“About 1,500 people took part in an unauthorized rally in the center of Moscow,” the ministry’s Moscow branch said in a statement, giving no details.

The ministry said in an earlier statement that about 350 people participated in the rally and 30 of them were detained for disturbing the public order.

The demonstration, according to Moscow-based Sputnik news agency, was initiated by the Libertarian party to protest against Moscow authorities’ decision to ban several opposition candidates, who allegedly used fake signatures on their nominating petitions, from the city council election in September.

The organizers refused to hold the rally at the location designated by the authorities and called on people to take to the streets in central Moscow, Sputnik reported.

On July 27, the ban on opposition candidates drew protests from thousands of demonstrators, of whom over 1,000 were detained.

The Russian Investigative Committee has opened criminal proceedings against the organizers and participants in the rally last week.

The peaceful and full-of-positive-vibe rally, the third one since mid-June, was the silent majority’s answer to the city’s radicalism and violence mounted by protesters who have repeatedly thrown the city into chaos. Two earlier rallies saw about 480,000 people voicing their shared aspiration of bringing back peace and harmony to this stressed out city.

The damp and soggy lawns in Victoria Park were packed with participants, who held signboards and banners with messages such as “We support the police” and “Give peace a chance”.

The organizer, Politihk Social Strategic – a think-tank in Hong Kong, said around 90,000 people took part in the rally.

As one of the highlight of the public rally, youngsters took to the stage to remove their masks to reveal their identities, to mark a stark contrast to those masked radicals.

Some of the demonstrators, wearing T-shirts with “uphold the rule of law” printed on the front and “safeguard our home” on the back, waved the national flags and the Hong Kong SAR flags.

Emma Chan Ming-kwan who came to the rally with her 13-year-old son said she hoped the event could “teach him to tell right from wrong”. School education and biased media reports have failed to warn the younger generation about the consequences of violence, and therefore “I want to give him a clear message that we should support the police,” she added.

Law Cho-sing, 24, a professional boxer, told China Daily that he was not there to oppose protests, as Hong Kong values freedom of speech, but to make it clear that fanning or participating in violence and attacking the police are not acceptable.

Calling himself a member of the silent majority, Alex Yeung, founder of Wah Kee Restaurant – a chain diner, took to the stage to voice his respect for the city’s police force as they have made Hong Kong one of the safest places in the world.

Renato, a 46-year-old Hong Kong resident of Italian origin, said he came out to support Hong Kong police and the SAR government because he doesn’t agree with the behavior of unlawful protesters.

“I want to show the community that they have to stop violence against the police. The police are just doing their job, and they are keeping law and order in the city,” said Renato, a project manager at a trading company.

Allac Lam Wing-yum, 59, who works at a bank, came to show that Hong Kong is still a place where peaceful and rational expressions are always welcomed.

A retired school headmaster, surnamed Ho, said he believes it is necessary to reinforce education on the nation’s history and culture.

The participants, enjoying the relaxing but passionate moments, were heard singing along with the tune of Under the Lion Rock and the Glorious Years, when they were played. These songs are well-known for glorifying the spirit of Hong Kong and values cherished by its people.

BMKG head Dwikorita Karnawati said the agency was still warning residents living along the southern coast of Banten to avoid beaches and move to high places.

The earthquake’s epicenter is located 147 kilometers southwest off the coast of Sumur, Banten, at a depth of 10 km. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said in its announcement, meanwhile, that it had been a 6.8-magnitude earthquake.

Minutes after the earthquake, the BMKG alerted residents in Pandeglang, Banten, and West Lampung in Lampung province to brace for waves of up to 3 meters in height.

“Our standard operating procedure requires us to maintain the tsunami warning for two hours after the estimated time of when the waves reach the shore,” Dwikorita said in a televised press conference on Friday evening.

As the warning was triggered at 7:35 p.m., the agency said it would wait until 9:35 p.m. to lift it.

Tremors were felt in Jakarta, Bandung in West Java and other areas in the southern part of Java Island. Twitter users have posted videos showing people in places like Sumur and Jakarta evacuating buildings.

The earthquake was as strong as the one that devastated Palu, Central Sulawesi, last year, which killed about 2,000 people and triggered a tsunami.

The increase followed the introduction of the new tax revenue management information system (TAXRIS) earlier this year. So far, the system is operating in 10 major towns in seven provinces of Laos.

The finance ministry plans to expand the system to all provinces by 2020 as part of the government’s efforts to modernise the e-tax payment system and enhance transparency in the financial sector.

Meanwhile, taxpayers will be encouraged to make payments through the TAXRIS and other banking systems to boost national revenue.

To date, over 3,500 businesses have registered to pay taxes through the TAXRIS system, and the finance ministry has been urged to work in cooperation with local authorities to encourage more enterprises to do so.

