Asia Communique
China, India Seal 10-Point Border Deal | Australia, Canada, Philippines Launch Joint Drills in SCS | Japan and Taiwan Sign Landmark Agreement on Security | Taiwan Joins U.S.-Led Northern Strike Drill
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Beijing Signals a “Reset” as Wang Yi Visits New Delhi, Taiwan Language Controversy
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrapped up a three-day visit to New Delhi (Aug 18–20), marking the first high-level Chinese trip to India in over three years. Mainland state media framed the visit as a “stable, cooperative, and forward-looking” reset under the guidance of both countries’ leadership, but also highlighted that the border issue remains the key constraint.
10 Outcomes From the Wang–Jaishankar Talks
According to People’s Daily and Xinhua, the foreign ministers agreed on ten major deliverables, including:
Restoring direct flights and easing visa facilitation for business, tourism, and media.
Expanding Kailash–Manasarovar pilgrimages in 2026.
Reopening channels for border trade and investment flows.
Strengthening multilateral coordination in BRICS and SCO forums.
Preparing for Prime Minister Modi’s visit to China for the Tianjin SCO Summit later this year.
The 10-point outcome of the diplomatic talks was shared on the official Chinese government website, which is rare.
Border Management: “10-Point Consensus”
The separate Special Representatives’ meeting between Wang Yi and India’s NSA Ajit Doval produced a 10-point consensus, including:
Setting up a border delimitation expert group.
Adding general-level talks for eastern and middle sectors.
Reopening three traditional border trade markets.
Establishing emergency hydrological data-sharing mechanisms.
Planning the 25th SR meeting in China in 2026.
Full list of 10-points here
Taiwan Language Discrepancy
One notable divergence: Chinese state media, including People’s Daily, Xinhua, and Global Times, reported that Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar stated, “台湾是中国的一部分” (“Taiwan is part of China”).
However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement omitted this line, suggesting Beijing deliberately amplified this for domestic messaging.
The MEA later clarified its position on Taiwan:
“The Chinese side raised the issue of Taiwan. The Indian side underlined that there was no change in its position on this issue. It pointed out that, like the rest of the world, India had a relationship with Taiwan that focuses on economic, technological and cultural ties and that this would continue. The Indian side noted that China also cooperates with Taiwan in these very domains.”
China’s own attempt to insert Taiwan language into the remarks on 18th August may have made India include Taiwan into a statement on China in a such a prominent way for the first time ever.
Social Media & Beijing News Coverage
On Weibo, accounts like China News Service pushed tightly scripted posts focusing on achievements rather than disputes. Beijing News mirrored MFA and Xinhua releases, highlighting deliverables without additional commentary — underscoring a coordinated narrative push.
Why It Matters
Beijing is signaling controlled optimism ahead of Modi’s expected visit, portraying the trip as a strategic thaw while reasserting its Taiwan position. The careful choreography of official statements versus social coverage hints at parallel messaging — one for domestic stability, another for diplomatic optics.
Headlines:
Indian Prime Minister Modi Meets with Wang Yi — Beijing News
China-India Special Representative Meeting Reaches 10-Point Consensus — People’s Daily
Japan and Taiwan Sign Landmark Agreement on Non-Japanese Evacuation Data Sharing
In a significant move underscoring regional security concerns, Japan and Taiwan have signed a “memorandum of cooperation on sharing information regarding matters related to immigration control” amid growing fears of a Taiwan contingency.
The agreement, signed on December 18 between the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association and the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, establishes a framework for sharing data on non-Japanese nationals seeking entry into Japan from Taiwan. According to multiple Japanese sources, the primary objective is to prevent the infiltration of Chinese agents or other hostile actors who could exploit mass evacuations during a Taiwan crisis.
Why It Matters
Japan currently has 21,700 nationals residing in Taiwan (as of October 2024).
In the event of a Chinese invasion, large-scale evacuations from Taiwan are expected, potentially including Taiwanese nationals, foreign residents, and Japanese citizens returning home.
Japanese officials fear the possibility of Chinese intelligence operatives blending into evacuation flows, using the chaos to enter Japan.
Security Implications
Under the memorandum:
Japan will receive pre-departure data from Taiwan airports to screen travelers before they arrive.
Non-Japanese evacuees will undergo additional checks before boarding flights to Japan.
The agreement reflects Tokyo’s quiet preparations for a potential Taiwan Strait crisis, aligning with U.S. and regional partners to enhance contingency planning.
Geopolitical Context
While Japan maintains no official diplomatic ties with Taiwan since normalizing relations with Beijing in 1972, this agreement signals a deepening of security coordination. It comes as China intensifies military drills around Taiwan, with some experts warning Beijing could be operationally ready for an invasion by 2027.
A senior Japanese source warned bluntly:
“Chinese agents could enter Japan by concealing themselves among Taiwanese nationals.”
The memorandum also sets a precedent: unlike Japan’s existing immigration agreements with Australia and New Zealand, this one explicitly anticipates a Taiwan-related contingency—highlighting Tokyo’s growing anxiety over cross-strait instability.
