In The News

Who Lost Hong Kong on June 30? Japan Times

Kuni Miyake July 6, 2020
Impatient after a year of massive protests, China enacted a national security law for Hong Kong on June 30 with vigorous enforcement. “That was the day when the long-eroding fiction of ‘One country, two systems’ finally disappeared in Hong Kong,” writes Kuni Miyake for the Japan Times. While multiple players contributed to Hong Kong’s plight, the author concludes that Xi is largely responsible...

Appeasement Policy for China: Project Syndicate

Brahma Chellaney July 2, 2020
India’s buffer with China is shrinking, and India’s leaders should have anticipated China’s incursions in the Ladakh region, suggests Brahma Chellaney for Project Syndicate. China opposed India’s designation of Ladakh as a new federal territory, and labeled its recent moves as defensive. “While India was preoccupied with the COVID-19 crisis, China was apparently planning its next attempt to...

“Sad Day for Hong Kong”: SCMP

Teddy Ng, Joyce Ng, Jun Mai and Tony Cheung July 1, 2020
Massive protests began in June 2019 over China’s increasing influence and proposed legislation allowing extradition to China. China released details of a new national security law for Hong Kong only after final approval. “Under the law, Beijing will exercise jurisdiction over ‘complicated’ cases such as those relating to foreign interference, or when local authorities cannot enforce the law...

Trump Briefed on Russian Bounties Report: NYT

Charlie Savage, Eric Schmitt, Nicholas Fandos and Adam Goldman June 30, 2020
US intelligence agencies briefed Donald Trump in late February on reports that a Russian military intelligence unit paid bounties to Taliban-linked militants to kill US and coalition troops in Afghanistan, according to two sources, reports the New York Times. The White House claims the report lacked consensus or verification, and the president did not receive a briefing. Uncertainty often...

China Offers to Free 2 Canadians: Globe and Mail

Steven Chase and Robert Fife June 25, 2020
Canada arrested a Huawei executive in December 2018, based on an extradition request from the US, accused of bank fraud and violation of US sanctions against Iran. Days later, China charged two Canadians with espionage. “China has repeatedly rejected suggestions there is any connection between its detention of former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor and Canada’s...

Defectors Launch Anti-NK Leaflets: Korea Herald

Ahn Sung-mi June 23, 2020
Both North Korea and South Korea agreed to stop cross-border distribution of goods and leaflet distribution since a 2018 summit between the two leaders. “A group of North Korean defectors claimed Tuesday it had sent anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border, continuing an activity that has enraged the North regime, which cited it as the reason it wrecked a liaison office with the South,” reports...

India’s Limited Options on China: The Wire

Ashok K. Mehta June 22, 2020
India failed to anticipate China’s aggression along the shared border and now must respond to a deadly clash that left 20 Indian soldiers dead and, by some reports, twice as many Chinese – along with China’s claim to Galwan Valley. Both sides have engaged in road-building and moved troops in the area. Ashok K. Mehta reviews events since early May and India’s premature assurances that the...