Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
18 January 2024 | 11:04 a.m. SAST
1-min read

The outcome of Taiwan’s elections; the Maldives have asked India to withdraw military troops by March 15 and a meat shop in Japan with a thirty-year waiting list for its Kobe beef croquettes.

Taiwan general elections 2024

The results of the 2024 general election in Taiwan, held on 13 January, indicate Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) party will remain in power.

In the Asia-Pacific Report on Radio Islam International, Sanusha Naidu discusses the impact of Taiwanese election results on cross-strait relations with China and the implication for global dynamics, especially in the context of US- China relations.

“Taiwan has raised questions for Beijing in terms of the future trajectory of the One-China policy, and more importantly, what is the strategic ambit going forward?” Naidu says.

Maldives requests withdrawal of Indian troops

The Maldives have requested India to withdraw troops by March 15th. The request came shortly after the Mohamed Muizzu, the Maldives president, returned from a state visit to China.

This move reflects India and China’s struggle for influence in the Indian Ocean, according to Naidu.

Island states, dependent on larger nations like India, navigate a delicate balance of diplomacy, contestation, and strategic engagements, Naidu notes.

“These island states…are dependent on the developing corporations and resources of larger countries like India.”

This dependence, coupled with India’s increased interference in the Maldives’ domestic politics, are threatening the country’s sovereignty, leading to the request for the withdrawal of Indian troops.

Japanese butcher’s delicious Kobe beef croquettes

Naidu tells a culinary story from Japan, where a butcher shop’s Kobe beef croquettes have gained unprecedented popularity. With a staggering 38-year waiting list, the demand for these mouthwatering delicacies prompts reflection on the delicate balance between maintaining authenticity and mass production in the culinary world. The use of A5 Kobe beef and locally sourced ingredients adds layers to the culinary narrative, emphasising the intersection of tradition, quality, and demand.

Listen to the Asia-Pacific Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.