Open Sources: Asia-Pacific - Analysis

China attached great importance to dialogue with Japan

more On August 28, 2010, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Okada Katsuya, who is here in Beijing for the China-Japan high-level economic dialogue...

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama

more The premier said China was dedicated to the policy of opening-up and welcomed Japan to expand trade and investment in China. Wen said Chinese and Japanese businesses as well as financial...

Seoul meetings emphasized strength of U.S., South Korean pact

more In 1950, the United States and many other countries of the United Nations came to the defense of South Korea when North Korea invaded. The meetings in Seoul beginning tomorrow are a...

A Renewed U.S.-Thai Alliance for the 21st Century

more Under Secretary of State William J. Burns explained that "U.S.' alliance with Thailand, in particular, is a key example of America’s enduring commitment to the region, and it plays...

Vietnam and China introduced documents on border management

more The Protocol on border demarcation and landmark planting, the Agreement on border management regulations, and the Agreement on border-gates and their management regulations...

Thai Foreign Minister's keynote address on "ASEAN Connectivity"

more Foreign Minister Kasit commented on the “Community of Connectivity” that was endorsed at the 15th ASEAN Summit where the Leaders agreed to set up the High Level Task Force...

China's Jiabao met with Indian National Security Advisor Menon

more The two countries have reached important agreements and made sound coordination in coping with the international financial crisis, climate change and other major issues, Wen noted...

U.S. top official noted India’s growing role as security partner

more India is an increasingly important partner to the United States, and the relationship between the nations is maturing, Michele Flournoy, undersecretary of defense for policy, told...

Thai Prime Minister emphasized need to resolve political conflict at its foundation

more Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva gave a keynote speech on the role of the private sector in the national reconciliation plan. Participants included board members of the Thai Chamber...

China and South Korea to boost pragmatic cooperation for mutual benefits

more On June 27, 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in Toronto. At the meeting, Hu said China-South Korea cooperation has been...

Thai PM Vejjajiva wants reconciliation plan into action in local areas

more The Prime Minister talked about problems of the budget of local administrative organizations which is insufficient for local development, that “we have tried our best to solve this problem...

The EU and the ACP countries will sign the revision of the Cotonou agreement

more Next Tuesday (June 22, 2010), the European Union and the 79 countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) will sign the second revision of the Cotonou agreements in Ouagadougou...

PM: Integrated solution can eliminate threats to Thai national security

more On June 11, 2010, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva presided over an academic conference for high-level security studies institutions and gave a special remark titled "Security and National Security...

UN chief conferred with European security body on growing tensions in Kyrgyzstan

more Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon conferred with the chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on the mounting tensions in Kyrgyzstan, as the United Nations assesses...

Policy Speech by new Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan at the 174th session of the Diet

more Kan told "last summer, a change of government was brought about by a strong sense of yearning among many people to clear away the feeling of being caught in an impasse which has long plagued our...

Taiwanese President Ma met U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein

more President Ma said that Taiwan and mainland China have signed 12 agreements on issues such as direct flights, food safety, liberalization of cross-strait ties in the financial sector, and cross-strait...

APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade committed to multilateral trading system

more We, the APEC Ministers responsible for Trade, gathering for our XVI meeting in Sapporo, Japan, express our strong commitment to the multilateral trading system and our unwavering determination...

Asia-Pacific Nations must address provocations, U.S. Defense Secretary Gates said

more Asian nations must act in the face of provocations as part of their responsibility to preserve peace and reinforce regional stability, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. In remarks...

Indian PM and South African President reaffirmed the vitality of bilateral ties

more The Prime Minister of India and the President of South Africa reaffirmed the vitality of the India-South Africa strategic partnership, based on their commitment to a global order built upon the...

U.S. President Obama reaffirmed Alliance with South Korea

more South Korea has the full support of the United States as it confronts North Korea’s sinking of its naval ship Cheonan, and the 60-year U.S. alliance with the republic is as strong as...

Ban Ki-moon welcomed the extension of Nepal constituent assembly

more UNSG welcomed the decision to extend by one year the term of the Nepalese Constituent Assembly, which had been due to expire on 28 May 2010. He commends all parties concerned...

Japan, Republic of Korea, the People's Republic of China improved their cooperation

more The three countries shared the common view that it is important to strengthen trilateral cooperation on standards. "We also expressed our satisfaction with the recent progress of such...

United States reiterated its unwavering commitment to Japan’s security

more On May 28, 2010, the members of the United States-Japan Security Consultative Committee (SCC) reconfirmed that, in this 50th anniversary year of the signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation...

As deadline looms, Ban urges Nepal to agree on extending Constituent Assembly

more Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged all parties in Nepal to reach consensus on extending the body tasked with drafting the country’s new constitution, which was supposed to be...

Gates, Kitazawa conferred on Korea, Futenma Relocation in Japan

more North Korea was at the heart of discussions that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa held at the Pentagon yesterday. Gates thanked Kitazawa...

There is no blanket immunity provided to security officers, Thai official

more First and foremost, it should be underlined that the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation B.E. 2548 (2005) was promulgated in accordance with due process...

