Japan sends message to Beijing on ‘significant costs' of Taiwan Strait attack
plan to deploy long-range missiles in the southwest of the country has the Taiwan Strait and North Korea in mind, and it could also deny Chinese navy vessels access to the Pacific, analysts say.
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Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Sunday that Tokyo was considering
deploying the missiles on the southwestern island of Kyushu to strengthen 'counterstrike capabilities' against enemy targets if a conflict arose.
The report, citing Japanese government sources, said the deployment was likely to take place in March 2026 as part of efforts to improve the security of the Nansei Islands – an archipelago also known as the Ryukyus. Kyushu is part of the island chain which has strategic importance for its proximity to
Taiwan
Tokyo is assessing possible sites in Kyushu for the deployment, according to Kyodo. It said the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force surface-to-ship missile regiment garrisons in Yufu in Oita prefecture and the city of Kumamoto were two likely candidates.
The missiles to be deployed are an upgraded version of Japan's Type-12 surface-to-ship guided missile, with an extended range of 1,000km (620 miles). That would put both North Korea and the Chinese coast within reach from Kyushu.
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Stephen Nagy, a professor of politics and international studies at the International Christian University in Tokyo, said Japan was sending a message that there would be 'significant costs' if Beijing launched a military operation across the Taiwan Strait, or in and around the
Diaoyu Islands . The Diaoyus – known in Japan as the Senkakus – are a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea claimed by both China and Japan.
Nagy said Tokyo was trying to show Washington that it takes security seriously and is shouldering its fair share of the burden within the alliance, and that it was also concerned about Beijing's activities in the region including military drills around Taiwan and grey-zone operations.
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HKFP
8 hours ago
- HKFP
‘Simple Buddhist monk': Dalai Lama marks landmark 90th birthday
Calling himself a 'simple Buddhist monk' who usually didn't celebrate birthdays, the Dalai Lama marked his 90th on Sunday by praying for peace after China insisted it would have the final say on who succeeded the Tibetan spiritual leader. Chanting of red-robed monks and nuns rang out from Himalayan hilltop forested temples in India, home to the Dalai Lama since he and thousands of other Tibetans fled Chinese troops who crushed an uprising in their capital Lhasa in 1959. 'I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don't normally engage in birthday celebrations,' the Dalai Lama said in a message, thanking those marking it with him for using the opportunity 'to cultivate peace of mind and compassion'. Dressed in traditional robes and a flowing yellow wrap, he walked with the aid of two monks while flashing his trademark beaming smile to thousands of followers. Beijing condemns the Nobel Peace Prize winner — who has led a lifelong campaign for greater autonomy for Tibet, a vast high-altitude plateau — as a rebel and separatist. Alongside the celebrations, however, is the worry for Tibetans in exile that China will name its successor to bolster control over the territory it poured troops into in 1950 and has ruled ever since. That raises the likelihood of rival challengers to the post; one by self-declared atheist Beijing, the other by the Dalai Lama's office based in neighbouring India, a regional rival of China. 'Good heart' The celebrations on Sunday are the culmination of days of long-life prayers for Tenzin Gyatso, who followers believe is the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, a man whose moral teachings and idiosyncratic humour have made him one of the world's most popular religious leaders. 'While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate, not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone,' he said in his birthday message. 'Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place.' The celebrations also included his key announcement that, after being inundated with messages of support from fellow Tibetans both inside and in exile, the spiritual institution will continue after his death. He said he had received appeals from followers from across the Himalayan region, Mongolia and parts of Russia and China. The seemingly esoteric matters of reincarnation have real-world political consequences, with Tibetans fearing his death will mark a major setback in his push for more autonomy for the Himalayan region. The Dalai Lama said his India-based office alone would 'exclusively' identify that successor — prompting a swift and sharp reply from China that the reincarnation 'must be approved by the central government' in Beijing. China said the succession would be carried out 'by drawing lots from a golden urn', foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters on Wednesday. That urn is held by Beijing, and the Dalai Lama has warned that, when used dishonestly, it lacks 'any spiritual quality'. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered effusive birthday greetings on Sunday, calling the Dalai Lama an 'enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline'. India and China are intense rivals competing for influence across South Asia, but have sought to repair ties after a 2020 border clash. 'Freedom and dignity' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said in a statement that Washington was 'committed to promoting respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Tibetans'. Among the crowds attending the celebrations was Hollywood star Richard Gere, a longtime backer of the Tibetans in exile, who on Sunday said the Dalai Lama 'totally embodies selflessness, complete love and compassion and wisdom'. Messages of support were also given by former US presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as Barack Obama, who said the Dalai Lama had shown what it means to 'speak up for freedom and dignity'. The ceremony ended with the Dalai Lama eating a slice of cake and thousands singing 'happy birthday'. No details have been released for the future succession. All so far have been men or boys, often identified as toddlers and taking up the role only as teenagers. The current Dalai Lama, himself identified in 1937, has said that if there is a successor it will come from the 'free world' outside China's control. In a speech to followers on Sunday, the Dalai Lama said his practice of Buddhism meant he had dedicated his life towards seeking compassion. 'I'm now 90 and… when I reflect on my life, I see that I have not wasted my life at all', he said, speaking in Tibetan. 'I would not have regrets at the time of my death; rather I would be able to die very peacefully.'
