Pakistan developing long-range ballistic missiles that could hit US: official
By Reuters
A senior White House official on Thursday said nuclear-armed Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets well beyond South Asia, making it an “emerging threat” to the United States.
Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer’s surprise revelation underscored how far the once-close ties between Washington and Islamabad have deteriorated since the 2021 US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
It also raised questions about whether Pakistan has shifted the objectives of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes long intended to counter those of India, the victor in three major wars they have fought since 1947.
Speaking to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Finer said Pakistan has pursued “increasingly sophisticated missile technology, from long-range ballistic missile systems to equipment, that would enable the testing of significantly larger rocket motors”.
If those trends continue, Finer said, “Pakistan will have the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the United States.”
The number of nuclear-armed states with missiles that can reach the US homeland “is very small and they tend to be adversarial,” he continued, naming Russia, North Korea and China.
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By Reuters
A senior White House official on Thursday said nuclear-armed Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets well beyond South Asia, making it an “emerging threat” to the United States.
Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer’s surprise revelation underscored how far the once-close ties between Washington and Islamabad have deteriorated since the 2021 US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
It also raised questions about whether Pakistan has shifted the objectives of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes long intended to counter those of India, the victor in three major wars they have fought since 1947.
Speaking to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Finer said Pakistan has pursued “increasingly sophisticated missile technology, from long-range ballistic missile systems to equipment, that would enable the testing of significantly larger rocket motors”.
If those trends continue, Finer said, “Pakistan will have the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the United States.”
The number of nuclear-armed states with missiles that can reach the US homeland “is very small and they tend to be adversarial,” he continued, naming Russia, North Korea and China.
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Japan PM Ishiba’s sympathetic comments on same-sex marriage spark hope among activists
By Julian Ryall
While Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba says he has no plans to legalise same-sex marriage through the legislature, his sympathetic comments about the issue are being hailed by activists as a promising signal of changing attitudes within Japan’s leadership.
Ishiba, speaking before the Diet on Tuesday, said that while he personally believes same-sex unions would “make the nation happier”, he does not plan to introduce legislation granting equal marriage rights.
The prime minister was speaking just days after a third high court ruled that Japan’s failure to legally recognise same-sex marriages breached the constitution and, in a legal first, declared those provisions in the civil code contravened Article 13, which guarantees “the pursuit of happiness”.
To campaigners like Alexander Dmitrenko, a partner in the Tokyo office of the Ashurst multinational law firm and co-chair of the Lawyers for LGBT & Allies Network NPO, Ishiba’s comments are a sign that the resistance to marriage equality in Japan is crumbling and the right will be enshrined in law sooner rather than later.
“Compared to other prime ministers, there is a big difference in Ishiba’s tone, his direction and his outlook and we are clearly getting to the stage for Japan to take the next step in the right direction on marriage equality,” Dmitrenko told This Week in Asia.
“I interpret Ishiba’s comments this week very positively.”
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By Julian Ryall
While Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba says he has no plans to legalise same-sex marriage through the legislature, his sympathetic comments about the issue are being hailed by activists as a promising signal of changing attitudes within Japan’s leadership.
Ishiba, speaking before the Diet on Tuesday, said that while he personally believes same-sex unions would “make the nation happier”, he does not plan to introduce legislation granting equal marriage rights.
The prime minister was speaking just days after a third high court ruled that Japan’s failure to legally recognise same-sex marriages breached the constitution and, in a legal first, declared those provisions in the civil code contravened Article 13, which guarantees “the pursuit of happiness”.
To campaigners like Alexander Dmitrenko, a partner in the Tokyo office of the Ashurst multinational law firm and co-chair of the Lawyers for LGBT & Allies Network NPO, Ishiba’s comments are a sign that the resistance to marriage equality in Japan is crumbling and the right will be enshrined in law sooner rather than later.
“Compared to other prime ministers, there is a big difference in Ishiba’s tone, his direction and his outlook and we are clearly getting to the stage for Japan to take the next step in the right direction on marriage equality,” Dmitrenko told This Week in Asia.
“I interpret Ishiba’s comments this week very positively.”
