East Asia News (2024)

15/02/2022

Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai and his delegation recently concluded a five-day working visit to China. During his visit, Oyun-Erdene attended the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other high-level officials, including Premier Li Keqiang. In addition, the two sides reached a significant breakthrough on railroad and infrastructure projects that have been stalled for more than a decade.

11/02/2022

Foreign affairs chiefs from Japan, the United States, Australia and India will meet in Melbourne on Friday for the fourth Quad gathering.
The foreign ministers will likely confirm a coordinated approach to a broad range of policies to assert their support for a free and open international order, with an apparent focus on China. Their expected fields of cooperation include infrastructure development and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific as well as a response to the coronavirus pandemic.

07/02/2022

North Korea has marked the sixth anniversary of what it calls a satellite launch, which is widely believed to have been a test-firing of a long-range ballistic missile.
The North fired what it claimed to be an earth observation satellite on February 7, 2016, from a fixed launcher in Tongchang-ri in the country's northwest.

25/01/2022

Rio Tinto and the Mongolian government said on Tuesday they have reached an agreement to end a long-running dispute over the $6.93 billion expansion project for the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mining project.
Mongolia owns 34% of Oyu Tolgoi, one of the world's largest-known copper and gold deposits. Rio controls the rest through its 51% stake in Toronto-listed Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd and operates the mine.

19/01/2022

China, Russia and Iran will hold a maritime joint exercise, media reported on Tuesday, citing the Russian navy's Pacific Fleet, without releasing a specific time for the drill.
It is not the first time for the three countries to hold similar joint exercises. In 2019, the Chinese Navy, together with its Russian and Iranian counterparts, conducted a four-day military drill on the Gulf of Oman to deepen cooperation between the navies of the three countries.

13/01/2022

North Korea declared Wednesday that its latest launch involved another "hypersonic missile," saying leader Kim Jong Un attended what it described as a successful test.
The missile demonstrated "excellent maneuverability" and accurately hit a target about 1,000 kilometers away, according to the report in the Korean Central News Agency.

07/01/2022

Household spending fell in November for the first time in three months, a sign of unexpected fragility in consumption even before the omicron variant of the virus started to spread in Japan.
Spending declined 1.2% from the prior month, led by drops in outlays on housing, education and transportation, the internal affairs ministry reported Friday. Overall expenditures were 1.3% below 2020’s level, compared with economists’ expectations for a 1.2% increase.
Separate reports showed Tokyo inflation rose 0.5% last month from a year ago, the highest level since February 2020. Wages were flat in November, showing how much work Prime Minister Fumio Kishida must do to stoke the pay hikes he’s called for as a centerpiece of his economic agenda.

05/01/2022

North Korea has fired an unidentified projectile into waters off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. According to the Japanese government, the projectile may have been a "ballistic missile".
The Japan Coast Guard said the possible ballistic missile had already fallen into the sea by 8:23 a.m. local time. It called on all vessels transiting to look out for updates. It marks the first projectile launch since Pyongyang said it successfully test-fired a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in October last year.

04/01/2022

A man has been taken into custody for assaulting three Mongolian men, according to Seoul police. Early last month, a Korean man was assaulted by Mongolian nationals in the country’s capital Ulaanbaatar. There was speculation that the incident had been instigated by the earlier assault on the Mongolian girl, on the grounds that the attackers assaulted the victim after asking if he was Korean.
Any link between the incidents has not been confirmed, but there has been criticism of the discrimination against foreigners and immigrants in Korea.
The National Youth Policy Institute recently released a survey on students with non-Korean backgrounds and found that 27 percent of students from foreign or mixed households have experienced discrimination.

31/12/2021

Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene said he will attend relevant activities of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in February, according to local media.
Speaking at a meeting of Mongolia's State Great Khural on Thursday, the prime minister said sports should not be politicized.

30/12/2021

South Korea conducted a regular military exercise last week for the defense of a disputed pair of islets it controls in the Sea of Japan. The Defense Ministry has withheld information regarding the reported drills, apparently to avoid heightening tensions with Japan, which regards the islets as part of its territory and calls them Takeshima. South Korea calls the outcroppings Dokdo.
In the wake of the report, Japan lodged a strong protest with South Korea through diplomatic channels both in Tokyo and Seoul.

