VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

China reported 1,006 new COVID-19 infections on Oct. 21, of which 215 were symptomatic and 791 were asymptomatic, the National Health Commission said on Saturday.

That compared with 997 new cases a day earlier – 214 symptomatic and 783 asymptomatic infections, which China counts separately.

There were no new deaths, the same as the previous day, keeping fatalities at 5,226. As of Friday, mainland China had confirmed 257,115 cases with symptoms.

China's capital Beijing reported 18 symptomatic cases and one asymptomatic case, compared with 15 symptomatic and two asymptomatic cases the previous day, local government data showed.

Financial hub Shanghai reported no symptomatic and 16 asymptomatic cases, compared with no symptomatic and 13 asymptomatic cases a day before, the local health authority reported.

The southern technology hub of Shenzhen reported 10 new locally transmitted COVID infections, compared with 14 infections the day before. (Reuters)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida agreed on Saturday to strengthen security ties between the two U.S. allies amid China's push for greater influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

At the annual Australia-Japan Leaders' Meeting, held in the Western Australia capital Perth, the two signed a security cooperation agreement updating a 2007 pact, to respond to a changed regional security environment.

As part of the bolstered security partnership, Albanese said Japan's military would train and exercise in northern Australia alongside Australian Defence Force personnel.

In their fourth summit since Albanese took office in May, they said the agreement would serve "as a compass" for security cooperation for the next decade. They agreed to consult and study responses to emergencies that could affect regional security.

Albanese and Kishida also discussed climate change, expressing support for a regional transition to net zero carbon emissions and boosting investment in clean energy tech.

"Both our countries are committed to net zero by 2050," Albanese told reporters after a signing ceremony.

Among those efforts, the leaders agreed to help build secure supply chains between the two nations for "critical minerals, including those that are required for building the green technologies of the future," Albanese said.

"This partnership will mean we build secure supply chains, promote investment, develop Australia's domestic sector and make sure Japan's advanced manufacturers have the critical minerals they need."

As well as building a framework for secure supply chains, the partnership would promote information sharing and collaboration, including research, investment and commercial arrangements between Japanese and Australian critical minerals projects, the Australian government said in a statement.

Kishida told reporters signing the updated joint security declaration was one of the largest achievements of his visit.

"I expressed my determination that all necessary options for the defence of our country, including the so-called counterstrike capability, would become contemplated and Japan's defence capability will be fundamentally reinforced in the next five years, which is supported by Anthony," he said.

The Japanese leader said the two nations had been working to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific under "an increasingly severe strategic environment".

"Through this experience, the bonds that tie Japan and Australia together have become much stronger. And our two countries have become the central pillar of cooperation among like-minded countries," he said.

Australia is a major supplier of iron ore, coal and gas to Japan. Locating the meeting in Perth, 3,700 km (2,300 miles) from the national capital Canberra, was meant to showcase Western Australia's importance in supplying Japan's energy needs, including renewable energy. The state is also a key source of beef and wheat to Japan.

Canberra and Tokyo recently bolstered security ties in response to China's growing military strength in the region. In May, Kishida and Albanese pledged to work toward a new bilateral declaration on security cooperation.

A previous joint declaration outlined security cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism and North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons programmes. The two countries in 2014 elevated their relationship to a "Special Strategic Partnership". (Reuters)

China's Communist Party wrapped up its twice-a-decade congress on Saturday, approving amendments to its charter aimed at cementing Xi Jinping's core status and revealing a new Central Committee missing two key officials lacking close ties to Xi.

The party's new Central Committee does not include Premier Li Keqiang or Wang Yang, a sign that analysts have said suggests the next Politburo Standing Committee, to be unveiled around noon (0400 GMT) on Sunday, is likely to be stacked with people close to Xi.

Li, who will step down in March as premier, and Wang, who heads the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, are both 67 and therefore eligible under China's age norms to have served another five years on the powerful seven-member Standing Committee.

