Tag: Asia & Pacific

Vanuatu Parliament Dissolved as Prime Minister Tries to Avoid No-Confidence Vote

August 19, 2022
Asia & PacificAustraliaBob LoughmanChinaInternationalInternational RelationsKiribatiSouth PacificVanuatuWorld
0 Comment

Vanuatu’s president has dissolved the Pacific nation’s Parliament hours before a no-confidence motion was brought against Prime Minister Bob Loughman. The latest incident continues a tumultuous few weeks for democratic institutions in the South Pacific—already susceptible to influence from Beijing. On Aug. 18, Vanuatu President Nikenike Vurobaravu signed the notice to dissolve Parliament—the next elections…

Read More

Solomon Islands Strikes Deal to Build 161 Huawei Towers With $66 Million Chinese Loan

August 18, 2022
Asia & PacificAustraliaChinaChina-Australia RelationsHuaweiInternationalInternational RelationsManasseh SogavareSolomon IslandsSouth PacificTechTech NewsUS-China relationsWorld
0 Comment

The Solomon Islands government has agreed to a 448.9 million yuan (US$66.15 million) loan from the Chinese state-owned Export-Import Bank of China to fund the construction of 161 towers by controversial telecommunications giant Huawei. In response, defence expert Michael Shoebridge has warned that Beijing is “moving fast and in a broad way” in the South…

Read More

SoftBank CEO ‘Remorseful’ After Record $23.4 Billion Quarterly Loss

August 18, 2022
AlibabaAsia & PacificBusiness & MarketsChinaChina Business & EconomyCompaniesDidiHong KongMasayoshi SonNew York Stock ExchangeSoftbankWorld
0 Comment

News Analysis Japanese tech investment giant SoftBank Group has decided to sell one-third of its Alibaba stake to raise $34 billion in cash, following a record $23.4 billion loss in the second quarter. Founder and CEO Masayoshi Son admitted at a press conference that he is “quite embarrassed and remorseful.” Furthermore, China’s regulatory crackdown on…

Read More

China’s Trillion-Dollar Research Funds Mostly Spent on Travel and Leisure: Chinese State Media

August 18, 2022
Asia & PacificCCP corruptionChinaChina Business & EconomyChina's semiconductor industryChinese RegimeSocial IssuesWorld
0 Comment

Chinese authorities had high hopes for China’s chip industry, expecting to see a “semiconductor miracle,” which would then affirm the “advantage of China’s whole nation system,” as well as overcome technology sanctions imposed by the United States. However, eight years into establishment of China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, also known as the “Big Fund,”…

Read More

US and Taiwan to Begin Trade Talks on Regulations, Agriculture, Labor Standards

August 18, 2022
Asia & PacificBusiness & MarketsChinaeconomic policieseconomyIndo-Pacific Economic Framework IPEFPolicies & ImpactsSpecial TopicsTaiwantaiwan tradetrade negotiationsU.S.-Taiwan relationsUSUS NewsUS-China relationsWorld
0 Comment

Washington and Taipei will soon kick off formal negotiations on the “U.S. Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade” initiative announced on June 1, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) said on Wednesday. Negotiations will take place under the auspices of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States and the…

Read More

South Korea’s Hyundai Mobis Aims to Separate Key Businesses Into New Units

August 18, 2022
Asia & PacificBusiness & MarketsCompaniesHyundaiplansWorld
0 Comment

SEOUL—South Korean auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis Co. Ltd. said on Thursday it was considering separating its modules and key parts production businesses into new wholly owned units in an effort to enhance each segment’s expertise and maximize efficiency. Hyundai Mobis, an affiliate of automaker Hyundai Motor Co., said in a regulatory filing it aims…

Read More

New Zealand Government Unanimously Suspends Labor MP After Allegations of ‘Rampant’ Bullying

August 18, 2022
allegationAsia & PacificAustraliabullyingInternationalJacinda ArdernNew Zealand Labour PartyWorld
0 Comment

New Zealand MP Gaurav Sharma was suspended from the Labour caucus for breaching trust after he alleged widespread bullying and harassment occurred throughout Parliament and that his concerns around the issues had never been investigated. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the caucus had unanimously determined that suspension was the “most appropriate response” following “repeated breaches…

Read More

Missing India Soldier’s Body Found on Glacier After 38 Years

August 18, 2022
Asia & PacificglacierIndia SoldiermissingWorld
0 Comment

LEH, India—The remains of an Indian army soldier have been found more than 38 years after he went missing on a glacier at the highest point along the heavily militarized contested border between India and Pakistan in Kashmir, officials said Wednesday. The soldier and 17 other colleagues were occupying a ridge on Siachen Glacier, high…

Read More

China Increasing Nuclear Arsenal, With ‘Largest Military Buildup in History’: US Indo-Pacific Commander

August 17, 2022
arms raceAsia & PacificChinaChinese RegimeIndo-Pacific RegionmilitaryNational SecuritySpecial TopicsUSWorld
0 Comment

The U.S. Indo-Pacific commander has warned that China’s growing nuclear arsenal poses a threat to the region’s stability, with Beijing pursuing “the largest military buildup in history” since World War II. Adm. John Aquilino, the U.S. Indo-Pacific commander, made the remarks following China’s opposition to the AUKUS defense pact, which will arm Australia with nuclear-powered…

Read More

Bombing, Arson Attacks Hit Several Places in Thailand’s Southern Provinces

August 17, 2022
arsonAsia & PacificbombThailandWorld
0 Comment

Bombing and arson attacks hit Thailand’s southernmost provinces on Tuesday in what are believed to be coordinated attacks by insurgents that injured at least three people, according to local reports. The attacks happened at 17 locations across Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala provinces, which mostly targeted convenience stores and gas stations, military spokesperson Pramote Promin said,…

Read More