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MANILA (Reuters) -Relations between Manila and Beijing have soured under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, with Manila pivoting back towards the United States which supports the Southeast Asian nation in its maritime disputes with China. Here is a timeline of key events this year that have escalated tensions between the Philippines and China: JAN 3 …

Rift deepens between the Philippines, China over South China Sea Read More »

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will visit the Czech Republic between September 19-22, his office said on Thursday. The visit comes after the Czech government picked South Korea’s state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) as the preferred bidder to build two nuclear reactors in July. (Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing …

South Korea’s Yoon to visit Czech Republic Sept 19-22, presidential office says Read More »

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s vice foreign minister and his Philippine counterpart have had a “frank and in-depth” exchange on sea-related issues, in particular the issue of the disputed Sabina Shoal, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday. During their meeting, China reiterated its demand for the immediate withdrawal of a Philippine vessel and vowed to …

China and Philippines hold ‘frank’ talks on disputed Sabina Shoal Read More »

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s former Environment Minister and leading prime ministerial candidate Shinjiro Koizumi said he would respect the central bank’s independence in setting monetary policy if he is chosen to lead the country, according to a television programme on Wednesday. “I will respect the Bank of Japan’s independence,” Koizumi was quoted as saying in …

Japan leading PM candidate Koizumi vows to respect BOJ’s independence, media says Read More »

By Dmitry Antonov MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia said on Wednesday that its partnership with China was not aimed against third countries but the two powers could “combine potential” if faced with a threat from the United States. “I would like to remind you that Moscow and Beijing will respond to ‘double containment’ by the United …

Russia says it could “combine” with China if they faced a threat Read More »

By Joshua McElwee SINGAPORE (Reuters) –    Pope Francis arrived in Singapore on Wednesday afternoon from East Timor, where he is expected to focus on inter-faith dialogue and reinforce the Catholic Church’s presence in a region where it is a small minority. The pope is on the final leg of an ambitious 12-day journey across Southeast …

Pope Francis lands in Singapore; inter-faith dialogue, climate on agenda Read More »

By Ruma Paul DHAKA (Reuters) – Bangladesh has ramped up vigilance at its border with Myanmar, with at least 18,000 Rohingya Muslims crossing over in recent months to escape escalating violence in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state, officials in Dhaka said. The influx of refugees from Myanmar has mounted as fighting escalates between the troops of …

Bangladesh ramps up border vigilance as thousands of Rohingya flee Myanmar Read More »