeavor not tackled as part of a larger group but in the confines of one’s own heart and soul. Yet, a military institution that aspires to engage in conflict in a just manner requires a baseline of character among its warriors, just as it requires a baseline of physical fitness. These baselines are set during accession training—Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Officer Candidate School, The Basic School, etc.—and while they are transformative, this brief time of training is not comprehensive nor sufficient for the never-ending task of character development. https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2021/april/character-courage-developing-spirit-21st- century-warfighter

Strategic sabotage is coming to a global conflict near you

Photo credit Photo by Spc. Christopher Stevenson

By Jack Murphy

April 9, 2021 04/09/2021 11:00 pm

“The mission was very clear cut, we are going to prep that battlefield for the invasion and get rid of Saddam Hussein,” CIA team leader Sam Faddis said of his eight-man paramilitary cell infiltrating Iraq in the summer of 2002.

Ahead of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, a small team of CIA officers quietly moved into the Kurdish-held north. Their mission to wipe out the Ansar al-Islam terrorist group and discover if they had manufactured chemical weapons is now well known. What is less known is that the CIA also trained Kurdish operatives to act as saboteurs behind enemy lines.

Strategic sabotage operations have become something of a lost art, but one that has taken on renewed relevance in special operations and intelligence circles as America attempts to shift away from a 20-year focus on counter-terrorism to confronting peer and near-peer adversaries.

In the past, the U.S. military not only knew how to conduct these types of operations, but excelled at it. During World War II, the Office of Strategic Services and Jedburgh teams ran successful sabotage missions in the European theater. During the Cold War, Green Berets assigned to Detachment A in Berlin lived in local communities, planning and training to sabotage railways and power stations in the event that the USSR invaded.

Today, the Wall Street Journal reports that a U.S. Special Forces team is stationed full time in Sweden as has traditionally been the case in South Korea. Their mission is to, “help the country’s 22,000-strong Home Guard—part-time citizen-soldiers—plan sabotage, ambush and other operations to disrupt any attempted occupation.” Similar efforts to train so-called stay-behind elements that would conduct acts of sabotage during and after an invasion are underway in Estonia and have been proposed in Irelan https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets/news/special-ops-and-cia-sabotage-missions-may-shape- future-wars

Philippines tilts towards full-blown Covid catastrophe Covid-19 patients are dying in tents outside of overwhelmed hospitals while the government grapples for a coherent response by JASON CASTANEDA April 13, 2021April 13, 2021

MANILA – The Philippines is grappling with the region’s worst Covid-19 outbreak, a surge in infections that some fear could soon tilt the country towards a humanitarian disaster without a quick course shift.

The Philippines has logged an average of more than 10,000 new daily infections in the past week, the highest infection rate in Southeast Asia, prompting the government to extend lockdowns that will inevitably exacerbate the nation’s already deep and wide economic pain.

Healthcare institutions are again overwhelmed as hundreds of patients desperately struggle to gain admission across Metro Manila’s and other cities’ hospitals. The nation’s presidential spokesman and contact tracing czar are among those who contracted the disease in the past month, reflecting the depth of a crisis that has hit the highest echelons of society.

Many Filipinos aren’t making into the hospital, with reports circulating that patients are dying inside tents set up outside health care facilities as they wait to be admitted. Over 13,000 have died from Covid-19, massively more than the less than 100 who have succumbed in Thailand.

An already snail-paced mass vaccination program, which only began in March, has taken a hit after Philippine authorities decided to suspend AstraZeneca’s vaccine for people under 60 years of age amid concerns over rare blood clotting among younger recipients.

https://asiatimes.com/2021/04/philippines-tilts-towards-full-blown-covid-catastrophe/

Duterte: PH faces vaccine shortage; Poor countries last to get supply Published April 13, 2021, 10:24 AM by Genalyn Kabiling

The Philippines faces a shortage of coronavirus vaccine supply and cannot do anything about it, President Duterte admitted Monday, April 12.

According to the President, there was neither a “magic wand” nor “magic bullet” that can address the country’s predicament given the world’s limited vaccine supply. The Philippines, he conceded, will likely be among the last nations to get the vaccines because it is poor.

“Magkulang tayo sa medisina, nagkulang tayo sa co — sa vaccine. Iyang problema na ‘yan hindi lang atin. Iyang problema na ‘yan hanggang sa buong daigdig ‘yan (We will have shortage in medicines, we have a shortage in vaccines. That problem is not only happening to us. That problem also affects the entire world),” the President said in a televised address Monday, April 12.

Duterte also railed against critics questioning the country’s limited vaccine supply, saying they were “harping on government for something which is not there.” He claimed that he could ask for the Lord’s intervention but the supply situation could not be resolved that quick.

“I can call to the heavens and God to come — God give us the magic wand. The magic bullet, wala ‘yan (that’s nothing). Mayroon pero kulang na (There is supply but it is not enough),” he said.

Duterte explained that rich countries managed to secure their vaccine supply first while poor nations would settle for the remaining stocks. When the pandemic started, he claimed that he cautioned about nations scrambling for the world’s scarce supply of vaccines.

“Tayo mahirap lang so tayo talaga ang last nito (When we started, I already told you that this will be a scramble for supply. We are poor so we will be the last). Ibig sabihin (It means) those who have the money will get it first and those who have — countries who manufactured the vaccine first will have the first supply for their own. Wala tayong magawa niyan (We can’t do anything about it),” he said.

“Kung tatakbo man ito nang ilang taon (If it will occur for some years) it could run until heaven, ito ang ano nila. It could run until heaven’s time, ibig sabihin panahon nang mamatay lahat. Wala talaga tayong magawa (It means the time when everyone dies. We cannot do anything),” he added.

On April 11, the country received its latest batch of 500,000 doses of CoronaVac vaccines from China. The vaccines are part of the 25 million doses secured by the government from China’s Sinovac Biotech. Authorities earlier said around 1.5 million doses are expected to arrive in the country this month while another 2 million will be delivered next month. An initial 1 million doses of procured Sinovac doses were delivered to Manila last March 29.

The country’s initial vaccine stocks consisted of the 1 million Sinovac doses donated by China and the 525,600 AstraZeneca doses from World Health Organization’s global vaccine access scheme. The vaccines have been administered mostly to health workers in coronavirus-infected Metro Manila and other regions.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/duterte-ph-faces-vaccine-shortage-poor-countries-last-to-get- supply/

Can Ivermectin really cure COVID-19? FDA says there is not enough evidence on this Published April 13, 2021, 3:54 PM by Leslie Ann Aquino

Can Ivermectin really cure coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Eric Domingo said although there are claims of people being cured, there is not enough evidence on this.

