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☆ Blinken criticises China's 'problematic behaviour' during visit to Tonga
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/6] U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shakes hands with Tonga's Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, July 26, 2023. UPOU VAIPULU/Pool via REUTERSWELLINGTON, July 26 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned of China's "problematic behaviour" during a visit to the Pacific island nation of Tonga on Wednesday, citing Beijing's militarisation of the South China Sea and what he called economic coercion. Blinken said at a press conference that the U.S. had no objection to China's engagement with the region but there were concerns that its investments needed to be transparent and undertaken with sustainable finance. "I think one of the things that we’ve seen is that as China’s engagement in the (Indo-Pacific) region has grown there has been some, from our perspective, increasingly problematic behaviour," he said. Blinken said the United States was committed to both Tonga and the broader Pacific Islands.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi, UPOU, Beijing's militarisation, Solomon, Blinken, Siaosi Sovaleni, Joe Biden, Wang Yi, Lloyd Austin, Emmanuel Macron, Sovaleni, Nuku’alofa, Lucy Craymer, Stephen Coates Organizations: Tonga's, REUTERS, Tongan, U.S . Defense, Embassy, Thomson Locations: Nuku'alofa, Tonga, REUTERS WELLINGTON, Pacific, South, U.S, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Washington, China, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Beijing, Wellington , New Zealand

BEIJING, July 24 (Reuters) - China is struggling to revive foreign investment in its financially battered cities and provinces as foreign firms remain wary of political risks and new incentives fall far short of sweeteners once used to attract overseas money. With their coffers depleted after an economically bruising pandemic and property crisis, local authorities have been racing to find new revenue sources, with foreign investment particularly coveted. He cited five meetings between their London office and delegations from Chinese local governments in late June. PART OF THE SYSTEMLocal authorities carry out a delicate balancing act when courting foreign investment and dealing with critical questions about Xi's security policies. "As far as the macro situation is concerned, local governments can't do anything to reassure foreign investors.

Persons: Premier Li Qiang, Kiran Patel, Xi Jinping's, Noah Fraser, it's, Li Qiang, Agatha Kratz, Joe Cash, Brenda Goh, Sam Holmes Organizations: Premier, China - Britain Business Council, China's Ministry of Commerce, Canada China Business Council, Communist Party, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Sichuan, Chaozhou, Shanghai

☆ Column: Australia's energy transition stalled by stubbornly high demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Sustained growth in Australia's electricity demand has in turn meant that power producers must continue to heavily rely on coal for electricity generation on top of recent additions in supply of renewable energy sources. Even so, electric vehicles accounted for only 5.1% of total Australian car sales in 2022, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Heating and cooling for homes and businesses is another major energy demand driver in Australia, and accounts for roughly 40% of total electricity use in the country. To alleviate any potential power shortages Australian utilities are expected to continue rolling out more renewable energy supply capacity, likely at an accelerating pace. However, Australian power producers look set to remain substantially reliant on coal for baseload electricity generation for years, if not decades, more.

Persons: Gavin Maguire Organizations: International Energy Agency, Australian Bureau of Statistics, European Union, EV, New South, RENEWABLES, South, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Australia, France, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, New Zealand, New South Wales, Oceania and Pacific, South Korea

☆ USS Canberra personnel parade in Australia capital amid joint war games
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, July 23 (Reuters) - United States Navy personnel from a newly commissioned U.S. combat ship paraded through Australia's capital on Sunday, as the two allies carry out war games amid China's military build-up in the region. "It's such an honour and a privilege to be able to do this," Captain of the USS Canberra Blue Crew, Will Ashley, told ABC television. "It's a culmination of not just the ship naming, of honouring the city, but the previous HMAS Canberra that was lost in World War Two." The Australian Capital Territory "Freedom of Entry" parade came after a commissioning ceremony for the USS Canberra on Saturday at an Australian naval base on Sydney Harbour. Under the AUKUS project announced in March, the United States and Britain have agreed to help Australia acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.

