All Asia Pacific
In battle of worldviews, Xi and Biden bet on responsible competitionRecent domestic victories have only solidified the deeply divergent worldviews of President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but at their first face-to-face meeting, they found common ground.
In Philippines, a push to preserve accounts of life under martial lawAfter the victory of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Philippines, many are rushing to safeguard archives and promote public history.
First LookDogs of peace or war? Political gifts get fuzzy in South Korea.Two North Korean hunting dogs gifted to former South Korean president Moon Jae-in by North Korea are causing political tension. Mr. Moon can’t afford to take care of the canines, but current President Yoon Suk-yeol refuses to pay for their expenses.
The ExplainerUS semiconductor ban targets highest of Chinese high techHarsher controls by the United States on the export of advanced semiconductor chips aim to push China out of the global supply chain.
First LookRising tension: North Korea fires ICBM in latest missile barrageOn Wednesday, North Korea launched more than 20 missiles in one day, the highest amount in a single day ever. On Thursday, they launched six missiles into the sea, including an intercontinental ballistic missile that caused Japan to issue an evacuation alert.
First LookSouth Koreans seek answers to crowd surge, police apologizeSouth Korean officials have apologized and accepted responsibility for the October crowd surge that left 156 dead in the country’s worst disaster in years. They have called for innovation in crowd management and support for bereaved family members.
First LookSouth Korea responds to fatal Halloween crowd surgeAfter the deadliest crushing disaster in South Korean history, support is flowing in while officials investigate the cause of the accident to improve safety standards in other public places.
Why Xi’s fixation on loyalty could be perilous for ChinaThe ascent of Xi loyalists to top Communist Party positions this week promises Xi Jinping an iron grip over China’s government for at least the next five years. But prizing loyalty above all else doesn’t guarantee stability.
How Xi Jinping is reshaping China, in five chartsChinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to win a rare third term in this week’s 20th Communist Party Congress. Understanding how Mr. Xi has transformed China over the past decade can offer clues for what comes next.
Safety or stagnation? Why China’s isolationism may backfire.China’s increasingly isolationist policies stem from Xi Jinping’s belief that the only safe China is a self-sufficient China. But openness, experts say, is also a source of strength.
First LookDown Under submerged as record floods engulf VictoriaAfter surviving wildfires triggered by El Niño heat in 2019, Australia is seeing the effects of La Niña with record floods across Victoria and Tasmania. “It’s far from over,” said Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews, urging residents to evacuate.
First LookNorth Korean warplanes follow missiles, allied countries prepareHours after North Korea fired missiles over Japan, 12 North Korean warplanes flew near the North-South Korean border. The pattern of unusual activity has led to preparatory defense responses from South Korea, the United States, and Japan.
First LookMissile soars over Japan in North Korean weapons testNorth Korea has fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile over Japan in its longest-ever weapons test. The missile is capable of reaching the U.S. territory of Guam and farther, and Japan issued evacuation alerts and stopped trains as precautions.
First LookIndonesian soccer fans seek justice after deadly stampedeAs Indonesians face the aftermath of a deadly stampede at a weekend soccer match, the National Police have opened an investigation into 18 officers who fired tear gas into the crowd. The event was among the world’s deadliest disasters at a sporting event.
First LookNorth Korea tests missiles hours after Harris departs South KoreaNorth Korea fired at least one ballistic missile toward its eastern waters after the departure of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. The launch was North Korea’s third round of missile tests this week, part of a record level of missile testing this year.
First LookWhy plans for Abe's state funeral are dividing JapanFormer Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's successor is organizing a state funeral for him. Here's why that unusual honor is prompting widespread protest.
United front: Understanding China and Russia’s deepening allianceChina’s deepening ties with Russia are likely to grow even stronger in coming years as each country reaps key benefits from the other. Yet historical mistrust and differing global aspirations remain potential weaknesses.
First LookXi Jinping to meet Putin in first trip abroad since pandemicChina’s President Xi Jinping will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit later this month, a bloc of nations the Communist leader sees as a counterweight to NATO and U.S. alliances in the Asia-Pacific.
UN’s Xinjiang report: A stand against China, and chance for justiceThe release of the U.N.’s long-awaited report on human rights abuses in Xinjiang not only offers victims a chance for justice, but also reveals the limits of China’s increased influence.
First LookUN report questions China's treatment of Uyghurs and other groupsThe U.N. has released a long-awaited report examining a crackdown on Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic groups. Beijing on Thursday denounced the assessment as a fabrication cooked up by Western nations.
