[{"_1":2,"_335":-5,"_336":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_16":17,"_333":334},"root",{"_5":6,"_14":15},"fb",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":12,"_13":8},"apiKey","AIzaSyAdxqOaB63feHHqSm_nZCKsSHpSAcxkct8","authDomain","thediplomat.firebaseapp.com","projectId","firebase-thediplomat","appId","ga",true,"routes/$issue",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"slug","2023-12","path","/2023-12","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-NjwWzBeYIYBEv6bBTHB","title","The Evolution of China’s Interference in Taiwan","description","Welcome to the December 2023 issue of The Diplomat. This month, our cover story explores trends in China’s information manipulation and interference efforts targeting Taiwan, ahead of the Taiwanese elections in January. We also take stock of the dangerous political deadlock in Bangladesh and visit “liberated zones” in Myanmar where the military regime has little or no control. And, of course, we offer a range of reporting, analysis, and opinion from across the region.","masthead","

\n Publisher\n Diplomat Media, Inc.
\n 3033 Wilson Blvd
\n Suite 700
\n Arlington, VA 22201
\n United States of America\n

\n Publisher\n James Pach\n

\n Editor-in-Chief\n Shannon Tiezzi\n

\n Managing Editor\n Catherine Putz\n

\n Southeast Asia Editor\n Sebastian Strangio\n

\n South Asia Editor\n Sudha Ramachandran\n

\n Contributing Editors\nAbdul Basit
\nSnigdhendu Bhattacharya
\nDechlan Brennan
\nKavita Chowdhury
\nShanthie Mariet D’Souza
\nMimrah Abdul Ghafoor
\nBonnie Girard
\nShihoko Goto
\nJames Guild
\nMubashar Hasan
\nBrian Hioe
\nLuke Hunt
\nUmair Jamal
\nAisyah Llewellyn
\nMercy A. Kuo
\nRathindra Kuruwita
\nPatricia O’Brien
\nMong Palatino
\nSantosh Sharma Poudel
\nRajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
\nTita Sanglee
\nSribala Subramanian
\nThisanka Siripala
\nPaolo Sorbello
\nTroy Stangarone
\nTakahashi Kosuke
\nColleen Wood
\nGrant Wyeth\n

","number",109,"date","December 2023","month",12,"year",2023,"status","rdy","toc",[44,61,69,84,94,124,154,184,214,244,269,289,314],{"_24":45,"_46":47,"_26":48,"_49":50},"LTR","priority",0,"Letter","pages",[51],{"_24":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":59,"_40":41,"_26":60},"-NjwX-MViBVE_XTCqz6W","lead","

Battlefields can also be digital, political, and even psychological.

","model","story","preview",1,"letter-from-the-editors","Letter From the Editors",{"_24":62,"_46":58,"_26":63,"_49":64},"CVRS","Cover Story",[65],{"_24":66,"_53":67,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":68,"_40":41,"_26":27},"-NjwX-Mjedi5rdTEMRVa","

China’s foreign information manipulation and interference targeting Taiwan has been ongoing for decades. Here’s a look at its latest evolution.

","the-evolution-of-chinas-interference-in-taiwan",{"_24":70,"_46":71,"_26":72,"_49":73},"LDS",2,"Leads",[74,79],{"_24":75,"_53":76,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":77,"_40":41,"_26":78},"-NjwX-Mjedi5rdTEMRVb","

The 2024 election is a matter of political survival for both the ruling Awami League and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

","bangladeshs-make-or-break-elections","Bangladesh’s Make-or-Break Elections",{"_24":80,"_53":81,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":82,"_40":41,"_26":83},"-NjwX-Mjedi5rdTEMRVc","

Visits to four different locations in Myanmar, all in varying stages of control by resistance groups.

","where-the-myanmar-junta-fears-to-tread","Where the Myanmar Junta Fears To Tread",{"_24":85,"_46":86,"_26":87,"_49":88},"INT",3,"Interview",[89],{"_24":90,"_53":91,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":92,"_40":41,"_26":93},"-NjwX-MkUclIP4xNQVbi","

“Aboriginal communities have been given a clear message by the majority of Australians that they are not respected, and that Australia remains a racist country.”