15/12/2021

Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin via video link on Wednesday, another virtual conference this year following the one in June.
Since the beginning of this year, China and Russia have taken the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation as a new starting point to promote strategic coordination and comprehensive practical cooperation between the two countries.

14/12/2021

On December 13, Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill Resources sent an official letter addressed to Mongolian Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene, agreeing the proposals and demands of the Government’s working group and confirming to write off Mongolia's USD 2.3 billion debt for its share (34 percent) in the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project, and to be fully responsible for the additional costs required until the underground mine is commissioned, which means Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi LLC, the state-owned company that holds the government’s equity in the project will not incur additional debts. Moreover, Rio Tinto expressed its readiness to cancel the Oyu Tolgoi Underground Mine Development and Financing Plan, known as ‘Dubai Agreement’, signed in 2015, and ‘Additional financing plan for Oyu Tolgoi underground mine development’.

10/12/2021

Japan's wholesale inflation hit a record 9.0% in November, pushing gains for a ninth straight month, a sign upward pressure on prices from supply bottlenecks and rising raw material costs were broadening.
The rising cost pressures, coupled with a weak yen that inflates the price of imported goods, add to pain for the world's third-largest economy as it emerges from a consumption slump caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

06/12/2021

The United States tried to make the European Union confront China. The United States and the European Union are developing a common method for evaluating China's international policies. Based on the results of the high-level bilateral dialogue between the United States and Europe, the two sides decided to jointly respond to China’s actions of concern.
Brussels and Washington have determined which areas of cooperation with China are possible and beneficial. So can it be considered that Europe, which wanted to remain neutral at the beginning, has been involved in the Sino-US confrontation?

30/11/2021

The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Reem Alsalem, is visiting Mongolia from 29 November to 8 December to review the implementation of international commitments and the legal, institutional and policy frameworks put in place to prevent and eliminate violence against women.
During the 10-day visit, the Special Rapporteur will visit women’s shelters, one-stop service centres and a women’s detention centre, and will meet survivors of violence. In addition to the capital, Ulaanbaatar, the expert will visit Dalanzadgad in Ömnögovi province.

29/11/2021

Japan announced Monday it will suspend entry of all foreign visitors from around the world as a new coronavirus variant spreads, prompting an increasing number of countries to tighten their borders.
The decision means Japan will restore border controls that it eased earlier this month for short-term business visitors, foreign students and workers.

25/11/2021

Russia has withdrawn most of its embassy staff in North Korea, as pandemic-driven shortages of everyday commodities and anti-virus restrictions have driven many foreign diplomats out of the impoverished country.
NK News, a media outlet on the North, reported earlier dozens of Russia's embassy personnel left Pyongyang on Wednesday via train, leaving behind only two diplomats, including Ambassador Alexander Matsegora, and other technicians.

24/11/2021

The U.S. and South Korea are finalizing an end of war declaration document, but both sides remain at an impasse over how to include language about “denuclearization”.
The administration of South Korean President MOON JAE-IN aims to improve relations with North Korea and considers an end of war declaration — which would formally bring the Korean War of the 1950s to a close — a good first step. President JOE BIDEN’s team is working on the document in an effort to coordinate with allies ahead of still-elusive talks with North Korean officials.

23/11/2021

The joint exercise of the US, Japan, Australia, Canada and Germany in East Asia would threaten regional peace and trigger dissatisfaction among regional countries, experts said, as the five countries began their ten-day exercise.
Naval forces from Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan and the US will conduct the multilateral, multinational exercise ANNUALEX in the Philippine Sea from November 21-30, according to the website of the US Pacific Fleet.

17/11/2021

For the first time Mongolia has cultivated white rice, having first crop of 10 tons. ‘Jimex’ company in Bayankhongor aimag has planted white rice on two hectares of land and harvested its first crop, reports Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Z.Mendsaikhan.
“The amount of the crop, harvested in the result of ten-year efforts might seem low. However, biggest achievement is that it has proven the possibility of growing rice in Mongolia and the farmers managed to domesticate and adopt technology of white rice cultivation as a result of tireless efforts ” he added.

16/11/2021

U.S. President Joe Biden told Chinese President Xi Jinping that America remains committed to the "one China" policy, under which Washington recognizes and has formal ties with Beijing rather than Taipei.
The two leaders discussed the complex nature of relations between our two countries and the importance of managing competition responsibly. As in previous discussions, the two leaders covered areas where their interests align, and areas where their interests, values, and perspectives diverge.

16/11/2021

North Korea is converting an air base near its border into a disinfection facility for containers transported by train, a move analysts say may lead to the resumption of trade with China and undermine US hopes that economic pressure might force Pyongyang back to the nuclear negotiating table.
North Korea shut its land borders with China and Russia in January 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic, leading to a mass exodus of foreign aid workers and diplomats. The country has subsequently conducted only limited trade by sea with China, by far its largest trading partner.
North Korea is also struggling under the effects of international sanctions and a food crisis, following a poor harvest and crop damage from heatwaves and flash flooding.

12/11/2021

The Chinese e-commerce titan Alibaba enjoyed record sales during its Singles Day shopping extravaganza. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s Singles’ Day shopping festival posted record sales of 540.3 billion yuan ($84.5 billion), offering the firm a much-needed boost following a year of heightened regulatory scrutiny.
Sales at the end of Nov. 11 eclipsed the 498.2 billion yuan official tally for 2020. The strong performance could ease concerns among investors grappling with a 30% slump in Alibaba’s shares this year.

11/11/2021

The Prime Minister of Mongolia signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the gas pipeline during his visit to the Russian Federation in December 2019. Following the establishment of a memorandum between the two sides later in August 2020, works were launched to carry out a feasibility study.
As of today, the progress of the feasibility study is at 70 percent. During a telephone conversation between the two countries’ Prime Ministers on November 9, they exchanged information on mutually profitable, large-scale projects to be implemented on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Russia, and gave orders to corresponding ministers.
Once the feasibility study is completed, an agreement will be established between the three countries’ governments on the tariff and fee regulations. Furthermore, bills are required to be drafted for natural gas pipelines in Mongolia.

10/11/2021

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party President Fumio Kishida was re-elected Wednesday as prime minister in a special parliament session after his party secured a majority in the House of Representatives election on Oct. 31. Kishida, who has served as premier for just over a month after taking office Oct. 4, will launch his second Cabinet in the afternoon.

08/11/2021

By 1:16 am Monday, spacewalking Shenzhou-13 members Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping had safely returned to China’s Tianhe space station core module. Their spacewalk lasted for about 6.5 hours and the two completed all planned tasks.
As many Chinese celebrate the first snow of the winter season on Earth, the heroes of the Shenzhou-13 crew are setting new national milestones in space, with mission commander and the country’s first spacewalker Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping stepping out of the node cabin of the Tianhe space station core module on Sunday evening to carry out the crew’s first extravehicular activities (EVA). Wang has officially become the first Chinese woman ever to execute a spacewalk mission.

05/11/2021

Mongolia’s National Pride Day fell on November 19, the first day of the first month of winter, according to the Lunar Calendar, marking the 859th birth anniversary of Chinggis Khaan. On this occasion, a ceremony for raising the state flag took place at the central square, followed by a ceremony for exalting the Great White Banners.
The Nine White Banners were brought from the State Palace to the central square by cavalcade of nine honor guards, who circled the State Palace clockwise. Tribute was paid to the Nine White Banners mounted by honor guards.

04/11/2021

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Thursday he may take on the role of foreign minister until a new cabinet is formed this month, as the incumbent foreign minister took over a key ruling party post.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) officially confirmed on Thursday Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi as the party's secretary-general, the party's number two post and a powerful role that includes shaping policy.
The parliament is set to convene a special session on Nov. 10 to confirm Kishida as prime minister. He is expected to name a new cabinet, which is likely to remain largely unchanged except for the post of foreign minister, shortly afterwards.

03/11/2021

China's top climate negotiator said on Tuesday a broad deal on carbon markets was possible at the U.N. COP26 climate talks despite the tensions between Beijing and Washington.
It is the first global gathering of leaders to discuss climate change since former President Donald Trump, who antagonised China and quit the 2015 Paris Agreement the meeting is expected to build on, left office.

29/10/2021

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has recently lost about 20 kilograms (44 pounds). Kim’s health has been a focus of keen outside attention in recent months because he has appeared noticeably thinner in state media photos and videos.
Despite Kim’s thinner appearance, longtime North Korea observers have said Kim has no apparent health problems and his weight loss is likely the result of his efforts to improve his physique. They noted that he has continued his regular public activities and no unusual developments have been seen in North Korean videos.