HKFP
15 hours ago
- HKFP
‘Highlight of my career': Former US consul general Gregory May on his tenure and a changing Hong Kong
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Speaking to HKFP last Sunday at his home near the Peak, the diplomat said he was leaving Hong Kong with 'genuine warm feelings' for the city. Outside, in preparation for a farewell party for the consul general, house staff inflated bouncy castles – entertainment for the kids while the adults mingle. 'You can believe that Hong Kong is a wonderful city and still disagree with the policies of the mainland Chinese and Hong Kong governments,' May told HKFP. 'Testy' relationship During May's time as the top US diplomat in Hong Kong, the city enacted its second national security law, two landmark national security trials were underway, and major pro-democracy parties disbanded. There have also been 'ups and downs' in the broader US-China ties, May added. Amid these developments, May described the US government's relationship with Hong Kong authorities as 'testy with room for dialogue.' The diplomat said his 'main concern' during his tenure had been Jimmy Lai, the founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. Lai is on trial for conspiring to collude with foreign forces under the Beijing-imposed national security law. However, 'our concern goes beyond Jimmy Lai… you have people who are in jail for participating in political activity that was specifically allowed for in the Basic Law,' May said. 'People [are] in jail for criticising the government online.' 'That's been difficult to witness, and over the three years, that's gotten more challenging in terms of human rights.' In response to HKFP's enquiries, the Hong Kong government said that attempts to 'procure a defendant's evasion of the criminal justice process' are a 'blatant act' of undermining the rule of law. US politicians should 'immediately stop interfering in [Hong Kong]'s internal affairs and the independent exercise of judicial power,' it added. May also commented on the Hong Kong police's arrest warrants and bounties on 19 overseas activists under the Beijing-imposed national security law. Some of these activists now live in the US, and at least one of them is a US citizen. 'Their alleged crimes [include] things they've said in the United States in our case, under our constitutional protections,' he said, adding that the Hong Kong police were trying to 'suppress free speech in my country.' In its reply to HKFP, the Hong Kong government said the security law's extraterritorial effect 'fully aligns with the principles of international law.' 'Those absconders hiding in the US and other Western countries are wanted because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security,' it wrote. Still, May said the US had 'good communication overall' with Hong Kong, and that there had been solid cooperation on issues such as combating drug shipments and scams. He added that several lawmakers have been open to discussion despite their disagreements on certain US and Hong Kong policies. 'There is still a group… in some circles of the government that still value maintaining cooperation,' he said. Responding to May's comment about the 'testy' US-Hong Kong relationship, the city's authorities pointed out the ties between the two governments in areas such as trade, education and culture. The US's trade in goods with Hong Kong supports about 140,000 jobs in the US, they said. 'The shared interests between Hong Kong and the US have allowed us to develop a multifaceted and longstanding relationship over the years,' the government said. 'Pressure from outside' The US consulate has not been immune to the city's politicised landscape, May said. Outside of the law, the diplomat said he had observed 'softer repressive measures' aimed at stifling certain groups' 'perfectly legal activities' – and he himself had experienced that first hand. Like the Democratic Party, the city's largest pro-democracy political party, and the Hong Kong Journalists Association, which have faced difficulties securing venues for their annual dinners, the US consulate has encountered similar problems with finding hosts for its events, May said. 'We're doing something in an outside venue, and suddenly there's a plumbing problem over there, or there's some excuse for why the venue is no longer available,' he said. May said it 'hasn't happened very often,' but it had been with 'increasing frequency.' 