Southeast Asia | GlobalPost

Cambodia factory operator admits 'neglect' after deaths

Agence France-PresseMay 17, 2013 09:02

The operator of a Cambodian shoe factory where two workers were killed this week when a ceiling collapsed admitted Friday to neglecting staff safety and vowed to take full responsibility. Eleven other people were injured in Thursday's incident at the Taiwanese-owned Wing Star facility, which makes shoes for Japanese sports brand Asics. "For the neglect that led to this unintentional incident, the company will take full responsibility for the families of the dead and injured," Wing Star said in a statement Friday without specifying whether it would offer compensation.

Myanmar leader frees dissidents ahead of US visit

Agence France-PresseMay 17, 2013 06:46

Myanmar released about 20 political prisoners on Friday, a top official said, hours before its reform-minded leader was due to leave on a landmark visit to the United States to meet President Barack Obama. President Thein Sein, a former general, has freed hundreds of political detainees since coming to power in early 2011 as part of sweeping changes that have led to the end of most Western sanctions.

How piracy and Weibo help Western TV stars break out in China

Thomson ReutersMay 15, 2013 13:56

By Major Tian Right after Nina Dobrev tweeted a photo of her kissing a puppy, the same picture showed up on Weibo, China's twitter-like service, with its caption translated into Chinese. "I wish I were the doggy," one micro-blogger commented on the photo, which was already reposted more than 300 times on Weibo.

China pledges to strengthen defense, security cooperation with ASEAN

Kyodo News InternationalMay 7, 2013 10:00

China vowed Tuesday to strengthen defense and security cooperation with ASEAN countries and seek peaceful solutions to territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Defense Minister Gen. Chang Wanquan made the pledge during a meeting with his counterparts from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations on the second day of a two-day ASEAN defense ministers' meeting.

Myanmar president to visit Washington in May

Kyodo News InternationalMay 2, 2013 23:00

Myanmar President Thein Sein plans to visit Washington later this month, a move that would make him the first Myanmar leader in half a century to visit the U.S. capital, the Associated Press and other media reported. A staff member at the U.S. Congress told the media that the landmark visit would include a meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House. The reported plan comes as the U.S. State Department decided Thursday to terminate a ban imposed on visas for Myanmar officials since the 1990s.

Myanmar leader plans Washington visit

Agence France-PresseMay 2, 2013 12:15

Myanmar President Thein Sein plans a landmark visit to Washington this month in a sign of US support for his reforms despite a recent surge in anti-Muslim violence, a source said Thursday. Thein Sein, who would be the first leader of the country to visit in half a century, is planning to visit around May 20 or May 21, a staff member at the US Congress told AFP on condition of anonymity. sct/vlk

China proposes talks on binding rules of conduct in S. China Sea

Kyodo News InternationalMay 2, 2013 09:01

China proposed on Thursday to open negotiations with ASEAN to draw up binding rules of conduct in the South China Sea, the scene of territorial disputes between China and some ASEAN member countries, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said. Natalegawa told a news conference after talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that Wang also proposed to set up a group of eminent persons to complement government-to-government talks on the "code of conduct" issue in the South China Sea.

Asia-Pacific countries poised to start free-trade talks

Agence France-PresseApril 23, 2013 07:47

Sixteen Asia-Pacific countries are set to start talks next month on a free-trade zone that would cover over half the world's population, according to a document obtained by AFP Tuesday. The start of negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is poised to go ahead despite bitter territorial rifts among planned members, including China, Japan and some Southeast Asian nations.

Asia-Pacific countries poised to start free trade talks

Agence France-PresseApril 23, 2013 06:03

Sixteen Asia-Pacific countries are set to start talks next month on a free trade zone that would cover over half the world's population, according to a document obtained by AFP Tuesday. The start of negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are poised to go ahead despite bitter territorial rifts among planned members, including China, Japan and some Southeast Asian nations.

Asia-Pacific countries poised to start free trade talks

Agence France-PresseApril 23, 2013 05:46

Sixteen Asia-Pacific countries are to start talks next month on a free trade zone that would cover more than half the world's population, according to a document obtained by AFP Tuesday. The start of negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are poised to go ahead despite bitter territorial rifts among planned members, including China, Japan and some Southeast Asian nations.