28/10/2021

In a recent interview with CNN published on Thursday, Taiwan's regional leader Tsai Ing-wen confirmed for the first time that US troops are present on the island. She did not disclose the exact number of US military personnel on the island at present but said it was "not as many as people thought," and "We have a wide range of cooperation with the US aiming at increasing our defense capability."
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday called on UN member states to support the island of Taiwan's participation in the UN system, which experts said is burying the possibility of easing China-US tensions and even escalating tensions.

27/10/2021

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved the release of $32 million in loan and grant funding in ADB’s second tourism project to enhance and diversify sustainable tourism development in Mongolia, ADB said.
Mongolia has a large network of protected areas, stunning wilderness, and a unique cultural heritage. Ecotourism based on nature and heritage can bring much-needed jobs and financing for communities and under resourced parks and reserves, but it also requires careful planning to ensure that visitation does not damage the values that draw tourists.

27/10/2021

Japan’s Princess Mako has lost her royal status after marrying her “commoner” college sweetheart, Kei Komuro – a man she described as “irreplaceable” – while the couple voiced sadness over a scandal that has plagued their engagement.
After years of criticism of their relationship that has left Mako struggling with her mental health, the couple announced at a press conference at a hotel in Tokyo on Tuesday that they had wed. They declined to take questions from reporters.

25/10/2021

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Monday expressed hope that his country's relations with China will improve, as the two Asian powers mark the 50th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral diplomatic ties next year.
Motegi also emphasized the necessity of people-to-people communication and dialogue to build a constructive and stable relationship. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, meanwhile, said in a video message to the forum that started Monday, mutual exchanges should be promoted in various fields between the two countries. But Wang warned that issues such as Taiwan are "serious and sensitive".

22/10/2021

South Korea has conducted the first test launch of its domestically built rocket, joining the ranks of advanced space-faring nations. Television images on Thursday showed the Korean Satellite Launch Vehicle II – informally called NURI, which means “world”.
The NURI weighs 200 tonnes, is 47.2 metres (155 feet) long, and is fitted with a total of six liquid-fuelled engines. It is designed to put 1.5-tonne payloads into orbit 600km to 800km (373 miles-497 miles) above the Earth and has been 10 years in development at a cost of 2 trillion won ($1.6bn).

21/10/2021

Coal export to China is constantly growing. In the last three weeks, a total of 6,919 trucks and 2,017 wagons of coal crossed the border, which means it has risen by about 60 percent compared to the three weeks in August to September.
The Government and Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry have taken rapid actions to establish container terminals at border crossings and state border areas to increase coal export. It is estimated that short-haul coal shipments between the Mongolian and Chinese borders will increase coal export by 8-10 million tons per annum.

20/10/2021

Japan officially kicked off its general election campaign on Tuesday with some 1,050 candidates contesting 465 lower chamber seats in the election on Oct 31. With the ruling coalition of the LDP and its partner Komeito seeking to maintain its majority and stay in power, the opposition parties are banding together by fielding unified candidates in many constituencies to loosen the coalition's grip.
Kazuo Shii, head of the Japanese Communist Party, said Japan cannot afford to have the current administration handle the country's affairs. "We can't leave this country's politics to the Kishida administration, which succeeded the (Shinzo) Abe and (Yoshihide) Suga governments because they widened the gap between the rich and poor," Shii said.

19/10/2021

North Korea has fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile into waters off the coast of Japan. Pyongyang unveiled the missile in January, describing it as "the world's most powerful weapon". It comes weeks after South Korea unveiled a similar weapon of its own.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said last week that he did not wish for war to break out again. He said his country needed to continue developing weapons for self-defence against enemies, namely the US which he accused of hostility.

19/10/2021

The third meeting of the Mongolia-China joint council on mineral resources, energy, and infrastructure cooperation took place virtually. The two sides introduced opportunities for joint projects in the sector of mineral resources, energy, and infrastructure during the meeting.
The Mining Minister expressed that the side of Mongolia is ready to provide support in establishing long-term commercial agreements for coal export. In turn, the Chinese side expressed that special attention is being paid to increasing coal trade and quickly organizing its transport, and corresponding measures are being taken in the framework of the agreement made between the government heads of the two countries.

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