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February
Australia says plane had 'right' to watch China navy vessel in its waters
Written by Nur Yasmin
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said an Australian surveillance plane was doing its job when it was "put under threat" with a laser from a Chinese navy ship, rejecting Beijing's assertion that the plane came too close.
The P-8A Poseidon, a maritime patrol aircraft, detected a laser emanating from a People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel last Thursday, and Australia released photographs of two Chinese vessels sailing close to its north coast.
On Tuesday, Australia's defence department said the aircraft dropped sonobuoys, which can help detect submarines, after the laser incident, and that the surveillance devices were not a shipping hazard.
"Our surveillance planes have every right to be in our exclusive economic zone and keeping a close eye on what people are up to," Morrison told reporters.
"The fact they were put under threat is extremely disappointing."
In Bejing, when asked about Morrison's comments and if China could confirm that a military-grade laser was used, the foreign ministry said Australia had used reconnaissance planes to take "provocative actions" against China on many occasions.
"We firmly oppose this, and urge the Australian side to reflect on itself, not to spread false information, and not to deliberately create trouble," ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing.
The Chinese guided missile destroyer and an amphibious transport dock were sailing east through the Arafura Sea between New Guinea and Australia, before passing through the narrow Torres Strait, Australia's defence department says.
Beijing says the Chinese ships had a legal right to be in international waters, which Australia has not disputed.
On Monday, China's defence ministry said the surveillance plane had dropped a sonobuoy near the Chinese ships, and had flown as close as 4 km (2.5 miles) from the convoy, which it called "provocative and dangerous". read more
Australia's defence department said the aircraft had acted in a safe manner and that the use of sonobuoys for maritime surveillance is common practice.
"No sonobuoys were used prior to the PLA-N vessel directing its laser at the P-8A aircraft on 17 February," it said on Tuesday.
"Some sonobuoys were used after the incident but were dropped in the water a significant distance ahead of the PLA-N vessel."
The devices collect passive acoustic data on ships and submarines, it added.
The aircraft was 7.7 km (4.8 miles) from the Chinese naval vessel at the time of the laser incident, it said, and the closest it flew was 3.9 km (2.4 miles), which Australia said was standard for a visual inspection of a vessel.
"Australia expects all foreign vessels entering its maritime zones to abide by international law, particularly the UNCLOS," it said in the statement, referring to the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea.
On Tuesday, Morrison announced separately Australia would spend A$804 million ($578 million) to buy drones and helicopters and set up mobile stations in Antarctica, a region on which it needed to keep watch. read more
He said China did not share Australia's objectives in Antarctica, 42% of which Australia claims, and that Beijing wanted to exploit its resources.
"We need to keep eyes in Antarctica because there are others who have different objectives to us," he said. (Reuters)
February
U.N. Myanmar expert says junta using new Russian, Chinese arms against civilians
Written by Nur Yasmin
The United Nations human rights expert on Myanmar on Tuesday said Russia and China were providing the junta with fighter jets being used against civilians, and urged the U.N. Security Council to halt the flow of weapons enabling atrocities.
Thomas Andrews, a former U.S. congressman serving in the independent post, released a report that also named Serbia as one of three countries supplying arms to the Myanmar military since it seized power last year, with "full knowledge that they would be used to attack civilians".
"It should be incontrovertible that weapons used to kill civilians should no longer be transferred to Myanmar," Andrews said in a statement.
Chaos has gripped Myanmar since a coup ended a decade of tentative democracy and triggering nationwide protests that troops suppressed with lethal force.
At least 1,500 civilians have been killed, according to activists cited by the U.N., which also says more than 300,000 people have been displaced by rural conflict between the military and armed opponents.
The junta says it is fighting "terrorists" and objects to what it calls U.N. interference.
Myanmar's military and the foreign ministries of Russia and Serbia could not immediately be reached for comment on the report.
Asked about the report at a regular briefing, China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, said China "has always advocated that all parties and factions should proceed in the long-term interests of the country" and "resolve contradictions through political dialogue".
Human rights groups and the U.N. have accused the junta of using disproportionate force to fight militias and ethnic minority rebels, including artillery and air strikes in civilian areas.
