Sriparna Pathak, PhD’s Post

In this article by Sanjay Jha for Voice of America, our Professor Sriparna Pathak, PhD speaks about what the appointment of a new Chinese Ambassador to India, after a gap of 1.5 years means. #China #Ambassador #India #politics #globalaffairs Head over to the link below: https://lnkd.in/g6HKg5dD

Indian Economy/The scramble of powerful powers to win over India becomes a reference for Taiwan’s geopolitical risks India's geopolitical risks and their implications on Taiwan are examined. As the United States shifts its supply chains away from China, India has become a key target for the relocation of these chains. It has entered into semiconductors and digital infrastructure, signing more than 20 technology and defense cooperation projects with the US. Taiwan, on the other hand, is facing diplomatic isolation efforts from China and is looking towards India for reference on how to balance international relations and make the major powers closer. Expanding international interactions and understanding the geopolitical situation are important for Taiwan. #AsiaRisk #GeopoliticalConflictandDisputes #Taiwan Follow us for daily updates on risk and operations in Asia! https://lnkd.in/gUFAKgee

I (蓝若思) told RFA that the conflict between #China and the #Philippines at Sabina Shoal (仙宾礁) indicates that a "temporary arrangement" only cooled frictions but didn't resolve disputes over control in the SCS. "The South China Sea dispute has not been resolved, and China still claims that it has control and sovereignty within the 10-dash line in the South China Sea, and it has not given up on that claim. So, naturally, China will collide with ships from other countries in the South China Sea, whether it is the Philippines, #Vietnam or other countries. And China is now encroaching on the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, which is why the two countries often collide in waters owned by the Philippines, whether it is the Second Thomas Shoal or the Xianbin Reef.” I indicated that China treats Vietnam with courtesy because the two countries share similar communist ideologies, and that it confronts the Philippines because Beijing believes that the Philippines' actions are directed by the United States: "Vietnam and the Philippines have different political systems. In Vietnam, the Communist Party is in power, which also makes it supported and helped by Beijing. Similar ideologies make their relationship close, like brothers. ... The Philippines is different. The Philippines is a democratic country and it is supported by the United States. China believes that the Philippines' actions in the South China Sea are directed by the United States. China believes that the Philippines is a trouble, but there is an even bigger trouble behind the Philippines - the United States." I further pointed out that China still insists on its claim of sovereignty over the South China Sea in the face of international criticism. Therefore, overall, if any neighboring country has a sovereignty dispute with China, China will not back down: "As long as there is a country that challenges China's sovereignty claim, China will definitely respond. ... China's Coast Guard and maritime militia can be very aggressive. At the same time, by deploying maritime police ships, China can claim to the outside world that it is protecting its territorial waters, which is not as aggressive as sending the navy. This approach is a very smart 'gray zone' operation." #southchinasea #maritimesecurity #geopolitics Atlantic Council Pacific Forum Middlebury College

If Tsai doesn't land on the island, "interrupting the routine of flat-horse relations will impact cross-strait relations." The Taiping Island harbor side dredging and wharf renovation project has been completed. There is speculation on whether President Tsai's absence from the opening ceremony will impact cross-strait relations. Some believe that failing to visit the island will negatively impact Taiwan's sovereignty claims and relations with Taiping Island and the South China Sea. Legislators and scholars are divided on whether President Tsai should visit, with some calling it a failure in the DPP's South China Sea policy. The absence is seen as interrupting a practice followed by previous presidents and may affect cross-strait relations. The decision is left to President Tsai's discretion as it has implications for Taiwan's strategic interests. #AsiaRisk #GeopoliticalConflictandDisputes #Taiwan Follow us for daily updates on risk and operations in Asia! https://lnkd.in/gzJ-CinQ

Unverified breaking news!!! The Sino-Israel relations could be dramatically harmed! Insiders' confirmation is urgently needed. A Chinese language website in Canada and a Taiwanese TV program claimed that Chinese military engineers helped Hamas build the tunnels. When Hamas attacked Israel, they were trapped in the tunnels. Now they are unwillingly being held by Hamas because they are urgently needed for the repairment work. It is said they went to Gaza secretly via Egypt. According to the above sources, the Chinese leadership is very much concerned about they lives. It is worrying that such a scandal could be revealed. Alledgedly the Chinese military top man Zhang Youxia, who was the day before yesterday in Moscow, was meeting with Putin. It is said he was asking Russia to convince Hamas to free them. Hamas has already released Russian hostages thanks to the good relationship with Putin. I tried to get confirmation of the above story or supportive hints via Russian, Chinese media including social media, but in vain. If Anybody knows that China is really involved in Hamas tunnel building, please inform the public. I guess Israel would react fiercely if it has some evidences from the the tunnels. But up to date there was nothing like that. Very likely it might be fake news. If the story were really true, then the China-Israel relations would have fundamental change. Also China's status in the UN could change greatly.

