By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly It is rare that a mainstream television show dedicates an entire season to a historical part of Asian history. However, that is what AMC’s “Hell on Wheels” does as it depicts the role of Chinese workers building the transcontinental railroad in the late 1800s. One of the stars of […]
Myanmar’s parliament blocks changes to constitution
By Aye Aye Win Associated Press YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar’s parliament voted against several constitutional amendments June 25, ensuring that the military’s veto power remains intact and that opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi cannot become president in an election this year. The legislature ended a 3-day debate on proposed changes to the 2008 […]
Moy appointed AIT director
Kin Moy, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia, is set to become the new director of the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) this summer. Moy will be taking over from AIT Director Christopher Marut. He is a senior U.S. Department of State official with extensive working experience of […]
No news is good news — On Carter’s first Asia trip as Pentagon chief, calm prevails
HONOLULU (AP)—No news is good news. That might have been the bumper sticker for Ash Carter’s first tour of Asia as secretary of defense. It was mostly quiet on the Eastern front. Carter consulted with Japanese and South Korean leaders, gave pep talks to American troops, stressed the U.S. military’s stabilizing influence in the region […]
China-savvy tea partyer takes helm of US House panel on Asia
By Matthew Pennington Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The new leader of the House panel overseeing U.S. policy to the Asia-Pacific is a rarity in Congress: a deeply conservative Republican who shuns isolationism, favors closer ties with Asia and stands poised to praise as well as criticize China — and even do it in Mandarin.
China and Japan agree to resume dialogue
By Christopher Bodeen Associated Press BEIJING (AP) — China and Japan reached agreement to ramp up high-level contacts, the strongest indication yet of a possible meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at next week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
Review confirms basis of Japan’s sex slave apology
By Mari Yamaguchi Associated Press TOKYO (AP) – A Japanese panel confirmed the validity of a study that led to Japan’s landmark 1993 apology for forcing Asian women into wartime prostitution, even as South Korea blasted the review as a move that “picks again at the painful wounds” of victims.
U.S. charges Chinese military officials in cyberspying case
By Eric Tucker Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) – In a landmark case alleging international economic spying, the United States announced on May 19 unprecedented cyber espionage charges against five Chinese military officials accused of hacking into U.S. companies to gain trade secrets.
Typhoon relief continues
More efforts are underway to bring relief to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines on Nov. 8, leaving thousands dead and millions homeless.
COMMENTARY: Tiphares vs Elysium — Welcome to the Age of Appropriation
By Andrew Lam New America Media Many years ago, before the age of cyperspace, I found a Japanese manga series at a specialty bookstore in San Francisco. Created by Yukito Kishiro, Battle Angel Alita is the story of a post apocalyptic world where humans scavenge to survive, many using robotic technology to replace lost limbs. […]