TAXRIS aims at modernising revenue management in line with government policy and international best practices of accountability and transparency.

The finance ministry has taken the advice of experts from the European Union (EU), World Bank and other organisations to modernise public finance management.

The ministry has also introduced a single-window customs system to facilitate import and export procedures to help improve the overall business environment.

Importers and exporters can pay tariffs, taxes, service charges and any other fees through the Lao National Single Window (LNSW) at border crossings where goods are transitted.

The LNSW has been integrated with the electronic customs declaration system, known as ASYCUDA, and the Smart Tax system. The LNSW is also designed to link to the industry and commerce, public works and transport, and agriculture and forestry sectors.

These electronic systems are being implemented at the first Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Vientiane with plans for installation at other international border crossings in 2020.

Thanks to these electronic systems, income amassed at the first Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge increased by 10.25 percent in the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2018.

In 2019, the government plans to collect 26.3 trillion kip in revenue, of which domestic revenue is expected to reach 24.24 trillion kip with expenditure set at 33.39 trillion kip.

In the first six months of this year, revenue collection was expected to reach 12.96 trillion kip, equal to 49.2 percent of the target for the whole year.

Although the government is encountering challenges in gathering sufficient revenue, the introduction of electronic systems and the increase in tax payments will help to plug financial leaks and eliminate corruption by officials.

By Somsack Pongkhao

“If the economic conditions worsen, (a rate cut) will of course have to be considered,” Bank of Korea Gov. Lee Ju-yeol told reporters.

When asked about the US Federal Reserve’s decision to cut the key interest rate Wednesday, Lee welcomed the much-anticipated move, but also expressed some disappointment.

“The rate cut was in line with earlier expectations, but Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s remarks were not as dovish as expected,” Lee told reporters, adding that he believed the US would carry out further rate cuts this year.

Reflecting the slowing growth pace of the economy, the BOK last month slashed the benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 1.5 percent much earlier than expected. It also lowered the outlook for the country’s growth pace for this year to 2.2 percent, down 0.3 percentage point from its earlier suggestion.

“(The latest revision of the economic growth pace) did not sufficiently reflect (the impact of) Japan’s export curbs, and (further) monetary policy responses should be taken into account,” Lee said, claiming that the central bank still has “policy space” for additional measures.

Powell’s cautious stance on a further rate cut has put pressure on the BOK and its consideration of similar action as such a move would widen the interest rate gap between both two countries.

Earlier in the day, the BOK released an official statement echoing Lee’s remarks, addressing concerns stemming from mounting tension between Seoul and Tokyo. The Japanese government is poised to remove Korea from the whitelist of trusted trade partners on Friday. The Shinzo Abe administration has already applied tougher export restrictions on three key materials that are critical to the production of semiconductors and display panels, starting early July.

“In case external economic conditions worsen and macroeconomic downside risks expand, (we) may consider additional monetary policy measures,” said the report submitted to the National Assembly’s Finance Committee.

“We cannot underestimate the impact on the Korean economy, should Japan remove us from its whitelist,” the report added.

“(For the time being), the BOK will maintain its current policy direction, but an additional rate cut will depend on the impact of the (latest) rate cut and the pace of economic recovery.”

Asia’s fourth-largest economy saw its exports plunge to $46.1 billion last month, down 11 percent on-year, marking the eight consecutive month of decline since December, according to government data.

The country’s economy marked an on-quarter growth of 1.1 percent in April-June, following an unexpected 0.4 percent on-quarter contraction in January-March. The apparent rebound, however, was largely seen as attributable to the government’s increased fiscal spending.

Issues like regional economic integration, member-states’ diplomatic concerns and combating climate change are being thrashed out behind closed doors as per usual.

What is unusual about the meeting, though, is the number of foreign dignitaries attending – seats that traditionally were empty or filled with aids and assistants are being occupied by heavy hitters from Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, the US and beyond.

US-China Trade War

Among those attending the meetings and holding closed-door bilaterals with the region’s ministers is Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

With Beijing involved in a long drawn-out economic war of attrition with the United States, Southeast Asia has become China’s second-largest trading partner (behind only the European Union) and an economic alternative to Washington’s protectionism.

The region is eager for Chinese investment, funds for infrastructure development and tourists.

While Beijing is currently embroiled in an ongoing dispute with the Philippines and Vietnam over the South China Sea, Wang is making conciliatory remarks about the need to cooperate to find a solution.

“We are ready to continue to work with Asean to build on the progress we have made in our cooperation and enhance mutual political trust,” Wang said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Wang met separately with the ministers from the Philippines and Vietnam and undoubtedly stressed Beijing’s increasing investment in both countries.

It is anyone’s guess if Vietnam’s recent SOS to India for support against China, which it accused of “violating its sovereignty ”, figured in the discussions but feelings were obviously assuaged.

