Archive for July 2021
[ Today ] Cash-rich Singapore Airlines aims for regional dominance as rivals pull back
Singapore Airlines, flush with US$16 billion (S$21.63 billion) raised since the start of the pandemic thanks to help from a state investor, is in a position of dominance among its Southeast Asian rivals as they downsize and restructure. The crisis threatened the survival of hub carriers that lack domestic markets such as SIA, Hong Kong’s…
Read More[ Nikkei Asia ] US does not support Taiwan independence: Kurt Campbell
U.S President Joe Biden’s point man on Asia is “astonished” by China’s determination to play the leading role on the global stage and will “step up” its engagement in Southeast Asia to hold back such a trend. But the administration does not support Taiwan independence and understands the sensitivities involved, Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell said…
Read More[ MEMO ] Turkey is major competitor in armoured vehicle production, Russia maker says
Turkey is one of Russia’s main competitors in the manufacture of armoured vehicles for the foreign market, Igor Zarakhovich, chief designer of the Russian company AO Remdizel (JSC), said in an interview with Sputnik. “Today, the situation has emerged that in whatever country we would like to promote our vehicles, there are already Turkish enterprises which…
Read More[ Reuters ] Indonesia, Thailand consider booster shots amid doubts over Sinovac vaccine
But the challenges facing Southeast Asia are much bigger. Many countries in the region rely heavily on Chinese vaccines due to tight supplies of Western products, and have low vaccination rates of less than 10%. They are also battling a record-breaking surge in new cases and deaths, led by the highly contagious Delta variant, while…
Read More[ EastAsiaForum] Why are Chinese troops assembling on the Myanmar border?
Source: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/07/03/why-are-chinese-troops-assembling-on-the-myanmar-border/ There is now potential for international escalation as Chinese troops are reported to be assembling in Jiegao, an important border town, which is not unexpected during periods of elevated tension. The troops are said to have rapid response capabilities if it is deemed necessary to guard the Kyaukpyu pipelines. The pipelines are a significant part…
Read More[ UKDJ ] UK to help Japan develop engine for F-X fighter
Japanese media has reported that Japan has decided that it will develop the engine for the F-X fighter with help from Britain. Rolls-Royce will partner with Japan’s IHI Corporation and both will also offer the engine for the export market. Japan expects production of the first fighter prototype to begin in 2024, with flight tests…
Read More[ SCMP ] National security law: students and university employee among 9 arrested over alleged terrorist plot to bomb streets, courts, transport networks
Hong Kong’s national security police have arrested nine people, most of them teenagers, over an alleged terrorist plot by a pro-independence group to bomb courts, tunnels and streets in a series of attacks in the coming week. The suspects included six students – four boys and two girls aged between 15 and 18 – and…
Read More[ Funker530 ] (NSFW) Taliban Execute 10 Afghan SOF Troops After Surrender In Leaked Video
Source: https://funker530.com/video/nsfw-leaked-video-shows-taliban-executing-afghan-soldiers-after-surrender/ Unconfirmed footage was submitted to Funker530 from an anonymous source today, claiming that this is recent footage of Taliban executing 10 Afghan Ktah Khas (Afghan special forces) in Faryab Province, after they surrendered. At this time the Taliban have not taken responsibility for the war crime which is claimed to have taken place…
Read More[ SCMP ] Taiwan asserts island’s sovereignty after US restates opposition to independence
“We support a strong unofficial relationship with Taiwan. We do not support Taiwan independence,” Kurt Campbell, the White House Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, said in response to the question “how much love is too much?” when it came to stronger US ties with Taiwan. The comment, at an event hosted by the Asia Society, was…
Read More[ Today ] Singapore to reclaim land around Pedra Branca to build facilities to improve maritime safety and security
The Housing and Development Board will reclaim land around Pedra Branca The development work will improve facilities on the island, let vessels berth and allow more facilities to be set up It will take a few years to complete The work, announced in 2019, had been postponed owing to a sovereignty dispute with Malaysia Pedra Branca…
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