China Applies for Joining Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, Japan: Must Observe Whether they can Follow the Rules

Chinese Commence Ministry announced they had formally applied for joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). It is a free trade agreement involving 11 countries with approximately 5 billion population. However, it is still unknown whether China can successfully apply. According to Japanese media, Rotating Presidency Country Japan believed that they have to observe whether China can follow the strict rules of CPTPP.

Chinese Commence Ministry stated that Minister Wang Wentao submitted a CPTPP application letter to Damien O’Connor, New Zealand Minister of Trade and Export. The two ministers also held a conference call on the application.

Source: Stand News #Sep17

https://bit.ly/3arq5Tn

#China #CPTPP #Japan #FreeTrade #NewZeland #Export #WangWentao #DamienOConnor

China Rejected the German Frigate Bayern to Stay in Shanghai Harbour

Maria Adebahr, Spokesperson of the German Foreign Ministry, indicated, “China decided to reject Frigate Bayern entering the Shanghai harbour after consideration”.

Germany dispatched the Frigate Bayern to cruise in the South China Sea in early August. It is the first time for Germany to pass through the South China Sea in 20 years, where involves sovereignty disputes. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, German Defence Minister, said this action's target is to maintain international order, being consistent with Britain, the United States, Japan and other allies in the Indo-Pacific region. In March, she expressed her annoyance on Twitter about China’s military threats. She believed Germany should corporate where they can be corporated with China and oppose if unnecessary.

Source: Stand News #Sep16

https://bit.ly/3aIRQqB

#China #Shanghai #Germany #ForeignAffairs #FrigateBayern #SouthChinaSea #Twitter #UK #US #Japan #IndoPacificRegion

Japan calls on Australia to lead resistance to China’s regional sway

Japan’s Defence Minister has warned China is trying to change the status quo in the region by force and has called on Australia and other allies to step up to ensure Beijing’s dominance is not inevitable.

In some of his strongest comments on the deteriorating security situation across the Indo-Pacific, Nobuo Kishi said the shifting power balance between the US and China “has become very conspicuous” while a military battle over Taiwan had “skewed greatly in favour of China”.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald #Aug12

https://t.co/yiASeRaq1c

#Japan #Australia #China #Taiwan

Surprise #Screening of Hong Kong Protest Documentary "Revolution of Our Times" at Film Festival in #Japan

Sources: Citizen News; Stand News; Variety; #Oct7

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

Surprise #Screening of Hong Kong Protest Documentary "Revolution of Our Times" at Film Festival in #Japan

The Tokyo Filmex festival wrapped up on November 7, 2021 with the surprise screening of Hong Kong director Kiwi Chow's “Revolution of Our Times,” a documentary about the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.

In an interview, a Hongkonger working in Japan told reporters that she cried so much and couldn’t stop while watching the film.

She added that the film was intense, which reminded her of countless police-civilian confrontations during the 2019 movement. “Perhaps , it is the pain that has connected Hongkongers,” she said.

Another local source reportrf that the theater was full as #Filmex quickly sold out some 700 tickets for the screening.

After the screening, the whole house of audiences stood on their feet and clapped for minutes to show their respect. Even some Japanese shed tears.

“Revolution of Our Times” had its world premiere in July in the #Cannes Film Festival, where the festival deliberately delayed announcing its programming in order to minimize the chance of political blowback from the Chinese government.

The Filmex organizers used the same approach and only announced the screening on November 6, which was one day before the event.

“Revolution of Our Times” was filmed by #KiwiChow for more than a year during the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong that was sparked off by the city government’s attempt to pass a law that would allow extradition to China.

The government action triggered massive peaceful protests, followed by several months of civil disobedience and on-street confrontation. This in turn was met by unprecedented military-style tactics on the part of Hong Kong police, an aggressive prosecution policy by the government and the imposition by Beijing of the #NationalSecurityLaw.

More recently, a new #FilmCensorship law introduced in Hong Kong in early November makes it unlikely that films like “Revolution of Our Times” will be allowed to screen in the city where it was made.