“Many claim that it cured them. But at the same time they are also taking other drugs. That’s why our specialists say, we can’t say that this is what cured them as we still lack evidence,” he said in a meeting with President Duterte Monday, April 12.

“There are many ongoing clinical trials around the world and we are waiting for the results,” added Domingo.

Last week, the FDA announced that a compassionate special permit (CSP) has been granted to a hospital for the use of Ivermectin against COVID-19.

The CSP is a special permit issued by the FDA granting an entity the privilege to avail of an unregistered drug, medical device, or food product.

In a radio interview over the weekend, Domingo said all hospitals may apply for CSP.

“All hospitals can apply. Most drugs being used today against COVID- 19 are not registered because the product is under investigation. So all hospitals that use these drugs get CSP from FDA,” said Domingo.

“This is one of the drugs under investigation for COVID-19. Although there is no or enough evidence to register it as a COVID- 19 drug, it is eligible for CSP,” he added.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/can-ivermectin-really-cure-covid-19-fda-says-there-is-not-enough- evidence-on-this/

1M Sinovac vaccines to arrive on April 22, April 29 — Galvez Published April 13, 2021, 2:15 PM by Martin Sadongdong

A total of one million CoronaVac vaccines from Chinese manufacturer Sinovac Biotech will arrive in the next two weeks to boost the country’s supply of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) jabs, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. disclosed on Tuesday, April 13.

In a virtual press briefing, Galvez, vaccine czar and chief implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, said 500,000 doses each of CoronaVac vaccines will arrive on April 22 and April 29.

This is part of the commitment of Sinovac Biotech to deliver 1.5 million doses of CoronaVac vaccines this month, Galvez noted.

The first batch of deliveries — consisted of 500,000 doses — was shipped last Sunday, April 11. Aside from this, 500,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccines from Russian manufacturer Gamaleya Research Institute are expected to be delivered “within the month,” according to the vaccine czar.

In total, two million doses of COVID-19 vaccines are set for delivery in April.

“On time pa rin po ang two million na delivery natin (The delivery of two million [doses] is still on time),” Galvez said.

In May, Galvez said 4,194,000 doses are set to be delivered including from Sinovac (2 million); Gamaleya (2 million); and United States manufacturer Moderna (194,000).

Further, 10,500,000 doses will be transported in June by Sinovac (4.5 million); Gamaleya (4 million); Serum Institute of India’s Novavax (1 million); and British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca (1 million).

In July, a total of 13.5 million doses will arrive including those from Sinovac (3 million); Gamaleya (4 million); Moderna (1 million); Novavax (2 million); US manufacturer Johnson and Johnson (1.5 million); and AstraZeneca (2 million).

From August to December, Galvez said 15 million to 20 million doses each month are expected to be delivered by various manufacturers.

“Tuluy-tuloy na at mayroon na tayong steady supply until such time na magstabilize po at masecure po ang deliveries (This will continue until such time that we stabilize and secure the deliveries so we can have a steady supply),” he said. This year, Galvez said the government is targeting to acquire more than 140 million doses of vaccines aside from those coming from the Covax Facility to vaccinate around 50 million to 70 million people.

This, he said, will help the country achieve herd immunity by year-end as part of the government’s containment strategy.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/13/1m-sinovac-vaccines-to-arrive-on-april-22-april-29-galvez/

Researchers suggest new treatment for COVID-19

o Staff writer, with CNA

• Taiwanese researchers have found that combining two existing drugs with antiviral medication remdesivir could be effective in limiting the COVID-19 virus’ ability to replicate, Academia Sinica said on Monday. • A research team led by Carmay Lim (林小喬) of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Hanna Yuan (袁小琀) of the Institute of Molecular Biology found that disulfiram, a drug used to support the treatment of chronic alcoholism, and ebselen, a drug for depression and mania, could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication when combined with remdesivir. • Disulfiram and ebselen have been available on the market for years and are relatively inexpensive, making them highly accessible, especially for less-affluent countries looking for a viable way to treat the disease, the team said. • The team was able to inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in Vero cells, which are used as host cells for growing viruses, by using the three drugs in combination, but the findings still need to be tested in clinical trials, Lim said. • One of the researchers, Chen Ting (陳婷), said that remdesivir has been scientifically proven to inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2, but certain “nonstructural proteins” have enabled the virus to resist drugs like remdesivir as it replicates and evade immune responses. • Chen said that her team’s strategy was to target those proteins to prevent SARS-CoV-2 genome replication and to create a high barrier to viral resistance and/or evasion of antiviral drugs. • The team found that disulfiram and ebselen were effective in this area, she said. • The study was published last month in the journal ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science.

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/04/14/2003755667

Singapore coronavirus case shows vaccination doesn’t rule out infection. What does that mean?

• US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said in April that of the 2,479 vaccinated people in a study, three had confirmed coronavirus infections • In Japan, a hospital worker who had completed the vaccination regimen was confirmed to be infected on April 11

Published: 12:22pm, 13 Apr, 2021

Updated: 4:14pm, 13 Apr, 2021

Confirmation in Singapore of a migrant worker who contracted Covid-19 despite being fully vaccinated may have caused some alarm, but infectious disease experts said that this is an expected development and there is little cause for concern.

On Sunday, the first such infection in Singapore was reported by the Ministry of Health (MOH). The 23-year-old male Indian national had received both required doses of the Covid-19 vaccination on January 25 and February 17. Similar cases around the world have been reported before.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in April that of the 2,479 vaccinated people in a study, three had confirmed coronavirus infections after they were fully vaccinated. In Japan, a hospital worker who had completed the vaccination regimen was confirmed to be infected on April 11.

In Singapore over the past three months, MOH recorded at least three separate cases of people who tested positive for the virus after their first dose of the vaccine.

READ FULL ARTICLE

For those three cases, the ministry said it was possible for an individual to be infected just before or just after vaccination, since it typically takes a few weeks for an individual to build up immunity after taking the shots.

