Asia Pacific – Page 914 – Prologue Journal

Japan Defense White Paper Affirms Stronger Military Strategy

New York Times In a defense white paper, Tokyo presents its case for engagement with allies to respond to threats posed by China and by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/28/world/asia/japan-military-white-paper.html

Australia ‘confident’ on getting Aukus submarines as US attacks China’s ‘bullying behaviour’ in Pacific

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese maintained the deal to buy vessels was on track despite Republican lawmakers saying it would ‘weaken’ the US fleet. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3229207/australia-confident-getting-aukus-submarines-us-attacks-chinas-bullying-behaviour-pacific?utm_source=rss_feed

LGBTQ Japanese inspired by pop star Shinjiro Atae’s coming out story: ‘very brave, admirable’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Japanese pop star Shinjiro Atae is being hailed for his bravery to come out as gay during a fan event in a country where the government doesn’t legally recognise same-sex unions. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3229186/lgbtq-japanese-inspired-pop-star-shinjiro-ataes-coming-out-story-very-brave-admirable?utm_source=rss_feed

Qin Gang’s exit as China’s foreign minister, The 1975’s onstage kiss, Singapore’s scandals: SCMP’s 7 highlights of the week

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. From Qin Gang’s highly unusual exit as China’s foreign minister to Singapore’s spate of scandals, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting. https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3229089/qin-gangs-exit-chinas-foreign-minister-1975s-onstage-kiss-singapores-scandals-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed

Japan says Beijing’s military supremacy over Taiwan growing swiftly

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Tokyo’s annual defence white paper said the military balance between Beijing and Taipei is ‘rapidly tilting to the economic giant’s favour’. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3229195/japan-says-beijings-military-supremacy-over-taiwan-growing-swiftly?utm_source=rss_feed

Malaysia’s plan to drive EV adoption requires infrastructure, not tax breaks for the rich

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. If the government wants to boost broad adoption of EVs, it may want to consider building the necessary support infrastructure rather than subsidising costs for affluent early adopters. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3229064/malaysias-plan-drive-ev-adoption-requires-infrastructure-not-tax-breaks-rich?utm_source=rss_feed

India’s border security interests make Asean’s Myanmar peace plan a ‘second-rank concern’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Analysts say ‘national security’ comes first for India, as it needs Myanmar in the border security fight against insurgency, drugs and trafficking. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3229157/indias-border-security-interests-make-aseans-myanmar-peace-plan-second-rank-concern?utm_source=rss_feed

Western officials make a beeline for Indo-Pacific to counter China’s influence

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. It’s been a busy week for Indo-Pacific Islands as Western officials head to the region in an effort to assert their geopolitical influence against China. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3229182/western-officials-make-beeline-indo-pacific-counter-chinas-influence?utm_source=rss_feed

Hongkongers can now stay in Malaysia for 90 days without visa, city may set up new trade office in Kuala Lumpur

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. During visit by Hong Kong leader John Lee, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says passport holders from city can stay in country visa-free for 90 days, up from 30. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3229170/hongkongers-can-now-stay-malaysia-90-days-without-visa-city-may-set-new-trade-office-kuala-lumpur?utm_source=rss_feed

Malaysia to pay households for using their roofs to generate solar energy

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The scheme will lower bills for householders and put cash in their pockets, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3229154/malaysia-pay-households-using-their-roofs-generate-solar-energy?utm_source=rss_feed