Sources: Citizen News; Stand News; Variety; #Oct7

https://bit.ly/3HkwA9J

#RevolutionOfOurTimes #HongKongCinema #Documentary #Art #FilmFestival #Censorship

South Koreans Now Dislike China More Than They Dislike Japan

The list of election issues set to define South Korea’s presidential race next year is long. The runaway housing prices, the pandemic, North Korea and gender inequality are a start. But an unlikely addition has also emerged in recent weeks: China.

South Korea’s decision ​​to let the American military deploy a powerful antimissile radar system on its soil​ in 2017 has been the subject of frequent criticism from China. And last month, a presidential hopeful, Yoon Seok-youl, told the country to stop complaining, unless it wanted to remove its own ​radar systems near the Korean Peninsula.

Source: NY Times #Aug20

https://t.co/293E8RZfzp

#SouthKorea #China #Japan

China applies to join Pacific trade pact to boost economic clout

Japan said it would have to determine if China meets the "extremely high standards" of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) after the world's second-biggest economy formally applied to join.

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao submitted China's application to join the free trade agreement in a letter to New Zealand's trade minister, Damien O'Connor, the Chinese ministry said in a statement late on Thursday.

The CPTPP was signed by 11 countries including Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan and New Zealand in 2018.

Source: Reuters #Sep18

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-officially-applies-join-cptpp-trade-pact-2021-09-16/

#China #Japan #Trade #CPTPP

Shinzo Abe: Something in Taiwan affects the Japan-US alliance, China’s rash advance is equivalent to economic suicide; Hua Chunying denounces outrageously supporting Taiwan independence forces 
 
Former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe indicated that, if there is something in Taiwan, it is the same as something in Japan, which also the same as something in “Japan-US alliance”. He urged the President Xi Jinping not to misjudgement, and taking military action is tantamount to the road to economic suicide. Hua Chunying, Minister of Foreign Affairs, urgently met with the Japanese Ambassador to China Tarumi Hideo and made solemn representations on Shinzo Abe’s remarks.  
 
Shinzo accepted the invitation of National Policy Research Institute of Taiwan to give a video speech on the topic of “New Era Taiwan-Japan Relations”. He stated, islands such as Sakishima Islands and Yonaguni-jima are only about 100km away from Taiwan, and armed incurious against Taiwan are a major threat to Japan’s territory. Japan will not allow this happen as something in Taiwan means something in Japan, it can also mean something in “Japan-US alliance”; Beijing’s ruling class, especially Xi Jinping should not misjudge.  
 
Shinzo also said, if China uses force against Taiwan, it will seriously impact the global economy while China will be hit hard, and the gains will outweigh the losses. He stated that, Taiwan and Japan both need to enhance their economic and military strength and continue to persuade China solving problems in peaceful and rational way at the same time.  
 
Source : Stand News #Dec02

https://thestandnews.page.link/M3SWauwHCZmsKKyB6  
 
#ShinzoAbe #Japan #Taiwan #China #JapanUSAlliance  

Japan will not send government delegation to Beijing Olympics

Japan will not send a government delegation to February's Winter Olympics in Beijing, it said on Friday, a move likely to deepen tension with China.

The decision follows a U.S.-led diplomatic boycott of the Games over concerns about human rights in China, although Japan has avoided explicitly labelling its move as such.

Japan, while a partner of the United States, also has strong economic ties to China.

Source: Reuters #Dec24

https://reut.rs/3pqUSrS

#Japan #Winter #Beijing #Olympics

Japan turns away from post-WWII pacifism as China threat grows

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is a man on a mission.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, he has imposed sanctions on Moscow, agreed to pursue a nuclear-free world with the Pope and taken a diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia and Europe to rally world leaders to protect democracy.

But it's not just democracy in Ukraine that he's trying to protect - Kishida sees parallels between Russia's actions in Europe and China's expansion in the Indo-Pacific, a region stretching from America's Pacific coastline to the Indian Ocean.

