ASTANA, Kazakhstan: President Vladimir Putin used a speech to Asian leaders on Thursday (Oct 13) to develop a theme that he has pressed more intensely as Russia’s military fortunes have waned: That Moscow is fighting the West to establish a fairer world.

With Western economic sanctions also tightening, Putin has shifted his emphasis from fighting alleged “fascists” in Kyiv to confronting a “collective West” that is arming Ukraine with the supposed aim of expanding its influence at Russia’s expense.

“The world is becoming truly multi-polar,” Putin said. “And Asia, where new centres of power are emerging, plays a significant, if not key, role in it.”

At a meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in the Kazakh capital Astana, Putin described the West as a neo-colonial power bent on stunting the development of the rest of the world and exploiting poorer countries.

“Like many of our partners in Asia, we believe a revision is needed of the global financial system, which has for decades allowed the self-proclaimed so-called ‘golden billion’, who redirected all capital flows and technologies to themselves to live largely at others’ expense,” Putin said.

The members of CICA have their own diverse agendas, however, and have also become more valuable to Russia as customers for the oil, gas and other commodities that it is finding hard to sell to the West.

The body includes several Central Asian ex-Soviet nations that regard Russia as their former colonial overlord – as well as China, India and some Arab and Southeast Asian nations, which have benefited from close trading ties with the West and Japan.

Kazakh authorities this month rejected a demand from Russia that they expel Ukraine’s ambassador, chiding Moscow for what they called an inappropriate tone between “equal strategic partners”.

The phrase “golden billion” became popular in Russian political discourse in the 1990s as part of a theory positing that Western nations had conspired to exploit the resources of others, above all Russia, while keeping them poor and brainwashing their populations.

The theory also supports Putin’s avowed aim of restoring Russia’s status of global power by opposing what he sees as a United States-led cabal.

Kyiv and the West deny any intention to threaten or diminish Russia, which they say is waging a war of imperialist aggression against Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday described the war in Ukraine as part of a Russian “crusade” against liberal democracy.

WASHINGTON: The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to ban approvals of new telecommunications equipment from China’s Huawei Technologies and ZTE in the US on national security grounds, according to a document posted by the agency.

FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel last week circulated the proposed ban to the other three commissioners for final approval. The companies would not be able to sell new equipment in the United States without equipment authorisations.

In June 2021, the FCC voted to advance the plan to ban approvals for equipment in US telecommunications networks from Chinese companies deemed national security threats, including Huawei and ZTE.

That came after a March 2021 designation of five Chinese companies on the so-called “covered list” as posing a threat to national security under a 2019 law aimed at protecting US communications networks: Huawei Technologies, ZTE, Hytera Communications, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology and Zhejiang Dahua Technology.

The FCC said in June 2021 it was considering banning all equipment authorisations for all companies on the covered list.

This year, the FCC added Russia’s AO Kaspersky Lab, China Telecom (Americas), China Mobile International USA, Pacific Networks and China Unicom (Americas) to the covered list.

Rosenworcel said last year that the new measures would “exclude untrustworthy equipment from (US) communications networks.

“We have left open opportunities for (Huawei and other Chinese equipment) use in the United States through our equipment authorisation process. So here we propose to close that door,” she said.

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said in 2021 that the FCC had approved more than 3,000 applications from Huawei since 2018.

The FCC action would prohibit all future authorisations for communications equipment deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to national security.

In 2019, the United States placed Huawei, Hikvision and other firms on its economic blacklist.

Also in 2020, the FCC designated Huawei and ZTE as national security threats to communications networks – a declaration that barred US companies from tapping a US$8.3 billion government fund to purchase equipment from the companies.

Earlier this year, the Chinese embassy in Washington said the FCC “abused state power and maliciously attacked Chinese telecom operators again without factual basis”.

US-NEPAL RELATIONS

But that status looked set to waver when Nepal’s parliament ratified a key agreement in February that drew it closer to the United States.

Through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Nepal Compact, the US pledged US$500 million for roads and energy infrastructure development in the landlocked country.

But the move received much opposition as it was viewed as a way for the US to use the Himalayan nation as a tool to counter Chinese influence. There were also concerns that the pact could eventually compromise Nepal’s sovereignty.