Persons: Will Ashley, Sam McKeith, Stefica Nicol, William Mallard Organizations: SYDNEY, United States Navy, Independence, Royal Australian Navy, U.S, Marine, USS Canberra Blue, ABC, Australian Capital Territory, USS Canberra, Talisman Sabre, Australia, Stefica Nicol Bikes, Thomson Locations: U.S, Guadalcanal, Canberra, Sydney Harbour, Australia, China, United States, Britain, Sydney

☆ Air forces are ditching runways to prepare their jets to keep operating when enemies aim for their bases
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

It is meant to be a test of the British air force's ability to operate away from its main bases. Some air forces moved away from that capability after the Cold War and now have to train for it again. US Air Force/Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes MontijoThe US military has also been planning distributed air operations from unconventional airfields and runways. When done correctly, ACE "complicates the enemy's targeting process, creates political and operational dilemmas for the enemy, and creates flexibility for friendly forces," according to the Air Force's ACE doctrine. Gen. James Hecker, the head of US Air Forces in Europe, said last year that his command was sending airmen to study the Swedish approach.

Persons: Jon Hobley, Air Marshal Harvey Smyth, Smyth, Janis Laizans, Sweden's JAS, Jonathan Valdes Montijo, Phil Speck, James Hecker, " Hecker, Janes, Stavros Atlamazoglou Organizations: Service, Royal Air Force Eurofighter, FGR4, Coningsby, Getty, NATO, Britain's Royal Air Force, Air, Aviation, RAF, REUTERS, US Air Force, Marine Corps, Agile, US Air National Guard, Air Force, Aircraft, US Air Forces, Hellenic Army, 575th Marine Battalion, Army, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins, School, International Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, London, Finland, Finnish, Russia, Sweden, Guam, Estonia, Wyoming, Europe, Swedish, Johns

Seoul, South Korea CNN —For the first time in decades, a nuclear capable US Navy ballistic missile submarine has made a port call in South Korea, in a move that comes just days after North Korea test-fired what it said was a solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile. The presence of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine in the South Korean port city of Busan was announced by the country’s Defense Ministry on Tuesday afternoon. The NCG is a joint US and South Korean panel set up by the countries’ leaders at a summit in Washington in April. The Nuclear Threat Initiative at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies estimates that each Trident missile can carry four nuclear warheads, meaning each US ballistic missile submarine could be carrying about 80 nuclear warheads. One arriving in South Korea on a port visit – which must be arranged 24 to 48 hours in advance – would be far more visible, giving North Korea an advantage, Schuster said.

Persons: Kurt Campbell, Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un, ”, Kim, “, James Martin, Joe Biden, Yoon Suk, ” Biden, Biden, Yoon, ” Carl Schuster, ” Blake Herzinger, Schuster, Kim Jong, we’ve, ” Schuster Organizations: South Korea CNN —, North, country’s Defense, US National Security Council, Nuclear Consultative, DPRK, Democratic, Nuclear, James, James Martin Center, Nonproliferation, Trident, South, ROK, US Navy, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, Pacific, United States Studies Centre Locations: Seoul, South Korea, North Korea, Ohio, Korean, Busan, Washington, Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Pyongyang, United States, Hawaii, –

☆ New Zealand prime minister says Pacific region less secure due to China's assertiveness
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AUCKLAND, July 17 (Reuters) - The Pacific region is becoming more contested and less secure as China becomes more assertive, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Monday, outlining the country’s need to work with like-minded partners while still engaging with Beijing. “Our region is becoming more contested, less predictable, and less secure,” he said. “And that poses challenges for small countries like New Zealand that are reliant on the stability and predictability of international rules for our prosperity and security." “In this increasingly complex global environment, our relationship with China will continue to require careful management,” he said. Wang Xiaolong, China’s ambassador to New Zealand said in a speech that China and New Zealand relations were healthy, stable and thriving.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Hipkins, ”, Wang Xiaolong, Lucy Craymer, Sandra Maler Organizations: AUCKLAND, Zealand, China Business Summit, Thomson Locations: China, Beijing, Auckland, “, New Zealand, New, Wellington, Australia, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Lincoln

☆ Chinese military-run hospital ship arrives in Kiribati
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Yew Lun Tian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, July 16 (Reuters) - A Chinese military-run hospital ship has arrived in Kiribati for the first time, as China vies with the United States for influence in the Pacific region. The ship docked at Kiribati on Saturday to start a seven-day visit that includes humanitarian medical assistance, the Chinese defence ministry said on its official WeChat account on Sunday. While medical crew from the ship will see patients at the local hospital and other places, the Chinese commanding officer will meet with Kiribati leaders including the president, health minister, transport minister and police chief. The ship is also due to visit Tonga, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and East Timor. Reporting by Yew Lun Tian; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Yew Lun, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Kiribati, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Kiribati, China, United States, Pacific, Taiwan, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, East Timor, Australia, New Zealand