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Chinese national charged with acting as Beijing’s agent in local California election
By Associated Press
A Chinese national was arrested Thursday on charges of acting as an illegal agent for Beijing when serving as the campaign manager for an unnamed politician elected to a city council in Southern California two years ago.
The arrest of Yaoning “Mike” Sun, 64, came at a time of rising concerns that the Chinese government has cultivated a network of operatives to influence local elections in the US to install politicians who are friendly to Beijing and can help promote Chinese interests.
According to a complaint filed Tuesday in the US District Court for the Central District of California, Sun is accused of conspiring with Chen Jun, who was sentenced to 20 months last month for acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government.
Chen, 71, also a Chinese national, pleaded guilty in July to using Chinese money to bribe federal agents to undermine the anti-Beijing spiritual group Falun Gong. The charge against Sun shows that Chen also conspired to interfere with local elections.
It was not immediately clear if Sun had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.
Sun was instructed by Chen to write up a report in 2023 to recount to Chinese officials how they helped the local politician get elected, according to the affidavit.
Subsequent writings between the two men described the city councilperson as a “new political star” and included a request for US$80,000 to fund more pro-Beijing activities in the United States, according to the court documents.
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By Associated Press
A Chinese national was arrested Thursday on charges of acting as an illegal agent for Beijing when serving as the campaign manager for an unnamed politician elected to a city council in Southern California two years ago.
The arrest of Yaoning “Mike” Sun, 64, came at a time of rising concerns that the Chinese government has cultivated a network of operatives to influence local elections in the US to install politicians who are friendly to Beijing and can help promote Chinese interests.
According to a complaint filed Tuesday in the US District Court for the Central District of California, Sun is accused of conspiring with Chen Jun, who was sentenced to 20 months last month for acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government.
Chen, 71, also a Chinese national, pleaded guilty in July to using Chinese money to bribe federal agents to undermine the anti-Beijing spiritual group Falun Gong. The charge against Sun shows that Chen also conspired to interfere with local elections.
It was not immediately clear if Sun had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.
Sun was instructed by Chen to write up a report in 2023 to recount to Chinese officials how they helped the local politician get elected, according to the affidavit.
Subsequent writings between the two men described the city councilperson as a “new political star” and included a request for US$80,000 to fund more pro-Beijing activities in the United States, according to the court documents.
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TikTok ban: US senators urge Biden to extend ByteDance deadline by 90 days
By Reuters
Democratic Senator Ed Markey and Republican Senator Rand Paul on Thursday urged US President Joe Biden to extend by 90 days a January 19 deadline for China-based ByteDance to sell the US assets of its short-video app TikTok or face a ban.
The US Supreme Court said on Wednesday it will consider the legal challenge of TikTok and ByteDance, seeking an injunction to halt the looming ban or sale and will hold arguments on the matter on January 10.
“Given the law’s uncertain future and its consequences for free expression, we urge you to trigger the 90-day extension before January 19,” the senators wrote to Biden.
More to follow …
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By Reuters
Democratic Senator Ed Markey and Republican Senator Rand Paul on Thursday urged US President Joe Biden to extend by 90 days a January 19 deadline for China-based ByteDance to sell the US assets of its short-video app TikTok or face a ban.
The US Supreme Court said on Wednesday it will consider the legal challenge of TikTok and ByteDance, seeking an injunction to halt the looming ban or sale and will hold arguments on the matter on January 10.
“Given the law’s uncertain future and its consequences for free expression, we urge you to trigger the 90-day extension before January 19,” the senators wrote to Biden.
More to follow …
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Shenzhen showers AI companies, workers with cash to boost local industry
By Yi Luo
Shenzhen’s government has issued a long list of subsidies to support artificial intelligence (AI) development in the city in a fresh sign of how local Chinese authorities are pulling out all the stops to support the growth of the industry.
According to measures published by the Industry and Information Technology Bureau of Shenzhen on Wednesday, the government will earmark 500 million yuan (US$68.6 million) to help AI firms to rent computing resources, with each company eligible for up to 10 million yuan worth of subsidies, and another 50 million yuan available for buying “training data”.
The southern tech hub will also set aside 300 million yuan each year to support AI-related research. Subsidies for fundamental research reach up to 10 million yuan per project, and the ceiling can be raised to 30 million yuan for projects with key “breakthroughs”, according to the policy.
