| CHINA SENDS SCORES OF PLANES INTO TAIWAN STRAIT... In late June, China sent 74 warplanes and six naval vessels toward Taiwan, with 61 aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait's median line. In response, Taipei scrambled fighter jets, deployed naval ships, and activated land-based missile systems. The PLA maneuvers followed the passage of the British Royal Navy's HMS Spey through the Strait — a move Taiwan welcomed as reaffirming the waterway's status as international waters. London said the transit complied with international law and that it exercised the right to freedom of navigation. Beijing reacted angrily, stating the British ship "deliberately disturbed the situation and undermined the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait." (ABC News, June 20, 2025) ...WHILE JAPAN’S NAVY NAVIGATES IT On June 12, the Japanese destroyer JS Takanami sailed southward through the Taiwan Strait, entering from the East China Sea and heading toward the Philippines, where it conducted drills on June 14 in the South China Sea. The passage, which lasted more than 10 hours, was monitored by the PLA Navy. This marked the third transit by a Japanese navy vessel, following similar operations in February and last September. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry has said that it "encourages like-minded countries... to jointly defend peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, and maintain a rules-based international order." (Newsweek, June 20, 2025) DEPLOYMENTS TO THE SOUTH CHINA SEA In early July, the U.S. and China both deployed aircraft carriers to contested waters in the South China Sea. The USS George Washington, part of the U.S. Seventh Fleet and homeported in Japan, conducted flight operations near the Philippines, asserting freedom of navigation in the region. Meanwhile, China's CNS Shandong, accompanied by three warships, docked in Hong Kong to mark the 28th anniversary of the city's return to China. "The visit of the Shandong warship formation will allow Hong Kong citizens to experience first-hand the grandeur of the country's modern warships," said Chief Executive John Lee. (Newsweek, July 3, 2025) HONG KONG'S LAST PRO-DEMOCRACY PARTY DISBANDS The League of Social Democrats, Hong Kong's last pro-democracy party, announced its disbandment on June 29, citing immense political pressure. Known for its bold protests and street booths, the party dissolved amid an ongoing crackdown under Beijing's national security law that has jailed activists, shuttered opposition groups, and silenced dissent. Chairperson Chan Po-ying said the decision came after "careful deliberation" to protect members and acknowledged the painful reality: “One country, two systems has already become one country, one system. We are now forced to disband and feel an ache in our conscience, but we have no other choice." Many party leaders, including Chan's husband, Leung Kwok-hung, have been jailed. (CNN, June 29, 2025) HONG KONG'S CRACKDOWN EXTENDS TO SMALL BUSINESSES Meanwhile, a widening crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong is now targeting small businesses linked to the city's pro-democracy movement. Bookstores, restaurants, and market stalls owned by former activists face frequent inspections, regulatory pressure, and anonymous denunciations. Leticia Wong, a former district councilor, says authorities visited her shop 92 times in three years, accusing her of minor infractions. Other business owners report similar tactics, including threats of license revocation under vague national security laws. "The so-called rule of law in Hong Kong is only a facade of rule by men," says Eric Lai of Georgetown University's Center for Asian Law. (Associated Press, June 30, 2025) |
|
Copyright (c) 2025, American Foreign Policy Council. All rights reserved.
