The Clash between Old Governance and the New World - Unraveling China's Diplomatic Power Structure
Vladimir Putin Is Still Useful to Xi Jinping. Until He Isn’t.; Japan likely to come to Taiwan’s aid during a Chinese invasion; Coco Lee remembered for her inspiration to global Chinese communities
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The Clash between Old Governance and the New World - Unraveling China's Diplomatic Power Structure
Lao Zong
Neither, intriguingly. Despite Wang Yi's seniority and wealth of experience, his connection to the Ministry's old guard is severed by Qin Gang. On the other hand, Gang, though junior and less seasoned, primarily oversees Yi's former subordinates. Their shared deputy national level rank allows them decision-making power, yet neither can definitively rule, as their inevitable power struggle leads to a scenario of reciprocal check-and-balance. Amid these conflicts, Xi Jinping, as the adjudicator, firmly anchors control of the diplomatic system, thereby holding the ultimate decision-making authority.
This bifurcated power distribution, reminiscent of a hamburger, began materializing five years prior. At that juncture, Yang Jiechi occupied Wang Yi's present position and Wang Yi, Qin Gang's. Yang and Wang presented contrasting personas: Yang, the reserved diplomat, and Wang, the assertive 'wolf warrior.' Despite not being among Xi Jinping's confidants, this unorthodox power structuring allowed Jinping a firm grip over the diplomatic framework.
Ideas of checks, balances, mutual restraint, and supervision, rooted in ancient governance, matured over millennia in the East and West, culminating in China's Ming and Qing dynasties. The Emperor controlled the decision-making process through clever orchestration and mediation of conflicts. What then precipitated the current upheaval within China's diplomatic system, causing escalating conflicts and a conspicuous delay in resolution by the decision-makers?
The times have shifted, creating a mismatch between the old governance model and the new world. Ancient China, being isolated, offered the Emperor an easy overview of domestic issues, aiding prevention and cover-up. The lack of new media also ensured information could be managed before spreading globally. Today, this landscape has dramatically changed.
Xi Jinping, having consolidated power at the 20th Communist Party Congress, implements mutual restraint and supervision in power structures as seen in the foreign affairs sector. This might underpin his advocacy for the "spirit of struggle". However, the old governance model grapples with the new world's realities. Future scenarios could thus witness more events like Qin Gang's or compel Xi Jinping to create a closed system, akin to North Korea, to retain his rule.
As the title suggests, the key challenge for China is navigating the conflict between dated governance models and the modern world.
Vladimir Putin Is Still Useful to Xi Jinping. Until He Isn’t.
NY Times
China's history of "playing other nations against one another" for its own benefit should be remembered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has chosen to align himself with China against the US, writes Sergey Radchenko in the New York Times. In 1969, Mao Zedong reached out to the US after a clash with the Soviet Union, while Deng Xiaoping later turned to the US as a way to "cope with the polar bear". President Xi Jinping has now embraced Putin and denounced the US, but the Chinese Communist Party has a track record of "instrumentalising its friendships". China has largely avoided running afoul of Western sanctions on Russia and is benefiting from discounted Russian energy products. Meanwhile, Russia is becoming more dependent on China for political and economic support. Radchenko warns that China will stand by Putin as long as it suits its interests, but there are no "good feelings" between the two countries, just "cold calculation".
Japan likely to come to Taiwan’s aid during a Chinese invasion
Telegraph
Japan could provide support to Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, according to Japan’s minister of state for defence, Ino Toshiro. He suggested that if Taiwan were to receive the same level of international support as Ukraine did during Russia’s aggression, then it would be “very possible” for Japan to offer some form of assistance. Toshiro admitted that the nature of this support had not yet been determined but said it would need the consensus of the Japanese people. Tensions between China and Taiwan have been mounting, as Beijing claims the democratic island as its own and has not ruled out the possibility of invasion. Japan is concerned by China’s rearmament under Xi Jinping, and is planning a 60% increase in military spending over the next five years.
The article also highlights the concerns of residents of Miyako, an island in Okinawa prefecture, over the potential for conflict between China and the West. Miyako is just 70 miles from the Taiwanese coast, and its strategic location has made it a military outpost. The deployment of missile systems and other military facilities on the island has raised fears among locals that it could become a warzone. Similarly, there are concerns in Okinawa that it could once again become a battleground, as it was during the Second World War. The governor of Okinawa has called for a reduction in the province’s burden of hosting US military bases, which account for 76% of facilities used by US forces in Japan.