United States fully supports South Korea on the Cheonan incident

more President Obama fully supports President Lee in his handling of the ROKS Cheonan incident and the objective investigation that followed. The measures that the government of the Republic of Korea announced are...

With NK-related tensions, Japan-U.S. alliance is all the more important

more Japanese Foreign Minister Okada met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He said that on the question of relocating the Futenma air station, working-level talks are proceeding intensively between...

Armed elements among protesters instigating violence in Thailand to internationalise situation

more Thai official further noted that, based on the intelligence reports, three groups of individuals are now at risk of being attacked by the terrorist elements. The first group would be the media, Thai and foreign...

China and South Korea agree to push forward bilateral relations

more On May 15, 2010, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea with his South Korean counterpart Yu Myung-hwan on the sidelines of the fourth trilateral foreign ministers'...

IMF said Asia leading World Recovery, cautions against External Risks

more Asia is leading the recovery of the world economy even though the region needs to remain attentive to downside risks, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said today in New Delhi in its...

Vietnam treasures strategic partnership with China

more The Party and Government of Vietnam always attach importance to developing comprehensive strategic partnership with China intensively for the benefit of both peoples and for regional...

France regrets the dissolution of the National League for Democracy in Myanmar

more The National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, is, from today, no longer authorized to exist, according to the law governing political parties. France deeply regrets this...

Chinese leader Jintao and Russian Prime Minister Putin share important consensus

more On May 8, 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on the development of the strategic cooperative...

Mongolian President Elbegdorj and Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks

more During the talks, President Hu announced the approval of the additional 40 million yuan aide to Mongolia. Strengthening of humanitarian exchange and multi-faceted cooperation...

Economic growth rate in Thailand affected by political situation

more "Political crisis within the country and the prolonged demonstration have already affected the economic growth rate of the country by over 0.5 percent" said Finance Minister. Mr. Korn...

Top UN human rights official in Nepal calls for political stalemate to end

more As a nationwide strike in Nepal enters a second day, the top United Nations human rights official in the South Asian country is calling on political leaders to neutralize what...

UN urged restraint by all sides in Nepal ahead of Maoist protests

more The United Nations human rights office in Nepal is urging restraint by all sides to prevent violence during upcoming protests announced by the Maoists, while stressing the right to peaceful assembly...

Indian PM Singh gave opening statement at the 16th SAARC Summit

more Singh declared that "the challenge before us is to translate institutions into activities, conventions into programmes, official statements into popular sentiments. Declarations at summits...

Lee Myung-bak wants every detail concerning the cause of the sinking

more Korea's President told that he will resolutely deal with the outcome and make sure this sort of incident never recurs in the future. "We will safeguard our nation with watertight security...

Ban sounds alarm about escalating political tensions in Thai capital

more Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced concern about the ongoing political stand-off in Thailand, where several dozen people have died this month in clashes between anti-Government...

Clinton called all for peaceful dialogue in Thailand

more Clinton: "While you continue on the path to resolve your political differences, we remain confident in the strong, enduring bonds between the United States and Thailand...

Norway and other countries have an important message for Burma

more The upcoming election could be an opportunity to gain international credibility and to move in a democratic direction. So far, however, there are few signs that this...

China-Africa Joint Research and Exchange Program officially launched

more The launching ceremony of the “China-Africa Joint Research and Exchange Program” was held in Beijing on March 30, 2010. Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo addressed...

Laws set up a process which is not conducive to free and fair elections in Myanmar

more British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant told many Security Council members expressed their concern about these developments and in particular about the electoral laws which fall...

Kazakhstan and Japan expand economic and political ties

more Energy partnership is the backbone of economic relations between the two countries, with nuclear energy playing an increasingly important role. Earlier this year, an intergovernmental...

U.S. welcomes the increased stability in the Taiwan Strait

more Future stability in the Strait will depend on open dialogue between Taiwan and the PRC, free of force and intimidation and consistent with Taiwan's flourishing democracy...

South Korea and China to joint efforts for an early resumption of the Six-party Talks

more Following an assessment of the current situation concerning the North Korean nuclear issue, the two sides exchanged in-depth views on future measures. Further, they agreed to...

Australia and Russia signed Nuclear Cooperation Agreement

more The Agreement would ensure that any uranium supplied could only be used for peaceful purposes, must be subject to Russia's safeguards agreement with the International Atomic...

India and China officially joined the Copenhagen Accord

more India and China informed the Climate Convention Secretariat on March 8 and 9, 2010, respectively, of their unequivocal support for this accord making it possible to...

Indonesian President Yudhoyono addressed Australian Parliament

more Rudd: Indonesia's is a vibrant and growing economy. We share with Indonesia the common future of our own region, its stability and its prosperity and, together with...

Iran and Myanmar to expand multilateral cooperation

more Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and Myanmar's Deputy Foreign Minister met and conferred on the expansion of political, commercial and cultural interrelations...