While the subsidies are small compared with the investments from private US firms that dominate the AI industry, the promises of financial support from the Shenzhen government are a show of China’s commitment to local industry players. These measures will be effective for two years starting from next Wednesday.
A maximum of 2 million yuan is also available to Shenzhen-based businesses procuring generative AI models registered with the Cyberspace Administration of China, and another allocation of up to 100 million yuan will be designated for AI applications in key industries.
Projects applying AI in high-end manufacturing, modern services, and scientific research can receive as much as 2 million yuan as well. For benchmark projects demonstrating a leading role in their fields, subsidies could reach up to 10 million yuan.
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By Yi Luo
Shenzhen’s government has issued a long list of subsidies to support artificial intelligence (AI) development in the city in a fresh sign of how local Chinese authorities are pulling out all the stops to support the growth of the industry.
According to measures published by the Industry and Information Technology Bureau of Shenzhen on Wednesday, the government will earmark 500 million yuan (US$68.6 million) to help AI firms to rent computing resources, with each company eligible for up to 10 million yuan worth of subsidies, and another 50 million yuan available for buying “training data”.
The southern tech hub will also set aside 300 million yuan each year to support AI-related research. Subsidies for fundamental research reach up to 10 million yuan per project, and the ceiling can be raised to 30 million yuan for projects with key “breakthroughs”, according to the policy.
While the subsidies are small compared with the investments from private US firms that dominate the AI industry, the promises of financial support from the Shenzhen government are a show of China’s commitment to local industry players. These measures will be effective for two years starting from next Wednesday.
A maximum of 2 million yuan is also available to Shenzhen-based businesses procuring generative AI models registered with the Cyberspace Administration of China, and another allocation of up to 100 million yuan will be designated for AI applications in key industries.
Projects applying AI in high-end manufacturing, modern services, and scientific research can receive as much as 2 million yuan as well. For benchmark projects demonstrating a leading role in their fields, subsidies could reach up to 10 million yuan.
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Foreign tourist arrivals to China suddenly surge as visa relaxations fuel travel searches
By Ralph Jennings
Within minutes of China announcing its latest relaxation of visa rules for foreign travellers this week, searches on travel platform Trip.com skyrocketed.
The travel service provider said its North American site saw a 163 per cent surge in the first half-hour, while searches on its European site were up 85 per cent. Inquiries from Canada, France and Russia led the pack.
Tuesday’s decision by Beijing to extend visa-free transit to 10 days – up from only three to six days – for passport holders of 54 nations came just weeks after clearing citizens of 38 countries to enter visa-free for up to a month.
Tourism to China from the countries eligible for visa-free transit has grown by 189 per cent this year over 2023, according to Trip.com data.
The relaxation of entry restrictions have followed Beijing’s push to attract more foreign tourists and investors since the country lifted its pandemic travel restrictions and reopened borders in January 2023. President Xi Jinping has also called for “building national strength in tourism” and increasing people-to-people exchanges, including with the US.
China’s abundant tourist attractions, cultural heritage, relatively low prices and new visa-free arrival arrangements have been enticing foreigner travellers this month – a time of the year when school holidays in parts of Asia normally lead to an increase in travel anyway.
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By Ralph Jennings
Within minutes of China announcing its latest relaxation of visa rules for foreign travellers this week, searches on travel platform Trip.com skyrocketed.
The travel service provider said its North American site saw a 163 per cent surge in the first half-hour, while searches on its European site were up 85 per cent. Inquiries from Canada, France and Russia led the pack.
Tuesday’s decision by Beijing to extend visa-free transit to 10 days – up from only three to six days – for passport holders of 54 nations came just weeks after clearing citizens of 38 countries to enter visa-free for up to a month.
Tourism to China from the countries eligible for visa-free transit has grown by 189 per cent this year over 2023, according to Trip.com data.
The relaxation of entry restrictions have followed Beijing’s push to attract more foreign tourists and investors since the country lifted its pandemic travel restrictions and reopened borders in January 2023. President Xi Jinping has also called for “building national strength in tourism” and increasing people-to-people exchanges, including with the US.
China’s abundant tourist attractions, cultural heritage, relatively low prices and new visa-free arrival arrangements have been enticing foreigner travellers this month – a time of the year when school holidays in parts of Asia normally lead to an increase in travel anyway.
