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Latest Headlines
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Regional drought threatens millions living along Mekong River
A regional drought has lowered water levels in the northern Mekong River, and threatens the livelihoods of more than 60m people who live along it. The Mekong River provides water supply, navigation, and irrigation along its route, and its record-low levels have affected northern Thailand, northern Laos and southern China. Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong River [...] -
India predicts 8.8% growth
India’s annual Economic Survey forecast predicted that the country would grow as much as 8.75% in the coming fiscal year. The country’s Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that India had moved past the "despondency and gloom" of 2009, and ends the fiscal year "with confidence". The country’s economy is expected to continue on its "high growth [...] -
Myanmar: Suu Kyi appeal refused, Singapore ‘disappointed’
The house arrest of Myanmar’s leading dissident Aung San Suu Kyi’s will continue, after the Supreme Court of Myanmar refused an appeal to shorten it. The current 18-month sentence extension was ordered after an uninvited American swam across a lake to Suu Kyi’s home, where Suu Kyi allowed him to stay. The [...] -
Thai court seizes S$1.96 billion of Thaksin family assets
The Thai Supreme Court has ordered the seizure of 46.37 billion (S$1.96 billion) of the 76.6 billion(S$3.2 billion) baht in frozen assets belonging to the Shinawatra family. In a marathon verdict that took seven hours to deliver, the Supreme Court said the former prime minister and one-time owner of Manchester City Football Club had concealed his [...] -
Thailand: Rising Concerns as Migrant Workers’ Nationality Verification Deadline Approaches
More than one million migrants in Thailand face possible deportation and further abuse if they fail to meet a deadline this week to register with authorities, New York-based Human Rights Watch said. Thailand has ordered all migrants from neighboring Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos to register and verify their nationality by Feb. 28 or risk deportation, as [...] -
Caution or optimism over Asian economic recovery?
After Taiwan and Thailand announced strong economic growth in 4Q 2009, the Financial Times and Bloomberg responded with reports on increased demand and better growth prospects in Asia for 2010. Taiwan’s fourth quarter growth was up 9.6% year-on-year, while Thailand’s was up 5.8%. The New York Times, however, was less optimistic, and stressed that the [...] -
United Nations climate chief Yvo de Boer announced his resignation
As Secretary General of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Mr de Boer was in charge of negotiating a new international deal to stop global temperature rise. However after four years in the post he has decided to step down. De Boer, 55, will step down as the diplomat leading talks under the [...] -
Female activists jailed as UN envoy enters Myanmar
The Military junta in Myanmar has sentenced four female activists to jail terms of two years with hard labour on the day that a UN envoy arrived to inspect human rights progress in the nation, the opposition party said Tuesday. The women were accused of causing public unrest and were sentenced during a closed hearing [...] -
Thailand: Thaksin’s Judgement Day on Feb 26
As “Judgement Day” on former PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s Bt76-billion assets-seizure case nears, bomb-related incidents took place in Bangkok over the Chinese New Year weekend and people are starting to get jittery. On Feb 26, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for holders of Political Positions will give its verdict on whether 76 billion baht in frozen assets [...] -
Romanian envoy claims he was framed
Romanian envoy to Singapore Silviu Ionescu, is claiming that the hit-and-run accident was a “set up” by the Singapore government. He claims that his increased reporting on Singapore’s political scene made him “an inconvenient person” in Singapore. The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement which “categorically rejected” Ionescu’s claim, and that these were “very [...] -
US Ambassador-designate to promote multiparty democracy in Singapore
US Ambassador-designate to Singapore Mr. David Adelman has said that he would promote democratic reforms in Singapore, one of Washington’s closest political, economic and military allies in Asia. Speaking at a nomination hearing in Singapore on Tuesday, he said “make no mistake, currently Singapore is not a multi-party democracy, and I intend, if confirmed, to use [...] -
Timeline: straining of US-China relations in 2010
In the initial months of 2010, there was a shift in U.S. strategy, with the U.S. seeming reluctant to cede to China any diplomatic ground at all. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized China for censoring the Internet, in the wake of Google’s allegations about Chinese hackers. The Obama administration went ahead with weapons sales [...] -
