CHAU Wun Liong

Deputy Assignment Editor (International News) at Ming Pao (HK newspaper) / 2024 EWC Jefferson Fellow
Work focus: US policy on China, Asia/Indo-Pacific

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

MingPao "1st Anniversary of Ukraine War" series - Day 3

My piece on the war impact to Ukrainian and Russian societies, featuring interviews with

UA: Yaroslav Hrytask, @yermolenko_v and Yuliia Kovalenko
RU: Alexey Levinson, @YudinGreg and @pv_andreev

[Hassan I. Hassan @hxhassan]

During Ali Khamenei funeral, the Iranian regime recited not-so-subtle verses from the Quran before each foreign delegation, carefully curated to signal how the regime feels about them exactly. Here is a sample:

Hamas: “Among the believers are men who have proven true to what they pledged to God. Some of them have fulfilled their pledge, others are waiting their turn. They have never changed their commitment in the least.”

Hezbollah: “Do not falter or grieve, for you will have the upper hand, if you are true believers. If you have suffered injuries, they suffered similarly. We alternate these days of victory and defeat among people so that God may reveal the true believers, choose martyrs from among you, and God does not like the wrongdoers.”

Palestinian Islamic Jihad: "So that God may forgive you for your past and future shortcomings, perfect His favor upon you, and guide you along the Straight Path, and so that God will help you with a mighty victory."

China: “God ordained this only as good news for you and reassurance for your hearts. And victory comes only from God.”

Iraq’s Hashd al-Shaabi PMUs: "Never say that those martyred in the cause of God are dead; in fact, they are alive! But you do not perceive it."

Saudi Arabia: “There was certainly a sign for you in the two armies that met in battle: one fighting in the cause of God and the other disbelieving. The believers saw their enemy twice their number. But God supports with His victory whoever He wills. Surely in this is a lesson for people of insight.”

Qatar: "So that God may forgive you for your past and future shortcomings, perfect His favor upon you, and guide you along the Straight Path, and so that God will help you with a mighty victory."

Turkey: “God has elevated in rank those who strive with their wealth and their lives above those who stay behind. God has promised each a fine reward, but those who strive will receive a far better reward than the others.”

Pakistan: "And say, 'My Lord! Grant me an honorable entrance and an honorable exit, and give me a supporting authority from Yourself.'"

Egypt: “Their reward with their Lord will be Gardens of Eternity, under which rivers flow, to stay there for ever and ever. God is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. This is only for those in awe of their Lord.”

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

Taiwan Travelogue showcased how to calmly and self-confidently (but not arrogantly) respond to colonial past.

Different dimension of identities - including gender, love orientation and traditions - can all be comparisons to colonial power relations. Beautifully written.

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

Congratulations to Taiwan Travelogue. This is one of my favourite novels in recent years (of course I read the original Chinese version).

Behind the love and food story, it's about the imbalance of power under colonialism.

[Waterstones @Waterstones]

Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zi translated by Lin King is the International Booker Prize 2026 winner
A metafictional triumph blending a queer love story with both intimate and sweeping reflections on colonialism, culture and complexities of translation https://t.co/cM0qI7iquQ

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

What this novel most impressed me is that the Taiwanese main character showed quiet confidence on her own culture, and tactfully strived for equality.

This contrasted many post-colonial writings which justifiably magnify sufferings and pain, but unintentionally give up hope.

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

Correction: Sabae should be "glasses frames" manufacturing centre of Japan.

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

Sabae (鯖江), Japan's glasses manufacturing hub, is the hometown of Takaichi's husband.

That adds another element of "hometown diplomacy" between the two countries.

Like it or not, Takaichi's team is really good at such diplomatic posture.

[内閣広報官（色々投稿試し中） @PressSec_JP]

晩餐会の後の一コマ。いつもメガネをかけておられる李在明大統領に、高市総理から鯖江のメガネフレームを贈呈したところ、大統領が喜ばれてその場で試着。高市総理は、大統領が外した元々かけていたメガネを、すかさず拝借して、、、パチリ。

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

Yet Matsuyama Masaji (松山政司), LDP chairman in HoC, becomes the only sponsor from former Kochikai sect and current HoC leadership. He supports Hayashi in 2025 presidential election.

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

Sponsors include Koizumi, Kobayashi and Motegi, but not Hayashi. May hint something for 2027 LDP presidential election.

Sankei reported that Hayashi, who aimed to campaign for 2027, was not invited.

[産経ニュース @Sankei_news]

高市支持グループ「国力研究会」発足へ　麻生・小泉氏ら発起人　重要政策へ党内基盤強化
https://t.co/BN7MDS930l

自民党内で高市首相を支える議員グループが麻生太郎副総裁を中心に発足する。麻生氏のほか茂木敏充外相や小泉進次郎防衛相、小林鷹之政調会長も発起人に名前を連ねる。

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

Another note will be Ishii Junichi (石井準一), LDP secretary general in HoC and the so-called "don of HoC", was also not included. Ishii set up a new group within HoC last month which alerted Takaichi.

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

Do they mean this bridge? (I take this photo in my 2018 visit to Ani)

[Anadolu English @anadoluagency]

#BREAKING Türkiye and Armenia sign deal in capital Yerevan to jointly restore ancient Ani border bridge, says Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

Something new for Phase 3. What Iran try to mean by "regional security framework" will be very interesting.