The MCC Nepal Compact was eventually signed after the US government clarified in writing that it was not a part of Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy, and that the Constitution of Nepal prevails over the agreement. 

Analysts believe Nepal will inevitably figure in the regional strategy of the US as it refocuses on the Indo-Pacific.

Professor Harsh Pant of the Observer Research Foundation said in the great power contest, the US has to offer a better alternative to smaller nations like Nepal, which can “decide for themselves what they want to do” with it.

After analysts partly blamed Sri Lanka’s financial crisis on expensive Chinese debt, many people in Nepal have become wary of the Chinese footprint in their country. Meanwhile, observers see this as an opportunity for neighbouring India to bring Kathmandu into its fold. 

If Mr Oli unseats Mr Deuba in the upcoming polls, Nepal could well move further away from New Delhi and closer to Beijing, said experts, stressing that the elections could not only decide relations with its neighbours but also influence geopolitics in South Asia.

BEIJING: China on Saturday (Oct 8) criticised the latest decision by the United States to tighten export controls that would make it harder for China to obtain and manufacture advanced computing chips, calling it a violation of international economic and trade rules that will “isolate and backfire” on the US.

“Out of the need to maintain its sci-tech hegemony, the US abuses export control measures to maliciously block and suppress Chinese companies,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.

“It will not only damage the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, but also affect American companies’ interests,” she said.

Mao also said that the US “weaponisation and politicisation” of science and technology as well as economic and trade issues will not stop China’s progress.

She was speaking after the US on Friday updated export controls that included adding certain advanced, high-performance computing chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment to its list, as well as new license requirements for items that would be used in a supercomputer or for semiconductor development in China.

The US said that the export controls were added as part of ongoing efforts to protect US national security and foreign policy interests.

US-China relations have deteriorated in recent years over technology and security issues. The US has implemented a raft of measures and restrictions designed to prevent China from obtaining chip technology, while China has earmarked billions for investment into the production of semiconductors.

The tensions have impacted semiconductor companies in the US and globally which either export chips or manufacture chips in China.

Semiconductor companies such as Nvidia and AMD has seen a 40 per cent decline in stock price over the past year.

“We understand the goal of ensuring national security and urge the US government to implement the rules in a targeted way—and in collaboration with international partners—to help level the playing field and mitigate unintended harm to US innovation,” the Semiconductor Industry Association, which represents US semiconductor industry, said in a statement.

SEOUL: North Korea said on Saturday (Oct 8) that its missile tests are for self-defence against direct US military threats and they have not harmed the safety of neighbouring countries and regions.

North Korea carried out six missile launches in 12 days as of this week, including launching an intermediate-range missile over Japan on Tuesday.

“Our missile tests are a normal, planned self-defence measure to protect our country’s security and regional peace from direct US military threats,” said state media KCNA, citing an aviation administration spokesperson.

The missile tests “did not pose any threat or harm to the safety of civil aviation as well as the safety of neighbouring countries and regions, by a full consideration of civil aviation safety in advance”.

The message was in response to the International Civil Aviation Organization Council condemning North Korea’s missile launches for posing a serious safety risk to international civil aviation, KCNA said.

North Korea’s defence ministry was “taking a stern look at the development of the current situation, which is very worrisome”, regarding US-South Korean drills involving the nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, KCNA said in a separate statement.

The United States and South Korea held joint maritime exercises on Friday, a day after Seoul scrambled fighter jets in reaction to an apparent North Korean bombing drill.

The United States also announced new sanctions on Friday in response to North Korea’s latest missile launches.

WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday (Oct 7) imposed new sanctions following North Korea’s latest missile launches this week, targeting a fuel procurement network that Washington said supports Pyongyang’s weapons programs and its military.

Friday’s action targeted two Singapore-registered companies and a Marshall Islands-registered company, the US Treasury Department said in a statement, as Washington seeks to hold North Korea accountable for ship-to-ship transfers that circumvent United Nations sanctions on the country.

“The DPRK’s (North Korea’s) long-range ballistic missile launches, including over Japan, demonstrate a continued disregard for United Nations Security Council resolutions,” the Treasury’s Brian Nelson, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said in the statement.

“The United States will continue to enforce multilateral sanctions and pursue the DPRK’s sanctions evasion efforts worldwide, including by designating those who support these activities.”