☆ France to fete India's Modi at Bastille Day celebration
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Michel Rose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France, July 13, 2023. Modi began a two-day visit to Paris on Thursday. Much before buying Dassault Aviation's Rafale, India bought Mirage jets in 1980s and those still comprise two squadrons of the air force. Later on Friday, Macron will host Modi at the Elysee Palace for talks before a state banquet at the Louvre Museum. Macron has treated only a few global leaders to the Bastille Day military parade.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte Macron, Narendra Modi, Pascal Rossignol PARIS, Modi, Triomphe, Macron, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Michel Rose, Frances Kerry Organizations: Indian, REUTERS, Bastille Day, India, Paris, Dassault Aviation's Rafale, Mirage, Louvre Museum, Canberra, Pentagon, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Delhi, India's, Europe, New Delhi, India, Australia, Britain, United States

☆ Solomon Islands says Chinese police to assist cyber and community security
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Solomon Islands has denied suggestions by Australia and others its policing deal with Beijing is "a threat to the Pacific region peace" and says China will enhance the capability of its 1,500 police officers in cyber security and community policing. Chinese and Solomon Islands police ministers met on Tuesday, pledging to "promote China's police and law enforcement co-operation to a new level," Chinese media reported. In a statement on Friday, Sogavare's office said the Pacific Islands nation was broadening its security partnerships, and the Chinese police will add to the existing Australia and New Zealand policing support. Solomon Islands cooperation with China and all partners are based on the principles of equality and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said. Australia and New Zealand say Pacific security needs should be met within the region.

Persons: Manasseh Sogavare, Li Qiang, Solomon Islands, Sogavare's, Solomon, Penny Wong, Wang Yi Organizations: of, People, Solomon Islands, Australia's Locations: Solomon, Beijing, Australia, Pacific, China, U.S, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Jakarta

☆ Solomon Islands says Chinese police to assist cyber, community security
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In a statement on Friday, Sogavare's office said the Pacific Islands nation was broadening its security partnerships, and the Chinese police will add to the existing Australia and New Zealand policing support. Riots in the capital Honiara in 2021 exposed gaps in the islands' policing, it said. Opposition leader Matthew Wale said in a statement "policing is different in democracies than in communist countries and democracies must uphold human rights and due process". The issue was not China's supply of security equipment, but the compatibility of Chinese and Pacific policing, said Meg Keen, director of the Lowy Institute's Pacific Islands programme. Solomon Islands has a population of 700,000, across an archipelago that occupies a strategic position in the Pacific Islands, and was pivotal to the U.S. move west across the Pacific to liberate the Philippines in World War Two.

Persons: Manasseh Sogavare, Sogavare's, Penny Wong, Wang Yi, Sogavare, Matthew Wale, Meg Keen, Lowy, Wale, Kirsty Needham, Lincoln Organizations: SYDNEY, Solomon Islands, Australia's, Islands Government, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, New Zealand, China's Global, Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Thomson Locations: Solomon, Australia, Beijing, Pacific, China, U.S, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Jakarta, Islands, Honiara, Philippines, Taiwan, Washington, Canberra

☆ Tesla in talks with India to set up factory with up to 500,000 annual capacity - report
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Tesla Inc FollowBENGALURU, July 13 (Reuters) - Tesla (TSLA.O) has begun discussions with the Indian government for an investment proposal to set up a car factory in the country, with an annual capacity of as many as 500,000 electric vehicles, the Times of India reported on Thursday. The prices for the vehicles will start from 2 million rupees ($24,400.66), the report added. The discussions with the Indian government show a shift in strategy for the U.S. electric car maker. Last year, talks stalled after the Indian government refused to agree to a request from Tesla seeking lower import taxes on cars, which can be as much as 100%. India has strong potential for a sustainable energy future including solar power, stationary battery packs and electric vehicles, Musk said after meeting Modi, adding he hopes to bring SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service to the country as well.