Cambodia and Thailand border dispute escalates
Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand increased this week, amidst warnings from Prime Minister Hun Sen that Cambodia will file a complaint to the International Court of Justice that its neighbour, Thailand is encroaching on its territory. The disputed land is located near the landmark of the Preah Vihear Temple, in northern Cambodia. Preah Vihear temple [...] -
Iranian nuclear program received with mixed reactions
On Wednesday, 3rd of February, Iran launched a rocket into space, violating international law. Iran now faces the threat of new sanctions from the US and others. The incident has also increased diplomatic tensions between countries that disagree how to engage Iran, especially the US and China. The domestically-produced Kavoshgar-3 rocket was equipped with a satellite [...] -
US, China face off with sanctions, censure over Taiwan, Iran
The United States and China are locked in an escalating row over US arms sales to Taiwan. The row was sparked by a 6.4 billion-dollar sale of missiles, helicopters, ships and other weaponry. -
North and South Korea exchange fire in disputed territory
Tensions rose in both North and South Korea as artillery shells were fired into the disputed sea border between the two nations reports the Yonhap news agency. The border, a scene of much bloodshed from naval conflicts in 1999 and 2002, has been a sensitive issue between the two nations since it was first drawn [...] -
Hong Kong Legislators resign in a bid for full democracy
Five Hong Kong legislators have resigned from the Legislative Council, Hong Kong’s lawmaking body. The legislators represent two of the five pro-democracy political parties in Hong Kong. Their actions represent a desire to press for direct elections, a desire also held by some of the general public, in an attempt to force the Chinese communist [...] -
Compass: China’s external relations, trade and economy
APV Compass is a twice-weekly feature. It points readers to useful analysis of recent issues in the Asia-Pacific. -
Democracy icon Suu Kyi may be freed in November
There have been reports that the detained Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi may be released in November this year when her house arrest ends. The optimism is checked, however, because this would likely come too late for her to actively participate in this year’s much-anticipated elections, the country’s first since [...] -
NYT: In Japan, US losing diplomatic ground to China
The New York Times gives an overview report today on the recent straining of US-Japan relations and concurrent thawing of China-Japan relations. Since last year’s election, there have been a flurry of diplomatic visits between China and Japan. The Yoimuri Shimbun even cited an anonymous diplomatic source that said there could [...] -
State-run Indian company plans to take 4% stake in Myanmar-China pipeline
State-run Indian company Gail intends to acquire a 4% stake in the USD $2.01 billion Myanmar-China gas pipeline. The investment of Gail and OVL a subsidiary of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited would amount to approximately USD $250 million in the project. Gail’s investment comes after reports that its net profits have undergone a three-fold [...] -
Analyzing views on the sustainablity of China’s growth
In the past week, many have begun to question the sustainability of China’s quick economic recovery. Others in response have risen to defend it. The issue is an important one, especially for the economies of Southeast Asia. China accounts for 11.3 per cent of Southeast Asia’s external trade, and with developed nations still struggling to [...] -
China, Japan tensions flare over natural gas
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Japanese countepart Katsuya Okada met Sunday to further promote China-Japan relations, but what made headlines was a spat over disputed boundary claims in the East China Sea. In his talks with Yang, the Japanese foreign minister said that Tokyo would take “action” if China violated a 2008 agreement over [...] -
Asia aids quake-hit Haiti
There has been an outpouring of aid in response to the disastrous earthquake in Haiti, which has taken the lives of anywhere from 45,000 to 200,000 depending on . Asian countries have responded. Many Asian countries have been themselves befallen by natural disasters in recent years. The following chart lists those Asia-Pacific countries who have [...] -
Singapore weathers the crisis and prepares for a stronger year
The story on Singapore in 2009 has been that of a vulnerable small and open economy overcoming the fallout from the global financial crisis with sound economic and financial fundamentals, good governance and a timely stimulus package. The exposure of Singaporean financial institutions to failed and distressed institutions in the US and Europe was not significant [...] -
Clinton cancels remainder of Asia tour to deal with Haiti crisis