Coco Lee remembered for her inspiration to global Chinese communities
South China Morning Post
Coco Lee, the late pop star who died on July 5, aged 48 after a suicide attempt, left a lasting impact on the Chinese diasporic community, according to interdisciplinary media academic Sheng Zou. Lee represented a pan-Chinese identity that transcended the simplistic groupings of people from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. She became a cultural ambassador, participating in cultural activities organised or initiated by the Chinese government. Lee's embrace of her Chinese heritage served as a source of encouragement for Chinese communities abroad, inspiring many to overcome racial barriers. She was the only Chinese singer to have performed at the Academy Awards, where she showcased her culture and made Chinese people proud. Lee's music and style were vibrant and fashionable, blending Western and Chinese influences. Her performance at the Oscars was seen as a significant milestone for Chinese-Americans. Fans from around the world have paid tribute to Lee, and many hope that a new generation of Chinese artists will continue her legacy as a cultural icon.
Top Chinese diplomat proposes talks with Japan, South Korea - Kyodo
Reuters
Chinese diplomat Wang Yi has proposed high-level talks between China, Japan, and South Korea during a meeting with the Japanese foreign minister in Indonesia. The proposal is seen as a willingness to resume talks among the three countries, and Japan is reportedly accelerating preparations to make it happen by the end of the year. The proposal comes amid increasing military assertiveness from China and growing tensions between China and the US. The issue of discharging treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea could be a sticking point preventing an early meeting of the three countries' leaders. The last time the leaders met was in December 2019.
Australian ‘Top Gun’ accused of training Chinese is backed by US marine
The Sydney Morning Herald
A former high-ranking member of the United States military has expressed support for Daniel Duggan, an Australian citizen and former marine who is currently being held in maximum security over accusations that he trained Chinese military pilots over a decade ago. Duggan, who denies any wrongdoing, has been in custody since October last year. His lawyers have indicated that they will challenge his extradition on the grounds that the case is political and that the charges against him do not exist in Australia. The US wants Duggan to be extradited for training Chinese pilots without seeking US authorisation.
China to resume 15-day visa-free entry for Singapore, Brunei citizens
Reuters
China will resume 15-day visa-free entry for citizens of Singapore and Brunei starting Wednesday. The visas were suspended more than three years ago to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Visa-free entry will be available for citizens of Singapore and Brunei with ordinary passports for various purposes, including business, sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends, and transit. China began issuing tourist visas again in March and has also been seeking visa-free travel for its citizens to Singapore.
Taiwan may be about to lose more diplomatic ground to Beijing in Central America
South China Morning Post
Taiwan faces the loss of its permanent observer status at the Central American Parliament as the country’s allies in the region switch allegiance to China. The proposal to remove Taipei’s observer status was made by Nicaragua. The move comes as Taiwan’s standing in Central America is already under threat from next month’s presidential run-off in Guatemala, where one of the contenders has promised closer ties with Beijing. If both developments occur, Taiwan’s diplomatic presence in Central America could be wiped out. The parliament is based in Guatemala and is the only member with official ties to Taiwan. In recent years, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama have all recognised Beijing. The proposal is expected to be passed when the parliament returns to session in August. Taiwan’s foreign ministry has accused Nicaragua of attempting to “curry favour” with Beijing in order to obtain aid and political support for its economic problems.
Bad for business and fun? Hong Kong’s visa rules send Vietnamese visitors elsewhere
South China Morning Post
Visa requirements for Vietnamese tourists visiting Hong Kong are discouraging people from visiting, according to business leaders and travel industry stakeholders. The city is trying to boost ties with Southeast Asia in its post-pandemic recovery efforts. Hong Kong’s visa requirements are seen as complicated and time-consuming, with applicants asked for a record of every place they have travelled to in the past decade. Business opportunities are being diverted to countries such as Singapore and Malaysia as a result, said Winnie Wong Wing-yee, general secretary of the Hong Kong Business Association Vietnam.
G20 energy ministers fail to agree on road map for ending fossil fuels
South China Morning Post
Energy ministers from the G20 failed to agree on a plan to phase out fossil fuels in the global energy mix during a meeting in India. The final statement did not mention coal, which is a key energy source for developing economies including India and China. The failure to reach agreement on targets including tripling renewable capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 was criticised by campaigners. The G7 leaders agreed in May to speed up the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels.
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