Blinken seeking to upgrade Vietnam ties as Hanoi treads narrow path - CNA

HANOI: United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will visit Vietnam this week hoping for progress towards upgrading relations with a key trade partner that shares US worries about China's growing might.

For Hanoi, it will be a delicate test: How to show openness to the United States without angering China, a giant neighbour that supplies key inputs for Vietnam's vital export trade, or Russia, another traditional partner.

It is a balancing act Vietnam has excelled at but one that is turning more complex in a world appearing to divide into opposing blocs, with the US and its allies on one side and China and Russia on the other.

Blinken will arrive in Hanoi on Friday (Apr 14) and will meet Vietnamese leaders on Saturday before heading to Tokyo for a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) rich nations.

It will be the first Hanoi visit by the secretary of state of the Biden administration, which took office in 2021, although Vice President Kamala Harris visited in August of that year.

Washington will be hoping for progress towards boosting relations to a "strategic" partnership from one that for the past decade has been called "comprehensive".

Officials have not said what this closer relationship might entail. But Southeast Asia expert Murray Hiebert, who visited Vietnam in February and spoke with senior government officials, said that it could include increased military cooperation and US weapons supplies.

He noted, however, there were limits given Vietnam's policy of not allowing foreign bases, foreign troops or alliances against other countries.

Hanoi has also been put off by the relatively high price of US arms and concerns that supplies could be blocked by US lawmakers on human rights grounds.

Blinken will also formally break ground on a new US embassy compound in Hanoi, in what the top US diplomat for East Asia, Daniel Kritenbrink, called "a stunning new symbol" of the US commitment to an "enduring partnership and friendship".

With the Vietnam War era an increasingly distant memory, Washington now considers Hanoi, in Kritenbrink's words, "one of America's most important partners in the region".

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2023-04-13 19:01:38Z
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WHO monitoring new Covid-19 sub-variant Arcturus, which is driving surge of cases in India - The Straits Times

Some cases of Arcturus have been reported among infants, said The Telegraph.

“We need to remain alert, but there is no need to worry,” said Indian Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the report.

“Currently, the sub-variant of Omicron which is circulating in the country hasn’t led to an increase in the rate of hospitalisation,” he added.

The sub-variant, which is reportedly one of more than 600 Omicron sub-variants, was first detected in January. It has been detected in more than 20 countries, including Singapore, the United States, Britain and Australia.

In the last week of March in Singapore, 28,410 Covid-19 cases were recorded. This is almost double the previous week’s figure of 14,467. It is not known how many of these cases are due to the new sub-variant.

The Ministry of Health told CNA that the current Covid-19 infection wave is driven by a mix of XBB sub-variants, including XBB.1.5, XBB.1.9 and XBB.1.16.

However, it added that there is currently no evidence of increased severity in the cases.

At a press conference on March 29, WHO Covid-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove said: “(Arcturus) has been in circulation for a few months. We haven’t seen a change in severity in individuals or in populations, but that’s why we have monitoring systems in place.”

The variant has high infectivity and pathogenicity, Dr Van Kerkhove noted.

Although Arcturus has been found in other countries, most cases were from India, where it had overtaken other variants, she added.

With the emergence of the new sub-variant, some experts said that Covid-19 remains a concern.

Virologist Lawrence Young from the University of Warwick told The Independent that the rise of the new variant in India is a sign that “we’re not yet out of the woods”.

“We have to keep an eye on it,” Professor Young said.

“When a new variant arises you have to find out if it’s more infectious, more disease-causing, is it more pathogenic? And what’s going to happen in terms of immune protection.”

“These kinds of things highlight the importance of genomic surveillance, but a lot of countries including our own have let our guard down a bit, and we can’t be sure what variants are around and what level of infection they’re causing until we see a significant outbreak.”

In 2021, India was devastated by the Delta wave, with a total of 4.7 million excess deaths according to estimates by the WHO.

The country’s health system was overwhelmed by a surge of cases triggered by the Delta Covid-19 variant, with some hospitals even running out of oxygen.

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2023-04-13 11:54:08Z
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China to ban ships from area near Taiwan due to 'falling rocket wreckage' - CNA

BEIJING: China will ban ships from entering an area north of Taiwan on Sunday (Apr 16) due to "possible falling rocket wreckage", a provincial maritime authority said, days after Beijing conducted large-scale military drills around the island.

The area around 160km from the Taiwanese capital, Taipei, will be closed from 9am to 3pm local time, the maritime safety administration of China's eastern Fujian province said Thursday.

It added that vessels would be "forbidden to enter" for the duration of the shutdown.

The announcement came after Taiwan's transport ministry said Wednesday that Beijing planned to impose a no-fly zone north of the island due to "space activities".

The air restrictions would be in force from 9.30am to 9.57am local time on Sunday, the ministry said, adding that the zone lies "on the convergence areas of many international routes".

