🇦🇺🇬🇧🇨🇳🇺🇸🇯🇵 On Monday, the defense ministers of Australia, Great Britain, and the United States announced plans to cooperate with Japan within the framework of the AUKUS bloc. This marks the first major initiative of the alliance. They intend to involve Japan in collaboration on the development of high technologies.

However, Japan is not becoming a direct member of AUKUS. As Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese explained, the plan is to engage with Tokyo authorities on a project basis, as outlined in the document itself.

This precision is crucial. Beijing has valid concerns that AUKUS is aimed at countering its influence and strategic plans in the region. Japan's full integration into the alliance could further strain Japanese-Chinese relations, which is not in the interest of either party.

🔻So, why is cooperation with Japan important for the bloc? It all comes down to technology: the Japanese possess specific expertise that could be beneficial, especially in the construction of nuclear submarines for Australia. This aligns well with the interests of the United States and sets a strong foundation for collaboration.

The exact nature of this cooperation is yet to be determined, with further details expected in discussions between Japanese and American leaders. Nevertheless, there is a noticeable trend in the West towards forming multiple alliances, ostensibly in response to China's growing influence, to expand their reach in the Asia-Pacific region.
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This year, the situation in the Asia-Pacific region risks becoming even more tense. The United States plans to deploy missile systems in the region capable of launching medium-range Tomahawk missiles and SM-6 missiles. This plan was recently announced by the commander of US ground forces in the Pacific, Charles Flynn.

This marks Flynn's second announcement since last November regarding the deployment of these missiles. However, the specifics of where and when the Americans will deploy them remain unclear.

As previously mentioned, the United States may deploy missiles and missile systems in various countries, including Japan and the Philippines, where American soldiers have access to military bases.

Moreover, one potential location for the deployment of equipment and missiles is Guam, one of the American territories in the Pacific Ocean. Many commentators now speculate that the Americans will opt for this location. However, the first two territories are not yet ruled out.

For instance, this week the United States brought the Typhon missile system to the Philippines, capable of launching Tomahawks and SM-6s. This equipment will be utilized as part of the bilateral exercises “Salaknib 2024”, providing an opportunity to assess the suitability of the likely missile deployment site. Similar evaluations are expected for Japan.

The deployment of missiles and missile systems in the Asia-Pacific region serves both as a deterrent and a political signal aimed at containing China. This intention becomes particularly pronounced if the United States selects the Philippines or Japan.

The introduction of new equipment could potentially spark a new arms race, benefiting major industrialists who stand to receive increased funding under the guise of countering the Chinese threat.

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🇷🇺🇨🇳 Statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting at the SCO summit in Astana

🔻Key statements by Vladimir Putin:

▪️Russia-China relations, built on the principles of equality and mutual respect, are currently experiencing the best period in their history;

▪️Last year, the tourist flow between Russia and China amounted to more than 1.2 million trips;

▪️The cooperation between Russia and China is not directed against anyone, we are simply acting in the interests of our peoples;

▪️The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is one of the key pillars of a fair multipolar world order;

▪️Russia-China interaction in world affairs is one of the main stabilizing factors on the international stage, and we continue to strengthen our cooperation in this direction.

🔻Key statements by Xi Jinping:

▪️The agreements reached between China and Russia are being fully implemented, and cooperation in the designated areas is progressing smoothly;

▪️In the face of a complex international situation, Russia and China need to maintain their commitment to eternal friendship and work for the well-being of our peoples, as well as make efforts to protect our legitimate rights and interests;

▪️Tomorrow's summit in Astana will be a crucial event for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization this year.
#Astana #digest #China #Russia
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🇨🇳 Recently, there was news that a group of Chinese scientists from Tsinghua University have made progress in developing radar to detect hypersonic missiles. According to the report, the system can simultaneously track 10 objects traveling at Mach 20 with a detection error of just 28 cm and can distinguish decoys.

The device is described as a microwave photonic radar that uses laser communication to transmit information between its key nodes at near-light speed. This allowed it to process the complex microwave signals needed for precise target parameter measurement.

The authors claim the system is compact and can be installed on ground platforms, ships, and even aircraft. However, there are no photos of the new Chinese radar in the text, and the test results are only known from the developers' statements.

📌 Nevertheless, this indicates active work on finding ways to intercept hypersonic missiles, which is currently a difficult task even for modern air defense and missile defense systems. This is another example of the "shield and sword" competition, where a countermeasure eventually appears in response to a new weapon.

