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Explaining US Defence Strategy

Secretary of State Leon Panetta

presents a comprehensive explanation

of the newest US Defence Strategy at

the Shangri-La Dialogue. SecDef

Panetta announced the plan to shift

the current 50/50 balance between

Pacific and Atlantic naval forces to

60/40 respectively, following

President Obama's Asia Pivot.

EAST ASIANSECURITY AND DEFENCE

DIGEST

EDITOR’S NOTE - TIAGO MAURÍCIOResearcher at Kyoto University

 As the Uni ted States rebalances its

commitment toward the Asia-Pacific region,

giving it top priority in many areas of its foreign

engagement, such as trade, diplomacy, security

and so forth, the attention of policy-makers and

academics has quickly followed suit. Secretary

of State Hillary Clinton has made clear the

importance of the new "Asia pivot", most

notably in a Foreign Policy article entitled

"America's Pacific Century", and Secretary of

Defense Leon Panetta has been articulating the

newest Defence Strategy which ensures

Washington's continued commitment to address

the threats and challenges in the region.

In this regard, this weekend's Shangri-La

Dialogue (link), a International Institute for

Strategic Studies (IISS) initiative held in

Singapore that seeks to promote multilateral

defence diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region,

featured a communication by SecDef Panetta on"The US Rebalance Towards the Asia-Pacific".

The event was a key opportunity for all

actors in the region to grasp the unfolding

comprehensive strategy that the United States is

trying to put in place, and to Japan it was

certainly another opportunity to try and

understand what will be its role in America's

strategic outlook. The conclusions one can draw

from the said exposition are not promising. I

took particular note of the remarks made

concerning the resolution of territorial disputes.

Of course the unfolding crisis involving China

and the Philippines in the Scarborough Shoals

loomed in the background, one which many see

as Beijing's growing assertiveness in claiming its

interests in areas which directly conflict with

other countries in the region. SecDef Panetta,

when asked what is Washington's posture

toward resolving these issues addressed the

importance of Association of Southeast Asian

Nations (ASEAN), and other regional fora, in

creating the necessary international norms andstandards that allow for the peaceful resolution

of such differences.

!

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Looking Inside Washington's ForeignPolicy Consensus

“Yet how deep is the partisan divideover the place of multilateralism in U.S.foreign policy? To explore this question,in the past year we sent a survey tofore ign pol icy p rofess iona ls : 50Republicans and 50 Democrats, who hadserved in a mid-level or higher foreign

policy position in the Clinton, Bush, orObama administrations, or on Capitol Hill.The respondents included 23 Democratsand 20 Republicans.

The results of our study reveal thatthe parties are not as divided aboutmultilateralism as the conventionalwisdom suggests. First, strong majoritiesof both Republican and Democraticrespondents said they believed thatworking closely with other nations servesU.S. interests and makes the country'sforeign policy more effective. Second,

foreign policy leaders from both partiesagreed that international economicinstitutions and free trade agreements arevaluable, and that working with regionaland global multilateral organizations suchas NATO and the UN is important. ”

“ American Foreign Policy is Already Post-Partisan”

(Joshua W. Busby, Jonathan Monten & William Inboden - Foreign Affairs).

Projecting US Power Inside North Korea

“So has the U.S. sent special forces

inside North Korea at any point over thepast sixty years, and does it have anythere now? Despite North Korea's well-deserved reputation as the world's mostclosed society, one imagines that theU.S., at some point, has had boots on theground. Lewis mentions a partiallydeclassified 1976 discussion betweenSecretary of State Henry Kissinger andFord administration officials aboutwhether to deploy a special forces toteam to blow up a North Korean fueldepot. It seems extremely unlikely thatthere are currently reconnaissance

missions involving Americans in NorthKorean territory, and if there were, one

imagines this little kerfuffle would haveended their missions.”

“ Are there U.S. special ops inside NorthKorea?” (Isaac Stone Fish - Foreign

Policy).

 ASEAN's China Problem

“In particular, ASEAN has a Chinaproblem. Ask the ten members aboutChina, and you’ll get a kaleidoscope ofopinions about what that countryrepresents. Some ASEAN countries arevery much pro-China: their own economicdevelopment is tied closely to Beijing’s,and they are comfortable with the politicalimplications of their China connections.Others are cooler on relations withBeijing: they balance a wariness ofChinese influence with the obviousbenefits of a healthy trading relationship. And finally, there are those that feel

threatened by China and regardthemselves as targets (or at leastp o t e n t i a l t a r g e t s ) o f C h i n e s eassertiveness.