Taiwanese Troops Join U.S.-Led Northern Strike Drill Amid Rising Indo-Pacific Tensions
More than 500 Taiwanese troops participated in this year’s Northern Strike military exercise held at Lake Michigan, marking Taipei’s largest known involvement in the annual U.S.-hosted drill, according to a Pentagon-run outlet, Stars and Stripes.
The Michigan National Guard-sponsored exercise, which concluded on Sunday, brought together 7,500 personnel from 36 nations and territories. Unlike previous editions, this year’s scenario shifted focus from Europe to a simulated Indo-Pacific conflict, signaling a growing U.S. emphasis on preparing for potential contingencies involving China.
Deepening U.S.-Taiwan Military Collaboration
Taiwan’s participation since 2021: The Michigan National Guard confirmed Taiwan has been a U.S. partner in Northern Strike drills for four consecutive years.
Tactical battle training: Former U.S. diplomat Joseph Cella revealed at a congressional hearing that Taiwanese troops have been training in “strategic and tactical battle operations” in Michigan.
Advanced systems showcased: Last year, U.S. forces deployed live loitering munitions during the exercise to demonstrate capabilities to visiting Taiwanese generals.
Pentagon’s official stance: A U.S. defense official declined to comment on Taiwan’s participation, citing long-standing policy of non-disclosure regarding joint drills.
Strategic Implications for the Indo-Pacific
Analysts see Taiwan’s growing role in multinational U.S.-led exercises as evidence of deepening defense cooperation under Washington’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
According to Taipei-based defense analyst Mei Fu-shing (梅復興), these joint exercises indicate a steady expansion of operational integration between U.S. and Taiwanese forces.
While Taiwan benefits from U.S. training and arms sales, the absence of a formal defense treaty means Washington retains strategic ambiguity over direct intervention in a conflict with China.
Taipei’s Response to Trump and Beijing
In a related development, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed in a Fox News interview that Chinese President Xi Jinping privately assured him that Beijing would not invade Taiwan during his administration.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded cautiously, with spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) stating:
“Taiwan’s security must be achieved through its own efforts… Our country will keep working hard to raise its self-defense capabilities and resilience.”
Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated on Monday that Taiwan is an internal matter and warned against “external interference.”
Why It Matters
Taiwan’s largest-known troop deployment to a U.S.-led exercise underscores closer military ties with Washington.
The shift in Northern Strike’s focus to the Indo-Pacific reflects heightened U.S. readiness for potential regional conflict scenarios.
Beijing’s stance remains unchanged, while Taipei signals its intent to accelerate self-defense measures amid growing cross-strait pressure.
Australia, Canada, and Philippines Launch Joint Sail Amid Rising South China Sea Tensions
An Australian Navy destroyer, HMAS Brisbane, has joined the Philippine frigate BRP Jose Rizal and Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec for a joint sail in the South China Sea, escalating the region’s maritime dynamics following a collision between two Chinese vessels last week.
Philippine officials stressed the operation is “not directed at any country” but rather demonstrates support for a “free and open Indo-Pacific”. Colonel Dennis Fernandez of the Philippine military said the activity took place within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and was designed to enhance interoperability among partner forces.
ALON 2025: The Region’s Largest Joint Drills Yet
The joint sail forms part of ALON 2025, a 15-day military exercise that began on August 15 and will conclude later this month in Palawan.
Key highlights include:
3,600 troops participating, making this the largest iteration of ALON since its inception in 2023.
Amphibious, land, and live-fire operations involving Philippine and Australian forces, joined by Canadian naval units and U.S. Marines.
HMAS Brisbane will continue additional exercises in the region in the coming weeks, including operations with the U.S. Marine Corps.
Launched in 2023, ALON was created as part of the Australia–Philippines Strategic Partnership, aimed at strengthening regional deterrence amid rising Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea.
Beijing’s Growing Friction With Canberra and Manila
Beijing has repeatedly criticized such multinational exercises, accusing participants of “creating trouble” and destabilizing regional security. In May, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a sharp rebuke after Australia joined the U.S. and the Philippines in similar drills.
Despite China’s warnings, Philippine Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said Manila intends to increase the frequency of joint sails with foreign partners to deter Chinese aggression. Recent months have seen an uptick in “maritime cooperative activities”, including:
U.S.–Philippines joint passages under treaty obligations.
The first-ever Philippines–India sail earlier this month in the South China Sea.
Strategic Takeaways
The joint sail signals deepening trilateral security cooperation among Australia, the Philippines, and Canada, expanding beyond traditional U.S.-led frameworks.
ALON’s growing scale demonstrates regional militaries’ shift toward high-intensity, multi-domain exercises involving air, sea, and amphibious operations.
Manila’s effort to institutionalize foreign joint sails underscores its strategy to counterbalance Beijing through wider defense networks.
Thank you for reading!
Correction: The newsletter incorrectly referred to the U.S. President Donald Trump as the “former President.” The error has been corrected.