News sources are now reporting that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has canceled the remainder of her Asia trip to deal with the crisis in Haiti. The trip would have taken her to Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand. Secretary of State Clinton called the long history of natural disasters that continue to trouble Haiti [...] -
Clinton in Asia: slow start over airbase row
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s first Asia trip of 2010 got off to a slow start Tuesday. She met her Japanese counterpart, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada in Honolulu, where little progress was made on resolving the diplomatic row over moving a US airbase. The original deal, reached in 2006, had arranged to move a US [...] -
FT: Malaysia, China to tap resource-rich area of Borneo
The Financial Times reports today that Malaysia and China have signed a deal to build projects in a large, controversial resource corridor in Borneo. According to Malaysian PM Najib Razak, the agreement could result in projects worth $11 billion. State statistics estimate that the area includes 1.46bn tonnes of coal reserves, just under 41,000bn cu ft [...] -
Straits Times: US won’t commit to single Asian forum
In the Jan. 12 print edition of the Straits Times, Bhagyashree Garekar reports that US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton is likely to emphasize in a speech tomorrow that the US will not support either of the new visions for Asia-Pacific regional institutions. The competing visions are Japanese PM Yukio Hatoyama’s “East Asian Community” and Australian [...] -
Pentagon approves increase in arms sales to Taiwan
AFP reports on the latest development in cross-Straits related news- the US has approved an increase in arms sales to Taiwan, in spite of censure from Chinese officials. See article below. TAIPEI : The US Defence Department has approved the sale of upgraded missile equipment to Taiwan, a Taipei-based US official said Thursday, risking the ire [...] -
NYT: China raises interest rates, a “turning point”
Keith Bradsher at the New York Times reports that China has finally raised interest rates, signaling that the country’s monetary policy may be tightening. From the NYT: HONG KONG — China’s central bank raised a key interest rate slightly Thursday for the first time in nearly five months, in what economists interpreted as the beginning of [...] -
US urges Japan to “move forward” on base row; Clinton, Okada to meet
AFP reports: WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States said Thursday it will urge Tokyo to “move forward” on a row over a US air base and clarify its stand on a US-Japanese alliance that has underpinned security in Asia for 50 years. Hillary Clinton will convey the message when she meets her Japanese counterpart Katsuya Okada in [...] -
Vietnam condemns China’s tourism plan for dispuited archipelago
A new development in the territorial disputes between China and ASEAN countries in the South China Sea: Vietnam has condemned a Chinese plan to develop tourism on the disputed Paracel islands. The dispute adds another facet to a longstanding issue. Tensions peaked in the mid-1990s but China has since sought to alleviate the concerns of ASEAN [...] -
US diplomat skeptical on Myanmar elections
The announcement comes in the wake of the Obama Administration in mid-2009 announcing it would take a different approach in its engagement with Myanmar. The AFP reports: WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday voiced doubts on whether Myanmar’s upcoming elections would be credible and urged the military regime to engage the opposition and ethnic minorities. Myanmar’s leader [...] -
Japan: PM vows to pursue more equal ties with US
The announcement comes within a week of Japan stating that it would “look to Asia as a new frontier of economic growth,” (see Dec. 29 NY Times article). The tougher talk is another indicator of a shift in balance trending towards increased willingness of East Asian countries to “stand up” to the West. The AFP reports: TOKYO: [...] -
ASEAN: FTAs with China, India, Australia & New Zealand go into effect
Even as the global crisis spurs protectionist measures, there is continued momentum towards increased trade liberalization in the Asia-Pacific, with ASEAN at the center. On January 1, 2010, free trade agreements between ASEAN and China, ASEAN and India, and ASEAN and Australia/New Zealand went into effect. The Telegraph reports that the ASEAN-China free trade area scraps duties [...] -
Copenhagen deal reached: China, India, US and others sign 2.5 page accord
AFP reports: COPENHAGEN (AFP) – World leaders finally clinched a climate deal at the end of marathon talks Friday but admitted it would not halt global warming and campaigners denounced the outcome as an abject failure. US President Barack Obama said a “meaningful” agreement had been reached during exhaustive meetings involving about two dozen presidents and prime [...] -
Chinese VP visits Japan amid protocol row
