Reuters: Japan and South Korea signed a preliminary pact to share and safeguard sensitive information on North Korea’s missile and nuclear activities on Monday, a move that had already prompted anger among opposition lawmakers in Seoul. The signing of the General Security of Military Information Agreement had originally been expected in 2012, but South Korea postponed it amid domestic opposition… Read more »
BEIJING, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) — Financial cooperation will bring new growth momentum to Asian countries, given that although there have been visible outcomes in this field, the scale is limited, according to specialists. “The low-hanging fruit has already been picked in Asian regional cooperation after years of development,” said China’s Vice Finance Minister Shi Yaobin at a seminar held in… Read more »
MANILA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte voiced aversion on Tuesday to the presence of foreign troops in the Philippines, saying the country’s constitution dictates that the Philippines pursue an independent foreign policy. At the news conference before departing for Tokyo where he is making a three-day visit, Duterte said his country does not have to “dovetail what… Read more »
VIENTIANE, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) — The economy of Laos will grow 7 percent next year thanks to the growth of energy sector, Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Souphanh Keomixay told the parliament. Industrial sector will grow by 8.9 percent and will contribute 37.2 percent of GDP, and the energy sector will undergo considerable growth, with several hydropower plants set… Read more »
TOKYO, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte wrapped up his visit to Japan on Thursday, seeking economic support from Tokyo but still vexing its long-time ally of U.S. with his blistering remarks. During Duterte’s three-day visit, Japan and the Philippines have agreed to enhance cooperation, with Tokyo in an apparent effort to woo Manila back to “the U.S.-Japan… Read more »
Indonesia has been hit by a spate of ISIS-inspired attacks mounted by different domestic militant groups since the start of the year. But the worrying trend is of more lone-wolf terrorists striking random targets in the name of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militant group, said police chief Tito Karnavian. Speaking to reporters after a meeting at… Read more »
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea said on Thursday that it would restart talks with Japan about a military intelligence-sharing pact, four years after a similar agreement was canceled in the face of a domestic furor. Officials at the Defense Ministry said in a news briefing on Thursday that such an agreement would allow South Korea to better address the… Read more »
DAVID GREENE, HOST: The death of Thailand’s beloved king this month left many Thais in mourning. It also created uncertainty for some in that country’s tourism industry, which accounts for at least 10 percent of the country’s GDP. Michael Sullivan has more. MICHAEL SULLIVAN, BYLINE: It doesn’t happen very often, but Bangkok’s infamous red light district, Soi Cowboy, went dark… Read more »
Islamic State supporters from Indonesia are traveling to join forces with their counterparts in the Philippines, raising concerns about cross-border violence, Indonesian anti-terrorism officials said on Tuesday. Authorities in Southeast Asia have been on heightened alert since a gun-and-bomb attack rocked the Indonesian capital Jakarta in January and stamped Islamic State’s presence in the region for the first time. “Some… Read more »
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is on a diplomacy roll and maybe a bank roll too. During his trip last week to China, the source of a tense maritime sovereignty dispute, the 71-year-old newcomer to his country’s national politics agreed to economic deals worth $24 billion and some expect that stack to grow. The sum covers $9 billion in soft loans and… Read more »