Asia news

• US wades into spat between China and Lithuania over Taiwanese office

  20-01-2022 23:31 via ft.com
  Diplomats suggest changing name of de facto embassy in Vilnius to ease Chinese pressure on Baltic state
  
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• Backlash over Hong Kong’s hamster cull shows dissent is still simmering

  20-01-2022 18:23 via ft.com
  The zero-Covid policy seemed relatively uncontroversial with locals until the recent crackdown on pets
  
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• Kingdom of Characters — when China got lost in transliteration

  20-01-2022 17:31 via ft.com
  Jing Tsu’s fascinating history reveals how traditional Chinese script was a hindrance to progress in an age of globalisation
  
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• Evergrande bondholders warn of legal action over ‘lack of engagement’

  20-01-2022 17:20 via theguardian.com
  
  The group said it hoped going public would prompt action from the heavily indebted property developer A group of international bondholders in embattled Chinese property developer Evergrande have hired an offshore law firm and warned of legal action if the company continues to refuse to “substantive engagement” over its finances and restructuring plans.The group of unnamed bondholders, which describe themselves in a statement as “large and reputable international investors with
  
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• China needs a new growth model, but that requires serious reform

  20-01-2022 13:00 via ft.com
  The government must clearly define its role in the economy and financial markets
  
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• Beijing Winter Olympics: Why are they controversial?

  20-01-2022 12:58 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Winter Olympics host China is being criticised over its human rights record.
  
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• China warns US after tracking warship in South China Sea

  20-01-2022 11:50 via theguardian.com
  
  People’s Liberation Army says USS Benfold ‘illegally entered’ Chinese watersThe Chinese military has said it tracked a US warship that sailed through disputed waters in the South China Sea, accusing it of “provocative actions” and warning of “serious consequences”.The US Navy said its mission was in accordance with international law and in line with its commitment to defend “every nation’s right to fly, sail, and operate wherever internationa
  
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• China warns of ‘serious consequences’ after tracking US warship

  20-01-2022 11:50 via theguardian.com
  
  People’s Liberation Army spokesman says USS Benfold ‘illegally entered’ Chinese watersThe Chinese military has said it tracked a US warship that sailed through disputed waters in the South China Sea, accusing it of “provocative actions” and warning of “serious consequences”.The US Navy said its mission was in accordance with international law and in line with its commitment to defend “every nation’s right to fly, sail, and operate wherever in
  
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• European shares waver as traders contemplate monetary policy direction

  20-01-2022 10:27 via ft.com
  Moves follow swings on Wall Street overnight, with the Nasdaq Composite closing in correction territory
  
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• Evergrande offshore bondholders warn of legal action over lack of engagement

  20-01-2022 10:07 via ft.com
  Investors complain of ‘opaque decision-making’ at heavily indebted Chinese property group
  
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• Property shares in Hong Kong jump after China cuts key mortgage rate

  20-01-2022 10:03 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The central bank's move comes as concerns grow about a slowdown in the world's second largest economy.
  
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• Tonga: First foreign aid planes arrive bearing crucial supplies

  20-01-2022 09:58 via bbc.co.uk
  
  It comes after the Pacific nation was left devastated by a volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami.
  
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• European and Asian stocks rise after China cuts lending rates

  20-01-2022 09:25 via ft.com
  Moves follow swings on Wall Street overnight, with the Nasdaq Composite closing in correction territory
  
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• China cuts mortgage lending rate for first time in two years

  20-01-2022 07:26 via ft.com
  Beijing introduces measure amid property sector liquidity crisis and consumption slowdown
  
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• ‘Absolutely amazing’: Tongan man swept away by tsunami stayed afloat for 24 hours

  20-01-2022 07:12 via theguardian.com
  
  Lisala Folau climbed a tree on his home island before being washed away and eventually managing to reach the capitalThe story of a Tongan man washed away by the tsunami and who drifted and swam between islands for more than 24 hours has become one of the first to emerge from the island nation, five days after the disaster cut off communications between it and the rest of the world.Lisala Folau, a retired disabled carpenter, told Tongan radio station Broadcom FM that he swam and floated from his
  
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• As Omicron rages around the world, Ardern deploys an old tactic - delay