","hannah-mcglade-on-australias-shame-and-the-work-to-be-done","Hannah McGlade on Australia’s Shame and the Work to Be Done",{"_24":95,"_46":96,"_26":97,"_49":98},"CHN",4,"China",[99,104,109,114,119],{"_24":100,"_53":101,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":102,"_40":41,"_26":103},"-NjwX-MkUclIP4xNQVbj","

Taiwan was a central issue for China heading into the summit – and with a presidential campaign in full swing, Taiwanese were paying close attention.

","the-biden-xi-summit-and-taiwan","The Biden-Xi Summit and Taiwan",{"_24":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":107,"_40":41,"_26":108},"-NjwX-MkUclIP4xNQVbk","

Ultimately, it is a statement on the stability of the Chinese Communist Party when it worries about too much public sentiment and sorrow being laid out for one of its own.

","chinas-li-keqiang-the-life-and-death-of-a-dutiful-man","China's Li Keqiang: The Life and Death of a Dutiful Man",{"_24":110,"_53":111,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":112,"_40":41,"_26":113},"-NjwX-MldORh6-onwgJU","

The pan-Blue camp’s attempt to settle on a unity ticket came crashing down last week in an embarrassing televised spectacle.

","how-the-taiwan-opposition-alliance-talks-fell-apart","How the Taiwan Opposition Alliance Talks Fell Apart",{"_24":115,"_53":116,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_18":117,"_40":41,"_26":118},"-NjwX-MldORh6-onwgJV","

To truly understand the impact of China’s global initiatives, we need to stop thinking in a status quo-revisionist binary.

","stop-calling-china-a-revisionist-power","Stop Calling China a ‘Revisionist Power’",{"_24":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":96,"_18":122,"_40":41,"_26":123},"-NjwX-MmKyKy6gmbgD8K","

As war returns to the Middle East, what are the implications for the relationship between Saudi Arabia and China?

","china-and-saudi-arabia-a-partnership-under-pressure","China and Saudi Arabia: A Partnership Under Pressure",{"_24":125,"_46":126,"_26":127,"_49":128},"NEA",5,"Northeast Asia",[129,134,139,144,149],{"_24":130,"_53":131,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":132,"_40":41,"_26":133},"-NjwX-MmKyKy6gmbgD8L","

As foreign visitors return to Japan in droves, some towns are reeling from overcrowding.

","japans-post-covid-tourism-surge-chips-at-the-patience-of-local-communities","Japan’s Post-COVID Tourism Surge Chips at the Patience of Local Communities",{"_24":135,"_53":136,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":137,"_40":41,"_26":138},"-NjwX-MmKyKy6gmbgD8M","

Russia’s providing advanced nuclear assistance to North Korea is more likely and more sustainable than often assumed.

","the-prospects-for-north-korea-russia-nuclear-cooperation","The Prospects for North Korea-Russia Nuclear Cooperation",{"_24":140,"_53":141,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":142,"_40":41,"_26":143},"-NjwX-MnqzgbVHV8w4KB","

A major by-election defeat provided a wake-up call, yet intra-party rifts are hard to wish away.

","south-koreas-ruling-people-power-party-gears-up-for-change-ahead-of-the-2024-general-election","South Korea’s Ruling People Power Party Gears Up for Change Ahead of the 2024 General Election",{"_24":145,"_53":146,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_18":147,"_40":41,"_26":148},"-NjwX-MnqzgbVHV8w4KC","

With plummeting approval ratings, Kishida’s biggest strength seems to be that there’s no obvious candidate to replace him.

","is-prime-minister-kishida-leading-japan-by-default","Is Prime Minister Kishida Leading Japan by Default?",{"_24":150,"_53":151,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":96,"_18":152,"_40":41,"_26":153},"-NjwX-MnqzgbVHV8w4KD","

Restoring relationships, especially with countries in the Indo-Pacific region, is a crucial element in achieving Yoon’s vision of a global pivotal state.