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Aukus, other China-related priorities likely to survive Trump, top US envoy says
By Robert Delaney
The US State Department’s top official on the Indo-Pacific said Thursday that technology trade restrictions and military deterrence aimed at China should be the most likely area of policy continuity with the incoming administration of president-elect Donald Trump.
Briefing reporters in Washington following the “recent” arrival of the transition team to the department, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said he expected Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s selection for secretary of state, to keep many of US President Joe Biden’s Indo-Pacific initiatives largely intact.
Those initiatives, he said, would likely include the security pact comprising the US, Britain and Australia, known as Aukus, which was established in 2021.
“There will be inevitable areas where the Trump administration will seek to do things differently, but I would also posit there will be areas of continuity, [and] I think we will see more areas of continuity in the Indo-Pacific than perhaps in some other regional areas,” Campbell said.
“There is a deep interest in every element of the bilateral relationship between the United States and China,” he added.
“There have been questions around our technology policy, steps that we’ve taken to enhance our deterrent capabilities across the Indo-Pacific, military deployments, interest in the kind of bilateral engagements that we’ve had in the recent past and the kind of recurring venues of engagement between Beijing and Washington.
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By Robert Delaney
The US State Department’s top official on the Indo-Pacific said Thursday that technology trade restrictions and military deterrence aimed at China should be the most likely area of policy continuity with the incoming administration of president-elect Donald Trump.
Briefing reporters in Washington following the “recent” arrival of the transition team to the department, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said he expected Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s selection for secretary of state, to keep many of US President Joe Biden’s Indo-Pacific initiatives largely intact.
Those initiatives, he said, would likely include the security pact comprising the US, Britain and Australia, known as Aukus, which was established in 2021.
“There will be inevitable areas where the Trump administration will seek to do things differently, but I would also posit there will be areas of continuity, [and] I think we will see more areas of continuity in the Indo-Pacific than perhaps in some other regional areas,” Campbell said.
“There is a deep interest in every element of the bilateral relationship between the United States and China,” he added.
“There have been questions around our technology policy, steps that we’ve taken to enhance our deterrent capabilities across the Indo-Pacific, military deployments, interest in the kind of bilateral engagements that we’ve had in the recent past and the kind of recurring venues of engagement between Beijing and Washington.
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US Republicans craft new deal to avert shutdown after Trump sinks previous one
By Reuters
Republicans in the US Congress said on Thursday they had crafted a new spending package to avert a looming government shutdown after president-elect Donald Trump scuttled a prior bipartisan deal.
“There’s an agreement,” Republican congressman Tom Cole, who chairs a committee that oversees spending, told reporters.
Details were not immediately available, and it was not clear whether it would get enough support from Republicans and Democrats to pass Congress before funding expires at midnight on Friday.
It also was not clear whether it would win Trump’s backing. The incoming US president has demanded that lawmakers tie up loose ends before he takes office on January 20 and has called on them to abolish the nation’s debt ceiling.
Unless a deal passes the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and Democratic-majority Senate, the US government will begin a partial shutdown on Saturday that would interrupt funding for everything from border enforcement to law enforcement in the days leading up to Christmas and cut off pay cheques for more than 2 million federal workers.
The US Transportation Security Administration warned that travellers could face long lines at airports.
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By Reuters
Republicans in the US Congress said on Thursday they had crafted a new spending package to avert a looming government shutdown after president-elect Donald Trump scuttled a prior bipartisan deal.
“There’s an agreement,” Republican congressman Tom Cole, who chairs a committee that oversees spending, told reporters.
Details were not immediately available, and it was not clear whether it would get enough support from Republicans and Democrats to pass Congress before funding expires at midnight on Friday.
It also was not clear whether it would win Trump’s backing. The incoming US president has demanded that lawmakers tie up loose ends before he takes office on January 20 and has called on them to abolish the nation’s debt ceiling.
Unless a deal passes the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and Democratic-majority Senate, the US government will begin a partial shutdown on Saturday that would interrupt funding for everything from border enforcement to law enforcement in the days leading up to Christmas and cut off pay cheques for more than 2 million federal workers.
