Global Plastics Treaty Will Test Japan’s Clean Image
Diplomat
23-05-17 12:36
Japan’s position towards a new global plastics treaty, due to be discussed in May and June 2021 in Paris, emphasizes marine litter rather than strict recycling policy and regulation of plastic production. Although Japan is clean and tidy in appearance, its methods of keeping the streets clean are ineffective and environmentally harmful. Only 22% of Japan’s plastic is actually recycled, with the majority being incinerated under the banner of thermal recycling, adding to fossil carbon emissions causing global warming. Furthermore, 40% of the plastic that is recycled in Japan is exported, primarily to countries that lack adequate waste disposal facilities such as landfills, such as Malaysia. Despite this, Japan’s published position on the treaty prioritizes marine litter, rather than tighter regulation and practises regarding plastic production. A stronger approach towards plastic production and use is needed, involving recycling, reduction targets and agreed-upon global rules instead of voluntary measures.
Following the closure of Hawaii’s last coal-fired power plant in 2022, an energy storage farm could replace it. The AES Corporation coal plant was capable of producing a fifth of the electricity provided to Oahu – the most populous state in Hawaii. The company has said that the Kapolei-based property has several options for a potential energy replacement, including solar, wind and battery storage. Energy storage farms such as this have become increasingly popular as they can replace older coal plants. For Hawaiian Electric, having more options in renewable sources of energy means that they can accept and use more power from intermittent sources, such as rooftop solar. The utility company has reported that 32% of power generation in 2022 was from renewable sources. Like other Pacific islands, Hawaii has been suffering impacts of climate change, including the destruction of coral reefs, sea level rise, intensifying storms and drought.
The last-minute cancellation of US President Joe Biden’s trip to Australia has thrown efforts to entrench the Quad grouping as a powerful democratic alternative to China into disarray. The third in-person Quad summit, and the first to be held in Australia, has now been postponed indefinitely. The leaders will try to make progress on climate change, critical minerals and maritime security initiatives amid a crowded schedule in Japan. Foreign affairs experts have called it a “self-inflicted wound” by the US, which presented it as evidence that countries in the Indo-Pacific could not rely on the US.
Biden off to Japan for Group of Seven summit, says there’s ‘work to do’ on global stage
The Toronto Star
23-05-17 17:05
US President Joe Biden has warned that there is “work to do” on the global stage, amid high-stakes negotiations in Washington over a federal default and geopolitical concerns over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s assertiveness in the Pacific. Although Biden pledged to remain in contact with negotiators in the capital while travelling overseas, his trip has already been cut short. Speaking before leaving the White House, Biden stated that he had made “clear America is not a deadbeat nation”, amid concerns that a federal default would not just spark a deep recession but could also weaken its standing on the international stage.
President Joe Biden has gone to Japan for a summit with allied powers focusing on issues such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China’s actions in the Pacific. As he departed Washington on Wednesday, talks were ongoing to head off a federal default. Biden is pledging to remain in contact with negotiators in Washington while conducting international diplomacy. Biden had also planned to visit Papua New Guinea and Australia amid the showdown over raising the federal debt limit, but has scrapped these plans. The president is expected to attend the annual G7 summit in Hiroshima to discuss global economic issues, climate change and development.
The US and Palau have reached an initial agreement to renew the Compact of Free Association agreement, a key strategic pact that sees the US provide Palau with defence and economic support in exchange for exclusive access to areas of the Pacific. The renewal follows a similar agreement reached with Micronesia on Monday as part of an effort to counter China's attempt to expand its influence in the region. However, President Biden called off a visit to the region to attend the signing ceremony due to the US debt ceiling crisis, which analysts suggest is a blow to US credibility in the area. The renewal with the Marshall Islands is also due to be signed.
"Special forces travel", aggressively seeking out sights and experiences while spending as little money as possible, is a symptom of the underlying weakness in household consumption in China, and could cast a shadow over the country's post-pandemic recovery in domestic tourism. Many Chinese travellers this year are seeking adventure on a budget, with domestic travel booming and tourists often choosing overnight trains and cheap hostel beds. So far in 2021, domestic consumption has consistently underwhelmed, held back by struggling property markets, high youth unemployment and broader concerns over job stability.
Cathay Pacific Airways is giving away 500,000 free airline tickets to Hong Kong, open to those in Australia, Canada, Europe, Korea, the US, UK China and New Zealand. The tickets will be given through a campaign called "Hello Hong Kong". Vouchers for bars, restaurants and other tourist attractions in the city will also be given upon winning the tickets. The tickets come with certain conditions, such as taxes, fees and surcharges all being payable. However, the company said that the promotion aims to encourage more people to visit Hong Kong.
US President Joe Biden will hold a Pacific Island leaders' summit later this year featuring more than a dozen nations that are important to the US and whose alliances benefit American interests, amid growing concerns about China’s influence in the region. The summit was confirmed by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan following the president's decision to scrap his trip to Australia. The summit is the second within 12 months, building on last year's meeting where Biden promised an additional $810m to seek progress on climate change, economic recovery, pandemic response and maritime security.