The no-fly zone will affect about 33 flights, Taiwan's official Central News Agency reported, citing the island's transport minister, Wang Kwo-tsai.

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2023-04-13 11:31:00Z
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Taiwan says it convinced China to rein in no-fly zone plan - CNA

"STORMY SEAS"

China said on Wednesday that Tsai was pushing Taiwan to "stormy seas" after she met with McCarthy during an overseas trip which also included stops in Guatemala and Belize.

The trip infuriated Beijing, prompting days of military drills designed to show it could forcefully take control of the democratic island.

"Tsai Ing-wen brought danger to Taiwan. Tsai Ing-wen almost completely sided (with) the United States, pushing Taiwan into stormy seas," China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said.

China views Tsai as a separatist and has rebuffed repeated calls from her for talks. Tsai says she wants peace but that her government will defend Taiwan if it is attacked.

Beijing has continued military activities around Taiwan, despite announcing that three days of drills had ended as scheduled on Monday.

Taiwan said earlier on Wednesday that in the previous 24 hours it had detected 35 Chinese military aircraft and eight navy vessels around Taiwan.

Of those aircraft, 14 had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, according to a ministry-provided map; the line normally serves as an unofficial barrier between the two sides.

China says it does not recognise the existence of the line.

Tsai, who returned to Taiwan a day before the drills began, appeared relaxed as she met Canadian lawmakers on Wednesday, saying her overseas trip had been a success in winning support against an aggressor that was threatening the island's freedom.

"Through this trip we again sent a message to the international community that Taiwan is determined to safeguard freedom and democracy, which won acknowledgment and support from our democratic partners," Tsai said as she met the lawmakers.

"Faced with continued authoritarian expansionism it is even more critical for democracies to actively unite," she added.

OPEN TO CHANGE

Speaking to CNA’s Asia First on Thursday, Mr Allan Behm, director of the International and Security Affairs Program at the Australia Institute, said China’s military activity aims to send a “potent” message.

He said China has been sending “very visible” signals, through its highly choreographed military exercises, amid continued US ambiguity over its Taiwan policy.

“Of course, there is a degree of risk that something can go wrong here because human beings are involved, and so there's human decision making,” he said of a potential escalation.

However, Mr Behm noted that China is open to changing its decisions, as shown in the changes to the no-fly zone rules.

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2023-04-13 05:18:29Z
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Arcturus: What do we know about the new Covid-19 subvariant? - The Straits Times

India has been hit by a new wave of Covid-19 cases, driven by a new subvariant known as “Arcturus”.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it is monitoring the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16 strain, which is also found in over 20 countries.

Here is what we know about XBB.1.16.

What is Arcturus?

Arcturus is the name given to the new subvariant, known as XBB.1.16. It was first detected in late January and is a recombinant variant from BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75, two descendants of another Omicron variant BA.2.

WHO said the subvariant has one additional mutational mutation in the spike protein, which in lab studies shows increased infectivity, as well as potential increased pathogenicity.

Arcturus is nearly 1.2 times as transmissible as XBB.1.5, according to a study by the University of Tokyo. However, the subvariant is not thought to be any more severe than XBB.1.5, reported British news outlet iNews.

What are the symptoms?

Some symptoms that have been reported include a fever that gradually increases and lasts for one or two days, headaches, body pain, abdominal discomfort and sore throat.

Many of those infected with the subvariant are also reporting conjunctivitis and sticky eyes. 

Which countries have the subvariant?

The subvariant was first detected in late January. It is currently found in more than 20 countries including Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

In Singapore, 28,410 Covid-19 cases were recorded in the last week of March. This is almost double the previous week’s figure of 14,467.

The Ministry of Health told CNA that the current Covid-19 infection wave is driven by a mix of XBB subvariants including XBB.1.5, XBB.1.9 and XBB.1.16. However, it added that there is currently no evidence of increased severity in the cases.

What is the situation in India?

On Wednesday, there were 40,215 active Covid-19 cases in India – up by 3,122 cases in just one day, according to the country’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The new wave of Covid-19 cases has prompted at least two Indian states to reintroduce mask wearing in public places as cases in India surged to its highest weekly number in seven months, reported The Telegraph on Wednesday.

In the northern state of Haryana, face masks are mandatory in public places and schools. In the southern state of Kerala, a popular tourist destination, masks are compulsory for pregnant women, the elderly and those with chronic diseases.

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2023-04-13 06:15:38Z
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France favours 'status quo' on Taiwan, position unchanged: Macron - CNA

PARIS: President Emmanuel Macron said France's position on Taiwan (Apr 12) had not changed and that he favoured the current "status quo" in respect of the island, after he was asked to clarify comments that prompted a backlash in the United States and Europe.

In an interview with news outlet Politico and daily Les Echos, Macron had cautioned against being drawn into a crisis over Taiwan driven by an "American rhythm and a Chinese overreaction".