","south-koreas-quest-to-become-a-global-pivotal-state","South Korea’s Quest to Become a Global Pivotal State",{"_24":155,"_46":156,"_26":157,"_49":158},"SOA",6,"South Asia",[159,164,169,174,179],{"_24":160,"_53":161,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":162,"_40":41,"_26":163},"-NjwX-MnqzgbVHV8w4KE","

What are India’s options to bring home eight former Indian navy officers sentenced to death by a Qatari court on espionage charges?

","death-sentence-to-indian-nationals-could-roil-india-qatar-relations","Death Sentence to Indian Nationals Could Roil India-Qatar Relations",{"_24":165,"_53":166,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":167,"_40":41,"_26":168},"-NjwX-Mo6MnZY38AnDt4","

The trade was providing the cash-strapped Afghan Taliban regime with hard currency. That flow has now stopped.

","pakistan-cracks-down-on-illicit-dollar-trade-with-afghanistan","Pakistan Cracks Down on Illicit Dollar Trade With Afghanistan",{"_24":170,"_53":171,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":71,"_18":172,"_40":41,"_26":173},"-NjwX-Mo6MnZY38AnDt5","

While New Delhi denies any involvement in extraterritorial killings, mounting body counts of anti-Indian militants overseas raise suspicions to the contrary.

","does-india-have-an-assassination-program","Does India Have an Assassination Program?",{"_24":175,"_53":176,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_18":177,"_40":41,"_26":178},"-NjwX-MpG_sNm6aW9LTs","

Maldivian President Muizzu has called for the removal of Indian military personnel from the archipelago and has threatened to review agreements with India.

","india-maldives-relations-enters-choppy-waters","India-Maldives Relations Enters Choppy Waters",{"_24":180,"_53":181,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":96,"_18":182,"_40":41,"_26":183},"-NjwX-MpG_sNm6aW9LTt","

The difference between the deportation policies targeting Afghans in both Pakistan and Iran is the noise surrounding these efforts.

","an-iranian-reversal-on-afghan-refugees","An Iranian Reversal on Afghan Refugees",{"_24":185,"_46":186,"_26":187,"_49":188},"SEA",7,"Southeast Asia",[189,194,199,204,209],{"_24":190,"_53":191,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":192,"_40":41,"_26":193},"-NjwX-MpG_sNm6aW9LTu","

Cambodia’s famous Angkor temples enjoy UNESCO heritage protection, but does that extend to the people living among them?

","heritage-for-who-thousands-evicted-from-homes-near-famous-cambodian-temple-complex","Heritage For Who? Thousands Evicted From Homes Near Famous Cambodian Temple Complex",{"_24":195,"_53":196,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":197,"_40":41,"_26":198},"-NjwX-MqOzXrtmjBeaOe","

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has pledged to move the project forward after years of delays and sluggish progress.

","thailands-high-speed-railway-on-the-fast-track-to-ties-with-china-but-at-what-cost","Thailand’s High-Speed Railway: On the Fast Track to Ties With China, But at What Cost?",{"_24":200,"_53":201,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":202,"_40":41,"_26":203},"-NjwX-MqOzXrtmjBeaOf","

With the world at a technological watershed, Indonesia needs to develop mechanisms to guard against the manipulation of AI for political purposes.

","artificial-intelligence-disinformation-and-the-2024-indonesian-elections","Artificial Intelligence, Disinformation, and the 2024 Indonesian Elections",{"_24":205,"_53":206,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_18":207,"_40":41,"_26":208},"-NjwX-MqOzXrtmjBeaOg","

The stagnant state of the conflict is likely to make Hanoi even warier of relying on its security partnership with Washington.

","what-vietnam-can-learn-from-the-stalemate-in-ukraine","What Vietnam Can Learn From the Stalemate in Ukraine",{"_24":210,"_53":211,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":96,"_18":212,"_40":41,"_26":213},"-NjwX-MqOzXrtmjBeaOh","

President Marcos said that his administration has reached out to Malaysia and Vietnam at a time of growing friction in contested waters.

