Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by nasi lemak 20 sen

US gonna ignite fight near Taiwan soon

nasi lemak 20 sen — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 02:16:16 +0800

It looks like the US is baiting China into taking action.

Without war, the US cannot live in peace. So evil.

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West escalating relations with China before Olympics cannot be ruled out - expert

> In addition, Director of the Russian International Affairs Council did not rule out the possibility of a demonstration of military power in the South China Sea, in the Taiwan Strait by the United States or its partners.

MOSCOW, January 15. /TASS/. The aggravation of relations between the West and China before the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing in February should not be ruled out, Director of the Russian International Affairs Council Andrey Kortunov told TASS.

"Unfortunately, escalation is always possible, including the time before the Olympics," he said.

The expert believes that the United States would seek to expand the list of countries participating in the diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics. "They will try to include as many Asian allies of the United States as possible on this list, thereby demonstrating the existence of some kind of united front opposing China," he added.

According to Kortunov, the confrontation might not be limited to a boycott, and other options are possible. "For example, we can talk about efforts to strengthen military-political cooperation with Taiwan," the analyst explained. "There may be some new cases, episodes related to human rights problems in China or the situation in certain regions of China," he added.

In addition, the expert did not rule out the possibility of a demonstration of military power in the South China Sea, in the Taiwan Strait by the United States or its partners.

Kortunov believes that a diplomatic boycott will not disrupt the upcoming games. "Psychologically it may be uncomfortable for the host, but there will be athletes. Both US athletes and US-allied countries will still come to the Olympics," he added.

The 24th Winter Olympic Games will be held in Beijing on February 4 - 20, 2022.

https://tass.com/politics/1388543

US + Japan stockpile munitions around Taiwan

nasi lemak 20 sen — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 01:13:25 +0800

Don't say people no give warning.

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U.S. and Japan to jointly stockpile munitions, including near Taiwan

NEW YORK -- The U.S. and Japan are discussing stockpiling munitions in each other's defense facilities across Japan, including islands in Taiwan's vicinity, to prepare for contingencies, Nikkei has learned.

The issue of joint usage of facilities was discussed in last week's two-plus-two meeting of foreign and defense ministers. The ministers "committed to increase joint/shared use of U.S. and Japanese facilities, including efforts to strengthen Japan Self-Defense Forces' posture in areas including its southwestern islands," the sides said in a statement after the meeting.

Joint use of facilities includes the stockpiling of munitions and shared use of runways, according to a source familiar with the talks. "There was progress on this issue so it was written into the joint statement," the person said.

The southwestern islands, or Nansei Islands in Japanese, are a chain that stretches from the southernmost tip of Kyushu to the north of Taiwan. If realized, the allies would have stockpiles of munitions that can quickly be deployed and replenished in Taiwan's immediate neighborhood. The westernmost of the Nansei Islands, Yonaguni, lies 108 km from the east coast of Taiwan.

The U.S. military has relied heavily on precision-guided munitions in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as battling groups like the Islamic State. Combined with budget cuts, this has led to a shortage of munitions in the army, navy and air force.

Precision-guided munitions are also expected to play a pivotal role in any potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait. With an accuracy reportedly less than 3 meters, precision-guided munitions are seen as vital to breaking China's anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategy, which seeks to keep American and allied forces out of the East and South China seas.

"Are there sufficient stockpiles of precision-guided munitions?" Jeffrey Hornung, a senior political scientist at Rand Corp., said. "Most critically, are the precision-guided munitions stockpiles located where the allies need them?"

For a Taiwan operation, "there is a need to ensure that stockpiles are established to support not just the initial onset of operations, but the subsequent forces flowing into Japan from the continental United States and Hawaii," he said.

The types of munitions that the U.S. military fears could fall short include Joint Air-to-Surface Strike Munition (JASSM), a 4.3 meter-long missile that can be carried on B-1 and B-52 bombers, Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) that is carried by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) that is designed to target enemy air defenses.

These three types of munition "are being procured in relatively small quantities, given their potential use rates in a high-intensity conflict scenario, along with the time it would take for replacement spent munitions once initial inventories are exhausted," a Congressional Research Service report warned in June.

Defense budget cuts have affected procurement. In fiscal 2018, the U.S. military acquired 68,800 munitions for $4.6 billion. In fiscal 2021, that was down to 39,500 munitions for $3.8 billion. The fiscal 2022 budget request saw 16,700 munitions for $3.1 billion, according to a separate CRS report.

Japan, for its part, has been strengthening munitions quality, such as extending the range of its Type 12 anti-ship cruise missile to 900 km from 200 km. But the issue of quantity has taken a back seat.

Last week's U.S.-Japan two-plus-two was the first such meeting since March and was the first under Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who took the post in October. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi met virtually with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The two allies agreed to cooperate on research to counter game-changing new abilities such as hypersonic missiles, which are hard to intercept with traditional missile defense capabilities.

One new area of joint research that was added to the two-plus-two talks was directed energy, which damages targets with highly focused energy, such as laser weapons. Seen as a crucial technology to shoot down drones and incoming missiles, "directed energy could also replace munitions and solve the shortage issue," the source said.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Internatio...ing-near-Taiwan

No spare parts for China made JF-17 fighter jet

nasi lemak 20 sen — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 07:38:48 +0800

Well, luckily Malaysia skipped this scam jet. Really pakai buang type like cheapo smartphone.

