Good morning, and welcome to the Global Situation Report for Wednesday, 29 May 2024.
- Global Rollup
- “As long as ‘Taiwan independence’ provocations continue, the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) actions to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity will continue,” China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian told a press conference.
- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun will meet in Singapore this Friday on the sidelines of the Shangri-La dialogue to discuss defense relations. Chinese experts expect Admiral Dong to demand the U.S. and Japan quit supporting Taiwan’s independence and the Philippines’ claims in the South China Sea.
- China is bolstering Pakistan’s border with India with additional radar systems, bunkers, and air defense units to increase security for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
- India imported more silver in the first four months of 2024 than it did for all of 2023 due to rising demand for solar panel production. (At 4,172 metric tons so far, India may be the largest silver importer in the world this year, a position normally held by the United States. Solar panel production will allow India to undermine China’s grip on the green energy industry and likely drive a further wedge between the two Asian giants. – J.V.)
- French President Emmanuel Macron said at a press conference in Germany that France would recognize Palestine’s sovereignty but is waiting for it to have a “useful” impact.
- The U.S. is towing its Gazan Aid pier to a separate point in southern Israel for repairs. (The apparently fragile nature of this pier calls into question the U.S.’ ability to rapidly construct infrastructure during a war, as this pier was not even able to stand up to the waves of the calm season in the Mediterranean. The U.S. is likely to depend on allies for rapid and reliable construction in the Pacific, which could have a lasting impact on its hegemonic status even if it soundly defeats China in a war. – J.V.)
THAT’S A WRAP: This does it for today’s edition. Thank you for reading. If you know folks who would also like to receive this email, would you please forward it to them? We appreciate you spreading the word. – M.S.