For the latest fully vaccinated case, MOH said this is “a reminder that it is possible for vaccinated individuals to get infected https://www.scmp.com/coronavirus/asia/article/3129312/singapores-latest-coronavirus-case-shows- vaccination-doesnt-rule

Contracting coronavirus from surfaces is ‘1-in- 10,000 chance’ — CDC Published April 12, 2021, 9:36 AM by Jaleen Ramos

The risk of contracting the coronavirus from touching a surface is low, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.

According to the CDC, there is a less than 1-in-10,000 chance of contracting COVID-19 from surfaces.

“People can be affected with the virus that causes COVID-19 through contact with contaminated surfaces and objects,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said at a White House briefing in a New York Times report. “However, evidence has demonstrated that the risk by this route of infection of transmission is actually low.”

The CDC said that it is possible for people to be infected with the coronavirus through surface contact, but the risk is generally considered low as “surface transmission is not the main route by which SARS-CoV-2 spreads.”

“The principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 is through exposure to respiratory droplets carrying infectious virus,” it said.

In most situations, cleaning surfaces with soap and detergent is enough to reduce the risk of transmission, according to the CDC’s new guideline.

Disinfection is necessary only if there has been a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in an indoor space within the last 24 hours, it added.

“Data from surface survival studies indicate that a 99 percent reduction in infectious SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses can be expected under typical indoor environmental conditions within three days (72 hours) on common non-porous surfaces like stainless steel, plastic, and glass.”

The CDC said there is also a low risk of contracting the disease from entering a space where an infected person has been.

The risk of fomite transmission can be reduced by wearing masks consistently and correctly, practicing hand hygiene, cleaning, and taking other measures to maintain healthy facilities, it added.

Joseph Allen, a building safety expert at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, suggested that schools, businesses, and other institutions that want to keep people safe should instead shift their attention from surfaces to air quality and invest in improved ventilation and filtration. “This should be the end of deep cleaning,” Dr. Allen told the Times. “It has led to closed playgrounds, it has led to taking nets off basketball courts, it has led to quarantining books in the library. It has led to entire missed school days for deep cleaning. It has led to not being able to share a pencil. So that’s all that hygiene theater, and it’s a direct result of not properly classifying surface transmission as low risk.”

https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/12/contracting-coronavirus-from-surfaces-is-1-in-10000-chance-cdc/

AstraZeneca shot is good if safety issues can be overcome, U.S. official Fauci says

By Reuters Staff

3 Min Read

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. infectious disease official Anthony Fauci said AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine had good efficacy, but safety concerns needed to be straightened out and it might not be needed for Americans because of supplies of other shots.

“I think that the AstraZeneca vaccine from a standpoint of efficacy is a good vaccine, and if the safety issue gets straightened out in the European Union ... the efficacy of that vaccine is really quite good,” he told BBC radio on Tuesday.

“Whether or not we ever use AZ is unclear but it looks right now at this point in time that we will not need it. It’s not a negative indictment of AZ, it is just possible that given the supply that we have from other companies that we may not need to use an AZ vaccine.” As the United States loosens its COVID-19 restrictions, Fauci also said there was a “really risky situation” when bars and restaurants were reopening in some places where the use of masks was not being enforced.

He said the vaccine rollout would blunt “a real explosion of a surge” but it would not stop a moderate increase in cases.

“This is not a time to prematurely declare victory because we have such a successful rollout,” he said. The AstraZeneca vaccine is being investigated by European regulators over concerns about rare cases of blood clots. It has not yet been approved in the United States.

European regulators have found possible links between the shot, which has been given to tens of millions of people, and blood clots but they have reaffirmed the vaccine’s importance in protecting people against COVID-19.

More than a dozen countries have at one time suspended use of the vaccine, but most have resumed, with some, including France, the Netherlands and Germany, recommending a minimum age.

Officials in Britain, where the vaccine was first approved, have advised that those aged under 30 should be offered an alternative.

AstraZeneca’s vaccine is by far the cheapest and most high-volume shot launched so far, and has none of the extreme refrigeration requirements of some others, making it the planned mainstay of many inoculation programmes.

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-fauci-astrazeneca/astrazeneca-shot-is-good- if-safety-issues-can-be-overcome-u-s-official-fauci-says-idUSKBN2C00NV

What you need to know about the coronavirus right now

By Reuters Staff

4 Min Read

(Reuters) - Here’s what you need to know about the coronavirus right now:

India fast-tracks approval for foreign vaccines

India is to fast-track emergency approvals for COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorised by Western countries and Japan, paving the way for possible imports of Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Novavax and Moderna shots.

The move, which will drop the need for companies to do small, local safety trials for their vaccines before seeking emergency approval, followed the world’s biggest surge in cases in the country this month.

Vaccines authorised by the World Health Organization or authorities in Europe, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States “may be granted emergency use approval in India, mandating the requirement of post-approval parallel bridging clinical trial,” the health ministry said. Japan’s Osaka reports record cases Japan’s western region of Osaka reported a record number of infections on Tuesday as a mutant strain of the virus fuelled a rebound in cases.

Osaka prefecture reported 1,099 daily infections, the most in the course of the pandemic.

The virus has hit Osaka, home to 8.8 million people, hard in recent weeks, prompting authorities to enforce targeted lockdown measures. Similar curbs were adopted in Tokyo on Monday following a rebound in the capital region.

Britain has offered all over-50s first shots

Britain has offered all over-50s a first dose of vaccine as the rollout of Moderna’s shot in England began on Tuesday, the government said, adding it was on track to give a shot to all adults by the end of July.

Britain has seen one of the world’s quickest vaccine rollouts, behind only Israel in the proportion of its population receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 shot.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-snapshot/what-you-need-to-know-about- the-coronavirus-right-now-idUSKBN2C00GH

Mapping the Coronavirus Outbreak Across the World Updated: April 14, 2021, 9:20 AM GMT+8

Tracking Covid-19 • Vaccine Tracker • Global Cases • U.S. Cases • U.S. Regions U.K. 1,946 67,100 2,038.2 2.5

U.S. 1,706 94,905 1,176.7 2.8

Brazil 1,704 64,669 N/A N/A

France 1,474 76,426 N/A 6.0

Germany 983 37,856 641.1 8.0

Russia 718 32,445 851.0 8.1

India 130 10,438 197.6 0.5

Japan 75 4,067 78.8 13.1

Mainland China 3 65 N/A 4.3

Testing data as of April 13, 2021, 8:26 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 135 million people and killed more than 2.9 million globally 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.

