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ASIA PACIFIC

Politics

Science & Health

Richard Marles

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics

Apr 17, 2024

Australia unveils new defense strategy, with eye on 'coercive' China

The 80-page document offers a gloomy assessment of Pacific security and sets out a massive increase in defense spending to retool Australia's military.

Chinese Coast Guard vessels fire water cannons towards a Philippine resupply vessel on its way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on March 5.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics

Apr 17, 2024

Philippines and U.S. troops to sink ship and retake islands in drills

By Cliff Venzon

The annual war games, called Balikatan, will take place from April 22 to May 10 with around 16,770 personnel expected to participate.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon in Washington in May last year. Austin held talks with his Chinese counterpart on Tuesday for the first time in nearly a year and a half.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics

Apr 17, 2024

U.S. and China defense chiefs hold first talks in nearly 18 months

By Jesse Johnson

While the talks signaled improving military-to-military ties, the two superpowers remain at odds over a number of issues.

Solomon Islanders queue up to vote outside a polling station in Honiara on Wednesday. The election could reshape regional security, with citizens effectively choosing if their Pacific nation will deepen ties with China.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics

Apr 17, 2024

China and Taiwan ties hang in the balance in Solomon Islands vote

By Ben Westcott

While domestic issues will be key to voters’ choices, the result will have repercussions for the islands’ ties with China.

A U.S. Army Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Launcher arrives as part of the capability’s first deployment into theater on Northern Luzon, Philippines, April 8.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics

Apr 16, 2024

U.S. deploys midrange missile system in Indo-Pacific for first time

By Jesse Johnson

The deployment for joint military exercises in the northern Philippines — effectively China's backyard — was widely expected to unnerve Beijing.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, arrives to a state dinner in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House in Washington on April 10.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics

Apr 16, 2024

U.S. envoy visits Korean border after Russian veto dents sanctions enforcement

By Soo-hyang Choi

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield's trip is the highest-profile visit by a U.S. official since Vice President Kamala Harris went there in 2022.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos answers questions from the media in Manila on Monday. Marcos has said that the Philippines will invoke its defense treaty with the U.S. if a Filipino soldier dies from a foreign attack.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics

Apr 16, 2024

Philippines may invoke U.S. pact if foreign attack proves deadly, says Marcos

By Cliff Venzon and Ditas Lopez

Making the comments Monday, the Philippine president referred to his conversation with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last week at the Pentagon.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.

For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on

By Lance Henderstein

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Students ‘study abroad’ on island of Suo Oshima

Students ‘study abroad’ on island of Suo Oshima

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