World Biz
Taiwan to work with US to counter China authoritarianism
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen said on Saturday (8 April) that Taipei will continue working with the United States and other democracies as the island faces “continued authoritarian expansionism” from China.
China announced 3-days of military exercises around Taiwan on Saturday, calling them a “stern warning” to the self-ruled island’s government after Tsai met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles earlier in the outgoing week.
Hours after Beijing, which views self-ruled Taiwan as part of its own territory, announced the exercises, Tsai met with a US congressional delegation in Taipei led by House foreign affairs committee chairman Michael McCaul.
“In recent years we have faced continued authoritarian expansionism,” Tsai said at the meeting.
“Cooperation among democracies has become even more important. We will continue to work with the US and other like-minded countries to jointly defend the values of freedom and democracy, she added.
McCaul — who oversees all US military sales to foreign nations — said Washington was working to quickly supply weapons to Taiwan.
“We are doing everything we can in Congress to speed up these sales and get the weapons that you need to defend yourself, and we will provide training to your military, not for war, but for peace,” he said.
“It’s important that all democracies stand together against tyranny and oppression, whether it be (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine to Communist China’s acts of aggression against your nation and the Pacific.”
Dubbed “United Sharp Sword”, China’s 3-day operation will run until Monday, the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command said in a statement.
The war games will send planes, ships and personnel into “the maritime areas and air space of the Taiwan Strait, off the northern and southern coasts of the island, and to the island’s east”, said Shi Yin, a PLA spokesman.
Taiwan’s defence ministry on Saturday said it would respond to China’s operation “with a calm, rational, and serious attitude, and monitor the situation based on the principle of ‘not escalating conflicts, nor causing disputes’ to defend our national sovereignty and security”.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to embark on a visit to Switzerland in June to attend the “World of Work Summit: Social Justice for All” in Geneva on June 14-15. The summit serves as a significant platform for global leaders to address the pressing need for enhanced, coordinated, and coherent efforts in promoting social justice.
During the summit, discussions will revolve around the proposal to establish a Global Coalition for Social Justice, which received a positive response from the International Labour Office’s Governing Body at its 347th Session. Should the plans be finalized, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will undertake her visit to Geneva from June 13 to 16, as confirmed by a diplomatic source.
A distinguished lineup of attendees, including French President François Hollande, Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi, and representatives from employers’ and workers’ organizations, will address the conference. Over the course of two days, the summit aims to emphasize the crucial role of social justice in fostering a more sustainable and equitable world. Additionally, strategies for enhanced collaboration and cohesive action to advance social justice and ensure policy coherence will be explored.
The summit will provide participants with a platform to share their vision and priorities concerning social justice, as well as showcase the actions they have taken and commit to taking to promote social justice. Furthermore, the outcomes of the summit are expected to inform discussions in other multilateral forums regarding the significance and strategies for achieving greater social justice. These forums include the Sustainable Development Goals Summit, the G20 Summit, and the summits of the BRICS countries, all scheduled to take place in 2023.
Prominent figures such as heads of state and government, the United Nations Secretary-General, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), and high-level representatives from employers’ and workers’ organizations will deliver addresses during the summit. Additionally, four panel discussions will bring together governmental representatives, employers’ and workers’ organizations, UN entities, and other international organizations to identify and amplify actions aimed at promoting social justice across the multilateral system. The objective is to commit to a joint, coherent, and coordinated engagement on this crucial issue.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has extended his two-decade-long grip on power in Turkey, securing victory over his rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu in a closely contested presidential runoff election.
With 99.43% of the votes counted, Turkey’s supreme election authority announced Erdoğan’s win with 52.14% of the votes, while Kilicdaroglu received 47.86%. The gap of over 2 million votes between the candidates was insurmountable, ensuring Erdogan’s victory. Even before the official result was announced, Erdoğan celebrated atop a bus in Istanbul, singing a campaign song and declaring his triumph.
Erdoğan hailed the election as a win for Turkey and its democracy, emphasizing the importance of the country remaining united and focused on its goals. The incumbent president has been a dominant figure in Turkish politics, centralizing power, suppressing opposition, and implementing unconventional economic policies. Surprisingly, he garnered support in areas severely affected by financial crises and devastating earthquakes. Erdogan’s victory affirms his populist style of politics and grants him another term as president.
In the aftermath of his win, Erdoğan addressed his supporters from the balcony of the presidential palace, boasting of Turkey’s economic independence despite ongoing financial challenges. Congratulations poured in from various world leaders, including President Joe Biden, President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, President Emmanuel Macron, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and even Erdogan’s former rival, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi of Egypt.
Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), consoled his supporters at the party’s headquarters in Ankara, acknowledging the people’s desire for change despite what he deemed an unfair election process. He expressed his commitment to continuing the struggle for real democracy in the country.
The opposition had managed to push Erdoğan into a runoff election, an unprecedented occurrence in the presidential system introduced by Erdoğan himself. However, they fell short of securing the majority needed for victory. Kilicdaroglu and his coalition campaigned on returning Turkey to parliamentary democracy, pledging to reverse the changes implemented by Erdoğan during his two decades in power.
Erdoğan dismissed claims of increasing authoritarian control, highlighting that a candidate entering a runoff election cannot be considered a dictator. His campaign focused on his ability to solve the country’s problems, particularly the worsening economic crisis. Despite holding mayorships in major cities, the opposition struggled to gain traction outside their traditional strongholds, while Erdoğan’s support remained strong in provinces that had experienced significant socioeconomic growth under his leadership.
In summary, Erdoğan’s victory in the presidential runoff election solidifies his hold on power in Turkey, offering him another term as president and reaffirming his populist political approach. The country remains deeply polarized, with the opposition vowing to continue the struggle for a more democratic system.
Indonesia’s State Utility, Perusahaan Listrik Negara, Seeks $700 Million Investment for 200 MW Solar Panel Installation
Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), the state utility of Indonesia, has announced its intention to secure a $700 million investment to deploy a 200-megawatt (MW) solar panel system. This ambitious initiative aims to replace diesel power generators and reduce carbon emissions, aligning with Indonesia’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2060. As part of its broader plan, PLN has set a target to install 4.68 gigawatts (GW) of solar panels between 2021 and 2030.
According to PLN’s director, Evy Haryadi, the initial 200 MW solar panel installation represents the first phase of a comprehensive strategy to replace 1 GW of diesel power plants with solar energy. However, specific details regarding the timeline for this initial phase have not been disclosed.
Indonesia has received substantial support from a coalition of countries through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), which has pledged $20 billion in both public and private financing to assist the country in transitioning to cleaner energy sources. In line with this commitment, Indonesia aims to finalize a comprehensive plan for the allocation of JETP funds by August. It is worth noting that PLN’s transition from diesel power to renewable energy will serve as a pilot program within the JETP initiative.
This progressive move towards renewable energy showcases Indonesia’s dedication to combatting climate change and marks a significant step in the country’s sustainable energy transition. With the implementation of the solar panel project, Indonesia strives to pave the way for a greener and more environmentally friendly future.