Getting to a Flatter Curve  The first 452 days with more than 100 confirmed cases

• Asia

• Other Show deaths

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

137,214,193

Confirmed cases worldwide

2,956,622

Deaths worldwide

Jurisdictions with cases confirmed as of April 14, 2021, 9:20 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. 563,428 31,344,324

Brazil 358,425 13,599,994

Mexico 209,702 2,281,840

India 171,058 13,689,453

U.K. 127,369 4,390,797

Italy 115,088 3,793,033

Russia 101,882 4,605,444

France 99,639 5,167,265

Germany 78,924 3,040,356

Spain 76,625 3,376,548

Colombia 66,482 2,569,314

Iran 65,055 2,118,212

Poland 59,126 2,599,850

Argentina 58,174 2,579,000

Peru 55,230 1,653,320

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.

More Coverage From Bloomberg • Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter • Stories about the coronavirus outbreak from Bloomberg News • Virus Update from Bloomberg News • The Future of Travel in the Covid Era • How Covid Is Shifting Human Behavior Around the World • The Covid Resilience Ranking

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: 616,625

Jan 21, 2020

Apr 12, 2021

India

New cases: 161,736

Jan 21, 2020

Apr 12, 2021

U.S.

70,230

Brazil

35,785

Iran

23,311

Germany

12,446

France

8,555

Russia 8,191

U.K.

3,686

Mainland China

9

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.

How the Outbreak Spread Country by Country  Seven-day rolling average of new deaths and cases

• Asia

• Other Show cases

Mar 2020Jan 2021Apr 1200.5K1.0K1.5K2.0K2.5K3.0K3.5KNew deaths by dayU.S.IndiaRussiaU.K.

Note: Shown are the 15 places with the highest totals of confirmed cases, as of April 12. 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)

Never short of patriots

By: Francis H. Jardeleza - @inquirerdotnet

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 04:04 AM April 14, 2021

The Philippines should consider looking into filing a case, as soon as conditions warrant, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) with respect to the incursion of Chinese vessels (which at one point, reached more than two hundred) in the Julian Felipe Reef. The Chinese foreign ministry tried to justify law. this incursion on China’s purported “traditional fishing rights” under international The Arbitral Tribunal in the Philippine-China arbitration traversed the issue of

Shoal has been a traditional fishing ground for artisan fishermen of many “traditional fishing rights” in its July 2016 ruling. After declaring that Scarborough nationalities, it defined artisanal fishing to involve vessels which are usually -12m) fitted with 40- “canoes fitted with small outboard engines, slightly larger vessels (9 or small rafts (ramas). This definition was left open to accommodate possible 75 hp engines, fishing sambuks with inboard engines,” and dugout canoes communication, or fishing technologies; the Tribunal, however, made sure to “improvements” in the powering of small boats, navigation techniques, explicitly exclude large-scale commercial or industrial fishing.

I find this instructive of how the latest controversy over Julian Felipe Reef can be resolved. A unilateral assertion, without more, is not enough. The only way China of said rights by evidence and, even so, only in favor of small artisanal fishing can validly claim “traditional fishing rights” over the area is to prove the existence vessels.

I also submit that the filing of a case against China can now be an entirely Filipino endeavor, skipping the expense attendant to hiring international counsel and experts. Unbeknown to many, the Philippines has been working to build legal competence and institutional memory to file an arbitration of this nature. To start, no less than 41 Filipinos have graduated from the Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law and Policy, one of the most intensive and prestigious courses on the Unclos. The Academy counts among its Directors H.E. Rüdiger Wolfrum, a former President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and one of the arbitrators in the Philippine-China arbitration.

It also lists Lawrence Martin, one of our foreign counsels, and Professor Clive Schofield, one of our expert witnesses, among its faculty roster. Unfortunately, Paul Reichler, our lead arbitration lawyer who has taught in the Academy for the longest time, woul

One can find Filipinod not Rhodes be joining Academy this year’salumni class. in all branches of government. We have former Assistant Solicitor General (now Sandiganbayan Associate Justice) Sarah Jane Fernandez, Ambassador Generoso Calonge, former Consul General Henry Bensurto, Assistant Solicitor General Hazel Acantilado, Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert Borje, Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez, and Supreme Court attorneys Denise Dy-Flores and Cristina Navarro.

We also have Ambassador Gilbert Asuque and Atty. Fretti Ganchoon of the Department of Justice, both of whom graduated from the Maritime Law Institute in Malta which also prides itself on its renowned LLM program on the law of the sea.

Indeed, the idea of filing a second case against China (and maybe a third case to mind another David versus Goliath scenario. enforce China’s responsibility for damages to the marine environment) brings to As we speak, China continues to assert its claims over maritime areas already adjudged by the Arbitral Tribunal to be within Philippine responsibility. How China will respond to another Unclos case filed against it, I cannot say. One thing I do not doubt, however, is that the Philippines will never run short of patriots who are willing and community. able to bring our country’s rights before the international

https://opinion.inquirer.net/139303/never-short-of-patriots#ixzz6ryNmZFd7

Was PH colonized by the wrong country?

By: Ambeth R. Ocampo - @inquirerdotnet

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 04:06 AM April 14, 2021

Filipinos who remember their textbook history know that the Philippines was under: Spain (1565-1898) and the United States (1898-1946), with a short interlude under Japan (1942-1945). If the teacher had more time or motivation, reference could be made about Manila under the British from 1762 to 1764.

This chronology came to mind recently listening to friends ranting about the way the pandemic is being handled. Naturally, the need to pinpoint blame led to Malacañang and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, but administration defenders shifted blame to lack of discipline and, from there, the never our fault, it seems, as there is always an evil Spanish, American, and ball was passed back to our colonial history. It’s Japanese occupation at fault. To complicate matters, I asked: What would we have become if the British stayed on?

ADVERTISEMENT The Quincentennial commemoration winding up this week is an opportunity to look beyond the Santo Niño and Lapu-lapu to widen our historical reflections beyond the introduction of Christianity and the resistance to colonial rule. When students ask, was the Philippines colonized by the wrong countries? I direct them to the the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

With the notable exception of Thailand, majority of states that make up Asean were born from a colonial experience: Brunei Darrusalam, independent from the UK in 1984; Cambodia, independent from France in 1953; Indonesia, declared independence after the Japanese Occupation in 1945, but the Dutch formally recognized its independence in 1949 ending three centuries of colonial rule; Lao PDR, independent from France in 1953; Malaysia, independent from the UK in 1957; Myanmar, independent from the UK in 1948; the Philippines, independent from Spain in 1898, and from the US in 1946; Singapore, independent from the UK in 1963; and Vietnam, independent from France in 1945.

