Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt, who wrapped up a private trip to North Korea on Thursday, is urging the reclusive communist state to allow more of its citizens to use the Internet. Speaking to reporters at the Beijing airport, Schmidt said he used the trip to tell North Korean officials their country would have difficulty […]
Google Chairman Urges N.Korea on Internet Freedom
China’s December Trade Figures Stronger Than Expected
China posted stronger than expected trade figures for December, in a further sign that the world’s second-largest economy continues to recover from its worst slowdown in years. Official data released Thursday showed export growth more than quadrupled from the previous month to 14.1 percent. December imports increased 6 percent after after failing to grow at […]
Following Strike over Censorship, China Newspaper Publishes Weekly Edition
A Chinese newspaper where journalists had gone on strike to protest government censorship has published its weekly issue as scheduled, but is urging Beijing to reform its media control policies. The Guangzhou-based Southern Weekly was available in several parts of the country Thursday, following reports that a tentative deal had been reached between Communist Party […]
Vietnam Jails 13 Activists on Subversion Charges
A Vietnamese court has given lengthy jail sentences to 14 rights activists convicted of plotting to overthrow the communist government. Following a brief two-day trial, the defendants received sentences Wednesday ranging from three to 13 years in prison. Another defendant was given three years of house arrest. The court in the northern Vietnamese province of […]
Richardson Urging N.Korea to Stop Weapons Tests, Expand Internet
A private delegation of Google executives and other U.S. leaders touring North Korea says it is urging Pyongyang to halt its weapons program and allow for expanded use of the Internet and cell phones. Former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who is leading the delegation, told the Associated Press on Wednesday the group has also […]
China Moving Ahead with Bo Xilai Case
China is moving ahead with the long-awaited case against disgraced senior politician Bo Xilai, whose alleged involvement in a murder and corruption scandal has upset Chinese leadership. In a short article Wednesday, the official Xinhua news agency says the “serious law violation case” involving Bo “has been transferred to judicial organs.” It did not say […]
Japan Increases Surveillance of East China Sea Islands
Japan has increased surveillance around disputed East China Sea islands, after Chinese ships made a rare prolonged visit to the waters around them. Tokyo controls the islands and refers to them as Senkaku, while Beijing considers them to be Chinese territory and calls them Diaoyu. Japan said four Chinese surveillance ships entered the waters around […]
Vietnam Puts 14 Dissidents on Trial for Subversion
Vietnamese authorities have put 14 dissidents on trial on charges of attempting to overthrow the nation’s Communist government. The defendants are accused of involvement with banned opposition group Viet Tan, which is based in the United States and labeled by Hanoi as a terrorist organization. Defense lawyer Tran Thu Nam said the trial opened on […]
Fueled by ‘Catastrophic’ Conditions, Wildfires Rage Across Australia
Wildfires continue to rage out of control across southeast Australia on Tuesday, with authorities warning of “catastrophic” conditions in some areas. Officials say more than 130 fires, many uncontained, are burning in the heavily populated New South Wales state, where temperatures reached 45 degrees and wind gusts reached more than 100 kilometers per hour. In […]
Japan Summons Chinese Ambassador over Island Dispute
Japan has summoned the Chinese ambassador to protest the presence of government ships near contested islands, as a simmering territorial dispute continues to hamper relations between the two Asian powers. Tokyo’s foreign ministry lodged a “strong protest” against China on Tuesday during a meeting between senior diplomatic officials, and demanded that Beijing stop sending vessels […]