The emergence of such systems is just a matter of time. For now, China appears to be the leader here, but other powers will soon be able to "catch up." At the same time, the appearance of these radars does not mean that hypersonic missiles will suddenly lose their relevance - on the contrary, the scale of their use will only grow in the future.
#China #Weapons
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🇨🇳🇺🇸🇯🇵 On New American Fighters in Japan

The topic of American bases on Japanese territory is continuing: in early July, the US presented a plan worth $10 billion to modernize military aircraft stationed on the Japanese islands.

📌According to the announcement, significant changes will affect the Kadena air base - the nearest American military facility to Taiwan. The 48 F-15 aircraft currently stationed at the base will be replaced by 36 F-15EX fighters.

In addition, instead of 36 F-16 aircraft, 48 F-35A units will arrive at the Misawa air base. And at the military facility in the city of Iwakuni, where the US Marine Corps is stationed, the Pentagon plans to "adjust" the number of F-35B fighters. Washington has not yet provided other details.

🔻In announcing these plans, the Pentagon did not directly mention Beijing. However, the hint is clear - the US is deploying modern fighters in areas that will be affected by a hypothetical conflict with China.

It is important that the changes concerning American aviation may also be a response to the modernization of the Chinese air force. For example, six modern J-20 fighters recently arrived at the Chinese Wuxi base, replacing the outdated J-6W. This military facility, by the way, is relatively close to Kadena.

And although the increase in the presence of US and Chinese air forces in the region is necessary to pursue a policy of deterring threats, there is no doubt that the parties are developing scenarios for a hypothetical conflict. The mere mock-ups of American fighters at Chinese training grounds are worth something. However, this does not mean that the differences between the players will still lead to an armed conflict.

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🇨🇳🇺🇸🇹🇼 The Americans have recently been marked by another provocative maneuver against China.

The U.S. Navy destroyer "Ralph Johnson" conducted a transit through the Taiwan Strait. To understand why the Chinese express their displeasure each time, one needs to recall the status of Taiwan.

🔻The Chinese consider it theirs and want to reclaim it. The Americans obviously support independence, so for them the Taiwan Strait is international waters, through which they allegedly have the right to move.

Such actions by the U.S. Navy occur with enviable regularity, on average twice a year. And each time it follows the same scenario: the destroyer sails through the strait, and the PLA's reaction is monitored by an RC-135.

This time, the Chinese side sent J-16 fighters to defend the airspace, and an KJ-500 early warning aircraft to track the ship and reconnaissance plane.

Although this raises the tension between the countries, it is all routine. So when you see "breaking news" that the Americans are provoking China, you can safely ignore it.

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🇨🇳🇵🇭 On the Deteriorating China-Philippines Relations

Throughout July 2024, there was a lull in China-Philippines relations. This situation was the result of fairly successful negotiations - the parties agreed to resolve the tensions near the Second Thomas Shoal. However, recently the media again reported on the resumption of clashes in the South China Sea.

▪️In these cases, there is no violation of the agreement reached. Several incidents occurred near other disputed territories that were not on the agenda of the July negotiations.

▪️And although the Philippine side has already stated its readiness to expand the recently adopted agreement to other pieces of land in the South China Sea, the overall background of bilateral relations is becoming increasingly tense.

🔻Despite stable trade, interaction in other areas, such as tourism and investment, is decreasing. Thus, the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. tightened restrictions on travel of Chinese citizens. Ultimately, this led to an outflow of tourists from China to other countries in the region.

Marcos Jr. also withdrew from several major projects related to the Chinese initiative "One Belt, One Road". In addition, the Philippine authorities openly advocate for the rejection of Chinese investments in the nickel mining sector, choosing Western investors instead.

All this is a purposeful result of the policy of the Philippine administration. And if in July it did not interfere with the conclusion of an agreement between Beijing and Manila, the settlement of tensions near other disputed territories may well complicate due to such actions by the Philippines.
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🇰🇭🇨🇳🇺🇸 Cambodia says it would welcome US Navy at port expanded with China's help

Cambodia said on Tuesday the US Navy would be welcome to visit its Ream Naval Base, which the Pentagon is concerned will become a Chinese outpost.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol told a think tank event in Washington that any country's military could call at the port once the naval base is completed.

"The Ream Naval Base is not for the Chinese. The Chinese provided us with the assistance to expand the Ream Naval Base for our own national defense, not to be used by the Chinese or any military against another country," Sun told the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

#Cambodia #China #USA

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🇻🇳🇨🇳 Vietnam protests against Chinese force’s attack on fishermen in contested waters

Vietnam protested to China over what it said was an attack on a Vietnamese fishing boat three days ago in contested South China Sea waters that injured several fishermen. Around 40 people from two foreign vessels had beaten the fishermen with iron pipes, injuring 10.

