Russia and Ukraine exacerbate the conflict in Africa's Sahel region. Shinjiro Koizumi announces his intention to run in the LDP presidential election. The speaker of the Korea House of Representatives aims to promote South Korea-China relations. Pacific island leaders express support for regional policing agreements. Stay informed on the latest geopolitical developments with Simply Politics.
Sources:
https://chinese.aljazeera.net/news/political/2024/8/29/%e4%bf%84%e7%bd%97%e6%96%af%e5%92%8c%e4%b9%8c%e5%85%8b%e5%85%b0%e5%8a%a0%e5%89%a7%e9%9d%9e%e6%b4%b2%e8%90%a8%e8%b5%ab%e5%8b%92%e5%9c%b0%e5%8c%ba%e5%86%b2%e7%aa%81
https://china.kyodonews.net/news/2024/08/66632974137c.html
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/%E5%9B%BD%E9%99%85/20240830-%E9%9F%A9%E5%9B%BD%E8%AE%AE%E9%95%BF%E5%90%91%E7%BE%8E%E5%9B%BD%E4%BC%97%E8%AE%AE%E9%99%A2%E4%BB%A3%E8%A1%A8%E5%9B%A2%E6%98%8E%E7%A1%AE%E8%A1%A8%E7%A4%BA-%E5%B0%86%E6%8E%A8%E5%8A%A8%E9%9F%A9%E4%B8%AD%E5%85%B3%E7%B3%BB%E5%90%91%E5%89%8D%E5%8F%91%E5%B1%95
https://www.voachinese.com/a/pacific-leaders-endorse-regional-policing-deal-amid-persistent-geopolitical-competition-20240830/7766069.html
Outline:
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:00:46) Russia and Ukraine have exacerbated the conflict in Africa's Sahel region
(00:02:57) Koizumi showed positive intentions for winning the LDP presidential election
(00:04:49) The speaker of the Korea House of Representatives made it clear to the United States House of Representatives delegation that he would promote the development of South Korea-China relations
(00:06:58) Against the backdrop of geopolitical competition, Pacific island leaders announced their support for regional policing agreements
Simply Politics, from China
Geopolitical Tensions in Sahel, Koizumi’s Presidential Bid, South Korea-China Relations, Pacific Island Leaders Support Policing Agreements
Russia and Ukraine exacerbate the conflict in Africa's Sahel region. Shinjiro Koizumi announces his intention to run in the LDP presidential election. The speaker of the Korea House of Representatives aims to promote South Korea-China relations. Pacific island leaders express support for regional policing agreements. Stay informed on the latest geopolitical developments with Simply Politics.Sources:https://chinese.aljazeera.net/news/political/2024/8/29/%e4%bf%84%e7%bd%97%e6%96%af%e5%92%8c%e4%b9%8c%e5%85%8b%e5%85%b0%e5%8a%a0%e5%89%a7%e9%9d%9e%e6%b4%b2%e8%90%a8%e8%b5%ab%e5%8b%92%e5%9c%b0%e5%8c%ba%e5%86%b2%e7%aa%81https://china.kyodonews.net/news/2024/08/66632974137c.htmlhttps://www.rfi.fr/cn/%E5%9B%BD%E9%99%85/20240830-%E9%9F%A9%E5%9B%BD%E8%AE%AE%E9%95%BF%E5%90%91%E7%BE%8E%E5%9B%BD%E4%BC%97%E8%AE%AE%E9%99%A2%E4%BB%A3%E8%A1%A8%E5%9B%A2%E6%98%8E%E7%A1%AE%E8%A1%A8%E7%A4%BA-%E5%B0%86%E6%8E%A8%E5%8A%A8%E9%9F%A9%E4%B8%AD%E5%85%B3%E7%B3%BB%E5%90%91%E5%89%8D%E5%8F%91%E5%B1%95https://www.voachinese.com/a/pacific-leaders-endorse-regional-policing-deal-amid-persistent-geopolitical-competition-20240830/7766069.htmlOutline:(00:00:00) Introduction(00:00:46) Russia and Ukraine have exacerbated the conflict in Africa's Sahel region(00:02:57) Koizumi showed positive intentions for winning the LDP presidential election(00:04:49) The speaker of the Korea House of Representatives made it clear to the United States House of Representatives delegation that he would promote the development of South Korea-China relations(00:06:58) Against the backdrop of geopolitical competition, Pacific island leaders announced their support for regional policing agreements
- Duration:
- 8m
- Broadcast on:
- 31 Aug 2024
- Audio Format:
- mp3
Good morning, and welcome to Simply Politics from China. It's Saturday, August 31st. On today's show, Russia and Ukraine escalate conflict in Africa's Sahel region, while Koizumi shows positive intentions for winning the LDP presidential election. Plus, the Speaker of the Korea House of Representatives pledges to promote South Korea-China relations to a United States House of Representatives delegation. This coverage and more, up next. I'm David, and you're listening to Simply Politics from China. We start off with the intensifying conflict in Africa's Sahel region, which is showing indications of becoming a new frontline between Russia and Ukraine. It suggests that Ukrainian intelligence agencies have been assisting Tuareg rebels in ambushing Malian troops who are backed by Russia's Wagner group. Here to unpack this complex situation is Celeste, a correspondent for Simply Politics from China. Can you explain the dynamics of this conflict? Certainly, David. The Sahel region, particularly northern Mali, has been a hotbed of conflict for years. However, the recent involvement of Ukraine and Russia has added a new dimension to the situation. Ukrainian intelligence agencies have confirmed that they provided assistance to Tuareg rebels in an ambush against Malian troops. These troops were supported by the Wagner group, a private military company with links to Russia. What kind of assistance did Ukraine provide to the Tuareg rebels? According to Andri Yusov, a spokesman for Ukrainian military intelligence, the assistance extended beyond just providing information. While the specifics of this beyond information assistance haven't been detailed, it's clear that it played a significant role in the ambush against the Wagner fighters. And what was the outcome of this ambush? The coordination of Azawad movements and the group for the support of Islam and Muslims, an al-Qaeda branch in the Sahel reported that the ambush resulted in heavy casualties. They claimed that 84 Wagner members and 47 Malian soldiers were killed in the suburbs of Tinza Watani in northern Mali. Wagner has acknowledged heavy casualties but has not disclosed the exact death toll. This certainly complicates the conflict in the Sahel. What are the wider implications of this development? Indeed, it does. The Sahel region is now becoming a