Unity on the question of how to handleChina has therefore eluded ASEAN. Andgiven the association’s nature, this isunsurprising: neutrality and non-intervention, not unity and collectivism,are ASEAN’s most cherished principles.”

“Is China Trying to Split ASEAN?” (TreforMoss - Flashpoints).

Is Europe Set to Have Its Own Asia Pivot?

“ America isn't the only country pivoting to Asia. Some of Europe's leaders, fearingthe economic implications of a rupture inthe euro zone and decrying years ofstagnation on the continent, are turningeast.Prime Minister David Cameron, during histrip to Japan and Southeast Asia lastmonth, said that Britain's economic futurelay in no small part with its Asian

partners. This approach wil l paydividends only if Europe puts in placemeasures that promote growth—no, notspending—at home and beefs up itsforeign policies.”

“Europe's coming Asia pivot”

(Michael Auslin - American EnterpriseInstitute).

The Value of the Littoral Combat Ship in America's Asia-Pacific Strategy

“While the Littoral Combat Ship is notsuited for the front lines of a war withChina, it would provide vital protection toUS supply lines in such conflict, saidUnder Secretary of the Navy RobertWork, and against Iran, LCS would be inthe battle from "day one," with eightLCSs ultimately operating out of Bahrain.Indeed, the two potential theaters of warare so different that the Navy mayconsider focusing the "much moremaneuverable" Lockheed Martin versionof the LCS on fighting fast attack boats inthe narrow waters of the Persian Gulf,while the very different General Dynamicsdesign, with its larger flight deck and fueltanks, operates primarily in the vastreaches of the Pacific.”

“Navy Needs Both LCS Versions For WarWith China, Iran” (Sydney Freedberg Jr. -

 AOL Defense).

Looking Into South Korea's ChangingMilitary Profile

“For nearly six decades, SouthKorea’s approach to security has focusedon sustaining the status quo: maintainingdeterrence and a robust defence posturein order to prevent another major conflicton the Korean Peninsula.

Three mutually reinforcing strategicpillars — defensive deterrence, alliancewith the US and forward active defence— have long defined South Korea’sconception of national security, its force

structure and the operational conduct ofits armed forces.”

“Transforming South Korea’s defencecapabilities” (Michael Raska - East Asia

Forum).

What Is the United States' InflectionPoint?

“The Defense Strategic Guidanceissued by the Obama administration inearly January added some details to

Dempsey’s conversation. The documentdeclares that “we face an inflection point”

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after waging war in Afghanistan for over adecade. Reforming a stagnant economyand turning to meet new challengeswarrants introspection, and a shift ofstrategy and forces to meet thesechallenges. “Out of the assessment wedeveloped a defense strategy thattransitions our Defense enterprise from anemphasis on today’s wars to preparingfor future challenges, protects the broad

range of U.S. national security interests,advances the department’s efforts torebalance and reform, and supports thenational security imperative of deficitreduction through a lower level of defensespending.””

“U.S. at Inflection Point?” (JamesHolmes- Flashpoints).

Understanding US-China Relations MayHelp Avoiding War

“The relationship that has developedbetween the United States and China canbe seen as both one of opportunity and acause for concern. While the emergenceof China as an economic fore-runnerpresents new and fertile grounds fortrade, it can be seen as the first majorpost-cold war challenge to the UnitedStates’ dominance both as the onlyglobal superpower and as a challenge toU.S. hegemonic dominance in the Pacificregion. China has risen quickly andre la t i ve l y peace fu l l y ; embrac ingglobalisation, utilising domestic resources

as well as its vast and growing population[1]. However, as China grows and itsinterests expand, it begins to challengethe United States on an economic level,as well as having an unsettling effect onan established post-cold war world orderand U.S. strategic interests. As the title ofthis essay suggests, this unsettling affecthas the very real potential of leading bothsides down a path to war. In assessingthe likelihood of the United States andChina going to war, arguments havedeveloped both for and against thehypothesis that Sino-U.S. relations willeventually lead to war.”