India and Pakistan took first step towards rebuiding trust

more In response to Nirupama Rao's invitation, the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Mr. Salman Bashir, is in India leading a 13 member delegation. They set out a first step towards rebuilding trust...

Timor-Leste has made remarkable progress but faces daunting challenges

more Timor-Leste has made “remarkable progress” since the violence that disrupted it in 2006, but the long-term goals of recovery and development may prove even more...

More than 20 million people in Asia-Pacific could fall into extreme poverty, UN warns

more The global economic downturn could push an additional 21 million people in the Asia-Pacific region into extreme poverty, rolling back development gains, according to a...

Bidding for the Philippines natural gas pipeline is set for next month

more Bidding for the USD 1.2-billion natural gas pipeline from Batangas to Manila (Batman 1) is set for next month at the earliest. Part of the Arroyo administration's long-term Integrated...

Ban voices concern to Sri Lankan leader over recent developments

more UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his concerns about recent developments in Sri Lanka, where a defeated presidential candidate has been arrested and Parliament...

Former Army Commander Fonseka arrested in Sri Lanka

more Former Army Commander and Chief of Defence Staff, General (Retd.) Sarath Fonseka was arrested by the Military Police yesterday (February 8) evening. Major General Prasad...

UN appeals for post-election restraint in Sri Lanka as challenger arrested

more Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is reiterating his appeal to all parties in Sri Lanka and their supporters to show restraint and refrain from violence after the reported arrest...

Hostile groups and elements operate from across the Indian border

more Indian PM declared that the terrorist strikes in Mumbai in November 2008 had made us painfully aware of the need to strengthen our coastal security. The National Committee on...

Sri Lankan President calls for democratic and peaceful poll

more President: I respectfully call upon our people to safeguard democracy and the dignity of the motherland by united, resolute, calm and peaceful behaviour to ensure Sri Lanka's position...

U.S. Secretary Clinton made remarks on on Population and Development

more Clinton: The year 2015 is the target year. Part of the reason we wanted to have this commemoration is not only to look backwards, but to look forward. What is it we will do between now...

Deeming Sri Lanka execution video authentic, UN expert said

more An independent United Nations human rights expert said today there are strong indications that the video of alleged extrajudicial executions by Sri Lankan soldiers that aired...

PM Singh spoke at 92nd annual conference of the Indian Economic Association

more Non-economists often describe economics as a “dismal science”, but I think this is a misleading description. Economics appears dismal only because economists often focus on problems which...

U.S. Secretary Clinton delivered remarks with Indian FM Krishna

more Clinton: I visited India last summer to see clean energy technologies at work, to tour a state-of-the-art green building, one of the most advanced in the world. The economic opportunities that we can derive from these technologies are very compelling...

Indian PM departed for Russia for the Annual India-Russia Summit

more The Annual Summit is the principal mechanism for the advancement of our strategic partnership with Russia. This is a partnership based on the solid foundation of long-standing friendship...

Cooperation between the United States and China will mean a safer world

more U.S. President Obama gave remarks to the Troops at Osan Air Base, Osan, Republic of Korea. He told that "America's commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea will never waver, and our alliance has never been stronger." He insisted on U.S...

Special Briefing on the U.S. President Obama's Trip to Asia

more The President looks forward to this attempt to really renew America's alliances in the region, to continue to forge new partnerships, and to make progress on a whole series of issues ranging from our economic recovery agenda; our efforts in Afghanistan, which are supported by several of our Asian partners; our efforts to...

Little progress in overcoming deadlock in Nepal’s peace process

more The top United Nations envoy to Nepal today lamented the fact that there has been limited progress in overcoming the political impasse that emerged in the country earlier this year, and little movement on the remaining tasks of the peace process. Around 13,000 lives were lost during Nepal’s decade-long civil war, which...

Exports up as China becomes Australia's biggest trading partner

more Exports of Australian goods and services rose 5 per cent to be worth AUD 20.2 billion in September. Figures released this morning by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed the rise in exports was matched by a rise in imports delivering a trade deficit of AUD 1.85 billion for the month. Accompanying data...

Outcome of 9th Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Russia, India and China

more - Transcript of Remarks by Russian FM Sergey Lavrov - China's statement The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, took part in the 9th meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, India and China on October 27 in Bangalore, India. The ministers exchanged views on a broad range of international issues, and...

How Taiwan has emerged from the Financial Tsunami

more In 2007, a strong financial earthquake occurred, with its epicenter in Wall Street. It unleashed a massive tsunami that rolled across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, pounding the shores of every territory on the global economic map. Hardly a corner of the world was spared, and Taiwan also became one of the disaster areas....

Policy Speech by Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama

more - Japan as a "Bridge", Foreign Policy's options of PM Hatoyama Almost two months have passed since that scorching summer day of the general election, and almost forty days since I was designated Prime Minister and a new Cabinet was inaugurated based on a policy agreement of the three-party coalition consisting of the Democratic...

