Headlines
As the Philippines marks the 10th anniversary of an arbitration ruling it won against China in the disputed South China Sea this weekend, analysts told Radio Free Asia that Manila should counter Beijing’s continued aggression in the disputed area through diplomatic means, while Philippine military officials called for deterrence with the help of allies.
When Taiwan’s military in early June unveiled robot dogs designed to patrol remote South China Sea outposts, it was more than a showcase of a new novelty. It was a signal that militaries around the entire region are shifting towards unmanned technologies, observers told Radio Free Asia.
With Taiwan hoping for swift delivery of a US$14 billion weapons sale approved by the U.S. Congress in January, a U.S. official said last week in a Senate hearing that foreign military sales are on pause to protect munitions stockpiles as conflict in Iran continues.
A rare visit by Taiwan’s coast guard minister to Taiping Island is part of Taipei’s strategy to assert its claim over the disputed South China Sea outpost and a move taken right out of Beijing’s “gray zone” playbook, analysts told Radio Free Asia.
The app makers call it a “war saga” where gamers can choose a rebel faction from Hong Kong, Taiwan and even Tibet and then play at fighting Chinese communist forces – or if they choose, fight for the communist side instead.
Police in northwestern China are cracking down on writers of online erotic fiction across the country, including many college students,according to RFA sources and media reports, amid concern that officers are punishing people outside their jurisdiction.
A deadly typhoon strikes Taiwan and the Philippines. Following protests, factories and businesses in Bangladesh reopen. Security concerns are raised by more North Korean trash balloons.Endengered Turtles in Cambodia.
Exercises are conducted in the South China Sea by China, Russia, the US, and the Philippines.Taiwan says it will commit to bolstering own defenses. Thailand authorities investigate hotel poisoning deaths. Rare whale washes ashore in New Zealand.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping concludes Europe visits.Joiint military exercises between the US and the Philippines called Balikatan.Taiwan debates demolishing the statues of Chiang Kai-shek.The biggest heavy metal music festival in Southeast Asia.
Taiwan is seeking to fill its high-tech manpower shortage by looking to Southeast Asia as a pipeline. The number of international students studying on the island has been rising, particularly from Indonesia and Vietnam.