Worldwatch 12 January 2022
International Relations China/Russia/North Korea/Iran China continues to assert its sovereignty over Taiwan; although, at this stage has stopped short of enforcing such sovereignty. North Korea claims to have tested a hypersonic missile. (Reuters). Russia is engaging in military activity on the Ukrainian border raising fears of an imminent invasion. Hong Kong continues to move toward resembling Chinese political culture with opponents arguing that freedom of the press and democracy itself are being restricted by government. United States/Japan/India/Australia (Quad) Japan and Australia sign an historic bilateral military cooperation agreement and Australia orders tanks from the US in addition to its recent submarine order. The closer links between Australia and Japan and the US are only going to further antagonise China. UK/New Zealand/Pacific Australia Novak Djokovic was detained as he attempted to enter Australia for the Australian Open tennis tournament. After a period in immig...