Chairman's Statement concluding the 15th ASEAN Summit

more On October 24, 2009, the 15th ASEAN Summit, which was held in Hua Hin, a coastal city of Thailand, issued the Chairman's Statement, which states that the ASEAN leaders had discussions on a series of issues and adopted a joint statement on strengthening education cooperation and climate change. The statement said that Vietnam...

Japanese FM Katsuya Okada talked with U.S. Admiral Mike Mullen

more As part of his visit to Japan, Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on Friday, October 23. The outline of the courtesy call is as follows (other attendees include Mr. John Victor Roos, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, and...

Indian PM's statement at the 4th East Asia Summit: G-20's effects

more - press conference I thank the Prime Minister of Thailand His Excellency Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva for convening the 4th East Asia Summit and for the excellent arrangements made. We meet against the backdrop of the global economic and financial slowdown. The G-20 leaders have met thrice, and the coordinated response to address...

Myanmar: UN urges release of all political prisoners before elections

more An independent United Nations expert has called on Myanmar’s Government to release all political prisoners before the national elections planned for 2010 so that the polls can be as inclusive as possible. “I told the Government that these elections should be fair and transparent, that freedom of speech, movement and association should...

"South Korea is overcoming the economic crisis faster"

more Tomorrow is the harvest moon festival of Chuseok, one of the most important Korean traditional holidays. I assume that many people are heading for their hometowns by this time, and some of you may have already joined your families and are having breakfast. This year’s Chuseok holidays are relatively short, and it is expected that traffic...

Vietnam, India held first strategic dialogue in New Dehli

more The first strategic dialogue and fourth political consultative meeting between Vietnam and India took place in New Delhi on Oct 15. At the meeting, co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Dao Viet Trung and his Indian counterpart, Neelakantan Ravi, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations since the two countries established their...

Council of SCO Anti-Terrorist Structure held session

more The Council of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held its 15th session in Tashkent on 16 October. The representatives of Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan participated in the session. The meeting participants considered the report of the...

UK engagement in Sri Lanka, five months after the end of the conflict

more Foreign Secretary David Miliband, together with Douglas Alexander, the Secretary of State for International Development, commented on the UK's engagement in Sri Lanka during a statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday 13 October. Their comments come almost five months after the end of the conflict between the (LTTE) and...

Chinese President Jintao met with Pakistani Prime Minister Gilani

more China and Pakistan are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, Hu said. Since the two countries established diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, they have always shared mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual support and mutual assistance no matter how the international situation and their domestic conditions changed...

Karzai urged Electoral Complaints Commission to regain trust

more President Karzai today urged the Electoral Complaints Commission of Afghanistan to regain peoples trust and prove its impartiality after the resignation of one of its key members. In an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America"? host Diane Sawyer today, President Karzai said, The Election Complaint Commission is legitimate. It can continue...

Putin and counterpart Wen Jiabao held joint press conference

more This year we are celebrating 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China. This is a crucial year for our shared efforts to overcome the global financial and economic crisis. This current visit to China by Russian Prime Minister Putin is particularly important. We have just finished the 14th regular meeting between...

Security Council extends ISAF mandate for 12 additional months

more Expressing its strong concern over the increase in violence and criminality in Afghanistan, the Security Council today extended the authorization for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for 12 months beyond 13 October 2009. As its members unanimously adopted resolution 1890 (2009), the Council also called on Member States...

USA, Pakistan need to work together to alleviate concerns

more The President of Pakistan has stated that there is concern being expressed in certain quarters about some of the provisions of the Kerry Lugar Bill and that the USA and Pakistan need...

Commander Petraeus cited need to Reverse Insurgency

more As the president reassembles his national security team today as part of his ongoing review of the strategy for Afghanistan, the commander of U.S. Central Command said...

Wen Jiabao answered questions on nuclear issue of North Korea

more On October 10, 2009, Premier of the State Council of China Wen Jiabao met the media together with President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Myung-bak and Prime Minister of Japan Yukio Hatoyama following the second China-Japan-ROK summit meeting. Wen answered journalist's question on the nuclear issue of Korean Peninsula. Wen...

Aung San Suu Kyi met UK Ambassador Andrew Heyn

more Foreign Secretary David Miliband welcomed the meeting between Aung San Suu Kyi and Andrew Heyn, the UK Ambassador in Rangoon, on Friday 9 October. He said: 'Daw Aung...

U.S. President Barack Obama to visit South Korea on November

more President Barack Obama of the United States will visit Korea November 18-19 at the invitation of President Lee Myung-bak. The U.S. President is also scheduled to visit Japan, Singapore and China as part of an Asian...

UN will do utmost to ensure credible Afghan presidential run-off

more Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today pledged the full support of the United Nations to ensure that Afghanistan’s presidential election run-off is as credible as possible and welcomed President...

Rarely seen better coordination between China and the United States

more Over the last two days I’ve been in China here having intensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Education Ministry, and the Ministry of Defense. Our agenda has been full and very broad. I’ve been trying to lay some of the ground work for the upcoming, historic visit of President Obama to China in mid-November...

U.S. Department of Defense released Futenma Replacement Study Report

more The Futenma Replacement Facility Bilateral Experts Study Group Report has been published. In order to achieve the earliest possible relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma...

