Asia
Hospital fire in southern India kills 10 COVID-19 patients
By Arun Kumar, 12 August 2020
With the pandemic spreading rapidly in the country, the circumstances of the fire point to criminal negligence on the part of governments and hotel and hospital authorities.
Philippines not to join wargames in the South China Sea
By Joseph Santolan, 11 August 2020
Duterte’s announcement that the Philippines will not participate in US naval exercises in the disputed waters comes amid a dramatic escalation of Washington’s preparations for war with China.
Rising popular anger over Nepali government’s response to COVID-19
By Rohantha De Silva, 10 August 2020
The Kathmandu government has reacted to youth protests over its failure to contain the coronavirus pandemic by arresting demonstrators.
President Trump signs executive orders banning Chinese social media apps TikTok and WeChat
By Kevin Reed, 8 August 2020
On Thursday, the US president signed two executive orders that will ban the operation of TikTok and WeChat in the US unless they are acquired by US-based companies within 45 days.
US moves to delist Chinese companies from stock exchanges
By Nick Beams, 8 August 2020
The move has been couched in terms of protecting “investor safety,” but it is another component of the economic warfare being carried out by Washington.
Former Australian PM: Beware the Guns of August in Asia
By Peter Symonds, 8 August 2020
Kevin Rudd argues that the danger of war between the US and China is greater than at any time since the 1950s and warns the risk “will be especially high” in the lead-up to the US presidential election.
Indian railway and Sri Lankan port workers oppose privatisation; Australian supermarket warehouse employees stop work over COVID-19 infection
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
8 August 2020
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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna wins election setting the stage for an eruption of working-class struggles
By K. Ratnayake, 7 August 2020
While President Rajapakse hopes that an absolute parliamentary majority and new dictatorial measures will allow him to take on the working class, the eruption of militant struggles will assume revolutionary proportions.
War crimes in Afghanistan covered up by UK Ministry of Defence
By Jean Shaoul, 6 August 2020
Documents, written by SAS officers and military personnel, provide evidence of war crimes.
75 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
By Bill Van Auken, 6 August 2020
The anniversary’s significance has never been greater. Behind the backs of the people of the United States and the world, US imperialism is steadily building up a massive nuclear arsenal and pursuing a doctrine of aggressive nuclear war.
Sri Lankan Trotskyists hold final online election meeting
By our correspondents, 6 August 2020
The Socialist Equality Party held its last meeting on August 2, after a determined election campaign that reached key sections of the Sri Lankan working class and youth.
US imposes new sanctions on China over alleged Uyghur abuses
By Peter Symonds, 5 August 2020
US propaganda now includes allegations of Uyghur “genocide,” based on sensational accounts of forced birth control and the sterilization of Uyghur women in Xinjiang province.
White House engineering a takeover of TikTok by Microsoft
By Kevin Reed, 3 August 2020
Under the White House’s direction, Microsoft is preparing to acquire the video-sharing app TikTok in a forced-divestiture from its China-based company ByteDance.
Hong Kong delays legislative elections amid crackdown on democratic rights
By Ben McGrath, 3 August 2020
Beijing is driven above all by fears that renewed protests in Hong Kong could spread to the mainland.
Vietnam struggles to contain rapid resurgence of COVID-19
By Owen Howell, 3 August 2020
After three months of no confirmed cases, Vietnam is witnessing a nationwide spread of the virus due to a new outbreak in the city of Da Nang.
Vote for SEP candidates in the Sri Lankan national elections! Fight for a workers’ and peasants’ government and socialist internationalism!
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 3 August 2020
The SEP is the only party in the elections advancing an international socialist program to fight the crisis created by COVID-19, defend democratic rights and oppose imperialist war.
COVID-19 infections rapidly spread across Bangladesh
By Rohantha De Silva, 1 August 2020
The worsening coronavirus crisis in Bangladesh is a direct result of inadequate public health spending by successive governments.
Sri Lankan SEP to hold online meeting to conclude its election campaign
1 August 2020
The SEP is the only party fighting for an international socialist perspective against deepening social inequality, the danger of imperialist war and the threat of dictatorship.