The US Transportation Security Administration warned that travellers could face long lines at airports.
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US investigates China’s TP-Link, maker of Wi-fi routers, after cyberattacks
By Khushboo Razdan
An influential US lawmaker on Thursday welcomed reports that President Joe Biden’s administration was investigating TP-Link, a Chinese network equipment manufacturer that controls more than 60 per cent of the American Wi-fi router market.
“The recently announced federal investigations into this company are a step in the right direction,” said Representative John Moolenaar, a Republican from Michigan and chairman of the House Select Committee on China Competition.
He expressed hope that the “executive branch will take action to protect our country”, adding that, “In the meantime, Americans would be wise to stop buying TP-Link equipment.”
The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that the US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) was investigating Shenzhen-based TP-Link over security concerns and possible ties to Chinese cyberattacks.
The BIS, which is an agency of the US Commerce Department, has subpoenaed the company and may ban its devices. The US Departments of Defence and Justice are conducting separate inquiries, with the Justice Department investigating whether TP-Link is selling products below cost.
The BIS and Justice Department declined to confirm or deny the investigation. A Pentagon official said that while the department had no statement or information to provide on the specific case, “we seek to adhere to all regulations concerning the acquisition of equipment that may contain foreign components”.
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By Khushboo Razdan
An influential US lawmaker on Thursday welcomed reports that President Joe Biden’s administration was investigating TP-Link, a Chinese network equipment manufacturer that controls more than 60 per cent of the American Wi-fi router market.
“The recently announced federal investigations into this company are a step in the right direction,” said Representative John Moolenaar, a Republican from Michigan and chairman of the House Select Committee on China Competition.
He expressed hope that the “executive branch will take action to protect our country”, adding that, “In the meantime, Americans would be wise to stop buying TP-Link equipment.”
The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that the US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) was investigating Shenzhen-based TP-Link over security concerns and possible ties to Chinese cyberattacks.
The BIS, which is an agency of the US Commerce Department, has subpoenaed the company and may ban its devices. The US Departments of Defence and Justice are conducting separate inquiries, with the Justice Department investigating whether TP-Link is selling products below cost.
The BIS and Justice Department declined to confirm or deny the investigation. A Pentagon official said that while the department had no statement or information to provide on the specific case, “we seek to adhere to all regulations concerning the acquisition of equipment that may contain foreign components”.
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Georgia court boots prosecutor Fani Willis from Trump 2020 election case
By Agence France-Presse
An appeal court in the US state of Georgia disqualified the district attorney prosecuting Donald Trump for election interference on Thursday, but rejected the US president-elect’s bid to throw the case out.
The Georgia Court of Appeal removed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the case citing the “impropriety” of an intimate relationship she had with the man she hired to be a special prosecutor.
The trial judge had ruled earlier this year that Willis could remain on the case but the appeal court disagreed.
“After carefully considering the trial court’s findings in its order, we conclude that it erred by failing to disqualify DA Willis and her office,” the three-judge appeal court panel said.
“While we recognise that an appearance of impropriety generally is not enough to support disqualification, this is the rare case in which disqualification is mandated and no other remedy will suffice to restore public confidence in the integrity of these proceedings,” they said.
Trump was charged with racketeering in Georgia over his efforts to subvert the results of the 2020 presidential election in the southern state. The case has been stalled for months, however, and was likely to be frozen under the US Justice Department policy of not prosecuting a sitting president.
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By Agence France-Presse
An appeal court in the US state of Georgia disqualified the district attorney prosecuting Donald Trump for election interference on Thursday, but rejected the US president-elect’s bid to throw the case out.
The Georgia Court of Appeal removed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the case citing the “impropriety” of an intimate relationship she had with the man she hired to be a special prosecutor.
The trial judge had ruled earlier this year that Willis could remain on the case but the appeal court disagreed.
“After carefully considering the trial court’s findings in its order, we conclude that it erred by failing to disqualify DA Willis and her office,” the three-judge appeal court panel said.
“While we recognise that an appearance of impropriety generally is not enough to support disqualification, this is the rare case in which disqualification is mandated and no other remedy will suffice to restore public confidence in the integrity of these proceedings,” they said.