Source: CNN #May22

https://t.co/kn0IOz1zgi

#China #Japan #Russia #Ukraine

#FirstHand #June4
Assembly in #London: #Hongkongers and #Ulkranians In Solidarity

Photo album: https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32822

At Downing Street, London on June 4th, 2022, Hongkongers and Ukrainians organized a fight against dictatorship assembly. The solidarity movement voices support for the fight for freedom across mainly Hongkongers and Ukrainians.

Exiled activist #NathanLaw, a former legislator in Hong Kong and the founder of #Demosisto, was the first guest speaker of the event. He said to the crowd, "no matter where we are from, we are all escaping from the dictatorship regime."

He said that not only Ukrainians but also Hongkongers have been following the Russian invasion news.

Carman Lau Ka-Man, a former Wong Tai Sin District Councillor in 2019, was the next one to speak, urging overseas Hongkongers to do more when they were able to and to help those in Hong Kong who are suffering in jail or under suppression.

"Perhaps 1989 seems quite long ago, but let's not forget what we did in the year of 2019."

#BenedictRoger, the founder of #HongKongWatch, brings a yellow umbrella to the event, saying the umbrella is not only for rainy weather, but also to symbolise the dignity of the people who fight for democracy and the movement against dictatorship regime.

A Ukrainian representative spoke and emphasised that Ukraine is a geographic buffer between Russia and Europe, protecting the whole Europe from Russia. She urged the world to stop using fuel supplied by Russia in order to stand with Ukraine.

Related News
Remembering June 4th in #Japan
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32814

#Resistance #Solidarity #FightForFreedom #RussianInvasion #CCP

#FirstHand #June4
Assembly in #London: #Hongkongers and #Ulkranians In Solidarity

Photo album: https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32825

At Downing Street, London on June 4th, 2022, Hongkongers and Ukrainians organized a fight against dictatorship assembly. The solidarity movement voices support for the fight for freedom across mainly Hongkongers and Ukrainians.

Exiled activist #NathanLaw, a former legislator in Hong Kong and the founder of #Demosisto, was the first guest speaker of the event. He said to the crowd, "no matter where we are from, we are all escaping from the dictatorship regime."

He said that not only Ukrainians but also Hongkongers have been following the Russian invasion news.

Carman Lau Ka-Man, a former Wong Tai Sin District Councillor in 2019, was the next one to speak, urging overseas Hongkongers to do more when they were able to and to help those in Hong Kong who are suffering in jail or under suppression.

"Perhaps 1989 seems quite long ago, but let's not forget what we did in the year of 2019."

#BenedictRoger, the founder of #HongKongWatch, brings a yellow umbrella to the event, saying the umbrella is not only for rainy weather, but also to symbolise the dignity of the people who fight for democracy and the movement against dictatorship regime.

A Ukrainian representative spoke and emphasised that Ukraine is a geographic buffer between Russia and Europe, protecting the whole Europe from Russia. She urged the world to stop using fuel supplied by Russia in order to stand with Ukraine.

Related News
Remembering June 4th in #Japan
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32814

#Resistance #Solidarity #FightForFreedom #RussianInvasion #CCP

#Solidarity #FightForFreedom
#Hongkongers in #Japan Call for International Support through Video

Hongkongers in Japan displayed a video in support of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement in the center of #Shibuya in #Tokyo.

The day #July1 marks the 25th anniversary of the transfer of soveignty of Hong Kong from Britain to China and two years since Beijing's enforcement of the #NationalSecurityLaw in Hong Kong

Reference:
https://twitter.com/williamleewt/status/1542817913107021825

#Handover #FreeHongKong

#Solidarity
#HongKongDiaspora Fights from Abroad

//Hongkongers living in Japan are trying to protect freedoms in the territory they left behind.// 

Watch the video here:
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20220701204909434/

Source: NHK #Jul1

#Handover #FightForFreedom #Hongkongers #Japan

Chinese missiles suspected of landing in Japan’s economic zone

//Five ballistic missiles fired by China are believed to have landed in the waters of Japan’s exclusive economic zone (#EEZ) for the first time, Tokyo’s defence minister said.