India: Punjab health workers strike for permanent jobs; Asahi auto glass-making workers strike in Chennai; Woolworths Distribution Centre workers locked out in Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
1 August 2020
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Japan raising tensions with Beijing in the East China Sea
By Ben McGrath, 31 July 2020
The US and Japan bear primary responsibility for upending the status quo in the East China Sea and fueling the dangerous stand-off over the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.
New Zealand suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong
By John Braddock, 31 July 2020
The diplomatic rift, underpinned by a domestic anti-China propaganda campaign, echoes Washington’s increasingly aggressive operations against Beijing.
US adopts policy of regime-change in Beijing
By Peter Symonds, 29 July 2020
By declaring the defeat of Chinese “tyranny” the aim of American foreign policy, the Trump administration has greatly intensified confrontation with China, with an all-but explicit call for regime-change.
US secretary of state sets out case for conflict with China
By Peter Symonds, 25 July 2020
By ruling out a return to the policy of “containment,” Pompeo’s speech marks a strategy aimed at regime change in Beijing.
US demands even greater support from Australia in confrontation with China
By Mike Head, 25 July 2020
Despite the intensifying COVID-19 danger in the US, Australia’s foreign and defence ministers will personally attend the annual AUSMIN talks in Washington next week.
SEP election campaign in Sri Lanka: Workers denounce establishment parties
By our reporters, 25 July 2020
Over the past weeks, SEP campaigners have discussed with workers and youth the need to politically fight on the basis of a socialist program.
Indian health workers protest over COVID-19 treatment discrimination and wages; Western Australian caterers and cleaners strike on offshore gas platforms
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
25 July 2020
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South Asian floods kill hundreds and displace millions
By Arun Kumar, 24 July 2020
The flooding comes as Indian and Bangladeshi residents were attempting to recover from Cyclone Amphan, which destroyed or damaged 260,000 houses in May.
Sosyalist Eşitlik condemns threats against Şiar Rişvanoğlu
By Sosyalist Eşitlik, 24 July 2020
This attack is part of a drive by Turkish state and paramilitary forces to intimidate all expressions of opposition.
Letter from a student in China on the COVID-19 pandemic
By a correspondent, 22 July 2020
“People are worried that on top of the hardship they have already gone through, they would face more unknown, long-term, and negative consequences from the pandemic.”
COVID-19 cases surging again in Japan
By Ben McGrath, 22 July 2020
As during the earlier stages of the pandemic, the government is refusing to make the necessary resources available to properly protect people and their livelihoods.
Sri Lankan SEP election meeting discusses working-class response to COVID-19 pandemic
By our correspondents, 22 July 2020
More than 2,000 people—in Sri Lanka and internationally—have watched SEP’s online event, posting comments and questions about the party’s program.
Driver plunges bus into a Chinese reservoir, killing 21
By Lily Zhao, 20 July 2020
The tragedy is a product of the social crisis confronting millions of workers throughout the country.
US escalates economic warfare against Russia and China
By Nick Beams, 18 July 2020
After securing a decision by the UK government to ban the Chinese firm Huawei from its 5G rollout, the US is pressuring the Merkel government in Germany to take the same decision.
US moving to ban China-based TikTok social media app
By Kevin Reed, 18 July 2020
There is bipartisan support in Congress for the Trump administration’s aggressive efforts against the Chinese app.
India: Over 40,000 Karnataka health workers begin indefinite state-wide strike; Pakistani doctors protest and Sri Lanka nurses demand overtime pay
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
18 July 2020
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As India approaches 1 million COVID-19 cases, Modi government continues to deny community transmission
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 17 July 2020
The absurd claim that India is not experiencing significant community transmission is part of the government’s reckless back-to-work drive and its criminal “herd immunity” policy.
Tamil National Alliance offers to support Sri Lankan president’s autocratic rule
By Paramu Thirugnanasambanthar—lead SEP candidate for Jaffna district, 17 July 2020
The TNA is offering to support Rajapakse’s moves to dictatorial forms of rule as long as he makes concessions, no matter how small, to the interests of the venal Tamil elites.
US secretary of state denounces China over South China Sea
By Peter Symonds, 15 July 2020
The Trump administration formally adopts the 2016 Hague ruling against Chinese claims in the sensitive, strategic waters, as it ramps up US naval provocations there.