Like AleuNe said: CCP brag like KNN, ended like KNN

List of recent upcars CCP products:

see-no-vac
JF-17 fighter jet
Hong Meng
Huawei M5

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Shoddy JF-17 fighters throw doubt on quality of Chinese-made jets

> Amid PLAAF incursions into Taiwan's ADIZ, Pakistan shows hidden weaknesses of Chinese military aircraft

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — According to China’s state media narrative, the country’s modern aircraft are the best in the world, yet Pakistan’s experience with the Chinese-made JF-17 tells a different story.

As China continues to conduct sorties into Taiwan’s ADIZ, it is worth noting the many structural issues that have dogged this weapons platform. Considering the headaches it has caused makes it clear the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) would have been better off staying with U.S.-made aircraft — the kind Taiwan is equipped with.

The first images of Pakistan’s new mass-produced JF-17 Thunder (Block III) have surfaced in recent days. The new version is hoped to be a radical departure from the clunky earlier JF-17 models, yet questions hang over the extent of its supposed upgrades.

The JF-17 has a checkered history that started in 1999 when Islamabad and Beijing signed an agreement to jointly develop and produce the aircraft. Pakistani leaders envisaged a low-cost, lightweight, all-weather multi-role fighter, something akin to the Russian Su-30MKI or the French Mirage 2000. The reality fell well short of their high hopes.

Since its operational induction in 2009, downings have been all too common. In 2012, Pakistani media recorded a string of 12 crashes over 18 months, among which were several JF-17s. In August last year, another newly built dual seat model crashed only a year after being made and 96 hours of flight time, according to Pakistani newspaper Dawn.

Though the PAF has brought over 100 JF-17 Block Is and Block IIs into active service, due to a shortage of spare parts , approximately 40 aircraft are not airworthy, per reports. Though most parts are sourced from China, some are brought in from several other countries which have complicated maintenance.

The engine of the JF-17 is the Russian-made RD-93, which has caused repeated failures. A large number of engines have reportedly experienced cracks in guide vanes, exhaust nozzles, and flame stabilizers.

The shoddy engines are also hard to replace, in part due to U.S. sanctions on the Russian supplier agency, which has caused complications with dollar-denominated transactions. The engine cannot be directly sourced by Pakistan from the OEM or further exported by it.

The KLJ-7 radar undergirds JF-17 avionics (or “aviation electronics”), but it consistently exhibits below-grade performance and has been plagued by several operational issues since the beginning of the JF-17 project. Despite China’s Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology recommending retrofitting, the radar continues to experience a high failure rate.

Pakistan hopes the latest model — the Block III — will finally pull the platform out of its technical funk. The engine, at least, is expected to get an upgrade, with either an RD-93MA (an upgrade of the RD-93) or a Chinese WS-13 engine.

However, the latest images show no visible changes to the exterior of the engine, suggesting it is probably fitted with the Klimov RD-93MA or even the same legacy RD-93, though this has yet to be confirmed. Regardless of how it performs, if it is a Russian engine again, serviceability will continue to dog the platform in the future.

Thankfully for Pakistan, they have American planes in their hangers too. U.S.-made F-16s have been in service of the PAF since 1981 which, unlike the JF-17, has helped Pakistani pilots win several dog fights over the years, according to National Interest. The latest example was the downing of an Indian fighter in 2019, per reports.

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4407542

GG China. US lays out legal aspects before SCS war

nasi lemak 20 sen — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 22:19:39 +0800

Guys, it's getting closer. War is coming.

Hide Your Daughters Hide Your Wives 🤭 🤭 🤭

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U.S. lays out case against 'unlawful' China maritime claims

Washington – The United States on Wednesday laid out its most detailed case yet against Beijing’s “unlawful” claims in the South China Sea, rejecting both the geographic and historic bases for its vast, divisive map 🤭.

In a 47-page research paper, the State Department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs said China had no basis under international law 🤣 for claims that have put Beijing on a collision course with the Philippines, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian nations.

“The overall effect of these maritime claims is that the PRC unlawfully claims sovereignty or some form of exclusive jurisdiction over most of the South China Sea,” the paper said, referring to the People’s Republic of China.

“These claims gravely undermine the rule of law in the oceans and numerous universally recognized provisions of international law reflected in the Convention,” it said, referring to a 1982 U.N. treaty on the law of the sea ratified by China — but not the United States.

Releasing the study, a State Department statement called again on Beijing “to cease its unlawful and coercive activities in the South China Sea 🤭.”

China hit back Thursday, claiming the report “distorts international law and misleads the public. ”

“The U.S. refuses to sign the treaty but portrays itself as a judge and wantonly distorts the treaty,” said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin at a briefing.

“In seeking its own selfish interests it uses multiple standards to carry out political manipulation.”

The paper is an update of a 2014 study that similarly disputed the so-called “nine-dash line” that forms the basis for much of Beijing’s stance.

In 2016, an international court sided with the Philippines in its complaints over China’s claims.

Beijing replied by offering new justifications, including saying that China had “historic rights” over the area.

The State Department paper said that such historical-based claims had “no legal basis” and that China had not offered specifics.

It also took issue with geographic justifications for China’s claims, saying that more than 100 features Beijing highlights in the South China Sea are submerged by water during high tide and therefore are “beyond the lawful limits of any state’s territorial sea.”

Beijing cites such geographic features to claim four “island groups,” which the State Department study said did not meet criteria for baselines under the U.N. convention.