Bout was accorded a fair trial under the Thai justice process without discrimination

more That's how Thai MFA's spokesperson responded to questions about Viktor Bout’s case. The Thai Government could not interfere in the said process, he said, and the Court had exercised...

U.S., South Korea announced Yellow Sea Exercise

more The United States and South Korea announced a new set of military exercises that will be held in the Yellow Sea early next month, a Pentagon official said. South Korean and U.S. forces...

South Korea will not tolerate any new provocation from North Korea

more For the 65th anniversary of the Liberation, President Lee Myung-bak told fellow citizens that "On March 26, North Korea perpetrated an unprovoked attack against the South’s navy...

Gates to underscore U.S. commitment to South Korea

more Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived for a visit intended to underscore the U.S. commitment to South Korea and provide framework for further strengthening the alliance...

Concerned about rising tension in Maldives, Secretary-General urged restraint

more The Secretary-General is concerned by rising political tension in the Maldives, which culminated in some violent demonstrations earlier this week. He urges all political parties to restrain...

U.S., South Korean leaders to meet in Seoul

more The defense and foreign ministers of the United States and South Korea will meet next week to discuss joint exercises between the two nations and a recently announced delay in the...

The problem of left wing extremism calls for sustained coordination in India

more Indian PM Manmohan Singh explained that Indian security services need greater coordination and cooperation in crucial matters like intelligence gathering and intelligence sharing...

German FM Westerwelle traveled to Russia and Central Asia to promote security and stability

more German Foreign Minister Westerwelle set out on a four-day trip to Russia and Central Asia. Following the German-Russian intergovernmental consultations in Yekaterinburg, he...

Mexico and India strengthen their privileged partnership

more Mexico's MFA reports that the second meeting for Mexico-India bilateral political consultations was held today in Mexico City. It was chaired by Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs...

Asia's time has come for leading role in the global economy

more Asia has emerged as a global economic powerhouse from the recent worldwide financial crisis, said IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn in his opening address to the Asia...

Thai government working to maintain the rule of law, return normalcy to the country

more During the troubles, Thai government explained, "there were those with legitimate grievances, including problems related to poverty (...) while there were armed elements, equipped...

Asia-Pacific region countries offers potential for developing Russia's Far East

more President Dmitry Medvedev held a meeting in Khabarovsk on the Far East’s socioeconomic development and cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region countries. Cooperation...

"Australians are entitled to a fairer share of our inheritance," Gillard told

more On June 24, 2010, the Hon Julia Gillard MP was sworn in as Prime Minister by the Governor-General, succeeding the Hon Kevin Rudd MP. She said "I want to make firstly a I want to make...

South Korea and Japan to work closely for East Asian cooperation

more 1st Vice Foreign Minister Shin Kak-soo met his Japanese counterpart Mitoji Yabunaka in Japan on June 19-20 for the 10th Korea-Japan Vice Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue...

U.S. official described the path toward reconciliation in Thailand

more The last several years have been turbulent for Thailand. The restoration of elected government in early 2008 ended the short-lived post-2006 coup interim government but left major...

Capacity-building in Ocean affairs, Law of the Sea to be discussed

more To confront growing threats and pressures from a wide range of issues facing the world’s oceans, countries will discuss ways to build up their capacities to address ocean affairs and the...

In Sri Lanka, UN political chief held talks with President, visits war-affected area

more The top United Nations political official held talks today with the President of Sri Lanka at the start of a two-day visit aimed at helping the island country deal with key challenges in the...

National Security is a top priority of South Korea's policy

more President Lee Myung-bak delivered a Radio and Internet Address to the Nation. He said "The world is now changing so rapidly, and there is an ever-increasing uncertainty about...

India seeks a stable, peaceful, economically progressing Pakistan

more At a conference on Afghanistan-India-Pakistan Trialogue organised by Delhi Policy Group, India's Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao we sincerely desire peace with Pakistan. Thirdly, we have to learn...

Taiwan in the 21st Century: Politics, Economy and Society

more Vice President Siew made remarks at a Symposium during which he said that "Taiwan has made great progress with democracy over the past 20 years, a fact that has been widely recognized around...

Declaration of the Third Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA)

more We, the Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA); Having met in Istanbul, Republic of Turkey...

Azerbaijan, Turkey signed documents on sale and Transit of Natural gas

more Azerbaijan and Turkey have signed Monday documents in the presence of President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. President of Azerbaijan`s State Oil...

Trilateral Process is an important aspects of Turkey’s close relations with Afghanistan and Pakistan

more The Trilateral Process is one of the important aspects of Turkey’s close relations with Afghanistan and Pakistan based on existing bonds of brotherhood and friendship. The process...

Senator Jim Webb reaffirmed the U.S. support for the Thai’s reconciliation plan

more Senator Webb stated that the US monitored the situation and national reconciliation of Thailand which is an important ally of the US, and hoped for stability of the Kingdom’s political...

