China and Japan are arguing over an island chain in the East China Sea known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan and Diaoyu Islands in China. These islands, which are little more than uninhabited rocks, are not valuable on their own. For decades, Tokyo and Beijing had an agreement to keep the islands dispute quiet. [...]
China’s first aircraft carrier was formally commissioned on Sept. 25. China sees the carrier as the end of a long struggle to gain global respect and acceptance as a major military power. The Liaoning enters service at a time when Beijing and Tokyo argue over control of the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands. China has spent the [...]
There is a joke going around Beijing that tells about North Korea’s young ruler Kim Jong-un calling a Chinese leader to tell him about timing of the planned rocket launch. “When will it be?” asks the Chinese leader. Kim replies: “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four…” The United States, which has said the launch [...]
Peace talks between Myanmar’s government and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) rebel movement in Kachin state halted March 12. The KIO has controlled most of Kachin state since the movement’s founding in 1961 and is the only remaining major ethnic group to have not reached a peace agreement with the government. The Kachin region’s relative [...]
Election Results Leung Chun-ying, a 57-year-old land surveyor, was chosen as chief executive, as Hong Kong’s top official is called. He won a majority with 689 out of 1,132 votes, according to official figures. The fact that only .017% of the population got to vote has strengthened the belief Hong Kong needs real elections. Protesters [...]
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