UNICEF report: COVID-19 exacerbating hunger and other maladies facing South Asia’s children
By Naveen Dewage, 15 July 2020
According to the UNICEF report, close to 1 million more South Asian children could die in the coming year due to lack of access to food, vaccines, and timely medical care.
Indonesia records over 1,000 COVID-19 cases every day for three weeks
By Owen Howell, 14 July 2020
The government’s aggressive back-to-work policy has accelerated the spread of the virus.
India: Airport workers in Kerala oppose sackings; Telangana private school teachers hold state-wide demonstrations
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
11 July 2020
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Neyveli Thermal plant explosion in southern India kills 13 workers
By Arun Kumar, 10 July 2020
The explosion at the government-owned mine and power plant is a result of the corporation’s refusal to replace outdated and dangerous facilities and equipment.
Surge in infections gives India third highest COVID-19 cases worldwide
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 9 July 2020
The surge is a direct result of the Modi government’s homicidal “herd immunity” policy, which prioritizes the profit interests of big business over the lives of workers and their families.
Letters demand Sri Lankan defence secretary stop military harassment of SEP candidates
By our correspondents, 9 July 2020
This campaign is part of broader struggle to defend the democratic rights of all working people against dictatorial measures.
UK set to ban Huawei from 5G network
By Nick Beams, 8 July 2020
The key factor in the decision was the move by the Trump administration in May to ban the use of US software in Huawei’s operating systems.
India takes economic reprisals against China as border frictions continue
By Deepal Jayasekera and Keith Jones, 8 July 2020
Although several rounds of talks have been held, both New Delhi and Beijing continue to maintain an enhanced military presence along their disputed border.
Duterte signs draconian anti-terrorism law in the Philippines
By Joseph Santolan, 8 July 2020
The new law authorizes surveillance and arrests without warrant of anyone the administration terms ‘a terrorist’
US war drive against China accelerates
By Peter Symonds, 8 July 2020
Confronting crisis at home, with growing opposition among workers to the reckless back-to-work drive, Trump is seeking to divert these immense social tensions outward at an external enemy.
Two US aircraft carriers in war games in South China Sea
By Peter Symonds, 6 July 2020
The “high-end” exercises sought to test US naval capabilities in a conflict with China involving both offensive operations using war planes and the defence of the ships from any counter-attack.
More than 170 killed in accident at Myanmar jade mine
By Oscar Grenfell, 6 July 2020
The disaster has highlighted the perilous conditions confronting oppressed miners in the industry, which provides large profits to sections of the country’s military-dominated regime.
Vote SEP in the Sri Lankan general election
Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka) to hold second online election rally
6 July 2020
The SEP’s online meeting will discuss critical political developments in Sri Lanka and internationally and the tasks facing the working class.
Pandemic spirals out of control in South Africa, India, Brazil
By Bryan Dyne, 4 July 2020
The official tallies in each country of daily confirmed coronavirus cases have become exponential, indicating that whatever containment measures were implemented to halt the spread of the virus have essentially collapsed.
Australian government seeks to place country on war footing
By Mike Head, 4 July 2020
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has identified the Indo-Pacific as the likely arena for another world war, directed against China.
Sri Lankan president orders Central Bank to give more credit to big business
By Saman Gunadasa, 4 July 2020
While providing huge financial concessions to the banks and big business, the government is imposing greater economic burdens on workers and the poor.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
4 July 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
COVID-19 danger persists in South Korea
By Ben McGrath, 3 July 2020
The inability of Seoul to fully address the pandemic is a result of keeping workers on the job and businesses open.
Hundreds of thousands of Indian coal miners launch three-day strike against privatisation
By Arun Kumar, 3 July 2020
Facing an economic crisis that has been greatly exacerbated by the pandemic and the ruling elite’s selfish class response, the Modi government is pushing through a “quantum jump” in pro-investor “reforms.”
US anti-China campaign intensifies factional conflicts within Canada’s ruling elite
By Roger Jordan, 3 July 2020
Terming China “a real threat to Canada,” former Tory Prime Minister Brian Mulroney has called for the striking of a “blue-ribbon” committee to redefine Canada’s China policy.
British government ramps up campaign against China
By Jean Shaoul, 3 July 2020
The Tories’ aim is to open another front in US imperialism’s economic, diplomatic, and military-strategic offensive that threatens military war against the world’s second largest economy.