The report was issued as the United States increasingly challenges China on the global stage, identifying the rising communist power as its chief long-term threat.

The South China Sea is home to valuable oil and gas deposits and shipping lanes, and Beijing’s neighbors have frequently voiced concern that their giant neighbor was seeking to expand its reach.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/01/1...aritime-claims/

Indonesia sudah marah. Mau tumbuk China

nasi lemak 20 sen — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 13:47:27 +0800

War is coming. ASEAN tiger mau tumbuk-tumbuk.

TLDR:
Indonesia invites Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam to form a team vs China in South China Sea

December 29, 2021

Indonesia has invited officials from five other Southeast Asian nations to meet in February to discuss a possible joint response to China’s persistent assertiveness in the South China Sea.

According to a report yesterday by BenarNews, Vice Adm. Aan Kurnia, the head of Indonesia’s Maritime Security Agency (generally known as Bakamla) told reporters that he’d invited counterparts from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam to a meeting in February 2022 to “share experiences and foster brotherhood.”

Four of the five nations have unresolved maritime and territorial disputes with China, and have experienced the hard edge of its growing naval and maritime power in the South China Sea. The fifth, Singapore, while having no direct territorial stake in the South China Sea, has a similarly strong stake in the preservation of free and open international sea lanes.

While Aan did not refer to China by name – a customary nicety observed by most Southeast Asian governments, who are fearful of disrupting fruitful economic ties with Beijing – he said that it is important for Southeast Asian claimants “to present a coordinated approach” in matters related to the South China Sea, and “how to respond in the field when we face the same ‘disturbance,'” Bakamla

Over the past decade, the Southeast Asian claimants, the Philippines and Vietnam in particular, have experienced increasing friction with China, as Beijing has asserted its sovereignty over disputed areas of the South China Sea and constructed artificial islands on features in the Spratly Islands.

These assertive actions have also come increasingly to target Indonesia, which has long maintained that it is not a legal claimant in the South China Sea. Over the past five years, China has sent fishing large fishing boats, often accompanied by coast guard and maritime militia vessels, into Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near the Natuna islands, which Beijing claims as part of its expansive “nine-dash line” maritime claim. In December 2019 and January 2020, for instance, nearly 60 vessels crossed into Indonesia’s EEZ .

In the last few months of 2021, the two nations have engaged in a low-level stand-off over an oil rig prospecting near the Natuna islands inside Indonesia’s EEZ. As I noted last month, this culminated in Beijing formally requesting that Jakarta to stop drilling for oil and gas in the area , a demand that was met with a curt refusal on the part of the Indonesian government, which successfully wrapped up the six-month drilling project last week.

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https://thediplomat.com/2021/12/indonesia-s...a-sea-disputes/

Kelantan MB: We're ready for bigger floods

nasi lemak 20 sen — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 19:42:09 +0800

Kelantan ready to face bigger floods, says MB

KOTA BARU, Dec 24 — The Kelantan government is prepared to face the eventuality of a bigger flood in the state, said Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob.

He said Kelantan would use its experience in handling the “land tsunami” which hit the state in 2014 to deal with the situation if the state were to face a similar flood situation currently facing Selangor and Pahang.

“The floods that occurred in Selangor and Pahang were unexpected...it remind us of the major floods that occurred in Kelantan in 2014.

“As such, the state government, through the relevant agencies, is making preparation for the possibility of bigger floods following the latest weather forecast,” he said after flagging-off the Kelantan Flood Relief Mission (Khidmat Malaysia) to Pahang at Kota Darul Naim here today.

A total of 1,500 volunteers from various state government agencies were involved in the relief mission to assist flood victims in Pahang.

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...says-mb/2030824

SK ex-President, jailed for corruption, is pardon

nasi lemak 20 sen — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 14:34:01 +0800

SKorea ex-President Park, jailed for corruption, is pardoned

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Friday he will pardon his chief conservative rival and predecessor, Park Geun-hye, who is serving a lengthy prison term for bribery and other crimes.

Moon’s government said the pardon is meant to overcome past divisions and promote national unity in the face of difficulties brought by the pandemic. Some analysts say Moon may want to ease a burden stemming from Park’s health problems, or even use her to split the opposition ahead of March presidential elections.

“We should move into a new era by getting over the pains of the past. It’s time to boldly pull together all our strengths for the future rather than fighting against each other while being preoccupied with the past,” Moon said in remarks released by his office.

“In the case of former President Park, we considered the fact that her health condition has deteriorated a lot after serving nearly five years in prison,” he said.

The Justice Ministry said the 69-year-old Park was among 3,094 people who are to be pardoned on Dec. 31.

Park has been treated in a civilian hospital since last month, from where she will be released, the ministry said. Officials refused to elaborate on Park’s health, but local media said has been suffering from lumbar disc, a shoulder injury and dental problems as well as immense mental stress.

Park, a daughter of the slain dictator, Park Chung-hee, was once the darling of conservatives in South Korea. Dubbed by local media as “the queen of elections,” she clinched victory as South Korea’s first female president in late 2012. She was propelled by conservatives who celebrate her father as a hero who pulled the country up from post-war poverty despite his suppression of civil rights.

In the 2012 election, she beat Moon by a million votes.

She was impeached by lawmakers in late 2016, and was formally removed from office and arrested the following year over an explosive corruption scandal that prompted months of massive street protests.

