China to reimpose ban on Japanese seafood imports amid row over Taiwan, reports say
China will reimpose a ban on imports of Japanese seafood products, media reports said Wednesday, as the diplomatic row over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent comments on Taiwan escalated and officials girded for a prolonged dispute. The ban would effectively be a return to one put in place in August 2023, following Japan’s release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. Tokyo and Beijing reached an agreement in September last year to resume im
Mainland spokesperson calls on Taiwan compatriots to recognize harmful nature of Japan's actions
A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday called on compatriots in Taiwan to recognize the dangers and harmful nature of Japan's related actions, stand together to resolutely crush all separatist activities aimed at "Taiwan independence" and foreign interference, and safeguard the shared homeland of the Chinese nation. Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular press conference that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's rec
Despite Costly Programs and an Intensified Family Values Campaign, Russian Women Aren’t Having More Children
Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin said that “support for families” and stimulating birth rates were “the most important” of all of Russia’s national projects and strategic plans. “Fatherhood and motherhood are happiness, and happiness should not be postponed,” Putin said at a meeting of the presidential council on Russia’s demographics. Russian officials, who have repeatedly described its demographics and “very low” birth rate as a serious concern, are intensify
Takaichi and Xi reaffirm pledge in first meet to pursue ‘mutually beneficial’ ties
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi allayed fears she would take a more hawkish approach to Beijing in her first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, conveying instead her will to “deepen their personal relationship” and promote a “mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.” The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the city of Gyeongju in South Korea on Friday as part of efforts to reassure each
President Xi Jinping urges APEC members to safeguard multilateral trading system
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called on members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system. "We must practice true multilateralism, and enhance the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core," Xi said while addressing the first session of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea (ROK). The Chinese president put
Russian Central Bank Cuts Key Rate to 16.5% as Economy Slows
The Russian Central Bank on Friday announced that it was cutting the key interest rate to 16.5%, down half a percentage point from 17%. The quarter-point reduction marks the fourth consecutive rate cut since June, when the bank began easing policy from a wartime peak of 21%. Analysts were split ahead of the decision. Most expected the bank to hold or cut more aggressively — underscoring uncertainty over how long tight monetary conditions can coexist with slowing output a
Takaichi to make diplomatic debut at ASEAN summit in Malaysia
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office Tuesday, departed for Kuala Lumpur on Saturday as she makes her diplomatic debut during meetings related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations over the weekend. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives for an extraordinary session of parliament in Tokyo on Friday Takaichi will emphasize the importance of Japan's "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP) initiative as well as free trade, aiming to demonstrate Tokyo's presence in th
4th plenum in foreign media: Policy continuity, tech self-reliance, boosting domestic demand
Major international media outlets have provided extensive coverage of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, along with the communique issued at the conclusion of the session on Thursday. The reports of foreign media focused on several key aspects of the communique, emphasizing the continuity and stability of the policies, the prioritization of technological self-reliance, and the drive to boost domestic consumption as key co
Two killed after cargo plane veers off runway while landing in Hong Kong
A cargo aircraft skidded off a Hong Kong runway and collided with a security patrol car before both fell into the sea early Monday, killing the two people in the car, authorities said. The plane's four crew members were unhurt. The Boeing 747, flown by Turkey-based ACT Airlines, was landing at Hong Kong International Airport around 3:50 a.m. on arrival from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The aircraft was being operated under lease by Emirates, a long-haul carrier based in Dubai
CA urges IFAD to create social business fund for young agri-entrepreneurs in Bangladesh
Dr. Yunus made the proposal during a meeting with IFAD President Alvaro Lario on the sidelines of the World Food Forum in Rome, Italy. Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Sunday (October 12) urged the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to establish a social business fund aimed at supporting young agricultural entrepreneurs, women, farmers, and food processors in Bangladesh. Dr. Yunus made the proposal during a meeting with IFAD President Alvaro Lario on th