“Will Sino-U.S. Relations Eventually Leadto War?” (George Sims - E-International

Relations).

The F-35 Program's Atypical Procedures

“Why would the most expensive defenseacquisition program in American historynot be required to follow the rules? TheF-35 Joint Strike Fighter is the futurefighter for the Air Force, Navy and MarineCorps. The program has been repeatedlyreorganized due to growing costs andschedule delays. This year the President'sbudget requested $9.1 billion for thecontinued development and acquisition ofthe F-35. Unfortunately, neither thebudget nor anyone in the Pentagon cananswer a simple but vital question aboutthis program: when will the F-35 be readyfor our warfighters?”

“Why Doesn't The F-35 Program FollowThe Rules?” (Rep. Todd Akin - AOL

Defense).

The Sea and Air Take Centre Stage in America's New Military Strategy

“A new operational concept currentlyunder development by the United Statesmilitary will form a key part of its 'pivot to Asia' and represents a similar pivot fromland-based to air- and sea-focusedmilitary strategies. The emergence of the

 Air-Sea Battle Concept (ASBC) followsyears of classified work by the US militaryon how to contend with near-peercompetitors or high-end asymmetricthreats.

The US is beginning to brief some ofits allies on the ASBC, demonstrating notonly the importance of the concept in USmilitary thinking, but also its intended roleas a reassurance to partners in Asia. Fewideas are currently influencing the postureand doctrine of US naval and air forces

more than the ASBC. However, fewconcepts of such potential significancehave been so closely guarded – until

recently only a small coterie of Pentagonofficials knew its full details.”

“New US military concept marks pivot tosea and air” (International Institute for

Strategic Studies).

Can the US Learn from the Example ofEast Asian Diplomacy?

“There is broad bipartisan support inWashington for America’s commitment tothe Asia–Pacific. The United States is,after all, a Pacific nation, and for morethan 60 years has been the guarantor ofpeace and stability in the region. Anysuccessful effort to maintain a presencebefitting its resident superpower statusthere requires getting the diplomaticengagement framework right. That meanssorting through the mix of regionalmultilateral organizations and prioritizingthe roles that the U.S. plays in them.Walter Lohman and Robert Warshawprovide—and explain—the details here.”

“Employing Asia’s Diplomatic Frameworkin the Pursuit of American

Interests” (Walter Lohman & RobertWarshaw - Heritage Foundation).

 A Glimpse of China's Security As SeenFrom Taiwan

“Every spring, the director-general ofTaiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB)goes before the Legislative Yuan’sForeign and National Defense Committeeto discuss national security-relateddevelopments. Befitting Taiwan’s focuson cross-Strait affairs and the Chinesemilitary, the NSB chief, Tsai Te-sheng,almost always has something interestingto say. This year was no exception,covering issues related to China’s aircraftcarriers and the South China Sea (TaipeiTimes, May 22; Central News Agency[Taiwan], May 21). Answering legislator’sconcerns about Taiwan’s role in the South

China Sea, Tsai announced greater NSBattention to maritime activities in theregion and stated he would supportadditional measures to protect Taiwan-controlled islands and islets in thecontested areas (China Post [Taiwan],May 22).”

“Taiwan’s Intelligence Chief Offers NewInsights on Chinese Security

Developments” (Peter Mattis -Jamestown Foundation).

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Meeting at the Shangri-La Dialogue

“Shangri-La says some interestingthings about the nascent nature ofdefence transparency in Asia. Not least,this think tank talkfest that has theclothes of summit has made it possiblefor regional defence establishments togather at something like a multilateralsett ing. This ranks as a notableachievement for Asia.

 As the Cold War ended, the AsiaPacific did create a government-levelsecurity dialogue, the ASEAN RegionalForum. But the Forum is run by ForeignMinisters. ASEAN, which jealously guardsits right to be in the driving seat of suchendeavours, couldn't get all its ownDefence Ministers together until 2006,well after Shangri-La was born in 2002.”

“ Asian security: Long climb to Shangri-La” (Graeme Dobell - The Lowy

Interpreter). 

What Is The Pentagon's China ReportLeaving Behind?

