Russia writes off North Korean debt, launching its own Asia pivot
The Kremlin recently announced that it would forgive a huge debt owed to Moscow by North Korea. The debt, totaling close to $11 billion, dates back for the most (more…)
China’s state media applauds ‘heroic’ ramming of Vietnam vessel
A ramming incident between a Chinese and a Vietnamese maritime vessel on June 1 highlighted the escalation of violence in the South China Sea between the two communist countries (more…)
Japan suspends aid to Vietnam for widespread corruption
On June 2, Japan officially informed Vietnam that the Japanese government would temporarily suspend official development assistance [ODA] because of a series of alleged corruption and kickback cases involved (more…)
Iran denies air space to South Korean presidential flight
South Korean President Park Geun-Hye’s plane was denied permission to overfly Iran on May 19 while en route to the United Arab Emirates for a state visit. As a (more…)
As thousands of Chinese return to Libya, engineer killed in Benghazi
Unidentified insurgents shot and killed a Chinese engineer in Benghazi, Libya on May 20. The engineer was on his way to work at a Chinese-assisted construction project. China had (more…)
North, S. Korean warships exchange fire near site of 2010 shelling
On May 22, a North Korean war ship fired two artillery shells at a South Korean war ship on routine patrol in the disputed sea boundary area in the (more…)
Japanese court bans night flights of military aircraft
The Yokohama District Court handed down a potentially dangerous order on May 21 to suspend all nighttime flights by Japan’s Self-Defense Force on account of excessive noise heard by (more…)
China-Israel deal expands cooperation in technology, research
JERUSALEM — China and Israel have agreed to upgrade bilateral relations, especially in technology. The two countries signed an agreement that would enable Israeli technology companies to operate in (more…)
China to provide financing for Egypt’s first satellite
CAIRO — Egypt plans to produce its first satellite, to be operated by the intelligence community with financing by China. Officials said the government has approved a program to (more…)