'It's very clear that this is pressure from outside. Phone calls are made… they get the message that they shouldn't be hosting anything,' he said, adding that these incidents happened closer to the end of his time here. In response, the government told HKFP it had 'no comment' and that rights and freedoms remain protected. Compared with the earlier parts of his tenure, May said he received fewer invitations and had fewer opportunities to give talks at secondary schools to promote higher education in the US. He said he had also had requests to speak at universities rescinded, which he attributed to 'external pressure.' May also expressed concerns about the city's media landscape, saying there had been a 'real deterioration.' Regarding press freedom, the diplomat lamented the demise of political cartoonist Wong Kei-kwan, known as 'Zunzi.' The cartoonist, known for his satirical takes on current affairs, used to have a regular column in the Chinese-language local newspaper Ming Pao. Fluent in Mandarin, May said he subscribed to Ming Pao to keep up his Chinese reading and to read Zunzi's cartoons. The comic strip was suspended in May 2023 after being criticised by authorities. 'I love the cartoons by Zunzi,' May said. 'They're funny, [and] it's a challenge to figure out the Cantonese and the special sayings.' 'He criticised the United States, he criticised a lot of different people in those cartoons, and we can't see them anymore,' he said. 'And we all know why.' The Hong Kong government has repeatedly said that press freedom is not absolute and defended the media landscape, calling it 'as vibrant as ever.' Going local The turbulent relationship between the US and China – and by extension, Hong Kong – may have defined May's tenure in the city. But that is perhaps not what most Hongkongers will remember him for. Videos on the US consulate's Facebook and Instagram pages featuring him shopping at a wet market and riding a minibus, while showing off his earnest, if not imperfect, Cantonese, have racked up hundreds of thousands of views. A four-second clip posted last month, showing him perfectly splitting a piece of tissue in two, has over 300,000 views on Facebook. 'I just found out that many people in Hong Kong have a habit of sharing tissues. Do you think I tore mine the right way?' the caption reads. May said his time in Hong Kong had 'really been the highlight of my career.' Besides the people, the diplomat said he would miss his walks to the Peak from his residence, Ocean Park trips with his son, and above all else, food. 'Hong Kong has so many Michelin-star restaurants… but I think the best places to eat are the ones that don't take Octopus or credit card. Cash only,' he said. The diplomat counts wonton noodles and two-dish rice as his favourites. His go-tos for the latter are preserved sausage and a vegetable like xiao bai cai, a type of Chinese cabbage. Reflecting on the political developments during his almost three years in Hong Kong, May said he would still encourage Americans to move to the city. 'You just have to be knowledgeable about some of the changes here. You need to be mindful of things like the national security law and Article 23,' he said, referring to the homegrown security law passed last year. 'Hong Kong has changed. Hong Kong, fundamentally, is not the free society that it used to be.'
RTHK
a day ago
- RTHK
Veterans in SAR pay visit to Chinese naval fleet
Veterans in SAR pay visit to Chinese naval fleet Lam Chun (left) and Law King-fai (right) tour the visiting naval fleet. Photo: RTHK The Chinese naval fleet docked in Hong Kong for a five-day port visit has welcomed two former anti-Japanese guerrilla fighters, as the veterans onboard a warship hailed the country's military advancement. Lam Chun and Law King-fai, both in their 90s, made a trip to the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks on Stonecutters Island and the destroyer Zhanjiang on Saturday. They were once part of the Dongjiang Column, a guerrilla force fighting the Japanese during the Second World War. "We have now witnessed the warships making concrete advances, defending our motherland," Lam said. "They are not here to be involved in battles, but to protect ourselves, so that we can continue with our development." Law, for his part, recalled going to war in wooden boats back in the day, saying the country's naval vessels and weapons have changed and developed rapidly throughout the years. The Shandong aircraft carrier and other vessels in its strike group are in Hong Kong until Monday.