“The progressive neutering of theannual Pentagon China military powerreports is unfortunate, as the report hasbeen among the most authoritativesources of information on specificChinese military capabilities in recentyears. Given the People’s Liberation Army’s unwi ll ingness to reveal th is

information itself, the report has been oneof t he few re l i ab le sources o ftransparency to inform foreign analysts,scholars, and citizens about importantChinese military developments that oftenhave global repercussions. China hasexperienced important military andsecurity changes over the past year, yetaside from its reformatted font andgraphics, the 2012 report proves thin onnew content. ”

“12 Things Missing from ChinaReport” (Gabe Collins - The Diplomat).

Diplomacy in Moscow Can Get Rough

“This winter , Michael McFauldiscovered a number of surprising thingsabout himself. He was imposing odious American holidays, like Valentine's Dayand Halloween, on the Russian people.He pe rsona l l y wh isked Russ ianopposition politician Alexey Navalny outof the country to Yale on a fellowship. He

was inviting opposition figures to the U.S.Embassy "to get instructions." And hewas a pedophile. Or so his onlinetormentors claimed.”

“The Undiplomat” (Julia Ioffe - ForeignPolicy).

Evidence Suggests Some EuropeanCountries Are Violating EU's Arms

Embargo Against China

“When the Japan Maritime Self-Defense

Force recently spotted a Chinese navyflotilla sailing into the West Pacific, whatdisturbed them was not just that theChinese went through the Osumi Strait, asea lane off Japan's KagoshimaPrefecture usually used by the US 7thFleet. The unmanned aerial vehicle inquestion, apparently the CamcopterS-100, weighs 200 kilograms, is poweredby a 55 hp engine and can climb to 5,500meters. It is produced by the Austrianmanufacturer Schiebel, can be deployedfor surveillance, reconnaissance andtarget acquisition and can be fitted withsmall missiles. Defense analysts arepositive that the helicopters weresupplied by the Austrians because theS-100 is among very the few helicopterUAVs, if not the only one, that canoperate at sea. The Pakistani, Germanand French navies have already testedthem successfully, suggesting that the Austrians have been taking liberties withthe EU arms embargo against China. ”

“ Are EU arms dealers violating Chinaweapons ban? ” (Jens Kastner - Asian

Sentinel). 

What is a G-Zero World And What Are thePolicy Implications?

“A G-Zero World is one in which nosingle power or alliance of powers iswilling and able to provide consistentglobal leadership. Not the United Statesor Europe. Not an emerging power likeChina or a bloc of emerging powers. Notthe G-8 or the G-20. Each of thesecountries is preoccupied with challenges

and risks at home, and each of theseinstitutions produces a less coherent

agenda as a result.

That said, though the United States,still the world’s most powerful country byfar, will have to do more with less,bolstering the U.S. presence in Asia hasbecome the top U.S. foreign policypriority. This will continue to be the caseno matter who wins the presidentialelection in November. The motive is two-

fold. First, Washington wants to use thefear that China’s rise generates among itsneighbors to improve existing securityties with current allies (like Japan andSouth Korea) and to build partnershipswith new ones (like India and Indonesia).Second, the U.S. hopes to profit from abroader and deeper commercial presencein the region that is most likely to providethe global economy with most of itsdynamism over the next several years.Washington’s push to join and broadenthe Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free trade

agreement designed to liberalize theeconomies of members on both sides ofthe Pacific, is evidence of this trend.Negotiations over this pact don’t includeChina.”

“Coping with a G-Zero World” (IanBremmer - The Diplomat). 

 Are Australia's Large Amphibious ShipsRedundant?

“So then what is it for? Ben does not

argue that this capability would be usefulin a full-scale war. Instead, Ben makesthe case for Australia's amphibiouscapab i l i t y based on a scenar iosomewhere between those two extremes.The scenario he chooses is the '(e)vacuation of  Australian citizens from a non-permissive environment, even oneshort of full-scale conflict'. I imagine Benhas in mind something like the Lebanonevacuation of 2006, or perhaps anothermilitary coup in Fiji, where there islawlessness or open conflict and Australians are in danger. But if this is themost urgent contingency Ben can conjurefor the LHDs (he offers no others), thenI'm led to wonder how consularoperations became such an importantforce-structure determinant for the ADF.Several Lowy Institute observers, myselfincluded, have criticised the unhealthyp r e o c c u p a t i o n t h a t s u c c e s s i v egovernments have developed withconsular affairs, but if Ben is right, it reallytakes things to a whole new level. Wereevacuations really what the HowardGovernment had uppermost in mind

when it ordered the two biggest shipsever to be operated by our navy?”