Often left out of classroom history are counterfactuals or what-ifs? The American Historical Collection once sponsored an essay writing contest on the question

— ng the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, Dewey set up a naval “What would have happened to the Philippines if Dewey had sailed away in blockade not having land troops to take and occupy Spanish Manila. British, 1898?” After sinki French, Japanese, and German vessels lay in wait at the bay. If Dewey sailed away, the Germans may have taken the Philippines. the islands now known as the Philippines? What if the Portuguese or the Dutch Further back, what would have happened if Magellan didn’t accidentally sail into succeeded in taking the Philippines from Spain? The Japanese knew Spanish Manila was not well defended and considered taking it, the Chinese pirates Limahong and Koxinga knew this weakness too what if one of them did?

When the world was divided in half like an orange— by the Pope in 1493 to keep the peace between Portugal and Spain during the age of exploration, both parties kept moving the demarcation line such that Spain eventually kept the Philippines but gave away Brazil and the Moluccas. The islands Magellan sailed into in 1521 fell on the Portuguese side and, knowing this, Fray Andrés de Urdaneta refused to navigate for the 1565 expedition headed by Miguel López de Legazpi. Tricked into doing so, Urdaneta found the tornaviaje or return route from the Philippines back to America that became the backbone of the lucrative Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade now considered by some as the first globalization.

Why did Spain stay in the Philippines knowing full well it did not produce the coveted spices to make the effort worthwhile? How did Spanish-Portuguese rivalry over the Philippines play out when the Kingdoms of Spain and Portugal were united under the Spanish Habsburg kings: Philip II, Philip III, and Philip IV from 1580 to 1640? It is unfortunate that my generation lucked out on knowing more about Spanish Philippines because it was said that those 333 years were not Philippine history but merely the history of Spain in the Philippines. Those years were allegedly irrelevant to us. The 500th anniversary of the Magellan expedition inspires us to look beyond past hurts and appreciate the blanks and nuances in our past. Resistance to colonial rule is not always about oppression and battles but how we have made the foreign our own, how we formed history, and how it formed us.

https://opinion.inquirer.net/139307/was-ph-colonized-by-the-wrong-country#ixzz6ryNvaOJM

Batongbacal’s reckless comments about the SCS situation

To state the obvious, a war against China may be righteous, but it will be the undoing of the country.

Published 8 hours ago on April 14, 2021 02:00 AM

By Concept News Central

Last Thursday, 8 April 2021, Chinese warships chased off Filipinos on a motor boat near Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. That shoal is located inside the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

The motor boat, which had a television news crew on board, was navigating the waters to check on the plight of Filipino fishermen in the disputed maritime area.

As expected, the Chinese aggression outraged Philippine military authorities and diplomatic officials. Diplomatic protests were lodged and processed, and the Philippine Navy increased its presence in the vicinity.

Meanwhile, Chinese vessels are still in the maritime hot spot.

In a TV interview last weekend, Professor Jay Batongbacal of the University of the Philippines College of Law scored China for constructing artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, and for stationing war ships in the area.

Surprisingly, Batongbacal blamed President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the inability of the Philippines to drive away the Chinese from islets and shoals in the West Philippine Sea which the Chinese are currently occupying.

Batongbacal said that for the past years, President Duterte did not do anything concrete to kick out the Chinese intruders, and that the President simply tolerated their presence.

Since Batongbacal has offered his views on a matter of public interest and concern, he is fair game for press criticism. From the way Batongbacal spoke in the interview, he seemed to project himself as an infallible “expert” in International Law, and that he has a monopoly on the right solutions to the Philippines’ maritime dispute with China.

More disturbing is Batongbacal’s stealthy suggestion that President Duterte should have gone to war against China.

In the first place, Batongbacal’s supposed “expertise” in International Law is not well known. Compared to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, he is relatively unheard of in this specialized field of political law.

Batongbacal may have been interviewed on TV several times in the past, but his views are textbook opinions which any student in International Law could easily expound on. Being repeatedly interviewed on TV does not make one an “expert” in the same way that the many useless TV interviews given by Vice President Leni Robredo about her views on the Constitution do not make her an expert in Constitutional Law.

If Batongbacal is the “expert” in International Law that he seems to want the public to perceive him to be, then he ought to know that President Duterte cannot simply engage China in a war which the Philippines cannot hope to win.

Batongbacal must have forgotten that under Section 2, Article II of the Constitution, “the Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy.” That provision of the fundamental law is enough to rebut his reckless suggestion that President Duterte should have gone to war with China years ago.

As an alleged “expert” in the West Philippine Sea controversy, Batongbacal should know that President Benigno Aquino III and ex-Senator Antonio Trillanes IV are the ones who created the maritime problem in the first place. Aquino was ill-advised on the situation and Trillanes is accused of having made secret trips to Beijing before China started construction work in the South China Sea.

Why was Batongbacal conveniently silent about Aquino and Trillanes in his TV interview?

Also, Batongbacal maliciously insinuates that President Duterte did nothing at all to address the problem. Contrary to his insinuation, however, President Duterte has, during his incumbency, repeatedly engaged China in diplomatic dialogue. It is the prudent thing for him to do because war is not a viable option.

To state the obvious, a war against China may be righteous, but it will be the undoing of the country. Batongbacal wanted to be Dean of the UP law school last February. Fortunately, the UP Board of Regents installed someone else. Just imagine a law school dean like him advocating war as an instrument of national policy! Goodness, gracious!

Like Batongbacal’s view on President Duterte’s alleged inaction against China, installing him as dean was and remains a manifestly unsound idea.

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/04/14/batongbacals-reckless-comments-about-the-scs- situation/

Civil Society and China’s Global Media Footprint

Insights from Sarah Cook.