Pandemic rages across South Asia as total cases near 1 million
By our correspondents, 1 July 2020
The governments of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are rushing to “reopen” their economies even as COVID-19 cases and deaths are growing exponentially.
Reopening in the Philippines causes coronavirus surge
By Owen Howell, 30 June 2020
While overseeing a woefully inadequate response to the pandemic, the Duterte administration is expanding police-state measures to suppress mounting discontent.
Pandemic surpasses 10 million COVID-19 cases and over 500,000 deaths globally
By Benjamin Mateus, 29 June 2020
COVID-19 cases in the United States have careened out of control, with health care systems in Texas, Florida and Arizona nearing collapse.
Indonesia passes 50,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases
By Owen Howell, 27 June 2020
Indonesia’s coronavirus crisis is accelerating disastrously, even as the government pursues its criminal plans to reopen businesses and risk workers’ lives for profit.
Indian and Pakistani health workers strike over coronavirus safety; Australia Paper maintenance workers locked out
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
27 June 2020
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Sri Lankan SEP to hold first election rally online on June 28
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 24 June 2020
The SEP meeting will discuss the crucial political developments in Sri Lanka and internationally and the tasks before the Sri Lankan working class.
India and China rush troops, weaponry to disputed border region
By Keith Jones, 22 June 2020
India has placed on the “highest alert” the 300,000 troops it has arrayed along its 3,500-kilometer border with China.
COVID-19 flares again in China
By Peter Symonds, 22 June 2020
While still relatively small, the outbreak is a warning that the highly infectious coronavirus can rapidly re-emerge if restrictions are removed.
Sri Lankan SEP holds online meeting on global protests against police murders
By Wije Dias, 22 June 2020
Wije Dias, General Secretary of the Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka, delivered the main speech at an online meeting on the global protests against the police killings and moves towards autocratic methods of rule.
US stokes India-China conflict, blames Chinese “aggression” for border clash
By Keith Jones, 20 June 2020
Senior US official David Stilwell provocatively told a press briefing that the Chinese army had “invaded” the “contested area” between India and China.
India: Bihar rural health workers demonstrate to defend jobs; Coimbatore textile workers protest over pay cuts
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
20 June 2020
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India and China remain on knife edge as war tensions continue
By Shuvu Batta and Keith Jones, 19 June 2020
While proclaiming they want to de-escalate, India and China are each demanding the other stand down and pouring additional troops and weapons into their border regions.
Australian government alleges cyber-attack to ramp-up provocations against China
By Oscar Grenfell, 19 June 2020
Prime Minister Scott Morrison failed to provide any evidence of a cyber-attack, but the media rushed to proclaim that China was responsible.
Sharp spike of coronavirus deaths in India
By Saman Gunadasa, 19 June 2020
Right-wing Prime Minister Narendra Modi has categorically ruled out a second lockdown even after India registered more than 2,000 deaths on Tuesday and over 13,000 new infections on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Dozens die in India-China border clash
By Keith Jones, 17 June 2020
It is the enmeshing of the India-China rivalry with the strategic confrontation between China and US imperialism that makes the border dispute so combustible and incendiary.
North Korea blows up liaison office to send message to Trump
By Peter Symonds, 17 June 2020
While nominally directed at Seoul, Pyongyang’s action expressed its deep frustration with the failure of the Trump administration to conduct any meaningful negotiations.
Over 1,170 COVID-19 deaths as pandemic surges in Bangladesh
By Wimal Perera, 15 June 2020
The Awami League government ignored warnings by medical experts who publicly opposed any lifting of the lockdown.
US Navy deploys three aircraft carriers to Pacific against China
By Peter Symonds, 13 June 2020
The deployments underscore the strategic shift by the Pentagon from the so-called “war on terror” to great power competition that heightens the danger of conflict between nuclear-armed powers.
India: A massive explosion in Gujarat chemical plant kills 10 workers
By Arun Kumar, 13 June 2020
The tragic loss of life and terrible injuries are a direct result of government and company indifference towards mandatory work safety measures.
India: Telangana coal mine workers strike against privatisation; Queensland hospital workers walkout over pay freeze
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
13 June 2020
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Trump confers with Modi over explosive India-China border dispute
By Shuvu Batta and Keith Jones, 8 June 2020
Intensifying the US strategic offensive against China, the Trump administration has publicly sided with India, and is goading New Delhi on in its border standoff with Beijing.