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Is Japan Investing in Greater Ties in the

Indian Ocean?

“Two Japanese and one Pakistan naval

ships arrived at the Port on Colombo on

28th May 2012. They were ceremonially 

welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in

kee ping with nav al cus toms and

traditions on arrival.

Two Japanese ships are “ IKAZUCHI”

and “SAWAGIRI ” belonging to the

Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force

( JMSDF) with Commanding officer

Escort Division Five, Captain Hirokazu

 Yamazak i onboard. They are both

destroyers enroute to interchange for

counter piracy operations off the Coastof Somalia and in the Gulf of Arden.”

“Two Japanese and one Pakistan Naval

ships arrive at the Port of Colombo” (Tiago

Mauricio - JFPO).

Looking Back at the US-Japan Alliance

for the Future

“The war-like profile of an aircraft carrier

or destroyers surely represents a strong

projection of power to support an ailing

partner or to deter a prodding nuisance

(see Japan's recent move to send 5MSDF destroyers to the Philippines as

the country is involved in a spat with

China over Scarborough Islands in the

South China Sea). But if cooperation andappeal to your interests and ideas that

which you are trying to harness, then a

ship of the l ikes of Sagres or

Constitution is much more likely to

impress the country's leaders and

population to value of your proposal.

Japan, too, has tall-ships at its service:

Nippon Maru II and Kaiwo Maru II. I

know that Nippon Maru II has been

deployed to the Northeastern coast to

help the reconstruction efforts after last

 ye ar 's tr ip le ca ta st roph es , ha ving

quartered some of the employees

involved in resolving the nuclear crisis at

Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant,and subsequently travelled to the US”

“Pursuing Cultural Diplomacy at

Sea” (Tiago Mauricio - JFPO ).

The Importance of the Maritime Domain

in Japanese Security Policy 

“As the stability of the maritime order in

the South China Sea is far from assured,

the coastal states of the Association of

Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) seem

to be suffering from unprecedented

strategic instability. First, there is arapidly growing capability gap between

the China Coast Guard and the PLA Navy 

and Air Force on the one hand and their

 ASEAN counterparts on the other.China's rapid procurement of patrol

ships, surveillance vessels and aircraft,

submarines and new-generation fighters

is bound to consolidate its maritime and

air superiority vis-à-vis its Southeast

 Asian neighbors. Second, the ongoing

efforts to generate a rule-based maritime

order in the South China Sea have not

ach iev ed v i si bl e s u c c e s s . T h e

negotiations over establishing a legally-

binding Code of Conduct are likely to be

long and daunting since China has not

shown an accommodative stance on

discussing sea disputes in a multilateral

context. Third, more ASEAN countrieshave been leaning toward inviting third

parties, most importantly the United

States as well as Australia and Japan, to

become involved in the maritime balance

of power game. However, defining the

US role as an external balancer against

China is still too naïve an agenda for

most ASEAN countries in view of the

deep economic interdependen ce

between the US and China.”

“Japan Should Build ASEAN's Security

Capacity” (Ken Jimbo - JIIA ).

JAPAN

HIGHLIGHTS

!

JAPAN NEW DEFENCE

MINISTER: SATOSHIMORIMOTO

!

Japan and the Uk

agree to develop

defence ties

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There Is a New Face at the Defence Ministry 

“Naoki Tanaka, quite possibly the least

effective defense minister in the Ministry of

Defense’s short history, has been replaced

by Satoshi Morimoto, a professor at

Takushoku University – a private university 

in Tokyo. Morimoto’s appointment makes

him the first non-politician in the Ministry of

Defense even including its days as the

Japan Defense Agency. However it is not

Morimoto’s first time in Ichigaya: as anational security specialist, he served as an

aide to Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada

during Taro Aso’s time in the Kantei.”

“Tanaka Out, Morimoto In: Noda’s 3rd Defense

Minister”

(James Simpson - Japan Security Watch ).

