All Asia Pacific
Taiwan election surprise: Voters reject China-friendly ruling KMT partySpurred by discontented youth, the island shifted from political 'blue' to 'green' as the Nationalists lost key mayor races in Taipei and Taichung. The聽election outcome may create more distance in Taiwan-China relations.
2,000 years and 23 dynasties later, China to end state monopoly on saltWhat Confucian scholars in 81 B.C. could not change, today's market forces may. But what to do with 10,000 jobs in the table salt monopoly?聽
Will Taiwan shift from 'blue' to 'green'? Taichung mayor is bellwether raceThe blue Nationalists have run Taiwan's No. 3 city for years. But Lin Chia-lung, a聽Yale-educated mayoral candidate for the green opposition Taiwan-first party, may change that after tomorrow's election. 聽
Taiwan election: Wild, wooly, and partly a referendum on ChinaThe Taipei mayor's race is the most watched, but there are 10,000 offices to fill on Nov. 29. The races are marked by mud-slinging and new debates over Chinese nationalism and Taiwanese identity.聽
China pushes more people to say, 'See you in court'The Central Committee focused its annual plenary meeting last month on promoting 'socialist rule of law' among Chinese. In one village, a lawyer who is part of the government's push helped resolved a dispute over a fish pond.
Hong Kong protesters resist eviction from camp. Are more clashes to come?With the help of tear gas, police cleared demonstrators from Argyle Street in the聽district of Mong Kok prior to a larger eviction set for Wednesday. Protesters say China is not fulfilling an earlier promise for democracy in Hong Kong.
Why does the 'Hunger Games' have Thailand on edge?Pro-democracy activists in Thailand have used a symbol from the dystopian movie franchise to signal their anger at the country's coup 鈥� and military rulers have had enough.
As Taiwan prepares to vote, China peers closely over its shoulderGone are the days of bellicose speeches and saber-rattling by Beijing. Ahead of Taiwan's Nov. 29 local elections, China exerts influence through strategic spending, travel discounts for those returning to vote, and trade delegations.
China-Taiwan relations hit low point. 'Same bed, different dreams'?After spending lavishly on Taiwan incentives, China is worried the island isn't moving swiftly enough towards unification. Democratic Taiwan didn't like China's attitude toward Hong Kong student protests for universal suffrage.聽
As economic doubts grow, Japan's Abe seeks fresh mandate from votersThe prime minister has called a snap election for Dec. 14 and postponed a highly unpopular tax hike. Japan's economy slipped into recession this week, raising questions about Abe's centerpiece 'Abenomics' initiative.
Both sides save face in Hong Kong as 'Umbrella' barricades come downAfter a court order, students and city officials cooperated to unblock access to a skyscraper downtown. But whether the 'Umbrella Movement' will peacefully disperse all over Hong Kong is unclear.
Will Kim Jong-un face mass crimes prosecution at The Hague?A UN vote today to hold North Korea accountable for years of systematic 'unspeakable atrocities' could move the Hermit Kingdom and its leader closer to indictment for crimes against humanity.
Okinawa elects leader determined to halt new US Marine air baseTakashi Onaga backs moving the US military entirely off Okinawa. He would scrap a deal already forged between Japan and the US to shift Futenma air base to a new location, but Prime Minister Abe has the ultimate say.聽
'People's choice' Widodo eyes major spending reform in IndonesiaThe new president plans to slash electricity and fuel subsidies, which would penalize Indonesia's wealthier consumers, in order to spend more on health and education.
Obama and Aung San Suu Kyi: A pragmatic US shift on 'the Lady'?President Obama is in Myanmar, where US policy has long backed the democratic aspirations of Nobel Peace Prize-winner Aung San Suu Kyi. But as the state slowly opens, must the White House cool its ardor?聽
Even as Obama and Xi strike accords, a quiet tussle for leadership in AsiaThe world's two most powerful leaders agreed on action on climate change, visas, and boosting investment. But vital questions remain about both countries' strategic ambitions in the region.
Containing China? Japan ramps up investment, influence in SE AsiaPrime Minister Abe and President Obama arrive in Myanmar on Wednesday for talks following the APEC summit in Beijing. Japan is putting yen and influence into an economic zone here. China calls it containment; others call it cooperation.聽
For Japanese women, Abe's vision of 'womenomics' losing its shinePrime Minister Abe said he would boost the economy by tapping one of Japan's most underutilized resources: women. But the effort has taken several hits recently.
Victims' relatives decry South Korean ferry captain's sentenceOf the 304 people who died when the Sewol ferry capsized, 250 were schoolchildren. Capt. Lee Joon-seok was sentenced to 36 years in prison.
North Korea chooses optimum moment to release Americans Bae and MillerWith US President Obama attending a summit in neighboring China, Kim Jong-un appears to signal desire for talks with the聽handover of two detainees to US intelligence chief James Clapper.聽