proxy battleground for Russia and Ukraine, adding another layer to their ongoing conflict. This could potentially escalate the situation in the Sahel, making it even more complex and volatile. It's a development that the international community will be watching closely. Thanks for that report, Celeste. Turning our attention to Japan now, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, has expressed a strong intention to win the party's presidential election. This comes ahead of a press conference scheduled for September 6th, where he's expected to officially announce his candidacy. Here to discuss this further is James, a correspondent for Simply Politics from China. Can you tell us more about Koizumi's intentions? Certainly, David, Shinjiro Koizumi has indicated that he will turn the voices of support into strength to win, emphasizing the need to restore trust that has been damaged by the faction's kickback problem, and to quickly realise the revision of the Constitution. This announcement comes on the anniversary of his first election to the House of Representatives, and the day when the Liberal Democratic Party lost its ruling position in 2009. What can we expect from Koizumi's press conference on September 6th? Koizumi has indicated that he will address the ongoing issue of politics and money, expressing his intention to change the current situation. He's expected to introduce countermeasures against the kickback incident, and stated that if elected as president, he would strive to hold a national referendum as soon as possible to revise the Constitution. And what about other potential candidates for the party's presidential election? Former Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba has also finalised his election strategy and officially started his campaign. Ishiba has visited the official residence of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to inform him of his intention to run for the election. He emphasised his intention to continue the party's constitutional revision discussions led by Kishida. Thanks for that report, James. Shifting our focus to another part of Asia, South Korea's speaker of the National Assembly, Wu Yunkun, has made it clear to a visiting U.S. House of Representatives delegation that South Korea will promote the development of China-South Korea relations. This comes despite the different political systems and ideologies between the two nations. Here to discuss this further is Bella, a correspondent for Simply Politics from China. Can you tell us more about this development? Certainly, David. Wu Yunkun has emphasised that South Korea has always adhered to the principle of mutual respect in its relations with China. He also expressed South Korea's willingness to work closely with the U.S. Congress to promote China-South Korea relations with the aim of contributing to regional peace and prosperity. How has the U.S. responded to this? U.S. Democratic Representative Tom Suodzi stated that the U.S. fully understands the geopolitical characteristics of China-South Korea relations and South Korea's high degree of economic dependence on China. The U.S. side has expressed its intention to unite and cooperate with South Korea to achieve goals related to democracy, free markets, peace and prosperity. What about the U.S. House of Representatives special committee on China? What's their take on this? John Mullenard, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives special committee on China, who led the U.S. delegation, praised South Korea for achieving democracy despite various threats such as North Korea. He also expressed gratitude for South Korean President Yun Sukyol's speech to the U.S. Congress during his visit to the United States last year. And how does this affect the U.S. South Korea alliance? Wu Yun-Kon highly appraised the positive response of the U.S. South Korea alliance to various challenges on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region. He also called on the U.S. side to protect the legitimate rights and interests of South Korean enterprises and stimulate their willingness to invest. Thanks for the report, Bella. Turning now to another development in the Pacific region, leaders and senior officials from 18 Pacific countries have concluded their annual forum in Tonga expressing support for a regional policing initiative funded by Australia. They also called on donor countries to provide more resources to address climate change. However, a communique released after the forum has been removed from the forum's website, reportedly due to its wording regarding Taiwan. Here to discuss this further is Abi, a correspondent for Simply Politics from China. Can you tell us more about this development? Certainly, David. In the 16-page communique, Pacific leaders expressed their support for the Pacific Policing Initiative and welcomed Australia's support for its implementation. However, the communique was removed from the forum's website after its release. It's reported that the wording regarding Taiwan and the communique angered Chinese officials leading to its removal. Can you tell us more about the Pacific Policing Initiative that the leaders supported? The Pacific Policing Initiative is a regional initiative funded by Australia. While the specific details of the initiative were not outlined in the communique, it's clear that it has the support of the Pacific leaders. And what about the call for more resources to address climate change? The leaders urged donor countries to provide more resources to regional countries to address climate change, a pressing issue for many Pacific countries. They are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and increased frequency and intensity of storms. Thanks for your insights, Abby, and with that, we wrap up our stories for today. Thanks for listening to Simply Politics from China. We'll see you back here tomorrow. [MUSIC] [BLANK_AUDIO]