All Asia Pacific
- New China policy could save elephantsChina could ban the trade of ivory – an industry criminal syndicates use as cover for their illicit business in tusks.
- Japan, Philippines monitor China by air in the South China SeaA Japanese surveillance plane with crew from the Philippines circled parts of the South China Sea that both China and the Philippines lay claim to.
- Frozen meat seized in China: Some of smuggled meat was 40 years oldFrozen meat seized in China:Â The meat is reportedly worth millions of dollars. Food safety has been a problem in China before.
- Police raid Toyota offices after arresting US executiveJulie Hamp, 55, Toyota's newly appointed head of public relations and its highest female executive ever, was arrested June 18 on suspicion of importing oxycodone, a narcotic pain killer, into Japan.Â
- Great game: Polls in Pakistani Kashmir smooth way for epic China pipelinePrime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Party of Pakistan won a majority of seats in disputed territory crucial to a $46 billion China-built corridor from Xinjiang to the Indian Ocean.
- Australia attempts to verify terrorist's death in IraqIntelligence officials are trying to verify the death of Australian Khaled Sharrouf, who became notorious for holding up the severed heads of Syrians, in the Islamic State-held city of Mosul.
- Eyeing China, US allies in Asia join naval drills in disputed watersJapan and the Philippine are engaged in war games in the South China Sea. The US is at odds with China over land reclamation projects on disputed islands and reefs.Â
- How Hong Kong lawmakers rejected Beijing's 'sham' democracy planA misguided walkout by pro-establishment lawmakers allowed for a quick and eye-popping victory for democrats after a year of tussle over how to elect the next leader of Hong Kong.Â
- China calls halt to island building in South China Sea. Sign of compromise?China has earned US opprobrium over artificial enhancement of tiny islands in the Pacific that it seeks to claim as its territory. China has added some 2,000 acres of land, some of which is being purposed as military airstrips.Â
- Are China's fuss-free weddings a sign of cultural modernity?As China's wedding costs rise to unprecedented heights, a growing number of couples are looking to more affordable options or, sometimes, no ceremony at all.
- China to complete building projects on its disputed South China Sea islandsThe disputed islands lie amid some of the world's busiest shipping lanes, rich fishing grounds and a potential undersea wealth of oil, gas, and minerals. China claims virtually the entire South China Sea, while Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Taiwan also say they own parts or all of it.
- Hong Kong democracy: three questions on the brewing battle with BeijingA crucial vote this week in Hong Kong's legislature will test the resolve of democrats opposed to Beijing's formula for electing the city's future leaders.
- Hong Kong activists march ahead of vote on electoral packageHong Kong's legislature is due to begin debate on the package on Wednesday with a vote due by the end of the week. Beijing has proposed a direct vote for Hong Kong 's next leader in 2017, but only pre-screened, pro-Beijing candidates will be allowed to stand.
- How Zhou Yongkang verdict aids President Xi's 'Chinese dream'The former security chief was arrested last year and now faces a life sentence in jail for corruption and related offenses. Xi Jinping has made an anti-corruption drive central to his presidency.
- Ex-China security chief sentenced to life in prison for corruptionZhou Yongkang received his life term after being tried May 22 on charges of receiving bribes, abuse of power and leaking state secrets. The trial was held behind closed doors because of the final charge.
- Making first visit to China, Aung San Suu Kyi's pragmatism in playMyanmar's opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi, is due to meet China's Xi Jinping in Beijing during a five-day visit.Â
- China takes precautions as MERS virus spreads in South KoreaAfter its handling of SARS and swine flu in 2002 and 2012, China appears to have learned lessons on how to manage public health crises. In South Korea, the number of confirmed MERS cases has reached 95.Â
- As China knocks down º£½Ç´óÉñ crosses, the faithful restore themIn Zhejiang Province authorities have knocked down more than 450 crosses from official Protestant churches in an anti-º£½Ç´óÉñ campaign. On June 8 they demolished a large edifice in Yanxie near Wenling. But many parishioners are not accepting the change.
- FocusOn China's campuses, scholars battle ideology and red tapeMore academics say their work is coming under a cloud that has Mao-era features as President Xi Jinping tightens the screws on independent thought.Â
- China cruise ship righted in search for more victimsWith 103 confirmed dead and 339 missing, the capsizing is likely to become the country's deadliest boat disaster in seven decades.