China held its largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan on Thursday, August 4, 2022, following US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the self-governed island, despite stern warnings from Beijing that the visit should not proceed.

Japan’s EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles (approximately 370km) from the country’s coastline, beyond the limits of its territorial waters and parts of Japan’s southernmost island region Okinawa are close to Taiwan.

“Five of the nine ballistic missiles launched by China are believed to have landed within Japan’s EEZ,” Japanese defence minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters on Thursday.

Japan has “lodged a protest with China through diplomatic channels”, Kishi said, calling the matter “a serious problem that affects our national security and the safety of our citizens”.

The figure of nine Chinese missiles fired was an assessment by the Japanese side, Kishi said, adding that the five missiles that landed in the EEZ appeared to have splashed down southwest of Okinawa’s Hateruma Island. Kishi said it was the first time that Chinese ballistic missiles had landed in Japan’s EEZ.//


Source: Al-Jazeera #Aug4
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/4/chinese-missiles-suspected-of-landing-in-japans-economic-zone

#ChineseMissile #Taiwan #PelosiVisit #Japan

China Claims Missiles Struck All Targets Accurately; Japan Claims Missiles Hit Japanese Exclusive Economic Zone

China had launched missiles at multiple designated zones to the east of Taiwan and had struck all targets accurately, says People's Liberation Army (#PLA) Eastern Theater Rocket Force spokesperson Shi Yi in an announcement in the afternoon of August 4, 2022

These are part of China's announced military exercises from August 4 to 7, 2022, in which its military had designated 6 exercise zones in waters surrounding Taiwan. These are closer to Taiwan than China's military exercises during the 1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis.

The same evening, Japan's defense minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters that five of China's ballistic missiles had landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone (#EEZ). He had lodged a protest with the Chinese embassy in Japan, demanding the military exercises be halted immediately.

See also:
Chinese missiles suspected of landing in Japan’s economic zone
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/33083

The areas China designated for its exercise is within 30km of areas where Japanese fishing vessels regularly operate, according to an announcement by the fishery association of Okinawa’s Hateruma Island. The association issued a warning to the island's fishermen the day before the exercise. "This is much closer than any regular exercises by Taiwan," the association's spokesperson said in a troubled voice. "The PLA is holding an exercise here for the first time. It's hard to say how it would turn out."

Sources: China Times; UDN #Aug4
https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20220804003539-260409

https://udn.com/news/story/6809/6513222

#ChineseMissile #Taiwan #PelosiVisit #Japan

In March 2023, the Hong Kong National Security Police detained a female student, accusing her of making multiple provocative posts and sharing photos on her social media accounts, including promoting Hong Kong independence.

Source: The Witness; #Jun16

#HongKong #Japan #NSL #NationalSecurityPolice #Student

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

In March 2023, the Hong Kong National Security Police detained a female student, accusing her of making multiple provocative posts and sharing photos on her social media accounts, including promoting Hong Kong independence.

The 23-year-old student was said to study in Japan. She went back to Hong Kong in March to renew her Hong Kong identity card.

She was charged with one count of incitement and appeared in court for the first time at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court on 16 June.

The defense raised concerns about the jurisdiction of the court to handle the case. They argued that a significant portion of the posts were made outside of Hong Kong and that the prosecution had exceeded the time limit for prosecution. The prosecution responded by stating that the legal disputes were currently awaiting resolution at the appellate court and suggested that the case be adjourned until the appeals process concludes.

Chief Magistrate Peter Law Tak-chuen, who is designated under the National Security Law, granted bail with certain conditions. These conditions included a restriction on leaving Hong Kong, the requirement to delete all social media applications, and the surrendering of related accounts to the police for inspection.

The case was adjourned until August 2nd for further proceedings.

The defendant remained composed throughout the hearing, while her family members shed tears upon hearing the decision. As she left the court, she was accompanied by Deputy Secretary for Transport and Housing, Yau Shing-mu.

Source: The Witness; #Jun16

#HongKong #Japan #NSL #NationalSecurityPolice #Student

https://bit.ly/3JipRzw