ASIA & THE PACIFIC ARCHIVE :

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See also archives for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

International Herald Tribune, 29 May 08, by Somini Sengupta
Nepal reborn as a republic
'Nepal was reborn as a republic as a newly elected assembly voted to abolish the monarchy of King Gyanendra, the world's last Hindu monarch.'

Asia Times, 28 May 08, by Drew Thompson
China's army looks beyond its shores
'The United States, India and Japan have softened perceptions of their might by making humanitarian assistance abroad a central role for their military forces in the Asia-Pacific region. China's People's Liberation Army has been much more circumspect in this regard. But that could change as Beijing weighs up the positives of foreign intervention.'

Christian Science Monitor, 20 May 08, by Christopher Johnson
How hard will neighbors push Burma (Myanmar)?
'With Western naval ships loaded with aid waiting at their door, and visiting UN diplomats demanding faster rescue and relief, Burma (Myanmar) agreed to accept more foreign aid from its neighbors at Monday's emergency meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).'

International Herald Tribune/Reuters, 21 May 08
China a growing threat in space and cyberspace, U.S. military says
'The U.S. military said that China poses a growing threat to the United States and others in space and cyberspace. China is "aggressively" honing its ability to shoot down satellites, along with other space and counter-space capabilities, Brigadier General Jeffrey Horne of the U.S. Strategic Command said Tuesday.'

International Herald Tribune, 22 May 08, by Elisabeth Rosenthal
In ravaging China, quake pushes Tibet to the sidelines
'Tibetan opponents of Beijing are struggling to compete with China's growing diplomatic and economic clout worldwide.'

BBC News, 22 May 08
China looks to closer Taiwan ties
'China and Taiwan are working to resume dialogue and have a rare opportunity to improve relations, a senior Chinese official has said.'

International Herald Tribune, 13 May 08, by Andrew Jacobs
China's quake response is unusually open
'With images of the calamitous cyclone in Myanmar still fresh - and the authoritarian government's lackadasical response earning it international scorn - Wen and his fellow Communist Party leaders are keenly aware that their approach to the earthquake will be closely watched, at home and abroad.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 May 08, by Christopher Johnson
Burma's neighbors step in
'The junta ruling Burma appears more open to Asian aid than to Western.'

International Herald Tribune, 14 May 08
Junta is stealing aid, relief groups assert
'... the directors of several relief organizations in Myanmar said Wednesday that some of the international aid coming into the country for the victims of Cyclone Nargis was being stolen, diverted or warehoused by the military.'

International Herald Tribune, 13 May 08
Myanmar aid trickles in, but generals uphold restrictions
'Aid continued to arrive in Myanmar on Tuesday - a darkly clouded and rainy day here and in the south - but international aid experts and diplomats in the capital expressed concern that the government was not up to the task of delivering the aid effectively.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 May 08, by Mian Ridge
Indian bombings fit pattern of efforts to foment interreligious strife
'Seven synchronized bombs exploded in the city of Jaipur Tuesday evening.'

New York Times, 08 May 08, by Seth Mydans
A Reclusive Government, Forced to Ask for Help
'In opening its doors to international disaster relief, Myanmar’s military government is breaching a wall of isolation it has built around itself over nearly half a century.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 May 08, by David Montero
Disaster may loosen junta's grip in Burma (Myanmar)
'A May 10 poll could underscore how unpopular the regime is, as it slowly opens to foreign aid.'

International Herald Tribune, 08 May 08, by Jonathan Adams
In battle with China for allies, Taiwan resorts to riskier tactics
'A scandal here over a bungled Taiwan attempt to forge official ties with Papua New Guinea has thrown a spotlight on the long-running, shadowy war between China and Taiwan for allies.'

New York Times, 08 May 08, by Martin Fackler
In His Visit to Japan, China Leader Seeks Amity
'The leaders of China and Japan pledged Wednesday to make their nations partners instead of rivals as the Chinese president, Hu Jintao, began a good-will mission to Tokyo aimed at improving often tense relations between the Asian powers.'

International Herald Tribune, 29 Apr 08, by Somini Sengupta and Heather Timmons
Iranian president's visit will test India
'The Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ... brought the Indian government a strange boon: a chance to show that it is willing to buck pressure from the White House and shake hands with a man Washington reviles.'

International Herald Tribune, 24 Apr 08, by David E. Sanger
Risk to Pyongyang deal seen in U.S. release of Syria nuclear evidence
'The timing of the administration's decision to declassify information about the Syrian project has raised widespread suspicions, especially in the State Department, that Vice President Dick Cheney and other administration hawks were hoping that releasing it might undermine a potential deal with North Korea that would take Pyongyang off a U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.'

Washington Post, 20 Apr 08, by Dan Eggen
Bush, S. Korean President Suggest More Patience With Kim Jong Il
'President Bush and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak urged patience yesterday in nuclear talks with North Korea, arguing that recent concessions proposed by the United States could lead to tangible progress in stalled negotiations with Pyongyang.'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 Apr 08, by Mian Ridge
India: How will Maoist gains in Nepal shape two countries' ties?
'The Maoist party had a surprisingly strong showing in recent elections. India is worried about the impact on its own Maoist rebel movement, the Naxalites.'

Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr 08, by Peter Ford
Amid human rights protests, a look at China's record
'Freedoms have improved tremendously in the past 25 years, but Chinese people today face plenty of red lines.'