The report said Russia had supplied drones, two types of fighter jets, and two kinds of armoured vehicles, one with air defence systems. China transferred fighter jets while Serbia had provided rockets and artillery shells, it said.
The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution last year calling on members to halt arms transfers to Myanmar's military, which Andrews said the security council should make binding.
Serbia voted in favour of the resolution, but Russia and China abstained.
While China has urged an end to hostilities in Myanmar, Russia has been the generals' closest diplomatic ally amid efforts by the West to isolate them.
Andrews also called for cutting the Myanmar military's access to oil and gas revenue and foreign exchange reserves, plus international bans on purchases of Myanmar timber, gemstones, and rare earths.
Myanmar's rulers were vulnerable and could be stopped with international resolve, he said in the report.
"If revenues necessary to maintain such a military are reduced, the junta's capacity to assault and terrorise the people of Myanmar will diminish," he said. (Reuters)
February
Thailand approves tax breaks for EVs, 'high potential' foreigners
Written by Nur Yasmin
Thailand's cabinet on Tuesday approved tax incentives to promote a shift to electric vehicles (EVs), and to attract "high potential" foreigners to help boost the economy, the finance minister said.
The vehicle tax measures include reducing import duty this year and next by as much as 40% for completely built EVs priced up to 2 million baht ($61,805), and by 20% for those priced between 2 million and 7 million baht.
The government will cut excise tax on imported EVs to 2% from 8%, which is expected to add 7,000 EVs in the first year, Finance minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith told a news conference.
Also approved was the slashing of income tax rates sharply from 35% to 17% for skilled foreign professionals in targeted industries or economic zones, under a previously announced plan to draw a million wealthy foreigners, including pensioners.
The EV scheme for 2022-2025 was approved last week as part of a zero-emission vehicle policy and a goal of ensuring 30% of Thailand's total auto production are EVs by 2030. read more
Thailand is a major regional automaker and typically produces about 2 million regular vehicles per year, for firms that include Toyota (7203.T), Honda (7267.T) and Mitsubishi (7211.T).
Eligible car manufacturers will also receive subsidies of between 70,000 baht and 150,000 baht for each EV and 18,000 baht for electric motorcycles, Arkhom said.
"This is to encourage investment and employment. It's necessary, otherwise we won't be able to keep pace as car manufacturers and others will overtake us," Arkhom said.
The plan to lure foreigners deemed high value seeks to add 1 trillion baht ($31 billion) to domestic spending, boost investment by 800 billion baht and increase tax revenue by 270 billion baht over a five-year period. (Reuters)
February
South Korea says Omicron COVID variant 75% less likely to kill than Delta strain
Written by Nur Yasmin
People infected with the Omicron coronavirus variant are nearly 75% less likely to develop serious illness or die than those who contract the Delta variant, real world data released on Monday by South Korea's health authorities showed.
A study by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) of some 67,200 infections confirmed since December showed the Omicron variant's severity and death rates averaged 0.38% and 0.18%, respectively, compared with 1.4% and 0.7% for the Delta cases.
The KDCA classed severe cases as people who were hospitalised in intensive care units.
Around 56% of 1,073 people who died over the past five weeks were either unvaccinated or had received only one dose, the study showed, with people aged 60 or older accounting for 94% of deaths.
More than 86% of South Korea's 52 million population have been double vaccinated and nearly 60% have received a booster shot.
South Korea had kept cases and deaths relatively low thanks to widespread social distancing measures and aggressive testing and tracing.
The Omicron variant has led to a surge in cases - daily new infections topped a record 100,000 last week - but authorities have pushed ahead with slightly easing social distancing rules amid the lower fatality rate and ahead of a presidential election next month.
Contact tracing and mandatory isolation for vaccinated people was scrapped in favour of self diagnosis and at-home treatment to free up medical resources. Among changes to strict curfews, restaurants will be open for an extra hour for groups of up to eight diners, up from six. read more
The long-running curfews have emerged as a political hot potato ahead of the election, with small business owners urging them to be lifted while some experts warn of likely strain on the medical system. read more
The KDCA said Omicron became the dominant variant in the third week of January and up to 90% of new cases were Omicron by the first week of February.