India and the United States strengthened their ties as strategic partners

more The U.S. – India Strategic Dialogue is propelled by the dynamic momentum achieved in the U.S.-India relationship over the last decade and is in pursuance of the global strategic...

India's rise and the promise of U.S.-Indian partnership

more U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs William J. Burns told the CFR that "The simple truth is that India's strength and progress on the world stage is deeply in the strategic interest of...

Japan, Republic of Korea, the People's Republic of China improved their cooperation

more The three countries shared the common view that it is important to strengthen trilateral cooperation on standards. "We also expressed our satisfaction with the recent progress of such...

Following unrest, Thai government to brief diplomats on plans to move ahead

more The Thai government invites members of the diplomatic corps to receive a briefing on policy and plan after the protests in Bangkok. The cabinet is prepared to listen to comments from diplomats...

Turkmenistan and India to discuss construction of gas pipeline

more President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has arrived in India on the first state visit. He is expected to discuss cooperation in the oil and gas industry and other spheres with the Indian side...

Thai Government maintains security after releasing some areas

more Mr. Panitan Watanayagorn, Deputy Secretary General to the Prime Minister, indicated that the Government still maintains security force after releasing some areas with patrol, fast-moving force, and coordinated checkpoint...

ASEAN supports a swift restoration of law and order in Thailand

more Vimon Kidchob, Director-General of the Department of Information and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, informed the press about the statement issued on 21 May 2010 by Vietnam, in its capacity as...

There are terrorists who are trying to do harm, Royal Thai Army official said

more The security forces stationed around the protesting area have been , on daily basis, putting their lives in harm’s way. There are terrorists who are trying to do harm to those officers by using various types of weapons...

Ban called on opposing sides in Thailand to avert bloodshed, resume talks

more UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced growing concern at mounting violence in Thailand between anti-Government protesters and the authorities, and called on all sides to resume talks...

India doesn't want to fix itself into any architecture, including ASEAN

more The importance of ASEAN in the evolving regional architecture was underlined at a panel discussion on Advancing ASEAN-India Partnership held at the ASEAN Secretariat...

India and Kazakhstan have a strong congruence of views on major regional and international issues

more Both countries are strongly opposed to terrorism. Indian FM Krishna would like to thank Kazakhstan for its steadfast support to India in our fight against terrorism, particularly after the...

Obama pushes for U.S.-Australia Nuclear Agreement

more The proposed Agreement provides a comprehensive framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation with Australia based on a mutual commitment to nuclear nonproliferation. The...

Transneft expanding the first stage of the East Siberia-Pacific Ocean oil pipeline

more Transneft is working on four extremely ambitious projects under its investment programme. This includes the second stage of the East Siberia-Pacific Ocean oil pipeline. Instead of waiting for...

U.S. and Australia signed Landmark Emergency Management Coordination Agreement

more U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Australian Attorney-General Robert McClelland today signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen...

Britain's Foreign Office advised caution in Thailand

more The FCO yesterday changed its travel advice to advise against all but essential travel to the whole of Thailand. British Nationals should continue to exercise extreme caution throughout...

UN mission speaks out after Maoist commander violates arms agreement in Nepal

more The United Nations political mission in Nepal today called for an investigation and appropriate disciplinary action after a Maoist army platoon commander was discovered to...

Australian PM Kevin Rudd inaugurated National Security College in Canberra

more Rudd: "There is no greater responsibility for government than that of national security. The defence of our nation, the protection of our people, the upholding of the values which we live by and the...

Afghan President Karzai held discussions his Indian counterpart President Patil

more This was President Karzai’s first visit to India after his re-election as the President of Afghanistan in 2009. The visit marked the continuation of high level exchanges between the...

Prime Minister Rudd lectured on Australia and China in the World

more Speech by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. "China had for centuries loomed large in the Western mind. Hopes and fears, fantasies and nightmares were all readily projected on a land...

Thailand's goverment knows "who really killed the Red Shirts"

more Vejjajiva's government announced that video footage gathered from numerous news agencies (domestic and international) covering the incident clearly shows that a group of armed terrorist militia...

The EU and Asia commit to reinforcing economic cooperation links

more The EU and Asia commit to strengthening economic cooperation links as a result of the “lessons learned from the crisis”, declared the Second Vice-President and Minister of Economy...

Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Japanese PM Yukio Hatoyama

more On April 12, 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in Washington. Both sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views...

Russia to become a member of ASEAN

more Russia welcomes the decision of the ASEAN 16th Summit held in Hanoi on April 8-9 to admit Russia to the East Asia Summit. This decision reflects the new political and...

Joint Declaration on Cooperation between UN and SCO Secretariats signed

more Muratbek Imanaliev, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General, signed a Joint Declaration on...

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Indian Foreign Minister Krishna

more Currently China-India relations have entered a new stage of mature and stable development with richer connotations, more extensive influence and broader prospects...

Voicing shock at violence in Kyrgyzstan, repeated calls for restraint

more Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he was shocked by the reported deaths and injuries in Kyrgyzstan, where demonstrators in the country’s capital have...

