Asia Today
With 620K visitors, PHL among Japan’s top tourist sources
THE Philippines is one of Japan’s top 10 sources of tourists in 2023.
Taiwan builds own AI language model to counter China’s influence
When asked who won the recent presidential election in Taiwan, the world’s most advanced Chinese-language chatbot gives a confusing answer.
JICA delegation explores maritime security cooperation with the Philippines
The strong partnership between the Philippines and Japan was further highlighted on Thursday when a delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) visited the Department of National Defense (DND) to discuss ways to enhance the country’s maritime domain awareness capabilities.
Beijing bristles as Marcos cheers Taiwan poll winner
IN a surprising turn of events, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. veered from the neutral, tempered position initially posed by his Foreign Affairs department and publicly congratulated the pro-independence candidate in Taiwan for winning the recently held presidential elections.
Taiwan allows multiple-entry visa for foreign workers
The Taiwan immigration authorities have relaxed the reentry of foreign workers into its territory by allowing them to apply for multiple entry visa, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office announced on Tuesday.
Xi, Biden and the $10-trillion price tag of war over Taiwan
Wowed by Japan, Marcos eyes new 10-year economic blueprint
RECOGNIZING Japan as a technological leader and one of Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (Asean) important strategic partners, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is now pushing for the creation of a new 10-year economic road map, which allows both parties greater cooperation on climate resilience and food security.
US, PHL conduct joint air, sea patrols in South China Sea not far from Taiwan
BANGKOK—The United States and the Philippines are conducting joint air and maritime patrols in the South China Sea, which come as the two countries step up cooperation in the face of growingly aggressive Chinese activity in the area.
Diplomacy takes a splash: Japan’s koi exports caught in the crossfire with China
What’s koi got to do with it? Souring relations between Asian rivals Japan and China now seem to be snagged on calm-inducing beauty in spas, museums and gardens. The slippery dispute between Asia’s two biggest economies adds to their spat over Japan’s release into the sea of treated but radioactive water from the tsunami-hit Fukushima nuclear power plant. And it has prompted more questions than answers.
Go bares stand on sea dispute
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains steadfast in his stance to uphold the rights of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid accusations by the Chinese government that the country is trespassing into the waters adjacent to Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).
After Kishida visit, House vows to safeguard WPS
FOLLOWING Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s remarks, the leadership of the House of Representatives on Sunday affirmed its commitment to safeguarding Philippine interests in the West Philippine Sea.
East Timor’s Ramos-Horta due in PHL, palace confirms
MALACAÑANG on Sunday confirmed the upcoming state visit of Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta to the Philippines this week.
Kishida Fumio declares ‘Golden Age’ in Philippines-Japan ties, emphasizes security and economy
Indonesia set to launch Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway, largely funded by China
JAKARTA, Indonesia—Indonesia is launching Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway, a key project under China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative that will cut travel time between the capital and another major city from the current three hours to about 40 minutes.
Multilateral West Philippine Sea patrols with US, other allies eyed
THE US government is steering its other allies in increasing military presence in the South China Sea (SCS) and helping the Philippines improve its capacity to deter China’s continuing harassment and coercion in the disputed seas.
Philippines slips to 60th in 2023 IMD World Talent Ranking
THE Philippines went down six notches in the Institute for Management Development’s (IMD) World Talent Ranking (WTR) from 54th in 2022.
Asian tourism recovery seen slowing down in H2
Marcos vows to deepen Asean cooperation amid geopolitical tension, climate change
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday pushed for regional order and cooperation amid intensified geopolitical tensions and accelerating climate change during the 18th East Asia Summit in Indonesia.
Asean has yet to discover what it cares about
Woody Allen said, “eighty percent of success is showing up.” US President Joe Biden’s absence at the Asean Summit is a big demerit on his watch. Somebody should have reminded him that the bloc, with a gross domestic product of more than $2.9 trillion and a population of 647 million people, is collectively the fourth-largest trading partner of the US.
PHL to push expanded mutual trade, climate cooperation in Asean-India relations
The country will push for expanded mutual trade and climate-related cooperation as it leads in the negotiations for the “successor document” for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Plan of Action (POA) 2021-2025.
PBBM: Asean set to have more joint initiatives with Australia on food security
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is set to have more joint initiatives with Australia on food security.
PHL, South Korea sign much-awaited FTA
Pinoys top Asean arrivals, drawing Japan’s ‘arigato’
FILIPINOS are among the top visitors to Japan as of July this year, earning the earnest gratefulness of its Ambassador in Manila, Koshikawa Kazuhiko.
Japan holds anti-sub warfare exercise in South China Sea
AS the Philippines and the US Navy hold joint training in the South China Sea (SCS), the Japanese Navy conducted its own anti-submarine warfare exercise in the disputed area.
Thai police say man kills his family after online scam leaves them in massive debt
BANGKOK — At least 11 people are suspected to be involved with a loan scam that allegedly drove a man to kill his wife and two young boys before trying to take his own life in their family home, Thai police said Wednesday.
Government incentives and cost-conscious customers lead to electric vehicle boom in India
BENGALURU, India — Groceries stashed in the back of an electric delivery scooter are an increasingly familiar sight in the Indian city of Bengaluru. In crowded markets, electric rickshaws drop off and pick up passengers. And the number of tech startups focused on electric transport has shot up as the city — and country — embrace electric vehicles.
Indonesia arrests 88 Chinese nationals over online romance scams
Indonesian police said Wednesday they have arrested 88 Chinese citizens for involvement in a cross-border telephone and online romance scam syndicate after receiving a tip from the Chinese security ministry.