The KDCA reported 99,444 new cases for Monday, bringing total infections to 2,157,734, with 7,508 deaths. (Reuters)
February
U.S. former top diplomat Pompeo, sanctioned by China, to visit Taiwan
Written by Nur Yasmin
Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, placed under sanctions by China when he left office at the end of the Trump presidency last year, will visit Taiwan next week and meet President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's government said on Monday.
Taiwan's foreign ministry said Pompeo and his wife would visit the Chinese-claimed island from March 2-5, and also meet Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and give a speech at a think-tank.
"Former Secretary of State Pompeo is a long-term and staunch friend of Taiwan and made outstanding contributions to promoting Taiwan-U.S. relations during his time in office," the ministry said in a statement. His visit shows the bipartisan "rock solid" U.S. support for Taiwan and the close Taiwan-U.S. friendship, it added.
The Donald Trump administration gave strong backing to Taiwan, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, including high profile arms sales and visits of top U.S. officials to Taipei.
China put sanctions on "lying and cheating" Pompeo and 27 other top Trump-era officials as President Joe Biden took officein January 2021.
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin noted that Pompeo had been sanctioned by China due to his "anti-China actions". Taiwan will only "get burned" in its attempts to solicit support from the United States for its independence, he told reporters.
China has stepped up its military and diplomatic pressure against Taiwan over the past two years seeking to force the island to accept its sovereignty.
Taiwan's government says it wants peace but will defend itself if attacked, and that only the island's people have the right to decide their future.
Separately, Wang also announced sanctions on U.S. companies Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) and Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTX.N) over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, at least the third time it has announced punishments against the firms. (Reuters)
February
Amid row over hijab, India's home minister says he prefers school uniforms
Written by Nur Yasmin
India's home minister said he favoured students wearing uniforms in school rather than any religious attire, but that his position might change once a court decides on the merits of a ban on the hijab in schools in the state of Karnataka.
The ban imposed by Karnataka on Feb. 5 has sparked protests by Muslim students and parents, and counter-protests by Hindu students, forcing authorities to close schools there earlier this month.
Muslims, who form about 13% of India's 1.35 billion population, have denounced the curbs on the hijab - traditional attire worn by Muslim women which covers the hair and neck - as another sign of their marginalisation in the mainly Hindu country. read more
Home Minister Amit Shah, India's most powerful politician after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, told the Network18 Group in an interview to be aired on Monday night that he would accept any court verdict on the matter.
"It is my personal belief that people of all religions should accept the school's dress code," Shah said.
"Ultimately, it has to be decided whether the country will function on the Constitution or whims. My personal belief only remains until the court makes a decision. And once the court makes a decision, then I should accept it, and everyone should accept it."
Karnataka is ruled by Modi and Shah's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, whose leaders have invoked the hijab dispute at election rallies in some northern states voting in phases.
Karnataka's advocate-general, Prabhuling Navadgi, told the High Court there that those challenging the decision had not been able to prove that wearing the hijab was an essential religious practice. Further hearings will continue on Tuesday.
The petitioners, including a dozen Muslim female students, earlier told the court that wearing the hijab was a fundamental right guaranteed under India's constitution and an essential practice of Islam.
Karnataka's move has led to protests in some other parts of the country and drawn criticism from the United States and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. (Reuters)
February
Euro rises as Russia says still open to diplomacy
Written by Nur Yasmin
The euro rose on Tuesday versus the dollar, after earlier falling to its lowest in more than a week, as traders hoped a war in Ukraine will be avoided after a Kremlin spokesperson said Moscow remained open to diplomacy.
Following Russian President Vladimir Putin's orders for the deployment of troops in two breakaway regions in Ukraine, the euro fell to an eight-day low versus the dollar .
At 1250 GMT, the euro rose 0.4% to $1.1352 after reports the Kremlin hoped Russia's recognition of two breakaway Ukrainian regions as independent would help restore calm and that Russia would recognise the current boundaries of the breakaway regions. read more
The euro also briefly rose versus the risk sensitive Swedish krona to hit its highest level since May 2020, and climbed 0.6% against the Swiss franc to 1.0422, after falling overnight to an one-month low of 1.033 versus the safe-haven currency.