India and China in the 21st Century World

more Speech by India's FM Krishna at the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) who said that "having overcome initial challenges, India and China saw that rapid...

60th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between India and China

more April 1, 2010 marks the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of India and the People’s Republic of China. On this occasion...

Renewed economic cooperation between Finland and India

more Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma of India and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen signed a new agreement to promote economic cooperation between...

Upcoming polls in Myanmar must be transparent, say Ban and Group of Friends

more National elections scheduled to be held in Myanmar later this year – the first in the country in two decades – must be “inclusive, participatory and transparent,” Secretary...

New agreement between the EU and countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific

more At a joint meeting on 19 March 2010 the EU and the ACP countries were able to complete negotiations on a new revised Cotonou Agreement. The negotiations started in June 2009...

Australia will continue to bolster the cause of reform in Zimbabwe

more To advance this effort, Australia will provide a further assistance package of AUD 13 million to improve access to clean water, sanitation services and food security in Zimbabwe...

U.S.-Japan relations remain strong, DoD said

more Japan’s desire to relocate U.S. Marines on Okinawa, the government’s recent halt of refueling operations in the Indian Ocean and other disagreements do not match deeper challenges...

The Asia-Pacific Region and Russian National Security

more Russian DFM Alexei Borodavkin: "Today in APR we witness processes that have far-reaching implications not only for the countries situated there, but for the future of the...

Asia-Pacific region is of growing importance to U.S. interests

more The Asia Pacific is fundamental to U.S. ability to achieve some of its top priorities, whether it’s doubling exports and achieving balanced and sustainable growth or fighting terrorism...

Britain FCO's 2009 Human Rights Report insists on Iran and Burma

more In Iran, security forces reacted brutally to demonstrations against the Presidential election result. In Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to a further period of imprisonment...

Fonseka appears before first Court-Martial in Sri Lanka

more The second Court-Martial of former Army Commander General (Rtd.) Sarath Fonseka has been deferred to a future date. The date is yet to be announced. Fonseka yesterday...

Agreements signed following Russian-Indian talks, Putin and Singh announced

more Putin: Our relations are not dependent on any other relations, and they grow in importance with every passing day. Our partnership extends to many different areas, including defence...

Restoring trust vital to spurring on Nepal’s peace process

more All parties involved in Nepal’s peace process must demonstrate their commitment to peace and the democratic process and not get bogged down in short-term political...

UN Secretary-General voices concern at new electoral laws in Myanmar

more New electoral laws unveiled by authorities in Myanmar do not meet United Nations expectations of what is required for an inclusive political process in the Asian country...

New AFP chief has been appointed in the Philippines

more Malacañang officials said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s appointment of Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit as new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines was...

India - Riyadh Declaration announced a New Era of Strategic Partnership

more At the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, His Excellency Dr. Manmohan...

Australia launched its 2010 Counter-Terrorism White Paper

more The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, Attorney General, Robert McClelland and Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith today launched the 2010 Counter-Terrorism White Paper, Securing...

Political steps needed to address causes of Sri Lanka's conflict

more Since the end of the fighting last May between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam there has been a unique opportunity for the government...

Ban welcomes release of leading opposition politician in Myanmar

more Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the release today of a prominent opposition politician in Myanmar after six years of house arrest, saying he hopes the move will...

Encouraging signs in Timor-Leste but core challenges persist, Ban warns

more Many of the underlying causes that contributed to the 2006 political crisis in Timor-Leste remain, despite recent encouraging signs, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warns...

Due process of law followed in the arrest of Gen. Fonseka, official said

more Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama addressing the Diplomatic Corps at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 11th February 2010 stated that the decision to arrest Gen...

UN hails release of all child soldiers by Maoists in Nepal

more The final batch of the nearly 3,000 child soldiers who served in the Maoist army during Nepal's decade-long civil war have been discharged and re-entered civilian life today, in...

Gates: Syndicate threatens to destabilize South Asia

more An al-Qaida-backed terror syndicate is focused on destabilizing South Asia and stoking tensions between India and Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told reporters...

Security Council extends mandate of UN mission in Nepal by four months

more The Security Council voted today to extend the United Nations political mission in Nepal (UNMIN) by nearly four months amid heightened tensions in the Asian country ahead of the...

Nepal peace process close to standstill due to tensions and mistrust, UN warns

more The peace process that ended a 10-year civil war in Nepal has remained largely stalled over the past three months, with tensions and mistrust between Maoists, the Government...

China's VFM Yafei spoke on U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan

more Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei received an exclusive interview by the Xinhua News Agency on January 9. He Yafei said that the US arms sales to Taiwan seriously contravene the principles...

Vietnam officially announced ASEAN chairmanship

more The National Committee for ASEAN 2010 held a press conference launching Vietnam’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2010 in Hanoi on Jan. 7. Deputy Foreign Minister and Permanent...

U.S. Secretary Clinton to make 8-day travel to the Pacific

more Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to the Pacific January 11-19, 2010. Secretary Clinton will deliver a policy speech in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 12, focused on Asia...