","philippines-seeks-greater-regional-cooperation-on-south-china-sea-disputes","Philippines Seeks Greater Regional Cooperation on South China Sea Disputes",{"_24":215,"_46":216,"_26":217,"_49":218},"CEA",8,"Central Asia",[219,224,229,234,239],{"_24":220,"_53":221,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":222,"_40":41,"_26":223},"-NjwX-N7XddFcYz3SheU","

Researchers at Cisco Talos believe that a new cyberthreat actor dubbed YoroTrooper may be operating out of Kazakhstan to pursue attacks against other countries from the former Soviet Union.

","the-cyberthreat-is-within-the-commonwealth","The Cyberthreat Is Within the Commonwealth",{"_24":225,"_53":226,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":227,"_40":41,"_26":228},"-NjwX-N8SmpJKiGXDD7y","

It appears a purge is underway, as Tashiev decries the corrupt in Kyrgyzstan.

","tashiev-thunders-against-kolbaev-matraimov-mafia","Tashiev Thunders Against ‘Kolbaev-Matraimov Mafia’",{"_24":230,"_53":231,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":232,"_40":41,"_26":233},"-NjwX-N8SmpJKiGXDD7z","

Putin undoubtedly seeks to preserve the status quo in Russia’s relations with Kazakhstan. And Tokayev continues implementing Astana’s decades-old multi-vector foreign policy.

","whats-behind-the-increased-diplomatic-push-in-kazakhstan","What’s Behind the Increased Diplomatic Push in Kazakhstan?",{"_24":235,"_53":236,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_18":237,"_40":41,"_26":238},"-NjwX-N8SmpJKiGXDD8-","

Continued dialogue between countries from Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia suggests that the political climate in the region is changing.

","organization-of-turkic-states-seeks-to-unite-europe-with-asia","Organization of Turkic States Seeks to Unite Europe With Asia",{"_24":240,"_53":241,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":96,"_18":242,"_40":41,"_26":243},"-NjwX-N9SkGz62NTQb1Z","

The EAEU is largely ineffective in terms of economic cooperation and integration, which are paradoxically its very reasons for being.

","why-is-the-eurasian-economic-union-broken","Why Is the Eurasian Economic Union Broken?",{"_24":245,"_46":246,"_26":247,"_49":248},"OCE",9,"Oceania",[249,254,259,264],{"_24":250,"_53":251,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":252,"_40":41,"_26":253},"-NjwX-N9SkGz62NTQb1_","

Australia’s partnership with the U.S. will be central to how Australia finds its economic security, but Canberra needs to have greater, more innovative, ambitions.

","navigating-australias-friendshoring-future","Navigating Australia’s Friendshoring Future",{"_24":255,"_53":256,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":257,"_40":41,"_26":258},"-NjwX-N9SkGz62NTQb1a","

The 2023 Games, hosted by Solomon Islands, underscore China’s growing role in the Pacific Island countries.

","geopolitics-in-the-2023-pacific-games","Geopolitics in the 2023 Pacific Games",{"_24":260,"_53":261,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":262,"_40":41,"_26":263},"-NjwX-NArUHCwiUBv4uJ","

Xi called the recent visit by Albanese “a new starting point” but a new starting point for what exactly?

","after-the-thaw-whats-next-for-australia-and-china","After the Thaw, What’s Next for Australia and China?",{"_24":265,"_53":266,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_18":267,"_40":41,"_26":268},"-NjwX-NArUHCwiUBv4uK","

The people of Bougainville, President Ishmael Toroama, says, “do want their freedom and do want justice.” Will the U.S. support that quest or leave an opening for China?

","bougainvilles-president-toroama-goes-to-washington","Bougainville’s President Toroama Goes to Washington",{"_24":270,"_46":271,"_26":272,"_49":273},"USA",10,"US in Asia",[274,279,284],{"_24":275,"_53":276,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":277,"_40":41,"_26":278},"-NjwX-NBX7ZjENfGiWbs","

The three leaders held yet another meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit.