Trump was charged with racketeering in Georgia over his efforts to subvert the results of the 2020 presidential election in the southern state. The case has been stalled for months, however, and was likely to be frozen under the US Justice Department policy of not prosecuting a sitting president.
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Hong Kong hospitals to clarify facts, tell patients before revealing blunders
By Sammy Heung
Hong Kong’s public hospitals will require staff to first clarify the facts of medical blunders and notify patients and their families before revealing details publicly, as part of revised guidelines under governance and structural reforms.
Hospital Authority chairman Henry Fan Hung-ling said on Thursday it expected to implement most of the 31 recommendations earlier made by a review committee by June 30 next year.
Meeting the press after the quarterly board meeting, Fan denied that the reason behind the guideline change was simply to avoid being accused of disclosing mishaps too late, as the authority would have to take its time to ascertain more information in each case.
“It is because, in the past, we had to disclose them as soon as possible before the facts were actually ascertained. After checking the facts, we found that what we announced was wrong and had to correct them again, which made it confusing,” he said.
“Sometimes, we rushed to announce the incidents before the patients and their families were told of them. Of course, the patients would be upset as their privacy is more important than the public’s right to know.”
The new guidelines will be effective immediately.
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By Sammy Heung
Hong Kong’s public hospitals will require staff to first clarify the facts of medical blunders and notify patients and their families before revealing details publicly, as part of revised guidelines under governance and structural reforms.
Hospital Authority chairman Henry Fan Hung-ling said on Thursday it expected to implement most of the 31 recommendations earlier made by a review committee by June 30 next year.
Meeting the press after the quarterly board meeting, Fan denied that the reason behind the guideline change was simply to avoid being accused of disclosing mishaps too late, as the authority would have to take its time to ascertain more information in each case.
“It is because, in the past, we had to disclose them as soon as possible before the facts were actually ascertained. After checking the facts, we found that what we announced was wrong and had to correct them again, which made it confusing,” he said.
“Sometimes, we rushed to announce the incidents before the patients and their families were told of them. Of course, the patients would be upset as their privacy is more important than the public’s right to know.”
The new guidelines will be effective immediately.
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Is Taiwan a factor in US decision to finally start moving marines from Okinawa to Guam?
By Seong Hyeon Choi
The relocation of American marines from Okinawa to Guam may be in part a move to better protect both the US territory and Taiwan in the event of conflict with the People’s Liberation Army, analysts have said.
While no unit headquarters will be moving at this stage, the United States is planning to scale back its presence on Okinawa in phases to reduce the burden on the Japanese island.
Okinawa is the largest island in the Ryukyu chain and hosts more than half of all US service personnel stationed in Japan despite accounting for less than 1 per cent of the country’s land mass.
The move has been nearly two decades in the pipeline and the heavy US military presence on Okinawa has angered many locals because of its social and environmental impact and string of serious crimes, including murder and rape, committed by US service personnel.
However, some observers believe that mainland China’s growing military capabilities – especially its hypersonic missile arsenal – is another reason to disperse US forces across the wider Pacific, with one arguing that strengthening its forces in Guam would help it come to Taiwan’s defence in the event of conflict.
According to a joint statement from the US Marine Corps and Japanese defence ministry issued on Saturday, around 100 logistics support troops from III Marine Expeditionary Force have started moving from Okinawa to Guam.
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By Seong Hyeon Choi
The relocation of American marines from Okinawa to Guam may be in part a move to better protect both the US territory and Taiwan in the event of conflict with the People’s Liberation Army, analysts have said.
While no unit headquarters will be moving at this stage, the United States is planning to scale back its presence on Okinawa in phases to reduce the burden on the Japanese island.
Okinawa is the largest island in the Ryukyu chain and hosts more than half of all US service personnel stationed in Japan despite accounting for less than 1 per cent of the country’s land mass.
The move has been nearly two decades in the pipeline and the heavy US military presence on Okinawa has angered many locals because of its social and environmental impact and string of serious crimes, including murder and rape, committed by US service personnel.
However, some observers believe that mainland China’s growing military capabilities – especially its hypersonic missile arsenal – is another reason to disperse US forces across the wider Pacific, with one arguing that strengthening its forces in Guam would help it come to Taiwan’s defence in the event of conflict.
