ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - June 30, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - June 30, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Kenyan President William Ruto Rejects Finance Bill After Violent Demonstrations
• Mainland Chinese and Taiwanese Coastguards in Tense Confrontation near Quemoy
• Philippines Sets Up New Anti-Ship Missile Base to Counter China’s Aggression in South China Sea

Kenyan President William Ruto Rejects Finance Bill After Violent Demonstrations

On June 26, President William Ruto announced that he would not sign the finance bill into law after it was passed in Parliament the previous day. The bill caused widespread violence and casualties during demonstrations due to tax hikes that the potential legislation proposed. The move comes after police officers fired live ammunition, tear gas, and water cannons at protesters in Nairobi after they stormed the parliament on June 25. At least 22 people were killed during the demonstrations and dozens more were injured. Protests are expected to resume on June 27, but it is unclear if they will resume following Ruto's announcement. Some protesters announced plans to still attend the demonstrations to demand Ruto's resignation. The tax bill aimed to relieve Kenya's growing debt burden, while protesters have called the tax hike an economic burden on Kenya's struggling population. Further violence is likely during the planned protest on June 27, and a heightened security presence will likely remain in high-risk areas, such as Nairobi.

Mainland Chinese and Taiwanese Coastguards in Tense Confrontation near Quemoy

On June 25, the mainland Chinese and Taiwanese coast guards were involved in a tense stand-off near Quemoy, the latest escalation near the Taiwan-controlled island, also known as Kinmen. Four mainland Chinese coast guard vessels entered restricted waters five nautical miles from the island’s defense outpost. Two vessels approached from the north of Beiding Island while the other two entered waters south of Fuxing Islet. The Taiwanese Coast Guard sent three patrol boats and warned mainland Chinese vessels to leave. The confrontation lasted for two hours until the mainland Chinese ships moved away. The incident is the latest escalation after two mainland Chinese fishermen drowned while they were being pursued in waters near Quemoy by Taiwan’s coast guard. China has stepped up coast guard patrol, while its Fujian Coast Guard has organized fleets to continuously strengthen law enforcement near Kinmen and the city of Xiamen in Fujian province.

Philippines Sets Up New Anti-Ship Missile Base to Counter China’s Aggression in South China Sea

The Philippines is reportedly building its first BrahMos anti-ship missile base in Zambales province on the west coast of Luzon island amid rising tensions with China in the South China Sea. The base is set to house the supersonic cruise missiles acquired from India in a landmark USD 375 million deal in 2022. The missiles have an operational reach of around 300 km (186 mile), targeting the disputed Scarborough Shoal occupied by China. The installation of an anti-ship base gives the Philippines a significant deterrence boost against China, increasing the missile threat to Chinese naval forces and denying them uncontested access to the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China and the Philippines had a string of confrontations in the South China Sea including a collision in the Second Thomas Shoal last week. Although China still has the upper hand amid escalating regional tensions, its operational and tactical maneuverability will likely be constrained in areas covered by the BrahMos missile base.