Rising risk aversion amid a gas price surge and worries around a potential war in Ukraine have sent the euro one-month volatility to its highest in 15 months, with the West vowing sanctions in response to Putin's troops in Ukraine. read more
"Although there is already a lot of bad news baked into the price, tensions in Ukraine have the capacity to push EUR/CHF back to the recent 1.03 low," said Jane Foley, head of FX strategy, at Rabobank in London.
She added that the surge in European gas prices and the rise in concerns over Russian supplies to the region poses a risk to growth in Europe. That has the potential to significantly impact the timing of European Central Bank policy tightening plans, Foley said.
Another safe haven, the U.S. dollar , edged 0.2% lower at 95.938 against a basket of currencies including the euro, as investors await further developments in the crisis.
After touching a one-month low versus the dollar, the risk sensitive Norwegian crone rose 1.3% versus the dollar to 8.9 lifted by rising energy prices.
Also lending some support to the euro, a survey showed the business climate in Germany rose more than expected to 98.9 this month, from an upwardly revised 96.5 in January despite energy concerns related to Ukraine.
The U.S. and its European allies are poised to announce sanctions against Russia on Tuesday. read more
Cryptocurrencies were also under pressure, with bitcoin dropping to an almost three-week low of $36,347. (Reuters)
February
Will a presidential election mark the end of South Korea's tattoo taboos?
Written by Nur Yasmin
Doy, one of South Korea's most famous tattoo artists having inked the likes of Brad Pitt, just wants to practice his craft without fear of going to jail or hefty fines.
South Korea is the sole developed country in the world where tattooing is considered a procedure that only medical professionals are capable of legally performing.
That leaves almost all of the country's 50,000 tattoo artists at the mercy of potential police raids and prosecution, facing fines of up to 50 million won ($42,000) as well as prison terms, in theory as much as life.
Doy, who like many fellow tattooists practises from a modest building with no signage, was himself fined 5 million won ($4,180) last year after a video of him inking a popular Korean actress went viral. The 43-year-old has appealed the ruling. A survey conducted by the union of 650 tattoo artists Doy leads has also found six cases since last April of artists being sentenced to jail - usually for two years.
But change could well be on its way.
Over the last 10 years, tattoos have become increasingly popular among young South Koreans. BTS band member Jungkook famously has several and while tattoos are usually covered up on TV, celebrities have not been reticent about showing them off on social media. At the same time, appreciation for "K-tattoos", often distinguished by fine-line drawing, intricate detail and bold use of colour, has grown at home and abroad.
That has not escaped the attention of the ruling party's candidate for the March 9 presidential election, Lee Jae-myung. In a move seen as courting young voters, Lee last month said it made no sense for the industry to be illegal, noted it was worth an estimated $1 billion and promised to back bills now pending in parliament to legalise tattooing.
"I'm really grateful for the pledge. It's probably the best artistic inspiration that tattooists have had recently," Doy, whose real name is Kim Do-yoon, said at his parlour.
Lee currently trails Yoon Suk-yeol from the conservative main opposition People Power Party, 34% to 41%, according to a public opinion poll by Gallup Korea. Yoon's party has not yet decided its position on traditional tattoos but supports legalising so-called cosmetic tattoos, which are semi-permanent and popular in South Korea for enhancing eyebrows, eyelines and hairlines.
Ahn Cheol-soo, a third candidate with 11% support who has had his eyebrows tattooed to look bushier, has not announced his position on the matter.
Public support for legalising the industry appears to be growing.
According to a Gallup Korea poll last year, 81% of South Koreans in their 20s and about 60% of those in their 30s and 40s are in favour of legalisation.
About 3 million people in South Korea have at least one tattoo and if semi-permanent cosmetic tattoos are counted that rises to 13 million, according to a 2018 estimate by a local medical device maker the Standard.
But for many of South Korea's older generation, tattoos are associated with gangs and go against the Confucian belief that altering the human body means disrespect to one's parents.
The country's main medical group, which contends tattooing with needles is an "invasive" procedure that can damage the body, also opposes legalisation.
"Except for like covering scars, from a medical perspective, I think tattooing through needles is self-harm, not an expression of freedom," Hwang Ji-hwan, a dermatologist and an advisor at the Korean Medical Association, told Reuters.
"We are trying to protect the public's health," he said.
