All Asia Pacific
China's next leaders aim to launch new economic eraAs the National People's Congress gets under way, expectations are high that China's new leaders will promote economic reform and tackle corruption. But entrenched interests pose a serious obstacle.聽
FocusWill China, Japan, and South Korea hit the 'reset' button for Asia?In a historic moment of coincidence, new leaders are taking the helm in China, Japan, and South Korea, providing an unprecedented moment for the region to refresh relations.- Is Indonesia, one of big tobacco's last frontiers, closing?Not fast enough for anti-smoking campaigners. But Indonesia is slowly taking steps to end its status as one of the great growth markets for tobacco companies.
- Chinese Communist Party: 20-somethings unsentimentalThe Chinese Communist Party inspires little support among young Chinese professionals: the best they can say is that it's a necessary nuisance.
Chinese Communist Party: Communism under constructionThe Chinese Communist Party does ideological gymnastics to create theory to justify party practice.
Cover StoryChinese Communist Party: Would Mao recognize the paradox?Chinese Communist Party: As the National People's Congress begins March 5 with a new generation of leaders, the party remains the backbone of power, but it is little-respected by the people, and its paradoxical capitalism would confound Mao.
South Korea's first female president inaugurated today. Will she bring change?South Korea鈥檚 new president, Park Geun-hye, was sworn into office today, taking the helm at a tumultuous time.
Why Bangkok struggles to bring peace to Thailand's 'Deep South'The insurgents have not outlined their political aims and their leaders' identities are unknown. Also, the current government has little political pull in the region.聽
'Life of Pi鈥檚' Oscars give limelight to TaiwanWhen Ang Lee, who won an Oscar for directing 'Life of Pi,' announced that he couldn鈥檛 have done the movie 鈥榳ithout the help of Taiwan,鈥� the island cheered.
What Japan's hawkish Prime Minister Abe wants from ObamaPrime Minister Shinzo Abe is in Washington today to discuss regional security and economic issues with President Obama. His overriding concern is confirmation of the strength of US-Japan ties.
Will rising tensions in Asia push Japan toward a full-fledged military?Prime Minister Abe is proposing small steps, such as renaming the Self-Defense Forces, with an eye toward moving away from the legal restrictions that have governed Japan's military since World War II.
The ExplainerWhy did North Korea explode a nuclear device?Despite - or perhaps because of - strong international pressure, North Korea conducted its most powerful nuclear test to date. Now analysts say that hopes for improved relations are on hold.
FocusGoing green: Forget the McNugget eaters, target McDonald's itselfPaper giant APP's move to go green in Indonesia has thrilled environmentalists. Many activist groups are now focusing on buying practices that could affect a firm's reputation 鈥� as well as its finances.
FocusStunning reversal? Why 'big paper' just went green in Indonesia.Asia Pulp & Paper Co. has promised to stop using wood from Indonesia's natural forests. 聽Unprecedented market pressures, driven in part by Barbie and Mickey Mouse, helped.
One Billion Rising: Indonesia joins world discussion on rapeToday is One Billion Rising, a day of activism around women's rights and against rape across the world. Indonesia is just one of 200 countries involved.
Is China taking a harsher tone on North Korea?China has taken a harder line on North Korea over its nuclear weapons program, but as the UN Security Council weighs expanding sanctions, Beijing will still likely seek to limit their strength.
North Korea tests third nuclear device, prompting emergency UN meetingExperts say North Korea's successful detonation of a third nuclear device is concerning because it indicates the country may be getting closer to the ability to put a nuclear device on a missile.
K-pop sensation Psy dances into Malaysia's political drama, Gangnam styleIn an effort to jazz the youth vote in Malaysia ahead of elections in which it faces a very strong opposition, the government called in K-pop sensation Psy.
Tibetan man sentenced to 13 years for 'inciting' self-immolation of monkIt's the latest punishment by Chinese authorities trying to stop a string of self-immolations that has reached almost 100.
Myanmar's graffiti artists test edges of emerging democracyGraffiti artists are on the frontline of an ongoing debate over where freedoms begin and聽end as Myanmar continues its transition.