The Curious Case of China's Spy in Japan

“The Shingetsu News Agency has just put

up a story, "Japan’s “Spy” Case That

Probably Isn’t." The article very kindly notes

my skepticism regarding the narrative

spewed out by Channel Sakura, the Yomiuri

Shimbun and others -- that First Secretary 

of the Embassy of China Li Chunguang (now

that the National Police Agency has sent

papers to the Embassy, the mainstream

news media is finally showing his image and

reporting his name) used (a) bank account

(s) opened under false premises to receive

funds from Japanese companies. These

funds were then used to pay for spying

activities.

The SNA report speculates that a far more

probable explanation for the illegal bank

account(s) was Li's seeking to build up a

little nest egg outside the knowledge of his

superiors and outside China. ”

“I Spy With My Little Eye” (Michael Cucek -

Shisaku ).

MP Shigeru's Views on North Korea,

Collective Defence and More

“North Korea is a country that always does

what it says it will do. Even with the change

in leadership from Kim Jong-il to Kim Jong-

un, there will be no change whatsoever in

policy. Some see the possibility that an

intelligent, 29-year-old leader will be able to

steer the country down a different path, but

it’s simply inconceivable under the regime

for Kim Jong-un to overturn the policies of

his father. I think it only makes sense to

expect the country to continue in the

direction set by Kim Jong-il.

 Along with Kim Jong-un becoming the new

head of state, this year also marks the

hundredth anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-

sung, the seventieth anniversary of the birth

of Kim Jong-il, and the eightieth anniversary 

of the founding of North Korea’s military 

regime. So there are sure to be hugecelebrations in the country. And the

country’s distinctive brand of brinkmanship

diplomacy will also be raised to a new level,

as the rulers seek to demonstrate to North

Koreans why the reins of leadership have

been handed over to such a young man.”

“Politics Is About What Is Done—Not Who Is

Doing It” (Ishiba Shigeru - Nippon.com ).

Japan and Australia Will Undertake Bilateral

Military Exercise

“On May 31st, the ANZAC-class Guided

Missile Frigate, HMAS Ballarat arrived in

Kure after a North-East Asia tour that saw

exercises with the navies of China and

South Korea. It’s arrival in Japan precedes

the bilateral Exercise Nichi Gou Trident

2012, taking place between June 4th and

5th.

 According to the Australian Department

of Defence, the Ballarat will be joined by an

RAAF AP3-C Orion maritime patrol aircraft,

the Hata kaze -cl ass Guid ed Miss ile

Destroyer JS Shimakaze and an unnamed

MSDF submarine: The exercise is slated totake place southeast of Kyushu, developing

interoperability, with a “particular focus on

complex Under Sea Warfare, Maritime

Interdiction Operations and other core

mariner skills activities”.”

“Japan-Australia Naval Exercises to Kick Off,

June 4th”

(James Simpson - Japan Security Watch ).

Japan Could Change Course of Alliance

Would Ron Paul Have Won

“Here is a case where the call forretrenchment becomes more and more

obvious. USFJ is almost twice the size of

USFK, but its role is more about local Asian

reassurance than any obvious need. If SK is

outgrowing the US ‘parent,’ then Japan’s

almost willful reluctance to grow up is like

purposeful free-riding infantilization. The

need for the US alliance is not clear. Japan

has more than the necessary resources to

defend itself, but spends less than 1% of

GDP on defense. The direct impact on US

national security is slight, unless you

believe, like John Milius, that NK or China

will absorb Japan in order to launch a

transpacific invasion of the US. Nor is there

any big valu es argument . Japa n is

democratic now; if anything, our presence

there leads to a lot of local anger. The real

reason for USFJ is to keep Korea and China

calm by keeping Japan ‘down,’ but honestly,

the longer I live out here, the more I think

the America’s presence freezes East Asia’s

history and territory issues in place, rather

than helps resolve them. The US presence

encourage domestic maximalism on all

sides (because it diminishes the costs of

recalcitrance), just as it does in the Greek-

Turkey dispute. (This is most obvious in the

Liancourt Rocks dispute.) If we weren’t

around, there might be more pressure to

reach final status agreements on these

issues.”

“Say Ron Paul Won…Which US Allies would

get Retrenched? (2) Japan?”

