CHINA'S COAST GUARD PATROLS AN INDONESIAN GAS FIELD
Since December 30th, China's Coast Guard has been patrolling the waters around Indonesia's Natuna Islands in the South China Sea. The CCG 5901, the world's largest coast guard vessel (which is dubbed "the monster" for its girth), is in the area. Jakarta recently announced it would develop the Tuna Block, a large natural-gas field near the islands that lies within both Indonesia's 200-mile EEZ and China's claimed "nine-dash line." Last month, Vietnam and Indonesia held talks on the boundaries of their EEZs - a move that angered Beijing. Starting in 2026, natural gas worth an estimated $1.24 billion a year will flow to Vietnam from the Tuna Block, which lies just 13 km outside of that country's EEZ. (Radio Free Asia, January 5, 2023)
PAKISTAN'S GWADAR PORT LOCKED DOWN AFTER PROTESTS
Since December 28th, Gwadar Port, the hub of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, has been in "a siege-like situation" following a crackdown on mass protests there. While mobile networks have been restored, the internet remains down in the area. The unrest erupted when police raided a sit-in protest and arrested members and leaders of the Give Gwadar Its Rights movement (a.k.a., Haq Do Tehreek Gwadar [HDT]). People in Gwadar fear the rapid influx of Chinese workers who they believe are destroying their local culture and taking their land. A report from Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry predicts that, by 2048, Chinese will outnumber native Baloch. (The Diplomat, January 7, 2023)
INDIA DEPLOYS STINGERS AT CHINA BORDER
India will spend $522 million on locally-produced portable air defense missiles, anti-tank missiles for helicopters, and Brahmos anti-ship missiles for its warships. The short-range, shoulder-launched systems, which are similar to the U.S.-made FIM-92 "Stinger" surface-to-surface missiles, will be deployed along the Chinese border to address low altitude aerial threats. "In view of the recent developments along the northern borders there is a need to focus on effective air defense weapon systems which are man portable and can be deployed quickly in rugged terrain," India's Defense Ministry has announced. Last month, Chinese and Indian troops clashed again in Arunachal Pradesh. (South China Morning Post, January 11, 2023)
FBI SEARCH ESCALATES FIGHT OVER CHINA'S OVERSEAS POLICE OUTPOSTS
FBI counterintelligence agents have searched a base for China's police operations in New York's Chinatown. The raid is part of a criminal investigation by the U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn. It represents an escalation in a global dispute over China's efforts to illegally police its diaspora in other countries. The office is one of more than 100 such outfits around the world. Irish, Canadian, and Dutch officials have all called for China to stop its police operations in their countries, but this is the first-time local authorities have seized materials from one of their offices. Chinese officials claim the offices only handle administrative tasks like renewing driver's licenses, not police work. However, China's state media has reported that they also "collect intelligence" and solve crimes. (New York Times, January 12, 2023)
HONG KONG RUNS "DERADICALIZATION" PROGRAM
Since November 2021, hundreds of mostly young people who participated in anti-government protests in Hong Kong have been compelled to attend a "de-radicalization" program designed to "enhance their sense of national identity" and guide them "back on the right track." Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang hailed the success of the program - known as Project Path - which has had 474 participants since it was launched 14 months ago. A former participant called it "brainwashing," but said he went along to reduce his sentence. "They were always telling me how great China was and how I should love China. If we didn’t agree with it, we would have to remain in the program. Out of 10 people, maybe one person was convinced." (Globe and Mail, January 10, 2023)
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