The UK's Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, will sign the "Hiroshima Accord" with Japan when he visits Tokyo ahead of the G7 meeting. This accord involves the UK extending its defence cooperation with Japan to uphold stability in the Indo-Pacific, as concerns grow over alleged warmongering from China. In addition, the two countries will launch a partnership on semiconductors, working together on research and development to help the West keep ahead of the game. Arriving in Tokyo on Thursday, the Prime Minister will visit a naval base, confirm new UK-Japan defence cooperation and launch a set of science and technology programmes to support UK-Japan collaboration. As part of the defence agreements under the Hiroshima Accord, the Prime Minister is expected to agree a new Cyber Partnership with Japan. This will deepen UK-Japan cooperation on cyber and set a high level of ambition for the future relationship. The UK will also unveil a new Renewable Energy Partnership, aimed at accelerating the deployment of clean energy in the UK, Japan and third countries.
Quebec man, 27, shot and killed in southern Mexico town of Puerto Escondido
The Toronto Star
23-05-17 21:57
A Quebecois man was shot dead in the Pacific beach town of Puerto Escondido, according to Oaxaca state prosecutors. Victor Masson was found dead with a bullet wound to the chest in a residential neighbourhood of the town. The prosecutors have not yet disclosed possible motives for the killing, which took place in an area where few tourists tend to stay. This comes after an Argentine tourist was also killed in southern state of Oaxaca last week, and after authorities arrested the alleged killers of three siblings from Mexico City on Thursday.
US politicians' apparent willingness to reach a deal on raising the debt ceiling and avert a default is giving investors confidence. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares increased by 0.78% on Thursday, the Nikkei index hit a 20-month peak of 30,667.13 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng climbed by 0.93%. Despite the optimism, analysts remain cautious due to historic last-minute decision making and treasury having "almost run through all of its authorised extraordinary measures to keep paying the bills". The US debt ceiling issue has taken priority in the markets, over mixed economic data releases and the outcome of the Federal Reserve’s minutes.
Pacific meetings, defence pact, to go ahead in Papua without Biden
Reuters
23-05-18 02:15
Leaders from Pacific island countries are set to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for talks in Papua New Guinea on Monday. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has cancelled his attendance to deal with debt-ceiling negotiations back in Washington. Biden had been expected to hold meetings with 18 of the region’s leaders and sign a defence cooperation pact with PNG. Experts have claimed Biden’s absence could damage US credibility as competition for control in the strategically located region continues with China.
The UK and Japan are set to deepen their security ties and sign a new accord called the "Hiroshima Accord," covering areas such as defence, trade and investment, science and technology, and joint initiatives to tackle global issues such as climate change. As part of the deal, the UK, which is looking to deepen relationships with countries outside Europe after leaving the EU, has committed to deploying an aircraft carrier strike group to the Indo-Pacific in 2025. The two countries will also agree on a formal "Consult Clause," while trade and investment as well as science and technology programmes will be supported under the agreement.
Boston-based Forrester Research is closing its office in mainland China and releasing most of its analysts there as China tightens its rules on foreign consultants and law firms. The move came as a surprise to its employees in China, according to an anonymous source familiar with the matter. China has already targeted global advisory firms operating in the country with investigations. Forrester said its restructure was announced earlier as part of a global overhaul and it would still cater for its global clients with operations in China. It added that the Chinese business was not globally significant.
Group of Seven (G7) leaders, including those from the EU, are meeting for two days in Hiroshima, Japan and will be joined by representatives from India, Indonesia, Australia, South Korea and Vietnam. Possible topics of discussion are Ukraine and China's growing power and its threat to Taiwan, all of which could impact on global economic and energy security and supply chains. India is currently chairing the G20 with the G7 summit likely to ensure that developmental issues concerning the Group of 77 developing countries are given more prominence.
Three children were taken to hospital after being hit by a car on Sydney's Pacific Highway. Emergency services were called to Crows Nest after the incident, and reports suggest all three boys sustained head and leg injuries. They were taken to hospital, and the driver was later arrested in Lane Cove. A woman who witnessed the event alleges that the driver of the car did not stop after the collision. Motorists have been advised to avoid the area.
Three children have been hit by a car in Sydney, sustaining injuries to their legs and heads, according to police reports. Emergency services were called to Crows Nest on the lower north shore of the city, and the boys were taken to different hospitals. The driver, who did not stop after the accident, was later arrested in Lane Cove.
Japan's stock market rose to multi-decade highs this week, and is being driven by strong corporate earnings, a weak yen and buybacks. While both the broad Topix and the benchmark Nikkei index have reached vertical milestones that have not previously been seen since 1990, some investors are choosing to stay out; many foreign asset allocators are reluctant to enter the market due to stock stagnation over the past few years, and some are wary of the possibility the central bank may withdrawal its monetary stimulus.
The Group of Seven (G7) leaders meeting in Hiroshima for their annual summit will announce that sanctions against Russia will be tightened for its continued support for separatist militias in eastern Ukraine. US national security adviser Jake Sullivan has said that G7 leaders will look to "shut down evasion networks, closing loopholes in the sanctions so that the impact is amplified and magnified in the months ahead." The leaders are also expected to craft a separate document focussed solely on Ukraine, building on last autumn’s promise to pledge further, financial backing toward reconstruction efforts.
