Reuters Asia Top

TOKYO/BEIJING (Reuters) -Two Chinese aircraft carriers were spotted conducting simultaneous operations in the Pacific for the first time, in a move that Japan’s defence minister said signified Beijing’s intention to further widen its capabilities beyond its borders. The operations were a “routine training” exercise that did not target specific countries or regions, Wang Xuemeng, a …

Japan sights two Chinese aircraft carriers in Pacific for first time Read More »

By James Pomfret and Jessie Pang HONG KONG (Reuters) -Hong Kong will toughen screening of caterers and other food and entertainment businesses for potential violations of national security, which civil servants should accord top priority in deciding licence approvals, the city’s leader said on Tuesday. Critics see the move as targeting the Asian financial hub’s …

Hong Kong to toughen national security checks for food, entertainment spots Read More »

By Ju-min Park and Jack Kim SEOUL (Reuters) -K-pop supergroup BTS members RM and V were discharged from the South Korean military on Tuesday after mandatory service, as fans were counting down to the band’s comeback with more members finishing their national duty later this month. Cheered by dozens of fans near the military base, …

K-pop megastars RM, V released from army, promise BTS reunion Read More »

SEOUL/BEIJING (Reuters) -South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged on Tuesday to work for substantive advances in economic ties and peace and security on the Korean peninsula, Lee’s office said. In their first phone call since Lee took office last week, the South Korean president told Xi he hoped the two …

South Korean President Lee, Xi pledge closer economic, security cooperation Read More »

SEOUL (Reuters) -A fire broke out on Tuesday in a building housing some of South Korea’s national treasures neighbouring the historic Buddhist Jogye temple in Seoul, but it was later extinguished and there was no damage to the artefacts or injuries, fire officials said. More than 300 monks and officials from the Jogye order, who …

Fire near South Korea’s Jogye temple contained, treasures spared, officials say Read More »

By Kate Holton, Andrea Shalal and Alistair Smout LONDON (Reuters) -U.S.-China trade talks were set to extend to a second day in London as top economic officials from the world’s two largest economies sought to defuse a bitter dispute that has widened from tariffs to restrictions over rare earths, threatening a global supply chain shock …

US-China trade, minerals talks in London set to extend to second day; Trump upbeat Read More »

HONG KONG (Reuters) -China said that by the end of this year all tertiary level hospitals must offer epidural anaesthesia during childbirth, a move it said would help promote a “friendly childbearing environment” for women. Tertiary hospitals – those with more than 500 beds, must provide epidural anaesthesia services by 2025 while secondary hospitals – …

China to make all hospitals offer epidurals to incentivise childbirth Read More »

By Trevor Hunnicutt and Ryan Patrick Jones WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Three of U.S. President Donald Trump’s top aides will meet with their Chinese counterparts in London on Monday for talks aimed at resolving a trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies that has kept global markets on edge. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary …

US and China set for trade talks in London on Monday Read More »