We may be seeing the first steps of political ehetoric crash headlong into military pragmatism. Chinese generals know the true cost of embarking on a war that could potentially drag in the US, Japan, Australia and other regional powers. They also know the true state of the nation's economy. Political bluster cannot stand against military intelligence and understanding, and we are now starting to see the disconnect in public. This could start an era of " interesting times" for the Chinese leadership; it may also undermine Putin's position in Russia.

In a speech in Germany yesterday, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said this about India's enormous change in the last decade: That we are a "near 4 trillion USD economy with 8% growth for decades to come" Assuming constant growth, our economy will hit 10 trillion USD in 13 years (2037). He also talked about our long-term public infrastructure investments: -> 8 new airports and 1-2 new metro systems annually -> 28km of highway and 12 km of railway track are laid daily -> housing program that benefitted 170 millions -> health coverage for 660+ million -> UPI: 13 billion digital financial transactions per month -> 3rd largest startup ecosystem with 117 unicorns In terms of our Human capital, he mentioned that there are more than "1600 Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India that generate $120 Billion worth of business every year" With Hyderabad being #2 with 26% of the share of GCCs in India (Bengaluru #1 at 60%), there is a tremendous opportunity for the State to facilitate and attract more foreign interest by creating a more business friendly climate. Core operational work brought into Hyderabad that services global customers is a huge engine for job creation. Having helped setup a GCC for a global software company based in the US, I can tell you that these partnerships are a win-win. If you would like to know more about how effective GCCs can be in terms of cost and operational excellence, feel free to reach out to me! See the full interview with the FM here: https://lnkd.in/gkZp6SKu #GCC #GlobalCapabilityCenters #SJaishankar #DigitalPublicInfrastructure #UPI #YourDigitalPartner Asset Telematics Pvt Ltd

Extraordinary if true. The plan he outlines is very sensible.

The sharp sword that Lai Ching-te faces after winning the election: ECFA heading towards a “zero cleanup” and the future of Taiwan’s exports China's status as the "world's factory" is shifting, and the importance of products on the early harvest list is decreasing. Taiwan faces the challenge of adjusting to this shift in trade dynamics. On the eve of Taiwan's general election, China announced it would suspend preferential tariffs under the Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) for certain Taiwanese products, citing trade barriers against mainland products. The political and economic implications of this move are being closely monitored, as the impact of ECFA cancellation on Taiwan's economy is assessed. Despite the potential impact, there is a belief that Taiwanese companies can adjust to the changes and minimize the impact. #AsiaRisk #GeopoliticalConflictandDisputes #Taiwan Follow us for daily updates on risk and operations in Asia! https://lnkd.in/gJMFQ9qh

Let the battle begin... Two weeks ago I posted - "In the name of cross-Strait ties" - about 傅崐萁, the KMT party whip in Taiwan's legislative yuan, leading a delegation of 16 members on a two-day visit to China. I wrote, in part - "Prior to the trip, there was no shortage of commentary and analysis by "so-called" China and cross-Strait experts. At best, they were shallow interpretations of the intent and potential outcome of this KMT visit during the new legislative session. Furthermore, there was not a single mention by these "experts," pundits and the media on how the trip was conceived and the selection of the KMT members, including the key sub-committees in which they serve on. Unreported, it behooves Taiwan observers to monitor the upcoming legislative session and the critical role in which the KMT will play in the revision of 「国安五法」, and the implementation of「三个排除」- two key legislative pieces that are of utmost concern to Zhongnanhai." Today begins the ratification of key legislative pieces including「国安五法」. Both DPP and KMT legislators arrived early for the proceedings. Even before the session started, lawmakers from both sides were jockeying for position which ended in a brawl. There is much at stake for both political parties and the future of Taiwan's democracy. Today's event is both critical and unsettling as it is only three days before the May 20 presidential inauguration of Lai Ching-te. Finally, while I rarely, if ever, comment on other posts, I must say the level of "analytical skills" by "so-called" China and cross-Strait experts are at best "外行看热闹." It would be far more refreshing and informative if they were "内行看门道" and capable of providing timely and rare insights about the kingpins and deal-makers from both sides of the Strait in the "幕后" discussions, and not the inconsequential "台面上" charades. "打高空" and "马后炮" are not enduring qualities if they wish to be regarded as "experts." #taiwan #legislation #crossstrait #security https://lnkd.in/gD4PDXfT