Nepal: violent clashes between police, Maoists spark UN concern

more The United Nations human rights office has called for restraint in the wake of clashes between police and protestors on the first day of nationwide strike called by Maoists. Several people were injured...

India and United States held Bilateral summit in D.C.

more Prime Minister Singh and President Obama committed to redouble their collective efforts to deal effectively with terrorism, while protecting their countries’ common ideals and shared values, and committed themselves to strengthening global...

Philippines' President made a statement on the Maguindanao massacre

more The gruesome killings in Maguindanao constitute a most heinous crime. What makes it particularly so is the fact that it counts among its victims, lawyers, media reporters, and other defenseless and innocent civilians. Like many others. I am appalled...

Indian PM made a statement prior to his departure for USA

more India attaches high priority to its relations with the USA. Our bilateral agenda covers almost all areas of human endeavour. The United States is our largest trading partner in goods and services, and we have deep economic ties. There is a large Indian American...

New resolutions condemned Burma and DPRK on human rights

more The international community has decisively condemned abusive human rights records in Burma and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. On 19 November 2009 the 192-member United Nations General Assembly Third Committee adopted two tough...

A new era has begun in partnership between U.S. and India

more It is no coincidence that the first state visit in the Obama Presidency will come from India, and Prime Minister Singh will arrive in Washington next week at a moment of great opportunity. Few relationships will matter more to the course of human...

President Obama of the United States and President Hu of China met in Beijing

more President Hu: (As translated.) Your Excellency President Obama, and dear friends from the news media, ladies and gentlemen: I'm very happy to meet our friends from the press and media. To begin with, I would like to extend on behalf of the Chinese government...

U.S. President Barack Obama's tour in Asia: APEC, Japan, China

more Now, the U.S.-Japan alliance, looking at it from the security front, naturally we have to cooperate in proliferation deterrence, on information protection, missile defense, and the use of other states amongst others. We need to consider these new systems for issuing security...

Australia providing USD 1 million to boost regional integration

more Australia will contribute USD 1 million to the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) to strengthen research on regional economic integration. The funding will focus on the Institute’s research into the important structural reforms needed to rebalance Asia’s growth away from exports and...

Indian official gave insight into the upcoming EU–India summit

more With a population of 1.1 billion, India is one of the largest nations in the world and the world’s largest democracy. With a rapidly growing economy, an awareness of climate change and the challenges of global warming, and as an important player in the region, India is a major cooperation partner for the EU...

Interview of Chinese DFM He Yafei on Asia-Pacific Policy

more During the visit, Vice Premier Li will have meetings and talks with Governor General Quentin Bryce, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and other Australian leaders. In addition to Canberra, he will also visit Sydney and Brisbane, where he will meet leaders of the two states of New South Wales...

Russian-Japanese Consultations took place in Tokyo

more On October 27, Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexei Borodavkin held in Tokyo with Japanese Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Kenichiro Sasae a regular round of Russian-Japanese inter-MFA consultations on issues in bilateral relations and on topical regional and global problems. Given the recent...

The US, Taiwan, China relationship has improved significantly

more On August 20, 2009, the National Strategy Forum and TECO In Chicago hosted Taiwan’s Representative to the United States, Ambassador Jason C. Yuan, where he addressed the audience on the topic of Taiwan-US-PRC Relations. The US-Taiwan-PRC relationship has improved significantly since May 2008. Under the previous...

PM Kevin Rudd on Australia-China Relations: A Long-Term View

more It is hard to imagine a more appropriate host for a speech on Australia-China relations than the ANU’s China Institute. The Institute makes an outstanding contribution to Australia’s scholarship on China and the promotion of Sino-Australian academic links. My subject today is the Australia-China relationship, a subject of great interest...

Hu Jintao held Telephone Conversation with Barack Obama

more On the morning of October 21, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, exchanged views on bilateral ties and climate change during a phone conversation. Obama said he was very glad to meet President Hu in New York and Pittsburgh in September. He expressed appreciation over China's contribution...

Indian PM’s on Climate Change: Technology Development & Transfer

more “I am very pleased to be here in your midst today to inaugurate this very important Conference. I extend a very warm welcome to His Excellency President Nasheed of the Maldives. Mr. President, you are a respected friend of our country and an untiring champion of global cooperation to address this formidable challenge of climate change...

South Korean President's diplomatic endeavors bear fruit

more - Gates called on South Korea to expand security role President Lee Myung-bak has strenuously pursued "pragmatic diplomacy" ever since he took office last year, and such endeavors are proving successful. Korea's hosting of the Group of Twenty (G20) summit slated for November 2010 can be called one of the major achievements...

Offensive in north-west Pakistan could uproot 170,000 people

more United Nations agencies and their partners are providing assistance in north-west Pakistan, where the Government estimates that over 100,000 people have already been displaced...

8th SCO Prime Ministers' meeting held in Beijing chaired by Jiabao

more The eighth prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states was held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 14, 2009. The meeting was chaired by Chinese Premier Wen...

The Russo-Chinese 14th Regular Meeting was held in Beijing

more On October 13, 2009, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held the 14th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian...