South East Asia
Indonesian foreign policy tilts towards the US and its allies
By John Roberts, 31 December 2015
Amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, Indonesia has adopted a tougher approach to China, while at the same time seeking to avoid open confrontation.
Japan and South Korea reach agreement over comfort women
By Ben McGrath, 30 December 2015
The deal will be welcomed in Washington which has been pressing its two allies to mend their rift and collaborate more closely in the US “pivot to Asia” against China.
Seven confirmed dead in industrial landslide in Shenzhen, China
By Will Morrow, 30 December 2015
The response of the Chinese regime is aimed at diverting attention from the broader social and political implications of the disaster.
Dozens of Chinese miners killed in three accidents
By Ben McGrath, 29 December 2015
The callous disregard for the safety of miners, resulting in a series of mine explosions and cave-ins, is a product of the drive to cut production costs and boost profits.
Slavery “pervasive” in global seafood supply
By Gabriel Black, 21 December 2015
A recent Associated Press report found that many leading seafood suppliers buy shrimp processed by slaves in Thailand working in horrific conditions.
Australia, Japan “strongly support” US, amid rising tensions with China
By Peter Symonds, 19 December 2015
As Japanese and Australian leaders met in Tokyo, an American paper reported a US military intrusion into Chinese-claimed air space in the South China Sea.
Weakening currency and economic slowdown in China
By Peter Symonds, 14 December 2015
The downward slide in the renminbi’s value threatens other Asian export-dependent countries and heightens the danger of a currency war.
US to base spy planes in Singapore
By Peter Symonds, 9 December 2015
The basing of P8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft in Singapore foreshadows further provocative US activities against China in the South China Sea.
Indonesian authorities ban discussion of 1965 coup at Bali writers festival
By John Roberts, 3 November 2015
Police forced the organisers to cancel film showings and discussion panels referring to the massacre of over 500,000 people in the CIA-backed coup.
UN Tribunal to adjudicate South China Sea legal dispute
By Joseph Santolan, 31 October 2015
The tribunal’s ruling is a blow to China and strengthens the propaganda of Washington, which will use it to provide a legal fig leaf to escalate its war-mongering.
Chinese military warns against continued US operations in South China Sea
By Nick Beams, 30 October 2015
Pressure is set to intensify on Australia to take a direct part in the US naval operations.
US military cabal organised South China Sea provocation
By Nick Beams, 29 October 2015
The US naval operation was the outcome of months of planning by the Pentagon, accompanied by a build-up of pressure on the Obama administration to authorise it.
Washington’s South China Sea provocation and the spectre of World War III
By Peter Symonds, 28 October 2015
The entry of the guided missile destroyer USS Lassen into Chinese-claimed waters raises the danger of a military confrontation between two nuclear-armed powers.
Tensions soar internationally following US deployment in South China Sea
By James Cogan, 28 October 2015
The reckless calculation in Washington is that the Chinese regime’s diplomatic and military response to its provocative actions are nothing more than rhetoric.
US launches South China Sea military provocation against China
By Nick Beams, 27 October 2015
The brazen and aggressive character of the operation is underscored by the fact that it has been undertaken in the total absence of military activity against the US by China.
Deadly haze from forest fires engulfs South East Asia
By John Roberts, 19 October 2015
The levels of air pollution this year will equal or exceed those of 1997, the worst fire season on record.
Fifty years since the Indonesian coup
By Peter Symonds, 1 October 2015
The 1965 CIA-backed military coup, which resulted in the slaughter of at least 500,000 people, was one of the great imperialist crimes of the 20th Century.
US probe into 1MDB scandal deepens Malaysian political turmoil
By John Roberts and Peter Symonds, 28 September 2015
The US Justice Department investigation is a damaging blow to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is facing calls for his resignation.
Thai junta rejects draft constitution, delays election
By Tom Peters, 10 September 2015
The US-backed military dictatorship has no intention of giving up its hold on power.
Chinese slowdown impacts Asian economies
By Peter Symonds, 8 September 2015
The downturn in the Chinese economy is reverberating around the world, nowhere more so than in Asia.