Persons: Elon Musk, Tesla, Musk, Narendra Modi, Modi, Rama Venkat, Sonia Cheema Organizations: Tesla, Reuters, U.S, Indian, Thomson Locations: India, Bengaluru

☆ Blinken to meet China's Wang Yi in Jakarta - State Department
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] China's Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi attends during a trilateral meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar UlfianaJuly 12 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on Thursday as officials gather in Indonesia for ASEAN meetings, the State Department said in announcing the latest in series of interactions between the rival superpowers. Wang is representing China at the Jakarta meetings involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and partner countries after Beijing said Foreign Minister Qin Gang would not attend due to health reasons. Blinken met Qin and Wang in Beijing last month, marking the first visit to China by a U.S. secretary of state in five years. Wang, who is the foreign policy chief for the Chinese Communist Party, ranks above Qin, who as the foreign minister is the government's foreign policy chief.

Persons: Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi, Retno Marsudi, Sergei Lavrov, Antony Blinken, Wang Yi, Wang, Qin Gang, Blinken, Qin, Janet Yellen, John Kerry, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Daniel Kritenbrink, David Brunnstrom, Simon Lewis, Dan Whitcomb, Michael Perry Organizations: Central Foreign Affairs Commission, Indonesian Foreign, Russia's, REUTERS, ASEAN, State Department, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Foreign, U.S, Treasury, Chinese Communist Party, Pentagon, NATO, senior State Department, East, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, China, Beijing, United States, Asia, U.S, Lithuanian, Vilnius, Pacific, East Asia

☆ Blinken to meet China's Wang Yi in Jakarta -State Department
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

☆ China lashes back at NATO criticism, warns it will protect its rights
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The PRC's malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric and disinformation target Allies and harm Alliance security." NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters at the summit that while China was not a NATO "adversary", it was increasingly challenging the rules-based international order with its "coercive behaviour." "Any act that jeopardises China's legitimate rights and interests will be met with a resolute response," it said. In the communique, NATO also said China sought to control key technological and industrial sectors, critical infrastructure, and strategic materials and supply chains, and that Beijing also used its economic leverage to create strategic dependencies and enhance its influence. Reporting by Liz Lee and Ryan Woo; Editing by Tom Hogue and Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Fumio Kishida, Yoon Suk Yeol, Kishida, Liz Lee, Ryan Woo, Tom Hogue, Michael Perry Organizations: NATO, Alliance, South, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Beijing, China, Asia, Pacific, Lithuanian, Vilnius, People's Republic of China, NATO, Ukraine, Taiwan, East Asia, Japan, Tokyo

Outbound shipments from the world's second-largest economy were projected to have fallen 9.5% year-on-year, following a drop of 7.5% in May, according to the median forecast of 30 economists in the poll finalised on Wednesday. That is less than half the rates typical throughout recent decades and creates the feel of an economy in recession. One-third of respondents to the trade poll forecast that exports in June dropped by a double-digit percentage, as in January. Imports in June are expected to have shrunk by 4.0%, after a fall of 4.5% in May, reflecting persistently weak domestic demand. China's trade data will be released on Thursday.

Persons: Premier Li Qiang, Susobhan Sarkar, Devayani, Joe Cash, Edmund Klamann Organizations: BEIJING, Societe Generale, Imports, Fitch, Premier, Thomson

[1/3] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg meet during a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Yves HermanTOKYO, July 12 (Reuters) - Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday he welcomed that Japan and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) had agreed on a new partnership programme, ahead of his attendance at the NATO Vilnius summit. At a joint announcement with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, Kishida said he looked forward to furthering cooperation in new areas including cyber-security, and hoped to deepen cooperation with NATO as it increases its engagement with the Indo-Pacific. The new partnership programme comes as NATO explores a deeper engagement with Asia while China increases its military presence. China has lashed out at a communique issued by NATO during its two-day summit in Lithuania's capital Vilnius claiming that China challenged the military alliance's interests, security, and values.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Jens Stoltenberg, Yves Herman TOKYO, Kishida, Stoltenberg, Sakura Murakami, Kentaro Sugiyama, Michael Perry Organizations: NATO, REUTERS, Japan's, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Thomson Locations: Vilnius, Lithuania, Japan, NATO Vilnius, Asia, China, North Korea, Europe, Lithuania's

Tucker told officials an "ice-breaking" spirit adopted by British businesses historically would help the UK and China overcome challenges and geopolitical tensions, a bank statement published on Wednesday said. HSBC will make key investments in its asset management arm in China this year, including launching new teams dedicated to green assets and fixed income, the first of the two sources and a third source with knowledge of the matter said. HSBC has stepped up expansion in China despite criticism from some lawmakers in the West of the bank's conduct in the region. HSBC said last week it was "open to opportunities" to expand its businesses in China, after its local partner put a 31% stake in its HSBC Jintrust Fund Management joint venture on the block. HSBC's green finance push builds on its acquisition of Hong Kong-based specialist asset manager Green Transition Partners in January, when the bank said it planned to grow its green infrastructure services across the Asia-Pacific region.