The Chinese Foreign Minister also took time to meet with Indonesia’s foreign minister and stressed that Beijing was ready to back Southeast Asia’s largest economy both in terms of infrastructure development as well as trade.

Brexit

British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab, appointed just last week to Boris Johnson’s pro-Brexit Cabinet, also travelled to Bangkok.

With the United Kingdom set to leave the European Union by October deal or no deal, according to the new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Raab is reaching out to new trading partners across the world.

China has already made overtures to Downing Street about opportunities and investments and Raab’s visit to Southeast Asia will focus on courting more potential trade partners.

In a statement released before his trip, Raab argued that “…for too long our trade focus has been on Europe…we need to expand our horizons.”

Asean already accounts for $43.8 billion in annual trade with the United Kingdom and Raab’s bilateral with each member state was clearly geared towards upping that figure significantly.

Russia

With Russia’s 2019 GDP growth slowing to less than 1%, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was in Bangkok building relationships with his regional counterparts and meeting with allies. Like in the UK, a slowdown in global trade has seen Russia meet with countries outside its traditional net of trade partners in the hope of boosting its economy.

Historically, Russia’s main source of trade with the region is the export of arms and expertise; Lavrov will be hoping that Russian goods and energy too will find ready buyers in the fast-developing region.

Japan-Korea Tensions & The US

Also joining Lavrov and Wang Yi in Bangkok was US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Pompeo has not been in the region since the failed meeting in Hanoi between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

But while Pompeo’s counterparts focused on economic initiatives, it seems Pompeo was more concerned with repairing a regional alliance his administration has arguably helped fray.

Pompeo said he hoped to help mend Japan-South Korea relations.

An export ban by Japan on high tech components to South Korea has put the two US allies in North East Asia on a collision course.

“We will encourage them to find a path forward,” Pompeo told reporters, according to Reuters.

“They’re both great partners of ours. They’re both working closely with us in our effort to denuclearize North Korea. So, if we can help them find a good place, that’s certainly important for the United States.”

The South Korean and Japanese Foriegn Ministers are also scheduled to hold talks in Bangkok – their first face-to-face meeting since Tokyo implemented the export restrictions on 4 July.

A three-way meeting with the US to discuss Washington’s reported ‘standstill agreement’ proposal is also on the cards.

https://asianews.network/2019/08/01/world-powers-converge-on-bangkok-as-asean-presents-opportunities-challenges/

The prime minister’s directive comes after ASF outbreaks have been found in Ratanakkiri, Tbong Khmum, Svay Rieng, Takeo and

Kandal provinces after spreading rapidly from Vietnam following an initial outbreak in China.

“Humans cannot catch ASF, but the virus can have a 100 per cent mortality rate among pigs and cause the pork industry serious losses.

“To meet the situation head-on, and in compliance with the Law on Animal Health and Production and the regulations in place in Cambodia, the government has decided to lay out tougher measures immediately,” the directive states.

The Ministry of Agriculture must take stricter action to prevent the large-scale spread of ASF by regularly monitoring the health of pigs nationwide, improve sanitation in pig farms and employ bio-security measures where necessary.

Checks on pig sanitation and pork products are to be strengthened, while people are to be educated about the disease and take precautions against it.

The ministry must increase its monitoring of meat sanitation, and the quarantining, impounding or culling of sick pigs, the directive adds.

Customs and Excise officials under the Ministry of Economy and Finance stationed along the Kingdom’s borders are to immediately stop the illegal import of pigs and pork products.

Cambodian Livestock Raisers Association president Srun Pov hailed the government’s latest measures to contain the spread of ASF.

“Farmers are the most affected when ASF breaks out. A large number of them have been forced to stop selling their pork products.

“The main factor in reducing the impact of ASF is to stop the movement of pigs in stricken areas,” Pov said.

Around 800 to 900 pigs had contracted ASF and had been destroyed, he added.

https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/hun-sen-orders-block-all-illegal-importation-pork

The State-owned space conglomerate China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp is working with the eastern coastal province of Shandong to start construction of a port for sea-based space launches before the end of this year.

The Beijing-based space giant said on Tuesday that during a recent visit by Ling Wen, deputy governor of Shandong, to the company’s headquarters, a strategic cooperation framework agreement was signed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, city government of Yantai, and Shenzhen-headquartered China International Marine Containers Group to jointly build an eastern coastal space port in Haiyang, a city administered by Yantai.

The move aims to support future sea-based launches and boost the development of space-related businesses in Shandong.

The project will make use of Yantai’s unique location, existing harbors and local space research and marine engineering facilities. Upon completion, the port will consist of support facilities for sea-based space missions and four research and production centers for carrier rockets, satellite equipment, sea-launch platforms as well as satellite data and applications.

The project is expected to benefit industries such as smart manufacturing, logistic apparatus and new material, the statement added.