Japan: Continuing protests against Abe government’s security bills
By Ben McGrath, 7 September 2015
The government is pressing to pass the deeply unpopular bills before the current parliamentary session ends on September 27.
Mass anti-government rallies in Malaysia
By John Roberts and Peter Symonds, 1 September 2015
Ruling class divisions are fuelled by a deteriorating economy, which has been hard-hit by China’s slowdown, falling commodity prices and regional competition for investment.
Mass protests in Japan oppose “collective self-defence” laws
By Ben McGrath, 31 August 2015
The widespread hostility to the new security laws reflects the deep-rooted anti-war sentiment in Japan, especially in the working class.
Chinese officials, company executives detained over Tianjin explosion
By Oscar Grenfell, 29 August 2015
Underlying the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to find scapegoats for the Tianjin disaster is the deepening crisis of the entire regime.
Thai junta exploits Bangkok bombing
By Tom Peters, 19 August 2015
While the perpetrator of Monday’s attack has not been identified, the US-backed military regime is using it as a pretext to mobilise the armed forces and intimidate opponents.
The Tianjin explosions and the discrediting of capitalism
By James Cogan, 15 August 2015
The promises that the Chinese masses would ultimately benefit from rampant capitalist development are lying in tatters.
China: More than 50 dead in Tianjin factory explosion
By Oscar Grenfell, 14 August 2015
The Chinese regime has responded nervously to the disaster, which is intensifying its political crisis.
Japanese government pushes militarist legislation amid mass protests
By Oscar Grenfell, 17 July 2015
The passage of the laws marks a further stage in the militarist “reinterpretation” of Japan’s nominally pacifist constitution.
Washington’s hypocritical denunciations of Chinese “land reclamation” in the South China Sea
By Oscar Grenfell, 14 July 2015
The outposts of Vietnam and other claimants in the region cover a far broader expanse than those of China.
Malaysian prime minister engulfed in corruption scandal
By John Roberts, 11 July 2015
The Wall Street Journal allegations have fanned a crisis that threatens Najib’s political position and could destabilise the ruling UMNO.
Obama welcomes Vietnam’s Communist Party head
By Peter Symonds, 10 July 2015
Trong’s very presence in the White House sends a strong message regarding Hanoi’s closer ties to Washington, directed against Beijing.
US lawyers argue Manila’s case against China in The Hague
By Joseph Santolan, 9 July 2015
The legal case, which aims to invalidate China’s territorial claim to the South China Sea, is part of Washington’s campaign against Beijing.
Chinese stocks continue to fall despite attempted counter-measures
By Nick Beams, 3 July 2015
The World Bank has again described the Chinese financial system as unbalanced and potentially unstable.
Malaysia’s opposition coalition breaks apart
By John Roberts, 30 June 2015
The collapse of the three-party pact changes the political landscape and points to growing instability.
Obama administration uses bilateral talks to ramp up pressure on China
By Oliver Campbell, 27 June 2015
The talks took place amid an escalation of Washington’s diplomatic, military and economic campaign against China.
MERS outbreak exposes South Korean government’s lack of preparation
By Ben McGrath, 23 June 2015
The spread of the virus has been compounded by a lack of preparation and measures for dealing with the sick.
Japanese protests denounce new military legislation
By Ben McGrath, 20 June 2015
Thousands gathered over the weekend to oppose bills to expand the role of the armed forces and its capacity to wage war.
Delay on TPP prompts warnings to US from Asia
By Nick Beams, 19 June 2015
The US has received a blunt warning about shifting relations in Asia from Singapore’s foreign minister.
US drive to war dominates Philippine presidential election discussions
By Joseph Santolan, 18 June 2015
The stakes in the 2016 presidential election are qualitatively higher than in previous contests, with the paramount question being war with China.
Philippines: Maoist union leads Tanduay contract workers toward defeat
By Dante Pastrana, 15 June 2015
More than 200 contractual workers at the Tanduay Distillery plant are waging a desperate struggle to regain their jobs after being sacked for seeking to regularise their employment.
Death toll rises following ferry sinking in China
By Ben McGrath, 6 June 2015
Details of safety violations have emerged after one of the worst maritime disasters in China’s recent history.
Philippine Maoists support US war drive against China
By Joseph Santolan, 5 June 2015
BAYAN and the CPP have worked to whip up anti-Chinese nationalism, denouncing China as an “imperialist” power poised to invade the Philippines.
Philippine President Aquino compares China to Nazi Germany
By Joseph Santolan, 4 June 2015
The Philippines is playing a crucial role in Washington’s ratcheting up of military pressure on Beijing.
South Korean teachers union faces ban
By Ben McGrath, 4 June 2015
The anti-democratic court ruling is designed to prevent teachers and other public employees from voicing their political opinions.
US defence secretary challenges China at Singapore security forum
By Peter Symonds, 30 May 2015
Ashton Carter demanded that China halt its “unprecedented” land reclamation in the South China Sea and declared the US would continue its provocative overflights.
Sri Lankan president postpones parliamentary election
By K. Ratnayake, 29 May 2015
Sirisena has refused to set a poll date, breaking his promise to dissolve parliament on April 23 and call an election.
Agreement signed on China-backed investment bank
By Nick Beams, 23 May 2015
Tensions over the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank surfaced again this week when Japan announced it would provide $110 billion for infrastructure investment.
Police crackdown on protest in western China
By Ben McGrath, 22 May 2015
The demonstration over plans to re-route a planned rail line away from Linshui county highlights the worsening social crisis in many areas of China.
Controversy erupts over American B1 bomber deployments to Australia
By James Cogan, 16 May 2015
Above all, the denials surrounding US war plans against China are directed at keeping the working class in the dark about the dangers of conflict.
Thai military sends boat carrying hundreds of Rohingya refugees “out to sea”
By Thomas Gaist, 16 May 2015
The savage treatment of the Rohingya migrants is an acute manifestation of a growing international refugee crisis comparable in scale and brutality to that produced by World War II.
Closer Chinese-Russian ties on display in Moscow
By Peter Symonds, 15 May 2015
The Chinese President Xi was given pride of place, seated alongside Russian President Putin, during the military parade through Red Square to mark the end of World War II.
Historians condemn Japan’s whitewashing of war crimes
By Ben McGrath, 11 May 2015
Nearly 200 historians published a statement last Tuesday calling on Tokyo to cease distorting the history of comfort women.
China’s Xi meets head of Taiwan’s Kuomintang
By Ben McGrath, 8 May 2015
Xi Jinping and Eric Chu met to discuss collaboration as Taiwan seeks to join international trade agreements and China’s AIIB.
Thailand’s draft constitution enshrines dictatorship
By Tom Peters, 6 May 2015
The junta’s constitution would ensure that the military and the courts maintain control of the country.
New Zealand shared intelligence with Bangladesh’s repressive agencies
By Tom Peters, 18 April 2015
Documents leaked by Edward Snowden show that NZ’s spy agency, the GCSB, has supported Bangladesh’s notorious security apparatus for at least 12 years.
Japan’s ruling party wins local elections
By Ben McGrath, 17 April 2015
The near-record low turnout is another indication of broad public alienation from the political establishment and parliamentary set-up as a whole.
Burmese regime signs draft ceasefire with ethnic separatists
By John Roberts, 16 April 2015
The peace accord is part of the government’s bid to meet the demands of the US and its allies in return for a further relaxation of sanctions.
Massive fire at Chinese chemical factory
By Ben McGrath, 11 April 2015
Industrial accidents in China are a regular occurrence amid the corporate drive to boost profits at the expense of safety and health standards.
South Korea pushes for inclusion in US anti-missile system
By Ben McGrath, 20 March 2015
Tensions between South Korea and China could rise if the US established an anti-ballistic missile battery on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korean president calls for Japanese apology
By Ben McGrath, 6 March 2015
Compared to past speeches Park Geun-hye appeared to pull her punches on the crimes of Japanese imperialism in the 1930s and 1940s.
