By Christopher Bodeen and Ralph Jennings Associated Press TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan elected Tsai Ing-wen as its first female president Jan. 16, handing her pro-independence party its first majority in the national legislature and rejecting the China-friendly party that has led the self-governing island for eight years. The result should be deeply unsettling to […]
The Latest: China, Japan spar over disputed seas
AP Wire Service MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Leaders from 21 countries and self-governing territories are gathered in Manila for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit Nov. 17. The meeting’s official agenda is focused on trade, business and economic issues but terrorism, South China Sea disputes and climate change are also set to be in focus. […]
China island building now totals 2,000 acres
By Lolita C. Baldor Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — China’s rapidly expanding campaign to construct artificial islands, potentially for military use or airstrips, now totals about 2,000 acres (800 hectares) and could far outstrip that amount as the year goes on, a senior defense official said Friday. The new estimate, disclosed for the first time, […]
In US-Japan talks, China’s leader a factor
By Jim Kuhnhenn and Matthew Lee Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met last Tuesday, a major subtext of their discussions was the world leader not in the room — Chinese President Xi Jinping. China’s rise underlies both the economic and security discussions that will highlight […]
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.
“Above the China Sea” explores Okinawa then and now
By Andrew Hamlin Northwest Asian Weekly Novelist and magazine writer Sarah Bird’s latest novel, “Above the East China Sea,” is a study of two young girls, separated by 60 years, in Okinawa Province of Japan. Bird will read and sign books on July 2 at Elliott Bay Books. She took some questions over e-mail.
Caroline Kennedy nominated as ambassador to Japan
By Nedra Pickler and Bradley Klapper The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — President Barack Obama announced July 24 he is nominating former first daughter Caroline Kennedy as U.S. ambassador to Japan, offering the most famous living member of a prominent American family a new role of service to country.
Japanese troops head to California to train
By Julie Watson The Associated Press SAN DIEGO, Calif. (AP) — Japanese troops will converge on California’s southern coast in the next two weeks as part of a military exercise with U.S. troops aimed at improving that country’s amphibious attack abilities.
China offers to reduce friction
By Charles Hutzler The Associated Press BOAO, China (AP) — With pressure growing on Beijing to get North Korea to step back from its war-like footing, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Sunday, April 7 that no one country should be allowed to upset world peace and added China would work to reduce tensions over regional […]
Taiwan media kingpin pushes hard on China ties
By Peter Enav The Associated Press TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Appearing last year before Taiwanese regulators, billionaire media magnate Tsai Eng-meng appeared perplexed over a decision to fine his flagship newspaper for carrying camouflaged advertising on behalf of China’s Communist government.