In January, South Korea’s Supreme Court upheld her 20-year prison term. She could have served a combined 22 years behind bars because she was separately convicted of meddling in her party’s nominations ahead of parliamentary elections in 2016.

Park has described herself as a victim of political revenge. She has refused to attend her trials since October 2017.

Among the main charges she faced was collusion with her longtime confidante, Choi Soon-sil, to take millions of dollars in bribes and extortion money from some of the country’s largest business groups, including Samsung, while she was in office.

She was succeeded by Moon, a liberal who easily won a special presidential by-election while the conservatives were in disarray amid fierce internal feuding over Park’s ouster.

Moon’s single five-year term ends in May, after the March election. Recent survey polls show candidates from the governing and conservative opposition parties neck and neck.

It wasn’t immediately clear how Park’s pardon would affect voter sentiment. It could cause a backlash from the liberals, but some observers say it may also rekindle a division in the opposition camp.

“Even if the presidential Blue House may have impure intentions to influence the results of the presidential election with the pardon of ex-President Park Geun-hye, it’s something that we opposition forces should address,” Kim Jae-won, a senior member of the People Power Party, wrote on Facebook. “United we stand and divided we fall.”

Almost all South Korean former presidents, or their family members and key associates, have been mired in scandals near the end of their terms or after they left office.

Park’s father was assassinated by his spy chief in 1979 after a 18-year rule. Moon’s friend and former liberal President Roh Moo-hyun jumped to his death in 2009 amid corruption investigations involving his family.

Two other former presidents, Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, spent time in prison before and while in office, but were later pardoned. Both died this year..

Park’s conservative predecessor, Lee Myung-bak, is serving a 17-year prison term on corruption charges.

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4387284

WW3 news: US, Japan unveils war plan against China

nasi lemak 20 sen — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 08:17:48 +0800

New world order ? The clash of titans is coming.

The time has come for rise of China as world #1. And the US must defend its world #1 crown.

Hope Asteruk got live telecast when they fight.

Japan, U.S. draft operation plan for Taiwan contingency: sources

TOKYO - Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military have drawn up a draft joint operation plan that would enable the setup of an attack base along the Nansei island chain in the country's southwest in the event of a Taiwan contingency, according to Japanese government sources.

Japan and the United States will likely agree to begin work to formalize an operation plan when their foreign and defense chiefs meet in early January under the "two-plus-two" framework, the sources told Kyodo News by Thursday.

The development will likely draw a backlash from China, which regards the self-ruled island of Taiwan as a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Under the draft plan, U.S. Marines will set up a temporary attack base at the initial stage of a contingency on the Nansei Islands, a chain stretching southwest from the Japanese prefectures of Kagoshima and Okinawa toward Taiwan. Okinawa hosts the bulk of U.S. military installations in Japan.

The U.S. military will get support from the SDF to send troops to the islands if a Taiwan contingency appears imminent, the sources said.

Such a deployment, however, would make the islands the target of attack by China's military, putting the lives of residents there at risk. Legal changes would be needed in Japan to realize the plan, the sources said.

Japan's SDF and the U.S. forces have around 40 candidate sites along the Nansei chain, which consists of around 200 islands, including uninhabited ones.

Most of the locations have residents and islands where the SDF has deployed or plans to deploy missile units -- Amami-Oshima, Miyako and Ishigaki near the Senkaku Islands controlled by Japan but claimed by China -- are among the candidates, the sources said.

As longtime security allies, Japan and the United States have been strengthening defense cooperation and boosting the interoperability of the SDF and the U.S. military. They face threats from China's military buildup and assertive moves at sea as well as North Korea's nuclear and missile development.

The U.S. Marine Corps have expeditionary advanced base operation manuals to dispatch Marines in small formations to necessary locations, apparently in view of China's assertive moves.

The Japanese government sources said the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command had proposed to the SDF to create a joint operation plan.

The condition under which the U.S. military will set up a temporary base is when the Japanese government judges that conflict between the Chinese and Taiwanese militaries will undermine the peace and security of Japan, if left as is, the sources said.

In such a scenario, the U.S. military will deploy its high mobility artillery rocket system to a temporary base location while the SDF will be tasked with logistical support by providing ammunition and fuel . To prevent coming under attack, U.S. Marines will change base locations, the sources added.

The United States has been hardening its stance on China as they compete for economic, technological and military superiority. Japan, for its part, has seen its relations with China frayed over history and the Senkakus, a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.

Underscoring heightened vigilance, Japan and the United States stressed in a joint statement the importance of "peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait" when their leaders met in April. It was the first time in half a century for the two nations' leaders to mention Taiwan in a statement.

The United States would come to the aid of Taiwan should China turn to the use of force.

During a Taiwan think-tank event in early December, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said any Taiwan contingency would also be an emergency for Japan and for the Japan-U.S. security alliance.

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/...cy-sources.html

Malaysia to buy 33 F-18 jets

nasi lemak 20 sen — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 17:15:59 +0800

Air Force in process of procuring Kuwaiti fighter jets, Dewan Negara told

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 — The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is currently in the process of procuring a number of F/A-18D (Hornet) fighter jets from Kuwait, the Dewan Negara was told today.

Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz said it would be a “lock, stock and barrel” procurement of 33 Kuwaiti Air Force F/A-18C/D aircraft which were still in good condition and with low operating hours.

”However, this initiative is still waiting for discussions between the two countries or at the Government to Government level. If this initiative is successful, it will definitely increase the level of preparedness and capability of the RMAF in safeguarding the country’s space,” he said during a question and answer session at the Dewan Negara here today.

He was responding to an supplementary question from Senator Datuk Zaiedi Suhaili on the F/A-18D fighter aircraft service life extension programme and whether there were plans to increase the number of the aircraft.

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...ra-told/2030282

Malaysia LCA: India's Tejas wins on technical

nasi lemak 20 sen — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 17:07:13 +0800

You hear this first. Tejas wins on technical evaluations.

Technical fit of new jet fighter critical to nation’s air defence

MALAYSIA sits on an important international gateway along the strategic Straits of Malacca.

It is geographically spread over two land masses, with coastlines snaking 2,905km and separated by 640km of contentious sea to the East and West.

The resulting demand on air capability and power for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) to support maritime surveillance and defend our sovereignty can be extremely arduous.

The RMAF must stay relevant by shaping its defence and fighting capability to ensure threats are effectively deterred and countered where necessary.

It must be equipped adequately in the aspects of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance.

As RMAF evaluates the six international bids which closed Oct 6, the technical features of the jets to meet operational and combat requirements of the air force’s geostrategic needs to defend and protect the Malaysia air space can be very exacting on the aircraft to be acquired.

This relatively high technical threshold requirements for the supply of 18 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the RMAF could narrow the dog-fight to only a couple of select models from the current six who have submitted their bids.

The interested bidders are understood to be Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), which is partnering with local company Kemalak Systems Sdn Bhd to offer the FA 50 jet fighter; Turkey Aerospace Industries, offering its LCA known as Hürjet; China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corp (Catic) with its L-15 fighter jet; Italy’s Leonardo with its M-346 planes; India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd with its Tejas fighter; and Aerospace Technology Systems Corp Sdn Bhd, which is 71.43%-controlled by Tan Sri Ahmad Johan’s National Aerospace and Defence Industries Sdn Bhd (Nadi), 23% by a company called Russian Aircraft and 4.76% by another Russian outfit Rosoboronexport, offering MiG 35 planes.

Interestingly, Pakistan was touted to be a favourite to bag the LCA contract in Malaysia with its JF-17 Thunder fighter jet (JV with China), but it did not participate in the bid.

In this regard, it is not surprising that a key consideration in the 18 LCAs is the requirement for supersonic powered fight jets to cover the wider space with agility and speed as the aircraft may be required to conduct operations in the two theatres simultaneously and at very short notice.

Looking at the submitted bids from the manufacturers, it appears three of the aircrafts may not meet this critical requirement: Italy, Turkey and China.

Given the two extensive operating theatres which the RMAF may be required to manage simultaneously, the long-range deployment will also require the LCA’s air-to-air re-fuelling capability, which, it is speculated, has been found lacking in some of the aircraft offered by the six bidders.

We cannot have a fighter jet that is only able to fly from the peninsula to Sarawak, and unable to continue further or fly back without landing to refuel.

The air-to-air refuelling is essential. Any suggestion to establish a forward base just to cater to the fighter jet’s landing to refuel is a waste of precious resources of time and money.

Building on the two strong technical requirements – supersonic speed and air-to-air refuelling capability – additional key technical capabilities are sought for the LCA by the RMAF.

Based on its tender, the technical requirements include versatility of Fighter Lead-In Trainer/LCA feature, Integrated Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile system and a platform able to conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground missions effectively, with a future maritime strike capability.

Given this, a comprehensive evaluation on merits should point to the Tejas from India having the edge over the Korean FA-50 and Chinese L-15.

The other three jet fighters do not seem to meet the minimum technical requirements.

The technical requirements will no doubt impact on the practical range of weight and cost-effective design and performance of the LCA.

Generally, it is argued that while cost is important a well-designed lightweight fighter is able to match or perform better than a heavier type plane-for-plane in many missions at a lower cost.

The LCAs, which have caught the attention of the RMAF, have varying features and advantages of their own such as weapon system effectiveness, superior manoeuvrability as well as small visual and radar signatures.

The technical features notwithstanding, what will tip the scale is the LCA that offers competitive features with cost-effective design and performance, and a total comprehensive package which the successful supplier is able to offer. This must include the best value palm oil countertrade commitment.

The comprehensive package is expected to cover payment options, RMAF fleet ecosystem fit based on commonality and inter-operability, to double up as lead-in fighter trainers, to cover scope of integrated logistics and all-level maintenance system support as well as scope for transfer of technology and local content requirements.

https://www.thesundaily.my/home/technical-f...fence-YL8683010

After India, TSMC $6.3 billion chip plan in Japan

nasi lemak 20 sen — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 13:18:15 +0800

Securing supplies before war ?

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Japan eyes funding for Taiwan's TSMC to build chip plant

Tokyo - The Japanese government is considering financial support for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to build a chip-making factory, potentially with Sony Group Corp., in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto, sources with knowledge of the matter said Friday.

The aid for the world's largest contract chipmaker, which may be worth several billion U.S. dollars, could be included in a supplementary budget that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida aims to compile by the end of December, underscoring his sharpened focus on the economic dimensions of national security.

The bolstering of supply chains for critical components such as semiconductors has become a pressing issue. Japan has agreed with the United States to step up cooperation in the area as Washington and Beijing compete for a technological edge.

TSMC Chairman Mark Liu said at a shareholders' meeting in July that the goal was to build a plant in Japan. Sony Group already has facilities in Kumamoto for making image sensors used in smartphones.

As a joint factory is expected to benefit both, there has been speculation that the Taiwanese supplier to Apple Inc. and the Japanese conglomerate may work together.

Japan, for its part, has been calling for building a semiconductor manufacturing base in the country amid a global chip crunch, and Kumamoto is now the most likely construction site, government sources said.

If construction goes ahead, it will likely cost between 700 billion yen ($6.3 billion) and 800 billion yen, with the possibility of the government covering around half of the amount by extending financial support, the sources said.

Kishida, a former foreign minister, elected prime minister on Monday, has prioritized economic security and appointed a minister in charge of the issue.

Still, it is rare for the government to help companies, especially those from overseas, pay substantial construction costs and gaining the public's backing for spending several hundred billion yen could prove to be a hurdle.

If a TSMC plant is built, however, this may serve as an incentive for material and chip-related companies to remain in Japan.

Japan's dependence on Taiwan as a supplier of advanced semiconductors is high, and securing future supplies of the essential components is becoming increasingly critical.

Japanese chipmakers used to have a competitive edge but have lost out to Chinese and South Korean rivals over the years.

"We need to promote the construction of manufacturing bases for advanced semiconductors in Japan," Takayuki Kobayashi, minister for economic security, told reporters on Tuesday.

Japan is not alone in seeking to establish robust semiconductor supply chains, with huge sums of money earmarked by the United States, China and the European Union to invest in the key area closely tied to national security.

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, for instance, called for around $50 billion to develop the semiconductor industry while China has some $90 billion worth of funds dedicated for the sector.

Semiconductors are used in a variety of products, from laptops and game consoles to cars. The coronavirus pandemic has led to a spike in demand for chips.

In February, TSMC decided to establish a subsidiary for research and development in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture near Tokyo. In addition, the chip giant has unveiled a plan to invest $100 billion over the next three years to boost production capacity.

...

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/10/...king-plant.html

Taiwan = Japan now. US troops operating in Taiwan

nasi lemak 20 sen — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 12:57:10 +0800

WSJ: US troops operating in Taiwan

A major US newspaper has reported that a US special-operations unit and a contingent of US Marines have been secretly operating in Taiwan for at least a year to train military forces there.

The Wall Street Journal reported the story on Thursday, citing unnamed US officials.

The paper quoted the officials as saying that about two dozen members of US special-operations and support troops are conducting training for small units of Taiwan's ground forces, while the US Marines are working with local maritime forces on small-boat training.

The Wall Street Journal said the deployment is a sign of concern within the Pentagon over Taiwan's tactical capabilities in light of China's yearslong military buildup and recent threatening moves against Taiwan.

A US Defense Department official told NHK that the US is continuing its assistance for Taiwan and defense relations in a bid to counter China's recent threatening activities. But the official declined to elaborate.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211008_19/

Lol China. Now they provoke India in Ladakh

nasi lemak 20 sen — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 09:26:01 +0800

I believe Evergrande and energy crisis in China already made CCP crazy.

They desperately wanted very very big distraction to hid their failure.

*************************************

China-India war brews in Ladakh

LADAKH: India's army chief has said China is sending troops to their disputed border in "considerable numbers," prompting a matching deployment by New Delhi in a development he called a "concern."

Tensions have been high between the nuclear-armed neighbors following a deadly border battle in June last year in the strategically important Galwan River valley in India's Ladakh region, near Tibet.

The world's two most populous nations poured tens of thousands of extra troops into the high-altitude region in the Himalayas after the clash.

Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane told reporters in Ladakh on Saturday that the Chinese troop presence along the 3,500-kilometer (2,200-mile) border had increased in "considerable numbers" and it was a "matter of concern."

Naravane said the Indian military was building up its forces along the border in response.

"We have also inducted advanced weaponry. We are strong, quite well-poised to meet any eventuality," The Times of India newspaper quoted him as saying.

...

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/10/06/news...-ladakh/1817297

Malaysia summons Chinese envoy over EEZ intrusion

nasi lemak 20 sen — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 02:15:22 +0800

Malaysia summons Chinese envoy for second time since June, over vessels in South China Sea

> Ministry of Foreign Affairs says ambassador Ouyang Yujing was summoned on Monday to ‘protest’ presence of Chinese ships in Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone

For the second time this year, Malaysia has summoned the Chinese envoy in the country to protest Beijing’s activities in the disputed South China Sea
, where the Southeast Asian nation has considerable oil and gas fields.

In a four-paragraph statement released late on Monday, the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Chinese ambassador Ouyang Yujing was summoned “to convey Malaysia’s position and protest against the presence and activities of Chinese vessels, including a survey vessel, in Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone off the coasts of Sabah and Sarawak”.

“The presence and activities of these vessels are inconsistent with Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1984, as well as the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos),” the statement said.

It added: “Malaysia’s consistent position and actions are based on international law, in defence of our sovereignty and sovereign rights in our waters. Malaysia had also protested against the previous encroachments by other foreign vessels into our waters.”

...

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/art...ne-over-vessels

Superpower US gonna deliver freedom soon

nasi lemak 20 sen — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 18:18:47 +0800

Fight ! Fight ! Fight !

Sanction ! Sanction ! Sanction !

CNN/Astro got live telecast ?

*************

US urges China to stop 'provocative' military acts

The United States has urged China to stop what it called "provocative" military activities near Taiwan, after China sent close to 100 military aircraft over a three-day period near the island.

The US said the military fly-bys were an incursion, which was destabilising, and undermined regional peace and stability.

China has yet to comment on the activities, although Friday was National Day, to mark the founding of the People's Republic of China.

...

https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1...62-20211004.htm

Taiwan is preparing war against China

nasi lemak 20 sen — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 07:44:42 +0800

Now the Taiwanese side is officially responding to CCP daily provocations.

You have been warned. Faster make your electronic purchases. When they started fighting, maybe very hard to get PC components.

Taiwanese Foreign Minister warns his country is preparing for war with China, asks Australia for help

Taiwan's Foreign Minister warns his nation is preparing for war with China and urges Australia to increase intelligence sharing and security cooperation as Beijing intensifies a campaign of military intimidation.

Dozens of aircraft from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have flown sorties into Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) since Friday, prompting the self-ruled island to scramble its own military jets.

Speaking to the ABC's China Tonight program, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu declared that if the PLA were to launch an actual strike, his democratic state would be ready to repel it.

"The defence of Taiwan is in our own hands, and we are absolutely committed to that," Mr Wu has told the ABC's Stan Grant in an interview to be broadcast on Monday evening.

QUOTE

"If China is going to launch a war against Taiwan we will fight to the end, and that is our commitment."

"I'm sure that if China is going to launch an attack against Taiwan, I think they are going to suffer tremendously as well."

The minister from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party believes other like-minded countries such as Australia should now come to the aid of his besieged nation by developing closer ties.

"We would like to engage in security or intelligence exchanges with other like-minded partners, Australia included, so Taiwan is better prepared to deal with the war situation.

"And so far, our relations with Australia [are] very good and that is what we appreciate", Mr Wu added.

...

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-04/taiw...china/100511294

Malaysia must protest China intrusion

nasi lemak 20 sen — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 22:43:56 +0800

Don’t take South China Sea intrusion lightly, govt told

PETALING JAYA: A former federal minister has called on the government not to take China’s encroachment in the South China Sea lightly as it is a violation of Malaysia’s sovereignty.

In a statement, former communications and multimedia minister Salleh Said Keruak said China’s actions were a clear message that it wants to control the waters of the South China Sea.

“The massive presence of nearly 100 Chinese ships in the waters of the South China Sea, claimed by the Philippines, sends a clear message that China seriously wants to control the area without regard to issues of aggression and regional sovereignty,” he said.

Salleh said Malaysia was not exempted from the effects of Chinese intrusions, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.

“For example, on June 1, the Royal Malaysian Air Force detected a suspicious flight of 16 aircraft from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force approaching the national airspace. Four days later, a Chinese coast guard ship was alleged to be near Beting Patinggi Ali in Sarawak,” he said.

The former Sabah chief minister said such incursions should not be taken lightly and this incident should be a reminder for the country to be always prepared.

Salleh added that China’s actions were a matter of concern and the government should issue a note of protest.

“I see the Chinese government’s actions in demonstrating military strength or dominance in the waters of the South China Sea as a worrying development.

“Malaysia needs to issue a diplomatic note of protest to China and the United Nations over China’s military activities.

“Even the recent decision of the Chinese government to regulate all foreign ships entering the South China Sea by reporting certain details, including cargo loads, to the Chinese maritime authorities will invite a negative reaction,” he said, adding that this matter could still be resolved through diplomatic channels.

Salleh also slammed recent actions by the US that he described as a provocation that threatened the security of Malaysia and the region.

He said despite the good intentions to ensure safe trade routes in the South China Sea, the massive presence of US military vessels and aircraft to conduct “freedom of navigation exercises” was seen as a provocation and security threat for China.

“As a result, China began to respond and subsequently tried to control the waters of the South China Sea by imposing new rules on cargo ships crossing the South China Sea.

...

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...htly-govt-told/

China bully Malaysia ! Sabah DCM want summon China

nasi lemak 20 sen — Sat, 02 Oct 2021 22:55:34 +0800

Protest ‘bullying’ by China, Kitingan tells govt

KUALA LUMPUR: A Sabah MP wants the Malaysian government to send a strong diplomatic protest to Beijing and the United Nations over China’s military activities in the South China Sea.

Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president Jeffrey Kitingan said Malaysia must never bow down to actions that can be termed as bullying by any foreign superpower, including China.

“Malaysia must summon the ambassador of China on this matter immediately. This is a serious encroachment into our territory.

“The government must send a strong diplomatic protest to Beijing and the UN against China’s military activities in the South China Sea,” he said.

The Sabah deputy chief minister also called on the government to immediately request for a UN Security Council meeting in order to find a solution to rising tension in the area, which has been provoked by China’s military presence and activities.

Kitingan has been vocal about China’s military actions in the South China Sea, expressing outrage at its “overt and hostile posturing” following the revelation that 16 Chinese military aircraft flew into Malaysian airspace.

Kitingan did not rule out China’s interest in the rich natural resources in the region as being the motive behind its bullying smaller nations, including Malaysia, particularly Sabah and Sarawak.

“The South China Sea is an international shipping trade route and the waters of the two states are rich in resources like oil and gas,” he said.

He expressed fear that should a military conflict take place involving powerful nations over the South China Sea issue, Sabah, particularly, would feel the effects.

A security pact between the US, the United Kingdom and Australia, known as Aukus, has been established as a response by Western allies to avert China’s dominance in Southeast Asia and beyond, particularly the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, Royal Malaysian Navy deputy chief Vice-Admiral Abdul Rahman Ayob said the encroachment by Chinese vessels into Malaysian waters had been happening since 2013, but noted that such incidents had increased of late.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...gan-tells-govt/

UK universities breaking ties with China

nasi lemak 20 sen — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 18:18:22 +0800

TLDR:

QUOTE

“Reducing and eventually breaking those ties with China is the only way to go,” he said, adding that too many UK universities “turn a blind eye to the spying on their Chinese students”.

Cambridge sets guidelines to reduce overseas engagement risks

> University addresses working with countries that ‘do not share the UK’s commitment to democracy’

The University of Cambridge is to introduce guidance for upholding academic freedom and national security in international agreements, after it came under fire for its links with China.

Vice-chancellor Stephen Toope will on Friday announce the guidelines for students and academics on navigating projects when working with countries that “do not share the UK’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law” amid “rising political tensions”.

The move comes as UK universities struggle to a balance potential exposure to national security threats and authoritarian regimes with a need to develop financial and research ties in countries including China.

In his annual address to the university, Toope, will say today’s “increasingly complex” world “requires more international engagement, not less”, while acknowledging that universities “cannot be naive” about entering into overseas partnerships.

“We cannot ignore geopolitical realities, but nor should we be immobilised by them,” he will say.

“Our new international engagement principles will allow us to pursue impactful research and education with partners across the world — while giving us the confidence that we can do it on our own terms, and in alignment with our values.”

Cambridge came under fire in September over links between senior figures at the Cambridge Centre for Chinese Management, a business research institute, and Huawei, a telecoms company closely linked to the Chinese state.

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith on Thursday said Cambridge was “about the worst offender of all the universities when it comes to dependency on China”, adding that the Chinese state had “hooks” in many institutions.

“Reducing and eventually breaking those ties with China is the only way to go,” he said, adding that too many UK universities “turn a blind eye to the spying on their Chinese students”.

Cambridge said the centre for Chinese management had “never received money from Huawei”.

“It should be of no surprise that individuals whose expertise is Chinese business management would have connections with leading Chinese companies free to operate in the UK,” it said.

In the guidelines published on Friday, Cambridge said it would develop training to help students and students and researchers recognise and avoid risks in international partnerships, and deal with potential surveillance threats.

It also committed to assess all new international agreements to ensure they upheld the principles of academic freedom, and improve transparency and scrutiny of any donations.

Hans van de Ven, professor of modern Chinese history at St Catharine’s College Cambridge, said the guidance did a good job of giving frontline staff robust guidelines for assessing risks, and highlighting the potential complications of working with partners in other countries.

“This is not just a problem with China but with all kinds of international engagements,” he said.

In May, the UK government announced that universities would be offered confidential advice on entering overseas research partnerships by a specialist team with national security expertise.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which manages the unit, said the move was in response to “growing, evolving and increasingly complex” threats that if “left unchecked” could leave the UK vulnerable to “disruption, unfair leverage, and espionage”.

Alicia Kearns, a Conservative MP and member of the China Research Group, which was set up last year by Tory China hawks concerned about Beijing’s influence over the UK, said the guidance from Cambridge was a “step in the right direction”.

https://www.ft.com/content/96d1efb7-49fc-49...32-56dbcc18919a

China Evergrande investors face 'large losses'

nasi lemak 20 sen — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 15:56:07 +0800

China Evergrande offshore investors face 'large losses' after second payment miss

SHANGHAI/BEIJING, Sept 30 (Reuters) - China Evergrande Group (3333.HK) missed paying bond interest due on Wednesday, two bondholders said, its second unpaid offshore debt payment in a week, although the cash-strapped company is scrambling to meet its obligations in its home market.

The company, reeling under a debt pile of $305 billion, was due on Wednesday to make a $47.5 million bond interest payment on its 9.5% March 2024 dollar bond, after having missed $83.5 million in coupon payments last Thursday.

With liabilities equal to 2% of China's GDP, Evergrande has sparked concerns its woes could spread through the financial system and reverberate around the world, though worries have eased somewhat after the central bank vowed to protect homebuyers' interests.

The developer's silence on its offshore payment obligations has, however, left global investors wondering if they will have to swallow large losses when 30-day grace periods end for coupons that were due on Sept. 23 and Sept. 29.

Some offshore Evergrande bondholders had neither received interest payments nor any communication by the end of Wednesday New York time, said the people familiar with the matter, who declined to be identified due to sensitivity of the issue.

A spokesperson for Evergrande did not have any immediate comment. Reuters was unable to determine whether Evergrande has told bondholders what it plans to do regarding the coupon payment due on Wednesday.

The two missed offshore payments come as the company, which has nearly $20 billion in offshore debt, faces deadlines on dollar bond coupon payments totalling $162.38 million in the next month.

Once China's top-selling developer, Evergrande is now expected to be one of the largest-ever restructurings in the country. It has been prioritising its onshore liabilities amid concerns about its troubles triggering social unrest.

"I can't see there being much willingness to give a fairer outcome to offshore bondholders rather than onshore banks, let alone house buyers and people who have lent onshore through the personal loan structures," said Alexander Aitken, a partner at Herbert Smith Freehills in Hong Kong.

"Of course legally there is also structural subordination from being offshore, which means lenders to Evergrande's onshore subsidiaries get paid before lenders to the parent company or any offshore debt issuer."

...

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-e...nts-2021-09-30/