(Robert Kelly - Asian Security Blog ).

More Insights on the Implausible Case of

China's Spy 

“If anyone never needed to open anillegal bank account, using a false foreign

resident's card somehow received thanks to

his old University of Tokyo ID, this in order

to receive money transfers of consulting

fees from Japanese companies, then First

Secretary Li Chunguang of the Embassy of

the People's Republic of China was that

person. Li should have never been in need

of money, at least not in performance of his

duties. In addition to his diplomatic salary,

he was secretly a member of the General

Staff of the People's Liberation Army. With

his fluent Japanese and his contacts in

business, government and politics, it is

inconceivable that China's Ministry ofForeign Affairs, Chinese security agencies

and/or the PLA would not have a limitless

and quite legal ATM account for Li to draw

upon to pay for information, when he

needed to do so.”

“First Secretary of the Embassy of China,

Economic Section -- Spy, Hustler Or A 

Combination Thereof?”

(Michael Cucek - Shisaku ).

Textbooks and Politics in East Asia

“Japanese history textbooks and their

treatment of the wartime era has become

an almost constant subject of international

dispute in the last three decades. For

critics, both inside and outside Japan, the

content of those textbooks is evidence of a

failure to take responsibility for the

outbreak of the Asia-Pacific War or to

acknowledge the suffering the Japanese

military imposed on conquered Asian

nations and the crimes committed in

combat with the Allies. The decision of the

Japanese education authorities to approve

certain textbooks for use, or to reshape the

content and language of the books, is

presented as evidence of a nationalist tilt in

Japan. Most importantly, Japanese

textbooks were seen to fail to properly 

educate new generations of Japanese

about their past.”

“Divided Memories: History Textbooks and the

Wars in Asia”

(Daniel Sneider - Nippon.com ).

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“Govt cancels ROK trip over territory spat”

“Donations for Senkakus purchase top 1 bil. yen”

“China says to step up vigilance after U.S. navy

shift”

“Impatient China ‘absent’ from key regional

security summit”

“Japan, U.K. sign deal to deepen defense ties in

space, cyberspace”

“Japan, U.S., Australia to boost military ties”

“Japan plans embassy in Bhutan”

“Japan ready to play bigger role in maritime

security in Asia”

“Ishihara rattling U.S. saber at China”

“Japan, U.K. to team up on defense projects”

“Japanese officials boycott South Korea expo

over isle row”

“Donations to metro government to buy Senkaku

Islands top ¥1 billion”

“LDP plank pushes to nationalize Senkakus”

“Slovakian president to make 5-day visit to Japan

in late June”

“Tokyo Governor Ishihara calls out his enemies at

FCCJ”

“U.S. boosting Pacific support to stave off China”

“SDF produces 12 Olympians headed for

London”

“1,228 unidentified war dead laid to rest”

“Japanese military vessels visit Philippines”

“Govt: Wartime redress for S. Korea settled”

“Japan, others want clarity on China aid”

“Senator: Bill seeks alternatives on Futenma

move”

“Russian consul dies in plunge from cliff”

“Japan defense team joined multinational ship

sinking exercise in 2010”

“Japan condemns recent massacre in Syria”

“Takasu vows to streamline U.N.”

“MSDF ships flirted with 'collective defense' ban 

7/31/2019 East Asian Security and Defence Digest 26

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/east-asian-security-and-defence-digest-26 8/8

"US Strategic Reassurance in East AsiaQuestioned?", by Tiago Mauricio

"Pursuing Cultural Diplomacy at Sea", by TiagoMauricio

"If NATO Goes Global, Which Partnership withJapan?", by Rui Faro Saraiva

"Interview with Michael Cucek", by Tiago Mauricio

EAST ASIAN SECURITY AND DEFENCE DIGESTEditor: TIAGO MAURICIO

Editor’s Mailbox: mauricio.tiago.47x(at)st.kyoto-u.ac.jp

Kyoto, Japan

East Asia Security and Defence Digest covers expert analysis

and news highlights on East Asian Security and Defence Affairs.

 The opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do

not necessarily reflect the views of JFPO.

J APAN FOREIGN POLICY OBSERVATORY (JFPO)

HTTP:// WWW.JAPANFPO.ORG /