That brought criticism from some politicians and commentators in Europe and the United States, with former US President Donald Trump accusing him of "kissing ass" to Beijing.

"The French and European position on Taiwan is the same one. We're in favour of the status quo. This policy is constant and hasn't changed," Macron told a news conference during a state visit in the Netherlands.

"It's the One-China policy and a Pacific resolution of the situation. That's what I said in my one-to-one meeting with Xi Jinping, that's what was said everywhere, we haven't changed," he said.

Macron did not mention Taiwan in his public statement to the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing last week, an omission that commentators criticised.

The French leader also said he shared a vision of an "open Indo-Pacific region" with US President Joe Biden, even if they each had their own approach on China.

"I can tell you he wants to avoid any escalation in spite of the current tension," Macron said.

Macron added that a French military ship had gone through the Taiwan Strait in recent days despite Chinese military exercises around the island and demonstrated France's robust engagement in the region.

China has never renounced the use of force to bring the democratically governed island under its control.

"So no, France does not support provocations, does not engage in fantasy politics and considers the status quo, respect and clarity are the best allies of European strategic autonomy," Macron said.

He said Trump's comments were an example of the escalation sought by some. A French diplomat told reporters earlier that Macron did not want to get drawn into the "tension" strategy of the Republican leadership of the US Congress on Taiwan.

The meeting between Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California last week - prior to China's drills - was a "provocation", the diplomat said.

The Dutch Prime Minister, who was hosting Macron for a two-day state visit, said he had a very successful meeting with Macron and did not distance himself from his guest's comments, but reaffirmed his belief in the Western alliance.

"Our strong transatlantic relation is there for very good reasons, the US is an essential partner for our freedom and safety," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said.

"But at the same time, we agree that an open and strategically autonomous Europe should be capable to develop those relations also with other parts of the world. To be a player, and not the playing field," he added.

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2023-04-12 19:28:00Z
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'This week, no one': Hazardous Thai pollution deters tourists - CNA

CHIANG MAI: Hazardous pollution levels in northern Thailand have left the historic city of Chiang Mai choking under thick smog, with locals worried about the impact on tourism - and their health.

Smoke from forest fires and farmers burning crop stubble has suffocated the tourist city, with global air monitoring platform IQAir ranking it among the most polluted places in the world - above regular hotspots such as Lahore and Delhi.

Residents have petitioned the government to act, with images and videos of the dense haze capturing public attention in the run-up to May's much-anticipated national election.

On Tuesday (Apr 11), daily life in Chiang Mai continued, even as records showed the level of the most dangerous PM2.5 particles - so tiny they can enter the bloodstream - was more than 30 times the World Health Organization's annual guideline, according to IQAir.

"It made me want to cry," said Kanchaya Boontan, 40, who runs CM Siam Travel, a tourism firm.

"This year is bad, normally pollution is not too long but the foreigners have seen the news," she added, adjusting her N95 mask.

Forced to close all four of her shops during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kanchaya was just starting to get back on her feet by working 12-hour shifts.

But last week, the Thai Hotel Association Northern Chapter warned that domestic tourists were cancelling their Songkran New Year holiday reservations due to pollution levels.

"Last week I got one customer only. This week, no one," Boontan said.

A few streets away by the ancient Tha Phae gate, 45-year-old orange juice vendor Aun tried to drum up business.

"It's affecting my life more and more every day, whether it be my health or the decline in the number of tourists," he said.

"Some days you can barely see the roads ahead, and it's not fog but it's smog."

"EVERYONE BREATHES"

The pollution is mainly caused by farmers burning their fields, said Siwatt Pongpiachan, an atmospheric consultant with the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand.

A shifting global weather pattern and Chiang Mai's topography trapping pollution conspired to "drive PM 2.5 into the perfect storm this year", he said.

This year alone, nearly two million people in Thailand have needed hospital treatment for respiratory conditions caused by air pollution, according to the public health ministry.

Chiang Mai cardiologist Rungsrit Kanjanavanit told AFP that officials are not doing enough to tackle the pollution, worried about its impact on the country's vital tourist economy.

"We should care about our guests' health more - that should be a priority."

The pollution impacts children and the elderly the most, Rungsrit added.

"For every 10 micrograms per mil increase in PM2.5, there is one year less of lifespan. You have to multiply it by the exposure range," he said.

"Everyone breathes, so the effect on the population is very high."

"BRIGHT RED SUN"

"The sun was really bright red because of the smoke in the sky, was quite, quite strange and very hazy," said British tourist Lucy Cooper.

"You couldn't see much further than a few fields away," she said.

The 34-year-old, travelling with her partner and two children, said she was advised not to come.

"It's not ideal. And we can't see a mountain, which is sad."

Chokchai Mongkolcho, visiting from northeastern Roi Et province, said the smog "hides the city's beauty".

"It makes me wonder if I'll ever come back here again if there's still pollution like this."

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2023-04-12 12:03:48Z
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