East Asia
China arrests 12 in Tianjin explosion
Chinese authorities arrested 12 individuals for illegally storing dangerous materials that led to the Tianjin warehouse explosions, which killed at least 139 people.
Tag: China
Planet Watch
Obama pursues nuclear ‘modernization’ —not disarmament
Despite early pledges to seek a nuclear-free world, Obama is launching a "modernization" of the US arsenal that actually makes atomic war more likely.
East Asia
Taiwan: protesters occupy Education Ministry
Student protesters are occupying the Education Ministry grounds in Taipei to demand an end to planned textbook revisions that emphasize the "One China" view of history.
Inner Asia
China releases imprisoned Tibetan nomad
A Tibetan nomad imprisoned eight years for calling for the return of the Dalai Lama was released, but his home county is tense over the death in custody of an activist monk.
East Asia
China allows first pollution suit under new law
A court in China ruled that a lawsuit against ConocoPhillips China and China National Offshore Oil for a 2011 oil spill can proceed under a new law allowing NGOs to directly sue polluters.
East Asia
Protests as Japan moves toward remilitarization
Despite a massive nationwide protest campaign, the ruling bloc in the Diet's lower house pushed through a law "reinterpreting" Japan's constitution to allow combat missions.
East Asia
China detains human rights lawyers
At least five Chinese attorneys from a human rights law firm were detained after being accused of running a criminal syndicate and smear campaign against the Communist Party.
Inner Asia
Thailand deports over 100 Uighurs to China
Protesters attacked the Thai consulate in Istanbul as Bangkok deported 109 Uighurs back to China despite international warnings that they could face persecution and torture.
Afghanistan
Chinese mine threatens Afghan Buddhist site
Archaeologists are racing against time to salvage artifacts from the 5,000-year-old Mes Aynak site in Afghanistan's Logar province before it is destroyed by an open-pit copper mine.
Southeast Asia
Vietnam tilts to US in Pacific ‘Great Game’
Vietnam's paramount leader Nguyen Phu Trong meets with Obama at the White House, as the US and China play a dangerous game of chicken over disputed islands.
East Asia
China adopts new national security law
China's top legislature, the NPC Standing Committee, adopted a controversial new National Security Law that increases cyber security powers and "ideological control over the public."
Inner Asia
Xinjiang: Ramadan terror and repression
Up to 28 were killed in an attack on a police checkpoint in Xinjiang, as Chinese authorities take measures to discourage observance of Ramadan in the mostly Muslim region.