The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Chinese law enforcers beat the Vietnamese fishermen and took away their fishing equipment when their boat was operating near Hoang Sa, Vietnam’s name for the Paracel Islands.

“Vietnam is extremely concerned, indignant and resolutely protests the brutal treatment by Chinese law enforcement forces of Vietnamese fishermen and fishing boats operating in the Hoang Sa archipelago of Vietnam,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said.

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🇨🇳🇹🇼 On the "Joint Sword - 2024B" exercises

For the residents of Taiwan, this morning began with unpleasant news: the Chinese armed forces announced the holding of the "Joint Sword - 2024B" exercises in the waters around the island.

▪️The maneuvers involve the ground, naval, air and missile forces of the Chinese army, including the aircraft carrier strike group led by the aircraft carrier "Liaoning". The main goal of the exercises is to test the capabilities for conducting joint operations of the troops of the Eastern Theater Command of the PLA.

During the exercises, combat patrolling of the sea and air space, blockades of key ports and areas of Taiwan, as well as strikes on naval and ground targets are being practiced.

The main prerequisite for the exercises and, possibly, the reason for their start was the speech of the Taiwanese leader Lai Qingde during the celebrations dedicated to the 113th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China. And although most observers note that Lai's speech was not as provocative compared to the inauguration speech in May 2024, this did not prevent the Chinese authorities from demonstrating their position through the exercises.

🔻By the way, after the inauguration of the Taiwanese leader, the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) also conducted exercises called "Joint Sword - 2024A". Thus, these actions confirm the forecasts about a series of exercises, each of which will be timed to coincide with certain actions of the Taiwanese leader Lai Qingde, no matter how loud they may be.

It is also important to note that the Chinese Coast Guard is participating in the exercises. For the first time, ships of the department took part in the exercises to surround Taiwan in May 2024 - then they were operating near the islands controlled by the Taiwanese administration. This time, the Chinese Coast Guard is already covering the waters around the island.

📌 This gives a small hint of how the Chinese authorities will put pressure on the island's administration, implementing plans for reunification. One of the main scenarios, the "isolation" of Taiwan, implies the use of the Chinese Coast Guard to inspect ships heading to local ports and cut the island off from key trade flows.

And although news reports mention that the exercises are a dress rehearsal for the start of hostilities in the Taiwan Strait, there are no obvious prerequisites for war. Moreover, China has much more flexible tools to put pressure on the Taiwanese leadership, such as economic blockade and the aforementioned "isolation".

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🇨🇳🇷🇺🇲🇳 China ready to strengthen co-operation with Russia, Mongolia

China's Premier Li Qiang proposed closer three-way ties with Russia and Mongolia at a meeting on Wednesday with counterparts from his neighbors held on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.

"China is ready to work with Russia and Mongolia to further enhance mutual trust, strengthen co-ordination and promote deeper ... trilateral co-operation," Li, China's second-ranking official, said during the meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Mongolia's Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene.

In a separate meeting with Mishustin, Li said China was willing to strengthen trade and energy ties with Russia.

#China #Russia #Mongolia

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🇨🇳🇷🇺 China's exports to Russia grow at quickest pace in 11 months

China's exports to Russia in October rose 24.4% from a year earlier, the fastest pace since November last year, Chinese customs data showed on Thursday, as Beijing affirmed strong ties with Moscow.

China's imports from Russia, however, fell 4.3% last month from a year earlier, narrowing from the decline of 9.2% in September, as payment issues disrupted trade transactions.

In the first 10 months of 2024, China-Russia two-way trade value has hit 1.4 trillion yuan, up 4% year-on-year, the customs data showed.

#China #Russia

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🌍🇨🇳 China's top diplomat began his annual New Year tour of Africa, maintaining a 35-year-long tradition, to quietly advance Beijing's already sizeable influence across the resource-rich continent as Europe's presence wanes and America's wavers.

While global capitals and investors brace for the return of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to the White House, and wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and domestic politics keep German and French ministers occupied, Foreign Minister Wang Yi being in Namibia, the Republic of Congo, Chad and Nigeria highlights the consistency of China's engagement with Africa, analysts say.

#Africa #China

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🇲🇽🇨🇳🇺🇸 Mexico's Sheinbaum lays out plan to cut Chinese imports in apparent nod to Trump

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday rolled out an economic plan aimed at curbing imports from China in an apparent nod to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his allegations that Mexico is a back door for Chinese goods entering the United States.

Sheinbaum also used her speech to defend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade pact, which she said was the only way to compete with China. The deal is up for review in 2026.

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