  20-01-2022 06:48 via theguardian.com
  
  Jacinda Ardern says Omicron is ‘knocking at our door’ as the prime minister faces criticism over gaps in preparations for a Covid wave Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageIn her first press conference of the year, held outside in the central North Island sun, prime minister Jacinda Ardern was almost drowned out by a wave of cicada calls.The clamour is synonymous with New Zealand summertime, a reminder that the country had managed to snatch a long, hot, l
  
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• No ‘fire and fury’ yet, but a game of nuclear brinkmanship with North Korea looms

  20-01-2022 06:20 via theguardian.com
  
  Analysis: Kim Jong-un’s pressure on Joe Biden has so far elicited only fresh sanctions. Pyongyang has now signalled it may resume nuclear and ICBM testsNorth Korea has already conducted four test launches of ballistic missiles this year, but they could be a mere precursor to more serious provocations, as Kim Jong-un’s regime attempts to break the nuclear stalemate with the US.Superficially, the recent tests were a reminder of the North’s ability to manufacture more sophisticate
  
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• Singapore’s largest ETFs to be excluded from China connect scheme

  20-01-2022 06:05 via ft.com
  
  Focus will initially be on equities ETFs, rather than the popular Asia high yield and Reit products
  
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• Moscow’s ‘Fortress Russia’ strategy

  20-01-2022 06:00 via ft.com
  
  US banks are happy about higher interest rates but warned of more spending on pay and tech
  
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• India fears Covid superspreader events as states prepare for elections

  20-01-2022 06:00 via ft.com
  Regional polls will prove latest test of country’s pandemic resilience
  
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• Attack on Abu Dhabi risks upsetting a cautious detente in the Gulf

  20-01-2022 06:00 via ft.com
  The drone hit shows how Yemen is starting to resemble Syria as a conflict able to radiate mayhem beyond its borders
  
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• New photos show Tonga tsunami devastation as first aid plane arrives from New Zealand

  20-01-2022 05:24 via theguardian.com
  
  First aid supplies have arrived in Tonga amid fears over contaminated water sources after volcano eruptionFresh pictures of the devastation in Tonga have emerged five days after an enormous volcano eruption and subsequent tsunami cut off contact with the outside world, as the first plane carrying international aid landed.A series of photos tweeted by the Tongan consulate late on Wednesday show trees and buildings flattened and covered in ash. Others show debris piled up outside homes and damaged
  
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• Kazakhstan crisis challenges Beijing’s reticence to interfere abroad

  20-01-2022 02:00 via ft.com
  China’s growing influence in the world is making it more difficult to simply step aside
  
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• New photos show Tonga tsunami devastation as some phone lines restored

  20-01-2022 01:42 via theguardian.com
  
  First aid supplies are set to arrive in Tonga amid fears over contaminated water sources after volcano eruptionFresh pictures of the devastation in Tonga have emerged as some phone services are reestablished five days after an enormous volcano eruption and subsequent tsunami cut off contact with the outside world.A series of photos tweeted by the Tongan consulate late on Wednesday show trees and buildings flattened and covered in ash. Others show debris piled up outside homes and damaged vehicle
  
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• Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati: Who is the arrested Hindu priest?

  20-01-2022 01:16 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati is a polarising figure who has often made headlines for anti-Muslim rhetoric.
  
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• Hong Kong residents hire private jets to take their pets out of isolated city

  20-01-2022 01:01 via ft.com
  Owners leaving territory pay up to $27,000 for chartered flights as Covid rules limit commercial services
  
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• Hong Kong residents hire private jets to get their pets out of isolated city

  20-01-2022 01:01 via ft.com
  Owners leaving territory pay up to $27,000 for chartered flights as Covid rules limit commercial services
  
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• Departing Hong Kong residents turn to private jets to get pets out of city

  20-01-2022 01:01 via ft.com
  Owners pay up to $27,000 for chartered flights as Covid rules limit commercial airline services
  
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• Departing Hong Kong residents fly their pets out of city on private jets

  20-01-2022 01:01 via ft.com
  Owners pay up to $27,000 for chartered flights as Covid rules limit commercial airline services
  
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