AFP reports: China’s Vice President Xi Jinping on Monday kicked off an Asia tour in Japan, where a row has broken out over a breach of protocol for his hastily arranged meeting with Emperor Akihito. Xi, who is widely expected to succeed Hu Jintao as China’s president in 2012, is on his first visit to Japan since [...] -
US announces pragmatic human rights approach for China, Russia
Agence France Presse reports: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton outlined a pragmatic stance on human rights in China and Russia, saying it is sometimes better to raise problems with them “behind closed doors.” The chief US diplomat’s speech sparked concern from leading human rights group Amnesty International, even as her spokesman urged China publicly to immediately [...] -
China: President Hu tours Central Asia, opens pipeline
BBC News reports: Chinese President Hu Jintao has unveiled the Kazakh section of a 7,000km (4,300 miles) natural gas pipeline joining Central Asia to China. Mr Hu was joined by Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev during the inauguration in Astana on Saturday. The pipeline is part of China’s attempts to secure more energy sources worldwide. Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8410369.stm Chinese President [...] -
Koreas, US, China to discuss peace treaty
AFP reports: SEOUL (AFP) – The United States and North Korea agreed to discuss a peace treaty on the Korean peninsula at four-nation talks involving the two nations, China and South Korea, a news report said Sunday. The “common understanding” was reached when US envoy Stephen Bosworth visited Pyongyang from December 8 to 10, Yonhap news agency [...] -
After US visit, North Korea pledges “co-operation”
After the first official discussions between the US and North Korea since President Obama took office, the DPRK’s foreign ministry has released a statement saying that it will “co-operate” with the United States. US Special Envoy Stephen Bosworth had visited the country for 3 days. He met with several top officials, but did not meet leader [...] -
Taiwan, China set talks for Dec 21-23
Taipei has confirmed that high-level talks with China will occur from December 21 to 23 on the city of Taichung. The talks are the fourth since relations between the two sides began to markedly improve in 2008. Though cross-Straits relations had improved consistently for some time, domestic pressure in Taiwan has mounted in recent weeks. An incident [...] -
Developed, developing countries clash at Copenhagen conference
AFP reports that a major rift has surfaced at the ongoing climate change negotiations in Copenhagen. An early draft text proposed by Denmark infuriated developing countries, including China and India. China accused developed nations of shirking their responsibilities to address climate change. Chinese envoy Yu Qingtai accused rich countries of a “lack of sincerity” in meeting [...] -
Indonesia: police to deploy thousands for Dec. 9 anti-graft protest
In the latest development in the ongoing anticorruption saga in Indonesia, thousands of police officers will be deployed to maintain order at an expected anti-graft protest tomorrow in Jakarta. The protests will coincide with World Anti-Corruption Day. Popular pressure in Indonesia continues to mount over corruption allegations against the Yudhoyono government. The president has been slow [...] -
Comment: The Asia Pacific community proposal: community, directorate or network?
A Short Paper for “the Asia-Pacific Community in the 21st Century”, a consultation at Sydney, 3-5 December 2009. -
Melting Himalayan glaciers threaten 1.3 billion Asians: experts
Over 1.3 billion people in Pakistan, India, China, Nepal and Bhutan depend on Himalayan glaciers for water, but experts say they are melting quickly, which may threaten much of the region with drought. The announcement comes as leaders gather for the Copenhagen climate change summit to discuss strategies for combating climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate [...] -
UPDATE 2: Four killed in Thai south ahead of Thai, Malay PMs’ visit
UPDATE2 (Dec. 9): Unknown gunmen killed two soldiers in an ambush in Narathiwat on Dec. 8, in addition to the two killed in the market the day before. Malaysia and Thailand’s Prime Ministers are still set to meet this afternoon. —– UPDATE (Dec. 8): Just days before Malaysian and Thai leaders are set to tour Thailand’s unstable [...] -
US envoy to visit Pyongyang on Asia-Russia tour
AFP reports that US envoy Stephen Bosworth will visit Pyongyang next week at the start of an Asia-Russia tour aimed at bringing North Korea back to nuclear disarmament negotiations, officials said Thursday. Mark Toner, a State Department spokesman, said Bosworth will arrive in the North Korean capital on Tuesday before traveling to Seoul on December 10, [...] -
Malaysia urges focus on South China Sea piracy
KUALA LUMPUR: Pirates attacks in the South China Sea are increasing and Malaysia has urged the bordering nations to work together to fight the threat, reports said Monday. “Piracy there is not conventional any more. Pirates feel that the countries don’t patrol the sea enough,” Defence Minister Zahid Hamidi was quoted as saying by the New [...]
