BEIJING BEGINS NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS WITH PROMISES OF ASSISTANCE FOR RURAL POOR In accordance with President Hu Jintao’s commitment toward creating a “harmonious society” (hexie shehui) within China, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao unveiled a new series of measures that would provide medical, agricultural and social... MORE

U.S. AND JAPAN’S ISLAND CHAIN POLICIES CRITICAL TO TAIWAN’S DEFENSE In a recent report assessing the future missions of the four Keelung (Kidd) class destroyers that were recently commissioned into the Taiwanese Navy, Chien-tuan K’o chi (Defense Technology Monthly) senior editor Chang Li-teh argued that... MORE

U.S. AND JAPAN’S ISLAND CHAIN POLICIES CRITICAL TO TAIWAN’S DEFENSE In a recent report assessing the future missions of the four Keelung (Kidd) class destroyers that were recently commissioned into the Taiwanese Navy, Chien-tuan K’o chi (Defense Technology Monthly) senior editor Chang Li-teh argued that... MORE

CHINESE HEALTH AUTHORITIES PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL SARS AND AVIAN FLU OUTBREAKS As warmer weather begins to arrive in southeastern China, provincial and local authorities have begun to undertake a number of additional measures to prepare for potential SARS and avian influenza epidemics. On January 9,... MORE

CHINESE HEALTH AUTHORITIES PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL SARS AND AVIAN FLU OUTBREAKS As warmer weather begins to arrive in southeastern China, provincial and local authorities have begun to undertake a number of additional measures to prepare for potential SARS and avian influenza epidemics. On January 9,... MORE

VARYING REGIONAL REACTIONS TO CHINA’S ASAT MISSILE TEST Following the revelation of China’s anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test conducted on January 11, reactions by leading government officials and media outlets throughout Asia have been mixed. The strongest criticism of the test came from Japanese Prime Minister... MORE

VARYING REGIONAL REACTIONS TO CHINA’S ASAT MISSILE TEST Following the revelation of China’s anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test conducted on January 11, reactions by leading government officials and media outlets throughout Asia have been mixed. The strongest criticism of the test came from Japanese Prime Minister... MORE

BEIJING ENACTS DISCIPLINARY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES AT PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL LEVEL Beijing is increasingly worried that the large number of “mass incidents”—some 86,000 in 2005—may destabilize the country and threaten its ability to govern. In addition to the deployment of 80% of its police force... MORE

BEIJING ENACTS DISCIPLINARY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES AT PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL LEVEL Beijing is increasingly worried that the large number of “mass incidents”—some 86,000 in 2005—may destabilize the country and threaten its ability to govern. In addition to the deployment of 80% of its police force... MORE

CHINA AND PAKISTAN CONDUCT JOINT ANTI-TERROR TRAINING EXERCISES On December 18, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Pakistani Army concluded an eight-day exercise of “joint-terror operations in mountainous terrain” that was held in Abbottabad, northern Pakistan. The exercises, codenamed “Friendship 2006,” were held in... MORE