By Mercy A. Kuo

April 12, 2021

https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/civil-society-and-chinas-global-media-footprint/

Face-to-face diplomacy gives China the edge in Southeast Asia

Videoconferences are no substitute for an old-fashioned tete-a-tete

Ben Bland

April 13, 2021 17:00 JST

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, bump elbows with Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein during a meeting in Nanping on Apr. 1: the respect that Southeast Asian officials show China can seem like submission. © Xinhua/AP

Ben Bland is the director of the Southeast Asia program at the Lowy Institute and the author of "Man of Contradictions: Joko Widodo and the Struggle to Remake Indonesia."

https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Face-to-face-diplomacy-gives-China-the-edge-in-Southeast-Asia

Understanding economic coercion

10 April 2021

Author: Youngseok Park, KIEP

In December 2020, China blocked Australian coal imports after an increasingly tense political confrontation between the two countries. In August 2019, Japan strengthened restrictions on exports to South Korea following a South Korean Supreme Court decision on disputed historical issues between the two countries. This economic coercion inflicts mutual harm because it disrupts economic exchange.

China’s measures against Australia create uncertainty and increase the costs of doing business. Japan’s restrictive measures largely backfired after Japanese companies shifted production to South Korea and Europe to supply the South Korean market. The deployment of coercive economic measures might appear impractical in the face of these costs.

Economic coercion can be best understood through the lens of game theory. The famous Coase theorem suggests that people won’t pass up an opportunity to cooperate through a mutually advantageous exchange. In this world, cooperation and settlements are (almost) always possible without major dispute.

Yet the doyen of market optimisation, Pareto, argued ‘the efforts of men are [used] in two different ways: they are directed to the production or transformation of economic goods, or else to the appropriation of goods produced by others’. The economist Hirshleifer said that seizing what others have produced is consistent with Machiavelli’s golden rule ‘he who gets to rule will get the gold’.

International relations are framed in a world of tension between the Coasian world, where legal protection of property and enforceable contracts are available, and the world of Machiavelli, where ‘might makes right’. It is difficult to enforce contracts in international relations because there is limited supra-national power capable of holding powerful states to account. The multilateral trade rules provide constraint if the superpowers back them and the system can impose costs on those countries that breach the rules.

Without rules that are strictly enforced by an outside authority, states are incentivised to skirt rules to produce outcomes that favour them. Game theorists call such devices strategic moves — one example of which is economic coercion.

Take the Australia–China trade conflict. Assuming that Australia chooses not to use Huawei’s 5G network infrastructure for security reasons and that China imports Australian products, China will still remain better off importing from Australia, even if it loses it Huawei market in Australia. The least preferred outcome for Australia occurs when Australia uses Huawei and China does not import Australian products. In this instance, Australia will be clearly worse off than China in the long run.

Australia always prefers the case in which Huawei is not used. The best outcome for China occurs when Australia uses Huawei and China imports Australian products. The worst outcome occurs when Australia does not use Huawei and China does not import.

Both countries have dominant strategies — regardless of the other’s choice, Australia will choose not to use Huawei and China will choose to import. When China imports and Australia does not use Huawei, Australia has no incentive to make another strategic move. Still, China has one it can try — the threat of economic coercion — to achieve a better outcome for itself.

Yet, China must make the threat of economic coercion — and its willingness to carry it out — credible. If Australia continues to ban Huawei, China might be tempted to refrain from carrying out the threat of banning Australian imports because China is clearly worse off under the scenario with a reciprocal import ban.

If blocking imports was China’s best response to Australia’s Huawei ban, then China would have no incentive to make the threat in the first place. Because the threat of economic coercion remains a viable option to China in the bargain, it locks China into punishing Australia to possibly make itself relatively better off in the long. Economic coercion is still costly for China to carry out because it inflicts mutual harm.

The use of strategic moves and their credibility in practice is fraught with difficulty. Making them work in practice depends on the context and tactics used. As Dixit warned, ‘use such strategies at your own risk’.

https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/04/10/understanding-economic-coercion/

China, Chernobyl and Virus that the Corona was the Chinese Chernobyl. It was emotive, struck a chord and appropriate then. Now? People will think I am under the influence of alcohol. In Alaska, Wang Jiechi berated everyone for 17 minutes on the superiority of Chinese form of government. China is set to be an undisputed global leader. Every day one reads about some new Chinese wonder or its digital currency moves or its soaring economy or its gray zone activities in South China Sea or warning nations with retribution. Where am I thinking of Chernobyl and China when we are seeing the emergence of an Orwellian Big Brother? I almost gave up…. till I chanced to read the Ernest Hemingway’s classic quote “How do you go bankrupt?”….. “Two ways”…..“Gradually, then suddenly”….then the thought occurred…is something happening “Gradually”?

https://www.myind.net/Home/viewArticle/china-chernobyl-and-virus

Taiwan is the gravy train of Pentagon generals

• When it comes to enlarging the already mind-boggling defence budget of the United States, now set to exceed three-quarters of a trillion US dollars, the China threat is the gift that keeps on giving

Alex Lo

Published: 4:59am, 14 Apr, 2021

Updated: 4:59am, 14 Apr, 2021

Almost every day, there is a new warning from America’s top brass against a People’s Liberation Army invasion of Taiwan, which could happen any time now. Though I have to say Hong Kong news sites seem to hang on to every word from those Pentagon chiefs than most mainstream news outlets in the United States.

One US admiral apparently thinks a PLA beachhead could be established in southern Taiwan in just a matter of hours.

My immediate response was: boy, the Americans must have been ripping off their Taiwanese military counterparts with all those billions and billions in – US, not Taiwan – dollars of hardware sold every few years to the self-ruled island if a successful invasion from the mainland may be so easily staged. Last year alone, it was US$5.1 billion.

For the life of me, I can’t imagine any sane person would actually want a hot war over Taiwan. But all that sabre-rattling from Washington suddenly makes sense when this news item flashes on my computer screen: the US$753 billion defence budget for 2022.

https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3129434/taiwan-gravy-train-pentagon-generals

Rise of Domestic Terror with CSIS’s Seth Jones

U.S. active-duty military personnel and reservists have participated in a growing number of domestic terrorist plots and attacks, according to new data from CSIS. The percentage of all domestic terrorist incidents linked to active-duty and reserve personnel rose in 2020 to 6.4 percent, up from 1.5 percent in 2019 and none in 2018. Similarly, a growing number of current and former law enforcement officers have been involved in domestic terrorism in recent years. But domestic terrorism is a double-edged sword. In 2020, extremists from all sides of the ideological spectrum increasingly targeted the military, law enforcement, and other government actors—putting U.S. security agencies in the crosshairs of domestic terrorists. In this episode, CSIS’s Dr. Seth Jones, Senior Vice President and Director, International Security Program, joins the podcast to discuss the findings of his new report, “The Military, Police, and the Rise of Terrorism in the United States.”

https://www.csis.org/node/60539

Afghanistan’s Situation Didn’t Change. American Politics Did

The Biden administration says it can fight terrorism in a way that its predecessors called impossible. Can it? KEVIN BARON

• COMMENTARY AFGHANISTAN WHITE HOUSE PENTAGON The Earth did not change its shape. Southwestern Asia did not change its borders. No additional terrorists laid down their arms. But suddenly we’ve resolved one of the most important reasons for keeping U.S military forces in Afghanistan?

