By Matthew Pennington Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic lawmakers and rights groups on July 27 accused the State Department of politicizing its annual rankings of nations on their efforts to combat modern-day slavery, as key trading partner Malaysia was taken off a blacklist. Cuba was also given an upgrade, a week after the U.S. […]
US, China budge not a bit over South China Sea
By Matthew Lee AP Diplomatic Writer BEIJING (AP) — China and the United States budged not a bit Saturday over Beijing’s assertive development in disputed parts of the South China Sea, with Foreign Minister Wang Ji politely but pointedly dismissing Washington’s push for a diplomatic solution to ease tensions. Wang and U.S. Secretary of State […]
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 […]
NK uses racial slur on Obama over hack
By Hyung-Jin Kim Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea blamed its recent Internet outage on the United States on Saturday and hurled racially charged insults at President Barack Obama over the hacking row involving the movie “The Interview.’’ North Korea’s powerful National Defense Commission, which is headed by country leader Kim Jong […]
Kerry says no apology to North Korea to free Americans
By Matthew Pennington Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday urged North Korea to release two detained Americans to build goodwill with the United States, but ruled out providing a U.S. apology to Pyongyang to win their freedom.
US ups security aid to SE Asia, criticizes China
By Matthew Lee and Matthew Pennington Associated Press HANOI, Vietnam (AP) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry offered harsh words for China and new maritime security assistance for Southeast Asia on Dec. 16 to bolster countries facing growing Chinese assertiveness in a region where the two world powers are jockeying for influence.
Biswal to head South, Central Asian affairs
A woman who left a small town in India at age 6 to come to America has become one of the most important leaders in the United States Department of State. On Nov. 21, Nisha Desai Biswal was sworn into office as Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs.
Nominee: US opposes China bullying in China sea
By Matthew Pennington The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — The nominee to become the top U.S. diplomat in East Asia delivered pointed comments about China in his confirmation hearing June 20, saying there’s no place for “coercion and bullying” in the region’s seas.