CHINA HAS HAD SPY BASE IN CUBA SINCE AT LEAST 2019
China has been operating a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019 as part of an effort to set up intelligence-gathering operations around the globe. The U.S. confirmed the existence of the facility following reports that cash-strapped Cuba had agreed in principle to allow China to build a spy base on the island to eavesdrop on electronic communications across the southeastern U.S. in return for billions of dollars. Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, denied the initial reports, calling them "totally untrue" and "slanders." Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) and Vice Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement in response, declaring that it "would be unacceptable for China to establish an intelligence facility within 100 miles of Florida and the United States, in an area also populated with key military installations and extensive maritime traffic." (ABC, June 10, 2023)
[EDITOR'S NOTE: The U.S. conducts surveillance missions around China using aircraft that engage in electronic eavesdropping. One of those U.S. planes was recently intercepted by a Chinese fighter jet in "a dangerous and unprofessional maneuver."]
ENFORCERS OF ONE-CHILD POLICY NOW SEEK A "BIRTH-FRIENDLY SOCIETY"
Set up in 1980 to enforce the country's one-child policy, China's Family Planning Association has been reconstituted to build a "birth-friendly society." Wang Pei'an, the association's chief and a former advocate for birth restrictions, is now leading the call for more babies. Last year, the new campaign was launched in 20 test areas, including Miyun outside Beijing, and this year it has been expanded to another 20 locations. Local officials who had been evaluated on how they limited births are now being judged on whether they can increase them. In Miyun, the association hires scores of people to "promote the new-style marriage and birth culture." They give out rice cookers and other gifts to women attending events promoting marriage, and organize hikes to encourage them to start a family. Chinese births, which were about 18 million per year in 2016, have fallen to below 10 million annually. To raise the fertility rate to the replacement level of 2.1, the government must provide about 1 million RMB ($140,000) per child in subsidies, estimates James Liang of Peking University. (Wall Street Journal, June 5, 2023)
CHINA'S NEW CONSCRIPTION RULES
In April, China's Central Military Commission (CMC) announced that it had revised the "Regulations on Conscription Work" in order to implement "Xi Jinping Thought on strengthening the military." The new rules allow the CMC to adjust conscription requirements at will after issuing a national defense mobilization order, and indicate that during wartime former soldiers can be called up to supplement active service units. They also include a section on crimes such as evading conscription, refusal to serve once recruited, obstructing citizens from fulfilling their military service obligations, corruption and malpractice, and dereliction of duty. Refusal to serve is a major problem. It is not uncommon for new PLA recruits to evade their conscription notifications or show up physically unfit for service. One Beijing recruiting office found that 60 percent of its college recruits were failing their physical because they were overweight and/or shortsighted. (Defense One, June 8, 2023)
ASEAN TO HOLD FIRST JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE IN SOUTH CHINA SEA
Amid rising tensions with China, the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold its first-ever joint military exercise in the South China Sea. The decision was made at a meeting of ASEAN military commanders in Indonesia, which will host the exercise in the North Natuna Sea, the southernmost waters of the South China Sea. Indonesia's military chief, Admiral Yudo Margono, said the exercise will be held in September to strengthen "ASEAN centrality," but would not include combat operations training. An Indonesian military spokesperson said the exercise was in response to the "high risk of disaster in Asia, especially Southeast Asia." Several ASEAN members have had run-ins with Chinese vessels in recent months. (CNN, June 8, 2023)
DIPLOMATIC TENSIONS WITH SEOUL
South Korea's President, Yoon Suk Yeol, has criticized Chinese ambassador Xing Haiming, who sparked controversy when he warned an opposition South Korean politician against making a "wrong bet" when it came to U.S.-China rivalry, and to stop "decoupling" from China. South Korea's foreign ministry responded by summoning Xing to protest his comments, which it said were "provocative" and a possible interference in the country's internal affairs. Foreign Minister Park Jin further said that Xing's comments violated the Vienna Convention governing the duties of diplomats. President Yoon said: "Looking at Ambassador Xing's attitude, it's doubtful if he has an attitude of mutual respect or promotion of friendship as a diplomat. Our people are displeased with his inappropriate behavior." China's foreign ministry, in turn, called in South Korea's ambassador to the PRC to express its "serious concern and dissatisfaction" over Seoul's "improper reaction" to Xing's comment. (Reuters, June 13, 2023)