","japan-south-korea-us-trilateral-continues-to-push-forward-camp-david-spirit","Japan-South Korea-US Trilateral Continues to Push Forward ‘Camp David’ Spirit",{"_24":280,"_53":281,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":282,"_40":41,"_26":283},"-NjwX-NBX7ZjENfGiWbt","

Views from Australia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan

","what-do-us-indo-pacific-allies-think-of-the-biden-xi-summit","What Do US Indo-Pacific Allies Think of the Biden-Xi Summit?",{"_24":285,"_53":286,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":287,"_40":41,"_26":288},"-NjwX-NBX7ZjENfGiWbu","

As the war drags on, New Delhi is unlikely to swim against the tide and align with Washington.

","gaza-war-tests-an-excellent-year-for-india-us-ties","Gaza War Tests an Excellent Year for India-US Ties",{"_24":290,"_46":291,"_26":292,"_49":293},"SCR",11,"Security",[294,299,304,309],{"_24":295,"_53":296,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":297,"_40":41,"_26":298},"-NjwX-NCdGJ-RwBU9Mwc","

The Defense Ministry is pushing ahead on the projects as the nation’s cutting-edge “game changers” in combat.

","japan-reveals-details-about-next-generation-railgun-and-high-energy-laser-weapons-projects","Japan Reveals Details About Next-Generation Railgun and High-Energy Laser Weapons Projects",{"_24":300,"_53":301,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":302,"_40":41,"_26":303},"-NjwX-NDSdaUbAApNZs6","

Collection of oceanic data will provide China with information about seabed resources and also help it prepare for submarine warfare.

","what-swirls-beneath-research-activity-of-chinese-ships-in-the-indian-ocean","What Swirls Beneath Research Activity of Chinese Ships in the Indian Ocean?",{"_24":305,"_53":306,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":307,"_40":41,"_26":308},"-NjwX-NDSdaUbAApNZs7","

The new range will bring distant targets within range of the BrahMos, as well as enhance Indian precision strike capabilities.

","how-the-extended-range-brahmos-changes-the-india-pakistan-deterrence-equation","How the Extended Range BrahMos Changes the India-Pakistan Deterrence Equation",{"_24":310,"_53":311,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_18":312,"_40":41,"_26":313},"-NjwX-NDSdaUbAApNZs8","

All three have pledged to expand and modernize the Indonesian National Armed Forces, though it remains to be seen how they would put the idea into practice.

","where-indonesias-presidential-candidates-stand-on-national-defense","Where Indonesia’s Presidential Candidates Stand on National Defense",{"_24":315,"_46":37,"_26":316,"_49":317},"ASL","Asia Life",[318,323,328],{"_24":319,"_53":320,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":321,"_40":41,"_26":322},"-NjwX-NEs7oAMwg2MVit","

“Maximum City” is a deep dive into the life of the metropolis once known as Bombay, and isn’t as politically controversial as it may seem.

","the-clear-screen-potential-of-suketu-mehtas-maximum-city","The Clear Screen Potential of Suketu Mehta’s ‘Maximum City’",{"_24":324,"_53":325,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":326,"_40":41,"_26":327},"-NjwX-NEs7oAMwg2MViu","

The mother of Yokota Megumi, the most famous of the Japanese civilians abducted by North Korea, continues to push for her daughter’s return.

","a-message-to-kim-jong-un-from-mother-of-japanese-girl-abducted-by-north-korea-in-1977","A Message to Kim Jong Un From Mother of Japanese Girl Abducted by North Korea in 1977",{"_24":329,"_53":330,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":331,"_40":41,"_26":332},"-NjwX-NEs7oAMwg2MViv","

As a generation of Central Asian adoptees enter adulthood in the United States, their personal quests for identity sit side-by-side with discussions of decolonization.

","reclaiming-culture-and-identity-as-a-central-asian-adoptee","Reclaiming Culture and Identity as a Central Asian Adoptee","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]