According to a joint statement from the US Marine Corps and Japanese defence ministry issued on Saturday, around 100 logistics support troops from III Marine Expeditionary Force have started moving from Okinawa to Guam.
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Xi Jinping lays out 3 expectations for Macau as new leader set to take reins
By Kahon ChanWilla Wu
Chinese President Xi Jinping has laid down his expectations for Macau during a rare visit to the gambling hub, calling on the city to avoid complacency, strive to attract a broad range of talent and play a bigger role on the international stage.
At the same time, Xi praised the city for the orderly development of its gaming industry, the biggest in the world, as well as its efforts to diversify its economic base.
The president outlined his vision for Macau in a speech at a gala dinner at the East Asian Games Dome on Thursday, attended by Sam Hou-fai, who will be inaugurated as the city’s fourth chief executive on Friday, and Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu.
Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan, and current Macau leader Ho Iat-seng also attended the dinner.
Among the president’s three expectations for Macau, “embracing a broader vision” was at the top of the list. He called on the casino hub to “keep pace with the trends of the times” and further refine its vision for the future.
The city should adopt a scientific approach to mapping out its next stage and focus on further aligning with national development strategies, including the Greater Bay Area blueprint, while playing a bigger role on the international stage, Xi said.
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By Kahon ChanWilla Wu
Chinese President Xi Jinping has laid down his expectations for Macau during a rare visit to the gambling hub, calling on the city to avoid complacency, strive to attract a broad range of talent and play a bigger role on the international stage.
At the same time, Xi praised the city for the orderly development of its gaming industry, the biggest in the world, as well as its efforts to diversify its economic base.
The president outlined his vision for Macau in a speech at a gala dinner at the East Asian Games Dome on Thursday, attended by Sam Hou-fai, who will be inaugurated as the city’s fourth chief executive on Friday, and Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu.
Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan, and current Macau leader Ho Iat-seng also attended the dinner.
Among the president’s three expectations for Macau, “embracing a broader vision” was at the top of the list. He called on the casino hub to “keep pace with the trends of the times” and further refine its vision for the future.
The city should adopt a scientific approach to mapping out its next stage and focus on further aligning with national development strategies, including the Greater Bay Area blueprint, while playing a bigger role on the international stage, Xi said.
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Hong Kong dinosaur fossil show opens on Friday, chance to see experts at work
By Fan Chen
Hongkongers will be able to see dinosaur fossils found in the city from Friday in an exhibition space that gives enthusiasts a glimpse into restoration work, while an official has said the government will prioritise research over commercial efforts.
The HK$3 million Dinosaur Parlour, located in the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Kowloon Park, will include a preparation area where visitors can watch experts work on 30 locally uncovered rocks that contain dinosaur fossils.
A display zone will also feature fossils of dinosaur bones and other ancient animals and plants.
The 470 sq ft space will welcome a maximum of 35 visitors per 10-minute viewing session.
Heritage commissioner Ivanhoe Chang Chi-ho said the centre would make arrangements for the expected queues and other crowd control measures at the show, which did not have an end date.
“There’s no difference whether you come early or late,” Chang said. “But you are welcome to visit from time to time, as we will update the exhibits regularly as the repair and restoration work proceeds.”
He added the first fossil unearthed in the city drew 30,000 people when it went on display.
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By Fan Chen
Hongkongers will be able to see dinosaur fossils found in the city from Friday in an exhibition space that gives enthusiasts a glimpse into restoration work, while an official has said the government will prioritise research over commercial efforts.
The HK$3 million Dinosaur Parlour, located in the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Kowloon Park, will include a preparation area where visitors can watch experts work on 30 locally uncovered rocks that contain dinosaur fossils.
A display zone will also feature fossils of dinosaur bones and other ancient animals and plants.
The 470 sq ft space will welcome a maximum of 35 visitors per 10-minute viewing session.
Heritage commissioner Ivanhoe Chang Chi-ho said the centre would make arrangements for the expected queues and other crowd control measures at the show, which did not have an end date.
“There’s no difference whether you come early or late,” Chang said. “But you are welcome to visit from time to time, as we will update the exhibits regularly as the repair and restoration work proceeds.”
He added the first fossil unearthed in the city drew 30,000 people when it went on display.
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