Neither is seen to have long-standing ties with Xi, who is likely to bring four new faces onto the Standing Committee, according to analysts and media reports. Current members Wang Huning, 67, and Zhao Leji, 65, who are both perceived to be close to Xi, were both re-elected to the 205-member Central Committee and are expected to be reappointed to the PSC.

Two other PSC members are past retirement age.

Li and Wang - who had been considered by some party-watchers as a candidate to succeed Li as premier - both have ties with the Communist Youth League, a once-influential group that experts say has lost power under Xi.

“Xi Jinping is trying to consolidate the premier position, not just that of the general secretary,” said Srikanth Kondapalli, a professor of China studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Also on Saturday, the party approved amendments to its constitution aimed at cementing the core status of Xi and the guiding role of his political thought within the party as it wrapped up its twice-a-decade congress.

The new Central Committee on Sunday will choose the elite Politburo Standing Committee, with Xi, 69, widely expected to secure a third leadership term.

A third five-year leadership term would solidify Xi's place as China's most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong, founding leader of the People's Republic.

Among the amendments to the party constitution, the "Two Establishes" define Xi as the "core" leader of the party and cement his ideas as the guiding principles of China's future development. The "Two Safeguards" assure Xi's "core" status within the party and the party's centralised authority over China.

Voting was conducted by show of hands in the vast Great Hall of the People, where much of the week's party congress proceedings have taken place behind closed doors.

The congress concluded with a military band playing "The Internationale".

At its first plenum on Sunday, the party's new central committee will choose the next Politburo, which is typically 25 people, and its new Standing Committee.

The new leadership will be unveiled when Xi, widely expected to be renewed in China's top post as party general secretary, walks into a room of journalists at the Great Hall, followed by the other members of the Standing Committee in descending order of rank.

During the closing ceremony, Xi's immediate predecessor, Hu Jintao, who was seated next to him, was escorted from the stage. Hu, 79, had appeared slightly unsteady last Sunday when he was assisted onto the stage for the opening ceremony. (Reuters)

Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has begun to intensify Indo-Pacific defense, through a working visit to the United States (US). Prabowo held a meeting with US Defense Minister Lloyd J Austin III at the Pentagon Building, Washington, DC, USA, Thursday (20/10/2022).

"In line with the strategic goal of advancing a more connected Indo-Pacific. (Indo-Pacific, ed) prosperous, safe, resilient, free and open," said Defense Minister Prabowo in an official statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, quoted Saturday (22/10/ 2022).

Indonesia and the US want a free and open Indo-Pacific. "I believe that achieving this goal will require the cooperation and participation of Indo-Pacific countries," said Defense Minister Prabowo.

The two defense ministers also discussed the future of the Indonesia-US bilateral. Minister of Defense Austin said he appreciated Indonesia's leadership in ASEAN, the Indo-Pacific, and in the world.

The two defense ministers agreed on the importance of sustainable cooperation. "In the midst of regional security dynamics, it is becoming increasingly complex," said Defense Minister Prabowo.

In fact, Austin said, the US will continue to help modernize the Indonesian military. "And to strengthen interoperability between the US and Indonesia," said Austin.

Austin also said support for Defense Minister Prabowo's focus on professionalizing the Indonesian military. Because, he said, Indonesia has been sending cadets for the past two years.

The cadets on scholarships, they study at three US military academies. Namely, at The US Military Academy (USMA) West Point, the US Naval Academy (USNA) Annapolis.

And, The US Air Force Academy (USAFA) Colorado. "We hope that the defense cooperation between the two countries will be stronger and the friendship between the two countries will continue," said Defense Minister Prabowo.

"And growing in the spirit of mutual respect and trust for each other's national interests," said Defense Minister Prabowo.

In addition, the two ministers also discussed significant progress in US-Indonesia defense cooperation. "Including, the expansion of the "Super" Garuda Shield this summer, the largest exercise ever carried out between the two countries," said Defense Minister Prabowo.

Defense Minister Prabowo also appreciated the US intention to support an independent and strong ASEAN. "And I thank you for holding this meeting," said Defense Minister Prabowo. (RRI)