China’s first seaborne space launch was carried out in the nation’s territorial waters in the Yellow Sea in early June. All of the mission’s preparation work was made in Yantai. The submersible launch platform was also based in the city.

The mission－the world’s first seaborne space launch in the past five years－demonstrated that China has the technology and capability for such operations and also indicated the country has found an alternative to its ground-based launch centers.

Compared with conventional land-based launches, a sea-based mission has a lower risk of danger for densely populated areas along the rocket’s trajectory. The method also allows launches to be made near the equator, which increases the rocket’s carrying capacity, lowers launch costs and extends the life span of some satellites, according to Li Tongyu, Long March 11’s project manager at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

Chinese engineers said that the capability of making sea-based launches would enable the country to help other nations lift their satellites at an affordable cost, thus expanding its market share in the international space market.

In another development, the Yantai Economic and Technological Development Area said earlier this month that it has inked a strategic partnership memorandum with China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp’s Third Academy and Dongfang Electronics, a local public company, to develop the commercial space sector.

The push was made during a visit last week by Gilbert F Houngbo, International Fund for Agricultural Development (Ifad) president, to Sa’ang district’s Svay Brateal commune in Kandal province – an area in which growers practice non-chemical and organic farming through an Ifad project.

Duong Kimchean – monitoring and evaluation consultant for the Agriculture Services Programme for Innovation, Resilience and Extension (Aspire) under the Kandal provincial Department of Agriculture – said organic vegetable supply is set to increase by some 20 per cent by the end of this year.

The province’s farmers supplied 134,400kg of organic vegetables to the local market last year.

“[Organic vegetables] fetch high prices and are grown in net houses. Farmers can cultivate them throughout the year and they reduce production costs because they do not use chemicals,” Kimchean said.

He added that since the establishment of the Aspire project in 2014, membership has grown from 13 families to 50.

Farmers previously received training from the provincial department’s Project for Agricultural Development and Economic Empowerment, he said, but have now joined Aspire’s agricultural promotion programme.

According to Kimchean, Sa’ang district has an area of 3,570ha, of which 1,443ha is agricultural land, on which vegetable crops are mostly grown.

Bun Sieng, founder of shop Natural Agriculture Village, an organic vegetable buyer, said organic vegetable supply in the capital’s supermarkets and restaurants is currently around 500kg per day.

“This amount is not yet sufficient to supply supermarkets such as AEON Mall, Lucky Supermarket and restaurants in Phnom Penh,” she said.

According to Sieng, Natural Agriculture Village will increase its purchases of organic vegetables to 20 tonnes by the end of this year and 100 tonnes by next year.

On Monday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries launched a $100,000 Japanese-funded quality inspection and distribution centre in Kandal province.

The ministry’s secretary of state Hean Vannhorn said: “The centre is a necessity to boost the production of vegetables guaranteed to be safe – from planting, to harvesting, to packaging and selling on the market.”

The Post previously reported that last year Cambodia consumed 500 tonnes of vegetables per day, at a daily cost of between $200,000 and $300,000.

The Kingdom is also estimated to import fruits and vegetables worth more than $300 million annually.

Vietnam has sought the support of India as part of its efforts to mobilise international opinion against China in the wake of Beijing’s ‘interference’ with the ongoing oil and gas activities in Vietnamese waters in the South China Sea, thus violating the South-East Asian nation’s sovereignty.

“We want India also to raise the issue since New Delhi has a direct stake in the matter,” Vietnamese diplomatic sources said here on Monday, drawing attention to the fact that nearly a dozen Chinese coast guard ships were still in the Vietnamese waters where the ONGC (Videsh) was among those involved in oil exploration activities.

Sources said another reason why India must take up the issue with China was that it was conducting more than 50 per cent of its international trade through the disputed sea. ‘When India says it stands for peace, stability and the rule of law, it must voice its opinion against China’s violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty,” they added.

Sources said Hanoi has already briefed Indian ministers and senior officials on the Chinese action against Vietnam in violation of UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “We are told that India is formulating its stand on China’s clear violation of international law and its attempt at infringing upon Vietnam’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its waters,” they added.

Sources said Vietnam did not want to escalate the matter as it was hopeful Beijing would realise its mistake and eventually start respecting Hanoi’s sovereignty. However, they made it clear that Hanoi was determined to make sure that China did not continue to violate the country’s sovereignty.

“We will try to amicably resolve the issue through talks. If that does not happen, we would like other countries to take up the issue with China. If Beijing still does not stop intruding into our waters, we will have to resort to international judicial processes,” they added.

Sources asserted that China would have to withdraw from Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and there was no other choice for it. “Our belief is that the more we are vocal, the earlier they (China) will withdraw. But major countries like India have to exert diplomatic pressure on Beijing,” they added.

Vietnam seeks India’s support against China for violating its sovereignty