Doy said many of his colleagues have already left to work overseas, some applying for an artist visa to the United States.
"Our country could have managed the industry better and grown it to add value to the economy. But it feels like we may have lost that timing so it is extremely sad," he said. (Reuters)
February
World Court to open jurisdiction hearings in Myanmar genocide case
Written by Nur YasminThe World Court is to hear arguments on Monday in a case brought against Myanmar demanding that the country halt alleged acts of genocide against its Rohingya Muslim minority.
The jurisdictional hearing by the U.N. court carries additional significance because of concerns over who the Southeast Asian country has sent to represent it.
The ruling junta, which took power in February 2021 and has not been recognised by the U.N. General Assembly, has appointed an eight-member team that includes Attorney General Thida Oo.
Rights groups and overseas representatives of Myanmar's parallel civilian National Unity Government (NUG) fear that the hearing, which will deal with events that took place before the coup, could give the junta some diplomatic legitimacy. read more
But the court, formally known as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), determined the hearing could proceed as planned. read more
Monday's hearing concerns whether the court actually has jurisdiction over the case, a decision that could take months to reach.
The case was brought in 2019 by Gambia, a predominantly Muslim African country, backed by the 57-nation Organisation for Islamic Cooperation.
Gambia sued Myanmar for alleged violation of the Genocide Convention, citing events in 2017 when more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar into neighbouring Bangladesh after a military-led crackdown. A U.N. fact-finding mission concluded that the military campaign had included "genocidal acts."
Myanmar's then leader Aung San Suu Kyi attended preliminary hearings in the case in 2019 the Hague, denying genocide had taken place and arguing the court did not have jurisdiction. She has been in detention in Myanmar since the coup.
In a 2020 decision, the court ordered Myanmar to take measures to protect the Rohingya from harm, given the urgency of the matter.
Should the court rule that it has jurisdiction to hear the case, a decision on the merits of Gambia's allegation could take years more to reach. (Reuters)
February
Myanmar junta urges ASEAN envoy not to engage with 'terrorist' groups
Written by Nur Yasmin
Myanmar's military government has criticised calls for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' special envoy to the conflict-torn country to meet bodies that oppose last year's coup, which the junta has declared as "terrorist" groups.
With little sign of the junta implementing a five-point peace plan agreed upon with ASEAN last year, which included an immediate end to hostilities and letting a special envoy facilitate dialogue, growing divisions have emerged in the 10-member bloc over how to restore stability. read more
After last Thursday's ASEAN foreign ministers meeting, Indonesia said it was crucial for the envoy to meet all parties in the conflict, with Malaysia calling for talks with the National Unity Government (NUG), a group made up of members of the ousted administration and other junta opponents. read more
"The ministry notes that while some deliberations were constructive on the implementation of the five-point consensus, two members have suggested special envoy to engage with unlawful associations and terrorist groups," Myanmar's ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement.
In its first public response to last week's ASEAN meeting, the ministry said suggesting the envoy engage with such groups was "not only contrary to the principles of the ASEAN charter but also undermine ASEAN's counter-terrorism efforts."
Representatives from the military-controlled government haven't been invited to ASEAN meetings since late last year.
Myanmar has been in crisis since the military overthrew an elected government a year ago, with more than 1,500 civilians killed in a crackdown against junta opponents, according to figures cited by a Thai-based activists group.
The military, which has disputed the death tally, is also fighting on multiple fronts with armed pro-democracy groups in the countryside and ethnic minority forces.
Zin Mar Aung, the NUG's foreign minister, welcomed the call by Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Saifuddin Abdullah, for the special envoy Prak Sokhonn to meet with NUG.
In a message on Twitter, Zin Mar Aung thanked Saifuddin for his "strong support to find a solution on Myanmar and his clear message to the special envoy".
Prak Sokhonn, Cambodia's foreign minister, has said engaging with the NUG was complicated because of the junta's objections, though said the envoy could act as a "bridge".
He said his predecessor as ASEAN envoy was unable to visit Myanmar because of preconditions by some ASEAN members that the ruling generals found unacceptable.
Those included access to Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the elected government ousted in last year's coup. Suu Kyi is on trial accused of multiple crimes. (Reuters)