June 26, 2024 |
SOUTHEAST ASIA ROUNDUP

 

By API Desk | Date 06-26-2024

 

US expresses concern over the South China Sea situation

Hanoi — A senior US administration official has expressed serious concern about the worsening situation in the South China Sea, describing China’s recent actions as “deeply destabilizing”.

US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink told local media in Hanoi said the situation “is deeply concerning” and they continue to “stand with our Filipino allies.” 

The Philippines is not invoking the mutual defense treaty with the US after China’s latest disruption of a resupply mission in the disputed South China Sea on June 17. 

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague said China’s claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has rejected.

 

US sends carrier to Korean peninsula for exercises

Seoul — A US Navy’s 7th Fleet sent an aircraft carrier to South Korea for joint military drills to counter North Korean threats.

The US and South Korea have been carrying out regular military exercises to test the two countries’ readiness in the face of imminent threats from the north, which Pyongyang has considered rehearsals for an invasion.

The South Korean navy has said that USS Theodore Roosevelt is expected to participate in a joint exercise with Japan this month. Along with the US, the three countries have expanded joint training exercises.

The two Koreas have also been locked in a tit-for-tat “balloon war”, with an activist in the South confirming that he had floated more balloons carrying propaganda north, while Pyongyang sent more than a thousand trash-filled balloons southward. 

 

Thai opposition slams military budget

Bangkok — The political opposition party, Move Forward Party (MFP) slammed the ruling government for its national defense budget, saying the spending plan did not reflect changing security and threats.

Opposition leader Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn questioned the armed forces’ earmarked 520-million-Baht 2025 budget despite a reduced number of conscripts. Wiroj also questioned the government’s plan to procure fighter jets valued at 19.5 billion baht. 

Wiroj said that the army did not put enough importance on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), which are widely deployed in military operations and curbing criminal activities. 

However, Defense Minister Sutin Klungsang said there are adequate strategic UAVs because the armed forces can manufacture them.

 

Cambodia PM reaffirms war on drugs

Phnom Penh — Prime Minister Hun Manet has reaffirmed his commitment to the fight against drugs, which has been an obstacle to the country’s development.

“As a signatory to various conventions and protocols, I want to express our commitment and strong will to make the fight against drugs a high priority of the seventh-mandate government,” Manet said.

He directed provincial authorities to continue to strengthen the safe village and commune policy by eliminating the distribution and use of drugs in their communities.

Manet in his statement also called on all stakeholders to take part in raising public awareness of the negative effects of drugs and  encouraged the private sector to invest in educational campaigns.