India and Australia sign military pact amid tense border conflict with China
By Mike Head, 8 June 2020
The Modi-Morrison “summit” occurred just two days after US President Trump reiterated his support for India’s confrontation with China.
More Australian war crimes exposed in Afghanistan
By Jason Quill, 6 June 2020
The exposure of Ziauddin’s killing highlights the years of coverups by successive Australian governments, both Liberal-National and Labor, of military abuses in the Middle East.
India-wide protests by military armament and power industry workers; Australian airport workers demand JobKeeper pay
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
6 June 2020
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Philippines begins lifting lockdown despite rising infection rates
By Owen Howell, 5 June 2020
President Duterte is seeking to suppress any opposition to the premature reopening through the extension of his emergency powers and a new anti-terrorism bill.
Explosion at Indian thermal power plant kills four workers
By Arun Kumar, 1 June 2020
The tragic deaths are a result of the management’s hasty moves to resume work, in line with the Modi government’s instructions to reopen the economy.
Trump escalates anti-China campaign
By Peter Symonds, 30 May 2020
US President Trump dramatically escalated his reckless anti-China campaign yesterday, making clear that a dangerous confrontation between the two countries is all but inevitable.
Coronavirus cases surpass six million globally
By Bryan Dyne, 30 May 2020
New epicenters in Eastern Europe, South America, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent are rapidly causing massive public health crises.
Bangladesh COVID-19 deaths soar past 500
By Rohantha De Silva, 30 May 2020
The death and infection curves are still rising, but the Awami League government is reopening the economy in the interests of big business.
After ignoring migrant workers’ plight, the Indian Supreme Court now acknowledges unfolding social tragedy
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 30 May 2020
The court’s intervention reflects concerns fear by India’s legal authorities that mounting mass anger will erupt against the entire capitalist elite and its state.
Indian autoworkers strike for COVID-19 safety measures; Thousands of Bangladeshi garment workers demonstrate
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
30 May 2020
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US sets stage for anti-China sanctions over Hong Kong
By Peter Symonds, 28 May 2020
The determination by the US secretary of state that Hong Kong is not autonomous from Beijing is a further step in the Trump administration’s accelerating anti-China campaign.
US exploits Hong Kong protests for anti-China campaign
By Peter Symonds, 27 May 2020
Once again, US imperialism is using the banner of “human rights” to advance its economic and strategic interests.
South Asian countries ease COVID-19 lockdowns despite sharp rise in infections
By our correspondents, 25 May 2020
The absence of health care infrastructure across the region means that huge numbers of cases are going undetected, and many are dying due to a lack of basic medical care.
Chinese leadership drops economic growth target
By Nick Beams, 25 May 2020
Premier Li Keqiang said the government had refrained from setting a GDP target because foreign markets were so uncertain.
Gulf States force India and other South Asian states to repatriate impoverished migrant workers
By Shuvu Batta, 25 May 2020
The migrant workers, whose labour has helped keep the Gulf States oligarchs basking in luxury, are being deported as COVID-19 renders them an economic burden and political threat.
Ninety-seven die in Pakistan International Airline crash
By Sampath Perera, 25 May 2020
The plane was in the air for 10 to 15 more minutes after its initial aborted landing attempt, according to eyewitnesses.
Sri Lankan government understates COVID-19 figures to recklessly reopen economy
By Naveen Dewage, 23 May 2020
The low number of infections in Sri Lanka is because few COVID-19 tests are being conducted—an average of less than 600 per day between February 18 and May 20.
Indian police detain thousands of sacked migrant workers; Pakistani health workers demand unpaid wages and allowances
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
23 May 2020
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As death toll mounts, White House steps up efforts to scapegoat China for pandemic
By Peter Symonds, 18 May 2020
Blaming China not only deflects attention from the Trump administration’s responsibility for the horrific US death toll, but feeds into its anti-China trade war measures.
Modi promotes “herd immunity,” vows “quantum jump” in pro-investor reforms
By Wasantha Rupasinghe and Keith Jones, 18 May 2020
As the Modi government expands its reckless back-to-work drive, India reported yesterday its biggest daily jump in COVID-19 cases to date.
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