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November 21, 2024
 

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James Pomfret
Armed police stand guard as a prison van arrives at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts building, ahead of the sentencing of 45 convicted pro-democracy activists charged under the national security law, in Hong Kong on Tuesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 19, 2024
Hong Kong jails 45 democracy activists in landmark trial
The ruling, which critics have said tarnishes Hong Kong's role as a global financial hub, comes as the city is hosting an international financial summit.
In a June paper, six Chinese researchers from three institutions, including two under the People's Liberation Army's leading research body, the Academy of Military Science (AMS), detailed how they had used an early version of Meta's Llama as a base for what it calls "ChatBIT."
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 2, 2024
China researchers develop AI model for military use on back of Meta's Llama
The evidence was believed to be the first showing that Chinese military experts have been systematically trying to leverage the power of open-source LLMs.
Supporters of badmington gold medalists Wang Chi-Lin and Lee Yang at the victory ceremony on Sunday in Paris
OLYMPICS / Badminton
Aug 5, 2024
Taiwan cheers Olympics badminton triumph over China in politically charged contest
Wang Chi-Lin and Lee Yang of Taiwan, the reigning champions from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, won a three-game thriller against China's Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang.
The U.S. and its allies have accused China of supporting Russia's war in Ukraine, in part by exporting parts and equipment needed by Moscow's weapons makers, including semiconductors.
BUSINESS / Tech
Jul 22, 2024
Illicit chip flows to Russia seen slowing in China
Both mainland China and Hong Kong are seen by the U.S. government as key global nodes for Russia to source materials for its military.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam speaks during a ceremony marking the new legal year in Hong Kong on Jan. 22.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 11, 2024
British judges' resignations put Hong Kong rule of law in spotlight
Foreign judges have been described as a "canary in the coalmine," generating confidence in Hong Kong's judiciary system.
A Correctional Services vehicle arrives at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts ahead of the verdict hearing in Hong Kong on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 30, 2024
Fourteen Hong Kong democrats found guilty in landmark subversion trial
Critics say the trial could deal another blow to the city's rule of law and its reputation as a global financial hub.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee speaks during a press conference, in Hong Kong on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
May 15, 2024
Hong Kong seeks details on overseas trade office official detained in U.K.
Hong Kong leader John Lee confirmed one of the men was a university classmate who was photographed with him in a group graduation photograph in 2002.
Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen visits army bases ahead of the Lunar New Year in Hsinchu, Taiwan, on Feb. 6. Over 400 stories portraying Taiwan's military exercises as rehearsals for its leadership to desert in the event of war have been uncovered by an NGO based on the island.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 1, 2024
Chinese state media stoked allegation Taiwan's president would flee war
They are among the many unsupported tales that have been fed into the island by Chinese state media outlets, according to an analysis by Taiwan-based NGO.
The Hong Kong flag and surveillance cameras outside the Central Government Offices in Hong Kong
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Mar 8, 2024
Hong Kong government issues draft of new national security law
It includes sentences of up to life imprisonment for treason, 20 years for espionage and 10 years for state secrets offenses.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping attends the opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Mar 6, 2024
As Xi summons 'new productive forces,' old questions linger for economy
By focusing on the prospect for future growth, the slogan shifts the focus from China's present economic difficulties.
The new national security law will target crimes including treason, theft of state secrets, espionage, sabotage, sedition and "external interference" including from foreign governments. The Hong Kong legislature, which is dominated by pro-Beijing lawmakers, is expected to approve it.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 28, 2024
Hong Kong moves toward enacting tougher security law amid concerns about freedoms
Lawyers and activists say the law criminalizes basic human rights such as freedom of expression, but Hong Kong authorities say the new law is necessary.
China has cast Taiwan's Jan. 13 presidential and parliamentary elections as a choice between war and peace, warning that an attempt to push for the island's formal independence means conflict.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 3, 2024
'Hawkish' China likely to squeeze Taiwan militarily after poll
With both the DPP and KMT pledging to bolster the island's defenses, Beijing is expected to continue its saber-rattling regardless who emerges victorious in the polls.
Worshipers pray to the sea goddess Mazu at the Dajia Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung, Taiwan, on Nov. 9.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 21, 2023
China finds sudden faith in 'peace goddess' ahead of Taiwan vote
China sees faith in a sea goddess with origins in Fujian province as the "axis" of its influence operations, according to an intelligence analysis.
A security personnel stops a supporter during the national security trial of media mogul Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 18, 2023
Security tight ahead of landmark Hong Kong trial for Jimmy Lai
Now jailed for over 1000 days, one of Hong Kong's biggest critics of China has faced Beijing's wrath since the pro-democracy protests in 2019.
A rocket launched from the Gaza Strip strikes an area near Sderot, southern Israel, on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 10, 2023
Middle East crisis exposes limits of China's diplomatic ambitions
After the killings of more than 900 Israelis in coordinated assaults by the Islamic group Hamas, China's response was muted.
Gigi Chao, vice chair of Cheuk Nang Holdings, in Hong Kong on July 19
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 31, 2023
More LGBTQ rights could help Asian financial hubs draw global talent
In Japan, the only Group of Seven nation without legal protection for same-sex unions, corporations are seen as a key driver for change.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Jul 22, 2023
Inspired by Ukraine war, Taiwan launches drone blitz to counter China
Taipei's aim, according to a government planning document, is to build more than 3,200 military drones by mid-2024.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
May 9, 2023
China's return to global stage checked by national security focus
Beijing's emphasis on security threatens to turn its re-engagement with the world after years of COVID curbs into a new era of isolation from the West, analysts say.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 2, 2023
China's exit bans multiply as political control tightens under Xi
Scores of Chinese and foreign nationals have been ensnared by exit bans, according to a new report by the rights group Safeguard Defenders
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 6, 2023
Landmark Hong Kong national security trial starts two years after arrests
The defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion for participating in an unofficial primary election in 2020.
Ishiba delays meeting with Trump, citing legal restrictions
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba waves upon arrival for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, in Callao, Peru, on Friday.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Rising sex tourism exposes loopholes in Japan's anti-prostitution law
While financial misfortunes during the COVID-19 pandemic may have driven some women to work the streets, others simply want more money to spend — or want to pay off their debts — at host clubs.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?
By Kathryn Wortley

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