Tag: Asia & Pacific

Philippines President Speaks at CSIS in Washington

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers remarks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) at 3:30 p.m. ET on May 4. …


NATO to Open First Asia-Pacific Office in Japan: Reports

NATO is reportedly planning to open a liaison office in Tokyo, the first in the Asia-Pacific region, as it moves to deepen ties with Asia-Pacific nations amid increasing concerns over the threat of China’s communist regime. Nikkei Asia reported that the regional office would allow the military alliance to conduct consultations with its key Asia-Pacific…


US, Philippines to Share Military Intelligence on China

The United States and the Philippines will share real-time intelligence about China’s military activities in the Pacific, the Pentagon said. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Philippine counterpart, Carlito Galvez, established the Bilateral Defense Guidelines on May 3. As part of that agreement, the two nations will increase their military coordination and interoperability, including…


Rights Groups Urge Laos Government to Investigate Fatal Shooting of Political Activist

Human rights groups have urged the Laotian authorities to launch a probe into the killing of political activist Anousa “Jack” Luangsuphom, who was shot dead by an unidentified assailant on April 29. Luangsuphom was attacked late at night while sitting at a coffee shop in the Chanthabuly district of Vientiane province. The 25-year-old activist was…


China Urges International Respect for Junta-Ruled Burma’s ‘Sovereignty’

China’s foreign minister voiced support for Burma’s “sovereignty” in a rare visit to the military-ruled country on May 2 as Western countries continue to shun the junta for its violence against civilians. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang began his three-day visit to Burma—also known as Myanmar—on Tuesday, where he met with junta leader Min Aung…


US, Philippines Call for Peace Across Taiwan Strait in Joint Statement

The United States and the Philippines reaffirmed the need for peace across the Taiwan Strait in a joint statement issued Monday amid Beijing’s intimidating actions against the self-ruled island. President Joe Biden met with his Philippine counterpart, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at the White House and issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to deepen the…


Tesla Raises Prices in US, China, Japan, and Canada

Tesla Inc. has raised prices in a range of up to $290 in Canada, China, Japan, and the United States, its website showed on Monday, after the company slashed prices of its top-selling vehicles since the start of the year. The hike was the first on its two top-selling models at the same time in…


Japan, South Korea Resume Economic Talks After 7 Years as Relations Improve

Japan and South Korea agreed on May 2 to resume finance ministers’ talks that had been stalled for seven years, in the latest sign of thawing ties between the two nations strained by wartime disputes. South Korean Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho and his Japanese counterpart, Shunichi Suzuki, met on the sidelines of the annual Asian…


Japan, Egypt Pledge ‘Strategic Partnership’ Upgrade Amid China’s Growing Influence

Japan and Egypt have agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to the “strategic partnership level” as Japan seeks to increase engagement with African countries in the face of communist China’s growing influence. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Egypt as part of a four-nation tour of Africa on April 30, where he met with Egyptian…


Alibaba Founder Jack Ma Becomes Visiting Professor in Japan

Jack Ma, the co-founder of Chinese e-commerce Alibaba Group, has taken up a visiting professor position at a research institute affiliated with the University of Tokyo, the university said Monday. Ma, 58, began his tenure at Tokyo College on that same day, and he will carry out joint research and projects related to sustainable agriculture…