Saudi, which has a detente framework with Iran mediated by Iraq and China, must view it very differently with Israel-aligning UAE.

[Open Source Intel @Osint613]

Al Jazeera publishes details of Iran's latest offer to the U.S., delivered through Pakistan. The proposal has three phases:

Phase 1: Convert the ceasefire into a full end to the war within 30 days, across the entire region including Lebanon. Mutual commitments by Iran, the U.S., Israeli, and Iranian proxies not to attack each other. Iran would gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz and clear the mines it laid, accepting U.S. assistance. In return, the U.S. lifts its blockade of Iranian ports. An international body would be established to oversee compliance. Iran revised its demand for reparations in "new and sophisticated wording." The proposal also demands withdrawal of forces from Iran's maritime surroundings and an end to major force concentrations in the region.

Phase 2: Freeze uranium enrichment for 15 years. After that, Iran resumes enrichment to 3.6% but commits not to stockpile enriched uranium. Iran rejects the U.S. demand to dismantle nuclear infrastructure or destroy facilities. Already-enriched uranium would be transferred to other countries or diluted to civilian levels. Sanctions lifted gradually on a clear timetable, including release of frozen Iranian assets worldwide.

Phase 3: Iran enters strategic dialogue with Arab and regional states to build a region-wide security framework.

Al Jazeera, citing the proposal delivered via Pakistan.

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

Subtle difference in translation.

[神保 謙 (Ken JIMBO) @kenj0126]

外務省の資料「進化���FOIP」、英語ではthe updated FOIPと表現され、「進化」より意味付けが弱く官僚的だ。evolutionとかevolvedを使うべきだったのでは。Evolution of FOIP: Toward More Resilient and Prosperous Indo-Pacificとか。 https://t.co/E2BZxh59Si

[Barak Ravid @BarakRavid]

🇺🇸🇸🇦🇦🇪Behind the scenes: The Trump administration was slow to grasp how serious the rift between the UAE and Saudi Arabia had become — and chose not to get involved as it deepened, U.S. and regional sources said
🇺🇸🇸🇦🇦🇪Early on in the crisis, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Riyadh and Abu Dhabi that the U.S. wouldn't pick sides, sources said
🇺🇸🇸🇦🇦🇪Trump envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner — who has close ties to both leaders and business interests across the region — also stayed out, wary of a rift with either side, U.S. sources said
🇺🇸🇸🇦🇦🇪Senior officials are deeply concerned that Washington's two most important Arab allies will emerge from the war more adversarial than ever

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

Another cracks between UAE and Saudi or further division of labour between the two?

[سهيل المزروعي @HESuhail]

The UAE’s decision to exit from OPEC reflects a policy-driven evolution aligned with long-term market fundamentals. We thank OPEC and its member countries for decades of constructive cooperation. We remain committed to energy security, providing reliable, responsible, and lower-carbon supply while supporting stable global markets.

https://t.co/Ng1x2gSQZL

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

She will visit at least once in her PM term. If she wanted to fully emulate Abe Shinzo, she will visit on Oct 21 this year (1st anniversary of her PM term).

Yet Oct 21 should be within the autumn ritual period of Yasukuni Shrine, which may bring unwanted diplomatic problems.

[Jeffrey J. Hall 🇯🇵🇺🇸 @mrjeffu]

Before becoming leader of the LDP, Takaichi Sanae was very much in favor of Japanese Prime Ministers visiting the Yasukuni Shrine.
Now that she is PM and has to handle diplomacy with China & Korea, it looks like she won't visit Yasukuni after all.
https://t.co/rcWmzLll4T

[Thompson Chau @tchau01]

SCOOP @NikkeiAsia: Taiwan is facing a quiet backlash from Japanese officials over how it handled a recent visit to Tokyo by Premier Cho Jung-tai.

Tokyo “felt betrayed” over the trip’s publicity, stirring doubts over future cooperation and visits. 1/4
https://t.co/EG8afuOIRJ

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

If true, did Iran need to have at least both Ghalibaf and Vahidi (assuming Mojtaba won't be available) to come to the negotiation table?

[Zahid Gishkori @ZahidGishkori]

Big Diplomatic Move: A high ranking Pakistani official engaged in Iran-US talks since weeks confirmed that Islamabad put its maximum diplomatic efforts to host Iran-US talks in third week of April again. For this, there could be a possibility of visit of US President Trump, Saudi Crown Prince MBS, Turkish President And Egyptian Prime Minister during these talks. Iranian President will likely visit Pakistan as well. PM Sharif meanwhile plans to visit Saudi Arabia tomorrow and a high powered delegation of Pakistan will be visiting China as well. So big breakthrough is expected in US-Iran talks in coming four days. #USIranTalks

[CHAU Wun Liong @wl2chau]

@HQuestion2 In the middle is Shungaku Yanai (柳���俊学), the speaker of Yamaguchi Prefecture Council and a local power broker.

[Al Jazeera Breaking News @AJENews]

BREAKING: US, Iranian delegations engaging in 'direct negotiations' for first time, sources tell Al Jazeera

🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/c0jcC7yGqW

[Ali Hashem علي هاشم @Alihashem]

Iranian delegation led by Ghalibaf and consists of FM Abbas Araghchi, Secretary of the Defense Council, Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Governor of the Central Bank Abdolnaser Hemmati, among others arrived in Islamabad,