Japanese PM calls for constitutional change in keynote speech
By Peter Symonds, 14 February 2015
Central to Abe’s “reform” agenda is the removal of constraints on the use of the military to prosecute Japanese imperialism's strategic interests.
Hong Kong protest falls short of expectations
By Ben McGrath, 7 February 2015
The small turnout was a reflection of the political dead-end into which so-called pro-democracy leaders steered last year’s weeks-long protest movement.
ISIS kills Japanese hostage
By Ben McGrath, 26 January 2015
The apparent murder of one of the hostages held by ISIS, Haruna Yukawa, comes as Japan plans to expand its military presence in the Middle East.
Japan: Two workers killed at TEPCO nuclear plants in Fukushima
By Ben McGrath, 26 January 2015
The deaths are another reminder of the ongoing dangers at the tsunami-affected Fukushima Daiichi complex, and the official disregard for workers’ health and safety.
Indonesian president speeds up executions of prisoners
By John Roberts, 19 January 2015
Widodo’s law-and-order campaign is an appeal to the most reactionary elements in Indonesian society.
Chinese President Xi Jinping targets CCP party factions
By Ben McGrath, 14 January 2015
In the name of fighting corruption, Xi Jinping is going after political rivals in order to pursue more pro-market restructuring.
South Korea deports Korean-American woman accused of supporting the North
By Ben McGrath, 13 January 2015
President Park Geun-hye’s government has whipped up a series of “red scares.”
Evidence mounts of safety violations contributing to AirAsia plane crash
By Will Morrow, 7 January 2015
The more information that emerges about the crash, the more it becomes clear that it was not an unforeseeable tragedy.
Japan: New laws to loosen restrictions on the military
By Ben McGrath, 5 January 2015
If passed, the legislation will give the government far broader scope to go to war in the name of “collective self-defense.”
New Year’s Eve stampede in Shanghai kills 36
By Will Morrow, 5 January 2015
The government’s refusal to take basic safety precautions for the New Year celebrations created the conditions for the tragedy.
Pseudo-left USP plays double game in Sri Lankan presidential election
By Vilani Peiris, 5 January 2015
The USP claims to be running an “independent” campaign, but in reality is providing back-handed support for the pro-US opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
Australia to be maintenance base for controversial F-35 jet fighter
By James Cogan, 3 January 2015
The decision underlines the degree to which Australia is being integrated into US preparations for war in the Asia-Pacific region.
Wreckage of crashed AirAsia flight found in Java Sea
By Will Morrow, 31 December 2014
The three day search concluded last night with the discovery of debris and the confirmation of the deaths of 162 people on board AirAsia Flight QZ8501.
Vietnam backs Philippine case against Chinese maritime claims
By John Roberts, 30 December 2014
Hanoi rejected China’s claims in the South China Sea and called on the court to take Vietnam’s interests into consideration.
AirAsia flight lost over Java Sea
By James Cogan, 29 December 2014
No wreckage of the aircraft has been found and initial searches have been suspended due to stormy conditions.
Japanese PM flags propaganda offensive to “restore Japan’s honour”
By Peter Symonds, 13 December 2014
The ruling LDP is preparing to accelerate plans for Japan’s remilitarisation, including on the ideological front, if it retains office in tomorrow’s election.
Thai junta maintains firm grip on power
By Tom Peters, 13 December 2014
Thailand’s military dictatorship, tacitly supported by Washington, is continuing to crack down on opposition and cement its hold on power.
Solomon Islands: Former target of Australian regime-change operation re-elected prime minister
By Patrick Kelly, 11 December 2014
Manasseh Sogavare is returning to office seven years after he was removed from power through a lawless dirty tricks campaign.
Malaysian government retains draconian Sedition Act
By John Roberts, 6 December 2014
While the government will use the Act against its political opponents, it is also part of the police-state measures that will be used against the working class.
Hong Kong protests swell after talks called off
By Peter Symonds, 11 October 2014
Protest leaders threaten to escalate their actions unless the government responds to their demand for full and open elections in 2017.