SEOUL: South Korea and the United States began joint maritime exercises with a US aircraft carrier on Friday (Oct 7), South Korea’s military said, a day after it scrambled fighter jets in reaction to an apparent North Korean bombing drill.

The maritime drills will take place in waters off South Korea’s east coast on Oct 7-8, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said. The drills come after North Korea launched a pair of ballistic missiles into the sea on Thursday, and later flew warplanes near the border with the South.

“We will continue to strengthen our operational capabilities and readiness to respond to any provocations by North Korea through joint drills with … the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

The US strike group already participated in trilateral missile defence exercises with warships from Japan and South Korea this week, prompted by a test on Tuesday in which North Korea launched a ballistic missile that overflew part of Japan.

Senior defence officials from Japan, South Korea and the United States discussed the latest developments in a call on Friday, condemning the North Korean launches and agreeing that recent trilateral maritime drills have improved their ability to respond to North Korea, South Korea’s ministry of defence said in a statement.

A State Department spokesperson said the United States condemned Thursday’s launch as a violation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions and a threat to regional neighbours and the international community.

The spokesperson, however, added that Washington was committed to a diplomatic approach and called on the North to engage in dialogue.

On Wednesday, the United States accused China and Russia of enabling North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by blocking attempts to strengthen UN Security Council sanctions on Pyongyang for its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is set to speak to Kishida by telephone on Thursday, told reporters his country would ensure its security through its alliance with the United States and cooperation with Japan.

Tokyo lodged a “vehement protest” with North Korea over Thursday’s launches through delegations in Beijing, Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said.

“North Korea has relentlessly and unilaterally escalated its provocation especially since the beginning of this year,” Hamada told reporters.

Thursday’s first missile probably flew to an altitude of about 100km and a range of 350km, while the second had an estimated altitude of 50km and covered 800km, probably taking an irregular trajectory, he said.

Many of North Korea’s most recent short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) are designed to fly on a lower, depressed trajectory and potentially manoeuver, complicating efforts to detect and intercept them.

South Korea’s JCS said the missiles were launched from near the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.

The United States and its allies have stepped up displays of military force in the region, but there appears little prospect of further international sanctions by the UN Security Council, which has already passed resolutions banning the North’s missile and nuclear development.

China’s deputy UN ambassador, Geng Shuang, said the Security Council needed to play a constructive role “instead of relying solely on strong rhetoric or pressure”.

In May, China and Russia vetoed a US-led push for more UN sanctions on North Korea over its renewed ballistic missile launches, publicly splitting the Security Council for the first time since it began punishing Pyongyang with sanctions in 2006. 

General Kenneth Wilsbach, commander of the US Air Force in the Pacific, said North Korea’s possession of such a weapon was especially unsettling because, unlike other powers, Pyongyang did not consider nuclear arms to be strictly deterrents – kept but never used.

“They’ve threatened to use those weapons against their neighbours, and possibly even the US,” he said. “I mean, if you think about other countries who have those weapons, they don’t talk like that. And so that should have everyone concerned.”

Wilsbach said he “would not be surprised if we saw some sort of test in the near future”, adding that, were one to go ahead, it would “certainly be a game changer” in the region.

“And it would be of great concern to a number of countries,” he added. “I suspect that even China and Russia would be concerned about that.”

Under pressure from international sanctions over its weapons programme, North Korea adopted in September a resolution proclaiming itself an “irreversible” nuclear power.

Pyongyang has carried out six nuclear tests since 2006, with the most recent – and most powerful – in 2017.

Satellite images taken in recent months show signs of activity in a tunnel at the nuclear test site Punggye-ri.

The rollover is related to the Paris club agreement in April 2020 to support 73 lower income countries during COVID-19, under which the US provided relief on US$128 million in debt to Pakistan.

The agreement to suspend payments on that debt, plus an additional US$4 million, has now been rolled over again.

Pakistan’s outgoing finance minister Miftah Ismail said last week that Islamabad was seeking debt relief from bilateral creditors in the wake of flooding, but emphasised the government was not seeking any relief from commercial banks or Eurobond creditors.

The country’s bonds had slumped to just half their face value, after the Financial Times newspaper said a United Nations development agency was urging the cash-strapped country to restructure its debt.

Ismail said the US$1 billion bond would be paid on time and in full due later this year.