Fewer Filipinos back gov’t moves in South China Sea
The latest SWS survey shows at least 80% of Filipinos have been concerned that the South China Sea dispute could escalate into a full-blown conflict with China and blame incompetence of President Benigno Aquino government for resolving it diplomatically.
Quid Pro Quo: 300 Japanese Factories Relocate to Philippines as Aquino agrees US, Japan...
The Philippine constitution explicitly bans all “foreign military bases, troops, or facilities” as it also causing environmental havoc, but is being cynically circumvented by having the Aquino government maintain the base facilities, at which the foreign troops are stationed as so-called “guests” because US and Japan is one of Manila's biggest trading partners and financial aid donors. The new US-Japan-Philippine security alliance "coincides" with 300 Japanese manufacturing companies operating in China and Japan to relocate to the Philippines.
‘War inevitable’ unless US backs down: China state paper
A war between the United States and China is “inevitable” unless Washington stops demanding Beijing halt its construction projects in the South China Sea, a Chinese state-owned newspaper warns.
Malaysia confirms discovery of mass migrant graves
Malaysia Home Minister expresses shock at discovery of gravesites near 17 human trafficking camps along border with Thailand.
Japanese protest against new US military base plan
Thousands of demonstrators formed a human chain around Japan's parliament in Tokyo, protesting on the planned construction of a new US airbase on the southern island of Okinawa.
Thailand rejects US offer to help in boat people crisis
US requested that its surveillance aircraft remain on Phuket island to help provide aid to Bangladeshi, Muslim Rohingya migrants.
France’s Hollande seeks climate change ‘alliance’ with Philippines
French President Francois Hollande called for a climate change “alliance” with the Philippines that could spur similar co-operation between rich and poor nations at a crucial UN summit.
Corrupt officials sought sniper kills of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Wang Qishan: Boxun
President Xi Jinping of China and his top graft-buster Wang Qishan may be targeted by assassination attempts from corrupt officials who have been allegedly buying high-powered sniper rifles from the United States.
Copper Tells You What’s Happening in China and the World
When copper starts to bottom, it clearly reflects growth in China and the world.
China’s SGE January gold withdrawals record 255 tonnes
Another 53.7 tonnes of gold withdrawn from the Shanghai Gold Exchange in the final week of January. Chinese gold consumption is far, far higher than the estimates supplied by mainstream analysts and it may not be being taken that seriously by the institutional market but after the latest U.S. jobs data we think that the U.S. Fed will start raising interest rates by the middle of the year.
This Year’s Thailand Water Reservoirs Will Be One of the Worst In Nearly 20...
The water-retention situation in Thailand's reservoirs are at its worst in the last 15 years, despite the Royal Irrigation Department's assurance that the remaining water will be enough for public consumption throughout the year if it is managed efficiently.
India Plans Smart Cities for ‘Harmonious Living With Nature’
India’s Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu expressed serious concern over rising air pollution and deteriorating sanitation in urban areas impacting quality of urban life and called for reorientation of urban design and planning approaches to promote such a harmony.