Distance. That was among the top justifications that U.S. defense and military leaders have given — through three presidential administrations — for putting and keeping thousands of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The argument was simple: Afghanistan is landlocked and located far from any major U.S. military bases. If U.S. leaders wanted the military to find, capture, and kill terrorists there, then U.S. forces needed jumping-off points in country and the kind of secure supply lines that come from heavy footprints. If they wanted to chase al Qaeda into Pakistan, as they did Osama bin Laden, they needed bases like the special operations lily pad at Jalalabad and the gigantic logistics hub at Bagram Air Base.

Afghanistan is not Iraq or Syria, within easy reach of Middle East bases that house tens of thousands of U.S. troops, not to mention bodies of water large enough for carrier strike groups. It is too remote for routine airstrikes on al Qaeda or in-and-out special ops missions against ISIS.

On Tuesday, a senior administration official told reporters that what had changed is the war, the threat, and the Taliban. The official argued that the United States invaded Afghanistan “to deliver justice” for the 9/11 attacks and prevent new ones on the U.S. homeland. “We believe we achieved that objective some years ago,” the official said.

https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2021/04/afghanistans-situation-didnt-change-american-politics- did/173330/

Myanmar Coup Puts the Seal on Autocracy’s Rise in Southeast Asia

Not long ago, democracy seemed to be surging in the region. But in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and elsewhere, it is in trouble.

By Hannah Beech

• Published April 12, 2021Updated April 13, 2021, 4:24 a.m. ET

阅读简体中文版閱讀繁體中文版

Late last month, foreign officials in army regalia toasted their hosts in Naypyidaw, the bunkered capital built by Myanmar’s military. Ice clinked in frosted glasses. A lavish spread had been laid out for the foreign dignitaries in honor of Myanmar’s Armed Forces Day.

That very day, the military, which had seized power on Feb. 1, gunned down more than 100 of its own citizens. Far from publicly condemning the brutality, the military representatives from neighboring countries — India, China, Thailand and Vietnam among them — posed grinning with the generals, legitimizing their putsch.

The coup in Myanmar feels like a relic of a Southeast Asian past, when men in uniform roamed a vast dictators’ playground. But it also brings home how a region once celebrated for its transformative “people power” revolutions — against Suharto of Indonesia and Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines — has been sliding back into autocracy.

From Cambodia and the Philippines to Malaysia and Thailand, democracy is languishing. Electoral politics and civil liberties have eroded. Obedient judiciaries have hobbled opposition forces. Entire political classes are in exile or in prison. Independent media outlets are being silenced by leaders who want only one voice heard: their own.

At the same time, external bulwarks against dictatorship have eroded. The Americans — inconsistent crusaders for human rights, who backed Southeast Asian dictators during the Cold War — have turned inward in recent years, though President Biden recently urged an “alliance of democracies.” With China and Russia involved, the United Nations Security Council has done nothing to punish Myanmar’s generals.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/12/world/asia/myanmar-coup-autocracy- democracy.html?action=click&module=In%20Other%20News&pgtype=Homepage)

As climate change threatens world peace, Japan must face up to risk

Suga needs to work with Biden on security strategies that include global warming

Japan Self-Defense Forces members trudge through a flooded road in Kawagoe, near Tokyo, in 2019. (Photo by Kei Higuchi)

HIROYUKI AKITA, Nikkei commentatorApril 13, 2021 18:27 JST

CopyCopied

TOKYO -- Almost a decade ago, then-President Barack Obama's White House cited climate change as a "threat multiplier" to both American and international security.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Comment/As-climate-change-threatens-world-peace-Japan-must- face-up-to-ris

COVID-19 widens the cracks in a fragmented, contested world

• BY BRAD GLOSSERMAN • CONTRIBUTING WRITER • Apr 13, 2021 Last week, the National Intelligence Council (NIC), a part of the U.S. intelligence community that does long-term strategic analysis, published “Global Trends 2040: A More Contested World,” its quadrennial unclassified assessment of the “forces and dynamics … likely to shape the national security environment over the next 20 years.” Global Trends is always an intriguing read. Published since 1997, it aims to give each new administration an idea of the world that it will confront. Insight, however, no matter how good, is wasted when policymakers aren’t paying attention — a lesson that the Global Trends report makes painfully clear.

The NIC does a wide range of work — it produces national intelligence estimates, among other things — and the Global Trends report is an especially thoughtful analysis. It looks over the horizon to espy the trends and trajectories that matter, without going so far into the future as to be meaningless. (Most experts agree that 15-20 years is as far as anyone can look before uncertainties and contingencies render anything possible.) The regularity of the report — it comes out every four years — makes it easy to evaluate previous efforts.

This most recent report digs into the four structural forces that will shape that future: demographics, the environment, economics and technology. The first portends a world that is aging, which will ease pressures on developing countries — not so many jobs to create or mouths to feed — but intensify burdens on developed nations (pensions must be financed, productivity maintained). The biggest environmental concern is climate change, which will force difficult choices on every government. Key economic trends include rising national debt, a fragmented trade order, growing trade in services, disruptive technologies, more powerful firms and rising inequality within and among countries. The advance of technology continues to offer the promise — or nightmare — of societal transformation. Governments will be increasingly attuned to the centrality of this sector and forced to address its disruptive potential.

The report then analyzes the impact of those forces. Societies will be increasingly pessimistic and distrustful as they try to deal with those trends. New identities are emerging and being reinforced by information silos, fracturing countries and rendering politics increasingly volatile. At the state level, governments will struggle to reconcile the growing gap between public demands and what they can deliver. At the international level, it says power will evolve and while no single state is “likely to be positioned to dominate across all regions or domains,” the United States and China will “have the greatest influence on global dynamics.” It’s a bleak outlook. But all isn’t necessarily grim. The NIC analysts offer five scenarios for 2040. The happiest at least for the U.S. and Japan is “the renaissance of democracies” scenario in which that group of countries uses new technologies to innovate in both their economies and their politics, finding a consensus among their citizens and a renewed sense of purpose.