BBC News, 03 Apr 08
Spat between two Koreas escalates
'North Korea has reportedly threatened "countermeasures" against South Korea, in a growing row between the nations.'

StrategyPage, 03 Apr 08
The Mauling At Mannar
'Sri Lanka remains the bloodiest conflict in the region, killing more people each week than the fighting in Pakistan or Afghanistan.'

Washington Post, 27 Mar 08, by Josh White and Glenn Kessler
Nuclear Parts To Taiwan : U.S. Initially Unconcerned About Erroneous Shipment
'After Taiwanese officials reported in early 2007 that four packages they had received from the U.S. military did not contain the helicopter batteries they had expected, U.S. officials suggested that Taiwan simply dispose of the incorrect items -- which turned out to be parts for U.S. nuclear missiles.'

Washington Post, 05 Mar 08, by Jill Drew
China's Military Budget Reported at $59 Billion
'Disclosure of plans for a $59 billion outlay in 2008 followed a Pentagon report Monday that raised questions about China's rapidly increasing military budget, and came less than three weeks before a presidential election in Taiwan, the self-governed island over which China claims sovereignty.'

International Herald Tribune, 02 Mar 08, by David Lague
Russia and China rethink arms deals
'For almost two decades, it was close to the perfect match of buyer and seller. Denied weapons and defense technology from the West, China was almost totally reliant on Russia for the hardware it needed to jump-start an ambitious military buildup. And while the Russian economy teetered in the aftermath of the Soviet Union's collapse, huge orders from China helped keep a once-mighty defense industry afloat.'

International Herald Tribune, 28 Feb 08, by Mark Mazzetti and Somini Sengupta
U.S. and India to strengthen security ties
'With a landmark nuclear energy pact between the United States and India stalled, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday that the nations would nonetheless strengthen their security ties as India looked to embark on a closer — and still contentious — level of military cooperation with the United States.'

International Herald Tribune, 25 Feb 08, by Mark Mazzetti
U.S. defense chief pledges to aid Indonesian military
'Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Monday pledged arms upgrades and other Pentagon support for Indonesia, as the Bush administration forges closer ties to a country's military still viewed skeptically by some in Congress for past human rights abuses.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Feb 08, by Simon Montlake
Thai leaders spar over autonomy for south
'The interior minister says it could calm the insurgency-racked south. Opponents see a step toward secession.'

International Herald Tribune, 14 Feb 08, by David Lague
China denies U.S. spying charges
'China denied Thursday that it was conducting espionage operations in the United States after the U.S. Justice Department accused four people this week of passing military secrets to the Chinese government.'

International Herald Tribune, 13 Feb 08, by Donald Greenlees
East Timor's road ahead is clouded by uncertainty
'The international military force in East Timor and the government there, along with UN officials, are facing questions about how the country's two top leaders were exposed to attack.'

Washington Post/AP, 14 Feb 08, by Oliver Teves, AP
Philippine President Said Target of Plot
'Authorities have uncovered alleged plots by al-Qaida-linked militants to assassinate the Philippine president and bomb foreign embassies, officials said Thursday.'

BBC News, 07 Feb 08
US resumes Thailand military aid
'The US has announced a resumption of military aid to Thailand, hours after a new democratically elected government was sworn in there.'

International Herald Tribune, 03 Feb 08, by C.J. Chivers
U.S. policy shifts in Central Asia
'Democracy promotion is not gone. But it has taken its place in a wider portfolio of interests.'

International Herald Tribune, 29 Jan 08, by Eric Talmadge, AP
Japan and U.S. erect missile shield
'In a multibillion-dollar experiment, Japan and the United States are erecting the world's most complex ballistic missile defense shield, a project that is changing the security balance in Asia and has deep implications for Washington's efforts to pursue a similar strategy in Europe, where the idea has been stalled by the lack of willing partners.'

International Herald Tribune, 15 Jan 08, by Jim Yardley
China urged to explain military buildup
'China must be more transparent about its rapid military buildup and should expand military exchanges with the United States to develop greater mutual trust so that misunderstandings and confrontation can be prevented, the U.S. commander in the Pacific said Tuesday.'

International Herald Tribune, 04 Jan 08, by Choe Sang-Hun
North Korea disputes arms accusations
'Rejecting Washington's demand for a more thorough account on whether it has tried to enrich uranium for atomic weapons, North Korea said Friday that it had already explained enough to the United States about its nuclear programs.'

International Herald Tribune/AP, 03 Jan 08
Sri Lanka insists rebels disarm before further peace talks
'The Sri Lankan government said Thursday that the Tamil Tiger rebels must disarm before any future peace talks, a day after the authorities decided to withdraw from an internationally brokered cease-fire with the insurgents.'

International Herald Tribune, 02 Jan 08, by Steven R. Weisman
Doubts raised on sales of U.S. high-tech equipment to China
'Six months ago, the Bush administration quietly eased some restrictions on the export of politically delicate technologies to China. The new approach was intended to help U.S. companies increase sales of high-tech equipment to China despite tight curbs on sharing technology that might have military applications. But today the administration is facing questions from weapons experts about whether some equipment - newly authorized for export to Chinese companies deemed trustworthy by Washington - could instead end up helping China modernize its military.'

2007 Asia and the Pacific archive