DPRK
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1. DPRK Nationals in PRC
The ROK government and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) continue to make protests to the PRC government over the deportation of seven DPRK nationals whom the UNHCR classified as refugees. The PRC maintains that the seven are simply illegal immigrants undeserving of any special status.
“DPRK Nationals in PRC, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 19.”
“DPRK Nationals in PRC, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 18.”
“DPRK Refugees in PRC, NAPSNet Daily Report (US), January 14.”
“DPRK Refugees in PRC, NAPSNet Daily Report (ROK), January 14.” |
2. DPRK Diplomacy
In the wake of Italy’s decision to normalize relations with the DPRK, US Special Envoy Charles Kartman and DPRK Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan were scheduled to begin a new round of talks in Berlin this coming weekend. A main focus of the talks will be arranging for the visit of a senior DPRK official to Washington. Analysts commented on the reasons for this increase in the DPRK’s diplomatic activity.
“Making up Lost Ground, Pyongyang Reaches Out”
“Italy Brings North Korea Out of Isolation”
“DPRK-US Talks, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 19 ”
“DPRK Diplomacy, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 19” |
ROK-PRC
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3. PRC Defense Minister’s ROK Visit
PRC Defense Minister Chi Haotian Traveled to the ROK this week, becoming the first PRC Defense Minister to do so since the Korean War. Scott Snyder of the Asia Foundation discusses improved ROK- PRC ties in Pacific Forum’s Comparative Connections.
“Deepening Intimacy and Increased Economic Exchange”
“ROK-PRC Military Relations, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 21”
“PRC Defense Minister’s ROK Visit, NAPSNet Daily Report (US), January 20”
“PRC Defense Minister’s Visit to ROK, NAPSNet Daily Report (PRC), January 20”
“PRC Defense Minister’s ROK Visit, NAPSNet Daily Report (US), January 19”
“PRC Defense Minister’s Visit to ROK, NAPSNet Daily Report (ROK), January 19”
“PRC Defense Minister’s ROK Visit, NAPSNet Daily Report (US), January 18”
“PRC Defense Minister’s ROK Visit, (ROK), January 18” |
4. ROK-PRC-Japan Relations
A STRATFOR special report argued that, while the ROK, the PRC, and Japan are enjoying good relations, they will eventually find themselves competing for influence in the region as Asian nations pull themselves away from Western influence.
“China, Japan and South Korea: A Marriage of Convenience” |
PRC-Japan
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5. PRC-Japan Relations
The PRC on January 18 condemned a planned rally in Osaka by Japanese groups that deny that Japanese troops massacred civilians in Nanjing during World War II. James Przystup notes that the PRC and Japan have been increasing high-level visits in an attempt to manage a crucial yet difficult relationship.
“A Search for Understanding”
“Obuchi Keen to Assert Tokyo’s Role in Region”
“Japanese Atrocities in World War II, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 20” |
Taiwan Straits
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6. Cross-Straits Relations
The PRC repeated its warning to Taiwan presidential candidates not to declare independence in case of victory in the upcoming elections. A group of US senators visited Taiwan and met with President Lee Teng-hui, who explained the meaning behind his “two states” theory of cross-Straits relations.
“Global Trends Help Shape Cross-Strait Relations”
“Dealing With the China-Taiwan Puzzle”
“Chen Shui-Bian Will Not Declare Taiwan’s Independence If Elected”
“Taiwan Elections, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 21”
“Taiwan Elections, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 18”
“Cross-Straits Relations, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 18”
“Across-Taiwan Straits Relations, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 20” |
7. Taiwan Military
Taiwan completed the last two of its 130 domestically produced fighter jets. Analysts discussed the balance of military power across the Taiwan Straits, while Michael Swaine of the Rand Corporation analyzed Taiwan’s weapons procurement policy.
“The China-Taiwan Military Balance”
“The Military Balance Across the Taiwan Strait”
“Taiwan Arms Procurement, Nuclear Policy Flash”
“US Arms Sales to Taiwan, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 21”
“Taiwan Military Development, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 14” |
PRC-South Asia
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8. PRC-Pakistan Relations
On January 18, Pakistan Chief Executive Musharraf traveled to Beijing and met with several PRC officials, including President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji. The two sides discussed mutual cooperation and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
“Pakistan-China Relations, South Asia Nuclear Dialogue”
“PRC-Pakistani Relations, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 20” |
Japan-South Asia
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9. India-Japan Relations
Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes traveled to Japan for a five-day visit during which he reached an agreement with Japanese officials to begin a dialogue on security issues. Fernandes also asked that Japanese sanctions against India be lifted.
“India-Japan Relations, South Asian Nuclear Dialogue” |
South Asian Nuclear Issues
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10. India-Pakistan Adherence to CTBT
Both India and Pakistan reiterated their support for eventually signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), while US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott gave an interview to the Hindu newspaper on the US position toward India’s nuclear weapons.
“India: Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, South Asia Nuclear Dialogue”
“Pakistan: Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, South Asia Nuclear Dialogue”
“South Asia: Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, Nuclear Policy Flash”
“India’s and Pakistan’s Policy toward CTBT, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 21” |
US Missile Defense
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11. Anti-Missile Test
In a test of the US anti-ballistic missile system on January 18, the “kill vehicle” failed to hit a dummy nuclear warhead. Some analysts questioned whether an earlier test had been as successful as originally reported. The PRC reiterated its objections to US missile defense plans.
“Point Paper on Ballistic Missile Defense”
“Deployment of National Missile Defense, Nuclear Policy Flash ”
“Theater Missile Defense, Nuclear Policy Flash ”
“US Missile Defense, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 21”
“US Anti-Missile Test, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 20”
“US Missile Defense Test, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 19”
“US Anti-Missile Test, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 18”
“PRC View of US Missile Defense, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 20”
“PRC View of US Missile Defense, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 19”
“PRC View of US Missile Defense, NAPSNet Daily Report, January 14”
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