In the “a world adrift” scenario, the international order splinters as international rules and institutions collapse under the weight of neglect or sabotage. Democracies and developed countries lose most in this situation as other nations exploit the vacuum to advance their own interests. Under “competitive coexistence,” they say the U.S. and China re-establish a working relationship that is based on economic coexistence despite bounded competition in most fields. A fourth scenario, “separate silos,” envisions a world of regions “focused on self-sufficiency, resilience and defense.”

Finally, there is “tragedy and mobilization,” in which a catastrophe — triggered by climate change — catalyzes a global movement for systemic change to address environmental problems. The coalition is led by the European Union and China — mobilized because it is especially hard hit — working with nongovernmental organizations and revamped and reinvigorated multilateral institutions. Rich nations work closely with poorer countries to offset the damage, with newly empowered domestic political movements driving change at the national level.

Five themes dance through the report. The first is the rise of global challenges, which often lack a direct human perpetrator or agent. These redefine the meaning of national security — and moved from the theoretical to the real last year when the coronavirus emerged. The report calls the pandemic “the most significant, singular global disruption since World War II, with health, economic, political and security implications that will ripple for years to come.” (And, it must be noted, the Global Trends report first raised the prospect of a global pandemic in 2004, and the 2017 report anticipated an outbreak — in 2023 — that would create many of the problems that the world now faces.) Second is growing fragmentation within and among societies, a process that is enabled by technology, which connects ever larger numbers of individuals. This creates opportunities both good and bad, as choices are enlarged, lives are disrupted and communities of the like-minded — both happy and angry — emerge. The result is the third theme: disequilibrium. That is where fragmentation (#2) undermines the ability of institutions to respond to crises (#1), creating what the report says is “an increasing mismatch at all levels between challenges and the needs with the systems and organizations to deal with them.” This leads to the fourth theme: greater contestation — rising tensions, divisions and competition. Finally, there is adaption, which it says is “both an imperative and a key source of advantage” in this world. Countries that adjust to changes that are imminent, rather than resisting or ignoring them, will be best able to surmount those difficulties and thrive.

The report closes with a brief graphic summary of key features of each geographic region (although East Asia is broken down into three parts: Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania). What leaps out in Northeast Asia (Japan, China, Mongolia, South Korea, North Korea and Taiwan) is the precarious demographic pyramid: The percentage of the population under 15 shrinks from 17.1% to 14%; the working-age population diminishes from 69.5% to 61.3%; and those aged 65 and older nearly doubles from 13.4% to 24.8%. (Much of that increase will be in China.)

Equally worrisome, climate change will hit the Asian mainland hard as average temperatures in China and Mongolia climb sharply. Meteorologists also expect an increase in major storm activity in the waters southeast of Japan.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a reminder both of the importance of such work and its limits. A global pandemic has long lurked in the imaginations of health officials, some national security officials and Hollywood screenwriters. In retrospect, a conscious effort to ignore that possibility seems to have been required for the world to find itself where it is today. And yet, the Global Trends 2040 concludes that the pandemic “is slowing and possibly reversing some long-standing trends in human development,” “reminded the world of its fragility” and “shaken long-held assumptions” about how the ability of governments and institutions to respond to a catastrophe.

So, all the data and all the details, the logic and the careful analysis, are worth nothing if political leaders choose to look away. Read “A More Contested World” not just to make yourself smarter, but so that you, dear reader, can help make the case for more intelligent policy making as well.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2021/04/13/commentary/world-commentary/covid-19-global- economy-climate-change-poverty/

Japan's Fukushima dilemma: Damned if you do, damned if you don't

Stephen Ndegwa

. /Getty

A woman holds a placard during a demonstration outside of Japanese prime minister's official residence on the decision to dispose radiation-contaminated water accumulated at the property of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant complex, in Tokyo, Japan, April 12, 2021. /Getty

Editor's note: Stephen Ndegwa is a Nairobi-based communication expert, lecturer-scholar at the United States International University-Africa, author and international affairs columnist. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Despite all the appeals from governments and environmental bodies, the Japanese government on April 13 announced it will release 1 million tonnes of the tritium-containing wastewater from the retired Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean in about two years. The world is hopeful that Japan would use its own counsel by retrospection of previous disasters and stay the decision as it engages in more consultations.

Still, one can only sympathize with Japan's predicament as it runs out of storage facilities for the vast amount of water needed to cool down the disused nuclear facility over the last decade. Although the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sided with Japan's current plan, saying the action was commonplace and harmless, civil society and environmentalists globally are skeptical about the reassurance.

Japan fully understands the dangers of radioactivity, and should now revisit lessons from the U.S. attack by atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945 respectively, during World War II. Hundreds of thousands of people died both instantly and in the aftermath of the attack as a result of the massive amount of radioactive heat released into the atmosphere.

This contaminated the earth, water supply and the food chain in the cities. Long term health effects of the atomic bomb like cancer and birth defects were also recorded among the atomic bomb's survivors. This scenario is playing out again in Fukushima.

The contaminated water is a by-product of the nuclear Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant nuclear accident in March 2011. The disaster, which is rated as the most severe nuclear accident since Soviet Union's Chernobyl nuclear plant tragedy in 1986, was caused by the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Japan's National Police Agency estimated 15,899 lives were lost. The World Bank said it was costliest natural disaster in recorded world history of about $235 billion.

Following the accident, radioactive material was released into the atmosphere by wind and precipitation. The radioactive material also entered the water fed into the reactors for emergency cooling, and the groundwater penetrating into the reactor. Therefore, this is not just a serious problem for Japan, but for its immediate neighbors as well – DPRK, ROK, Russia and China.

The biggest voice of caution was made by China in press briefings on April 9 and 12 by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian. Japan's neighbor to the west appealed to the country's government to make the momentous decision based on full consultation with neighboring countries. It would be reckless for Japan to release this waste in common waters without mutual agreement of its neighbors, including others within reach of the action's effects.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-04-13/Japan-s-Fukushima-dilemma-Damned-if-you-do-damned-if- you-don-t-ZqbwIucSc0/index.html