Hong Kong protests ebb
By Peter Symonds, 4 October 2014
Protesters came under attack from thugs who took advantage of growing public frustration over the disruption to daily life.
Hong Kong chief executive seeks to defuse protests
By Peter Symonds, 3 October 2014
In his effort to end the protests, Leung had the support of sections of the official opposition that are just as fearful as Beijing of spiralling social unrest.
India strengthens strategic ties with Vietnam
By John Roberts, 26 September 2014
The Indian and Vietnamese presidents issued a joint statement on the need for security in the South China Sea that was clearly aimed against China.
Chinese president visits Sri Lanka to strengthen strategic ties
By Deepal Jayasekera, 20 September 2014
President Xi’s South Asian tour is an attempt to counter aggressive moves by the US and Japan to line up countries in the region behind the US “pivot” against China.
Australia-India uranium deal strengthens economic and strategic ties
By Peter Symonds, 6 September 2014
The uranium pact removes an obstacle to closer military relations between Australia and India as part of broader US efforts to forge an anti-China bloc.
Tokyo holds talks with North Korea over Japanese abductees
By Ben McGrath, 29 August 2014
Japan’s moves have provoked concerns in Washington that Tokyo’s diplomacy will cut across US strategy in North East Asia.
South Korean auto unions hold token strikes
By Ben McGrath, 26 August 2014
Employees of South Korea’s two largest auto manufacturers walked off the job last Friday for four hours.
Thai coup leader installed as prime minister
By Tom Peters, 23 August 2014
The installation of General Prayuth indicates that the junta is entrenching itself and intends to rule directly, rather than through a quasi-civilian government.
US condemns China over close aerial encounter
By Peter Symonds, 23 August 2014
The Chinese intercept of a US spy plane took place 200 kilometres from Hainan Island, home to sensitive Chinese air and naval bases.
Philippine Supreme Court controversy: A revealing glimpse into Washington’s machinations
By Joseph Santolan, 22 August 2014
The entire Jardeleza affair reveals the colonial-level control which Washington exercises over Philippine politics, over Manila’s legal case against China in particular.
US war drive in Asia continues apace
By Peter Symonds, 16 August 2014
Even as the US engages in provocations against Russia and in the Middle East, the Obama administration is proceeding with its “pivot to Asia” against China.
Court in Cambodia convicts two former Khmer Rouge leaders
By John Roberts, 16 August 2014
The court proceedings were designed to cover up the crimes of the major powers, above all the US, in Indo-China.
Signs of serious problems in Chinese and Japanese economies
By Nick Beams, 15 August 2014
The sharp slowdown in credit expansion in China and the contraction in Japan will impact on the world economy.
US stokes South China Sea tensions at ASEAN summit
By Peter Symonds, 11 August 2014
The US proposals were not designed to ease tensions in the region, but rather were aimed at painting China as the aggressor.
Japan’s defence white paper targets China
By Peter Symonds, 9 August 2014
The Abe government is exploiting the “China threat” to press ahead with plans for Japanese remilitarisation.
Influential Washington think tank pushes US war drive in the South China Sea
By Joseph Santolan, 2 August 2014
The worsening tensions in the South China Sea have been fueled at every turn by Washington, with the CSIS think tank playing a leading role.
Indonesian election conflict continues, but financial markets set agenda
By John Roberts, 18 July 2014
Regardless of which candidate is declared the winner next week, the global markets are dictating sweeping restructuring and austerity measures.
Indonesian presidential election produces disputed result
By John Roberts, 11 July 2014
With both Widodo and Prabowo claiming victory, weeks of political uncertainty, court challenges and social unrest could lie ahead.
Three Philippine Senators arraigned on corruption charges
By Dante Pastrana, 5 July 2014
President Benigno Aquino III’s anti-corruption campaign is in reality a drive to crush opposition in any section of government to his sharp turn toward US imperialism.
Sri Lankan minister confirms Australia’s handover of Tamil refugees
By Mike Head, 4 July 2014
The forced transfer of asylum seekers to the Sri Lankan navy is an attack on basic democratic rights, as well as a blatant violation of international law.
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