All Asia Pacific
Academic flap turns up heat on China's Confucius InstitutesA dustup at a recent Chinese studies conference, and renewed pressure from US academics, has increased opposition to the government-funded programs that aim to spread Chinese language and culture.
In China, a search for modern values at Confucius' birthplaceChina's rulers are increasingly promoting Confucius, a figure once reviled by Chairman Mao, as a symbol for modern China. Tourists, seminar groups, and professionals are flocking to the ancient philosopher's聽birthplace.
In a first, Indonesia's capital gets an ethnic Chinese governorBasuki Purnama, a businessman turned politician, is due to replace Joko Widodo, Indonesia's president-elect, as governor of Jakarta. He would be the highest profile ethnic Chinese official in Muslim-majority Indonesia,聽where ethnic Chinese have been targeted before.
As maritime disputes simmer, Vietnam counts cost of anti-China riotsHundreds of Asian factories were attacked in May after popular anger erupted over Chinese oil exploration in disputed waters. Vietnam depends on foreign investment to generate growth and has promised to avoid a repeat.
A filmmaker peers into the dark past of China's Great Famine'Spark' documents a group of students who tried to expose the truth of Mao's 'Great Leap Forward,' which led to tens of millions of deaths from starvation in 1959-62.
Analysis: Abe draws ire even as he avoids war shrine on WWII anniversaryThe prime minister marked Japan's surrender by attending an event at a sports stadium. But other politicians did go to Yasukuni, sparking sharp commentary from China and South Korea.
Talk is suddenly cheap in Myanmar 鈥� and that could be costlyInexpensive calls and data are coming to Myanmar after years of junta-era restrictions. But some worry that the new Internet and phone access could fuel strife between Muslims and Buddhists.
On first trip to Asia, Pope Francis greets a growing congregationPope Francis arrives in Seoul Thursday on his first visit to Asia, one of the few regions where Catholicism is growing. In South Korea, the number of Roman Catholics has nearly tripled since the last visit of a pope in 1989.
FocusSouth China Sea: Key facts to knowMore than half of the world鈥檚 shipping tonnage sails through these waters, which may hold valuable oil and gas reserves. China is asserting its territorial claims here.
FocusChina expands its reach in the South China Sea. What's the end goal?Beijing wants to assert its聽preeminence in Asia. But not so strongly as to push its neighbors into the arms of the United States.聽
In Myanmar, 鈥婣ung San Suu Kyi's party 鈥媔s 鈥媋t 鈥媋 crossroadsThe opposition party is pushing for constitutional reforms that would allow its leader to run for president. 鈥婭f it fails, the party lacks new talent. US Secretary of State John Kerry is in Myanmar today.
The ExplainerKhmer Rouge conviction: 4 questions about Cambodia's historic rulingThe two most senior living leaders of Cambodia鈥檚 Khmer Rouge regime were convicted today of crimes against humanity, the first major convictions in a marathon war-crimes tribunal. More than 1.7 million people died under the regime.聽
Opposition gains in Cambodia may portend crack in strongman's powerOpposition lawmakers were sworn in Tuesday, after gaining promises of reform that ended their 10-month boycott of parliament. Prime Minister Hun Sen has long ruled with an iron grip.
As China counts earthquake toll, an olive branch from TokyoJapan's prime minister offered assistance after an earthquake in southwestern China killed over 300 yesterday. China and Japan's leaders may meet for the first time in November.
Why South Korea is throwing 10,000 Choco Pies at the DPRKNorth Korean defectors and South Korean activists sent balloons full of the chocolate treats over North Korea Weds.
Xi Jinping's anticorruption in China drive snares a tigerOnce seen as untouchable, Zhou Yongkang, a former Politburo security czar, is under investigation. Chinese President Xi's far-reaching anticorruption drive is targeting political opponents and sending an uncompromising message to Communist Party the rank and file.
Taiwan's nuclear power plants are magnets for protesters 鈥� and snorkelersConstruction will halt this month on Taiwan's newest nuclear power plant, in a concession to protesters. While many Taiwanese hold anti-nuclear views, they also enjoy swimming and snorkeling by a nuclear plant outtake pipe.
Where Xi leads, Abe follows? China, Japan compete in Latin AmericaJapanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's trip to Latin America immediately follows the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both are chasing investment and energy deals, although with different strategies.
Australia to allow (some) asylum seekers ashore. Why now?A court challenge could invalidate Australia's strategy of pushing boats with asylum seekers back before they enter its waters.
From the Monitor's archives: Shootdown of Korean Air Flight KAL007Some of the Monitor's coverage of the 1983 destruction of Korean Air Flight KAL007 by a Soviet fighter jet.
