Philippines Sign-off on Australian Troops

Published on Jul 27, 2012 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — At first glance Australia and The Philippines are distant neighbors with similar trade dominated interests in the Pacific but their relationship could hardly be described as close. Nevertheless they both stand as long-term allies of the United States and that carries its own responsibilities. Earlier this week, The Philippines senate, amid heightened territorial conflicts with China, ratified an accord after four years of considerations that would allow Australian soldiers to train with the Filipino military inside the country. Supporters say the agreement will bolster defense in The Philippines which has struggled against a show of military muscle by China around the resource-rich disputed islands in the seas and international shipping lanes which divide The Philippines, Vietnam,....

Indonesia Capitalizes on ASEAN Split

Published on Jul 26, 2012 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — The sidelines of the recent ASEAN ruckus offered a rare glimpse of the political and trading bloc grasping for diplomatic straws. Their failure to produce a closing statement at the summit, a first in its 45 year history, was only redeemed by some fast moving last minute footwork from the Indonesians. A six point document was released recently which reaffirmed in general terms the “ASEAN way” in dispute resolution, in particular with China in the resource-rich South China Sea, also known as the West Philippine Sea and the East Sea in Vietnam. Neither The Philippines nor Vietnam agreed with the statement. Read more in The Diplomat. .

Beijing’s Cash Bid in Taiwan

Published on Jul 23, 2012 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT —  China is finding that it may not need to threaten or invade this diplomatically isolated island, which it considers a rogue province. It’s doing just fine buying influence from the inside out. But a decision by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office earlier this month to offer $95 billion in loans to Taiwanese firms looking to set up shop in the Middle Kingdom hasn’t gone down well with some observers. Read more from Cain Nunns in the Global Post.  .

China’s Space Race

Published on Jul 20, 2012 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT —  China’s manual docking of the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft may not be a giant leap for mankind. But the milestone is one solid step further in China’s race to catch the US space and technology program, not to mention its quest to build a space station. Read more in Global Post. .

US Traction in SE Asia

Published on Jul 20, 2012 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — The swing through Southeast Asia by Hilary Clinton allowed the United States’ Secretary of State to champion the impoverished and oppressed and challenge China whose overbearing reach is causing political convulsions in the region. She put relations with Laos on a firmer footing, becoming America’s highest ranked diplomat to visit the country in 57 years. Clinton then pushed Vietnam to play a greater regional role, while later in Burma she capitalized on an easing in U.S. sanctions, winning applause from business. Read more in The Diplomat. .