Persons: Mark Tucker, Tucker, Xi Jinping, HSBC's Tucker, Noel Quinn, Iain Withers, Sinead Cruise, Selena Li, Mark Potter Organizations: HSBC, Ping An Insurance, Morningstar, Beijing, Credit Suisse, UBS, Reuters, HSBC Jintrust Fund Management, Green Transition Partners, Hong, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, Beijing, Asia, Western, West, Hong Kong, Pacific, London

☆ Private equity gears up for a deal fest Down Under
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Antony Currie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

So it’s fitting that one of the country’s most hotly contested deals involving overseas private equity firms is for Rugby Australia. It’s also a teaser for the deal fest buyout shops are gearing up for Down Under. Another veteran, Blackstone (BX.N), has doubled its private equity headcount over the past couple of years. Reuters GraphicsWith $676 billion of private equity dry powder in the Asia-Pacific region, according to consultancy Bain & Co, regularly capturing a two-fifths share implies up to $270 billion of capital could be heading Down Under in the coming years. Australia, he said, was too small and too competitive for private equity firms to make money.

Persons: It’s, Blackstone, EQT, they’re, it’ll, there’s, Brian Hong, Robyn Mak, Thomas Shum Organizations: MELBOURNE, Reuters, Rugby Australia, CVC Capital Partners, Australian Financial, Down, Brookfield Asset Management, CVC, Nine Entertainment, AusNet Services, MidOcean Energy, Origin Energy, Retirement Trust, Consumer, Sydney Airport, Bain & Co, Reserve Bank of Australia, U.S . Federal Reserve, Macquarie Capital, Thomson Locations: Asia, Australia, China, People’s Republic, Asia Pacific, Pacific

BEIJING, July 10 (Reuters) - China on Monday called on the U.S. to take "practical action" in response to its "major concerns" about sanctions on Chinese firms, after U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen wrapped up more than 10 hours of meetings with senior officials in Beijing. Yellen came to Beijing seeking to ease tensions between the world's two superpowers, and while there was no breakthrough, both sides described their talks as "productive" and agreed to keep channels open "at all levels" for talks on the economy. The United States has imposed sanctions on some companies for using forced labour in the far-western region of Xinjiang. The ministry also said China believed its development was an opportunity rather than a risk to the U.S. and that "strengthening cooperation between China and the United States is a realistic need and the correct choice of the two countries." Reporting by Joe Cash and Ellen Zhang; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Yellen, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Bruce Pang, Jones Lang LaSalle, Joe Cash, Ellen Zhang, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Stephen Coates Organizations: U.S, Treasury, Economic Cooperation, United, Jones, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Beijing, Asia, San Francisco, Xinjiang, United States, Hong Kong

☆ New Zealand confident about IAEA advice on Fukushima water release plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WELLINGTON, July 10 (Reuters) - New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta told the head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog on Monday that her government has full confidence in the IAEA's advice on the proposed Fukushima treated water release. Following the release of the report, Grossi visited South Korea. He is currently in New Zealand before travelling to the Cook Islands where he will meet with Pacific Islands Forum chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. The Pacific Islands Forum, a regional bloc of 17 island nations, has raised significant concerns about the release of the water fearing among other things the impact on fisheries. Mahuta said New Zealand acutely understands the effects nuclear testing has had on its Pacific neighbours in the past, and the government would continue to call for the release of the water to be dealt with through transparency and meaningful dialogue.

Persons: Nanaia Mahuta, Rafael Grossi, Japan's, Grossi, Mark Brown, Mahuta, Lucy Craymer, Muralikumar Anantharaman Organizations: WELLINGTON, Zealand Foreign, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Pacific Islands Forum, Cook Islands, Thomson Locations: South Korea, New Zealand, Cook, Zealand, Lincoln

☆ Zoom is 'extremely optimistic' about growth in Asia-Pacific despite weaker outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

watch nowZoom is "doubling down" on its technical investments in the Asia-Pacific region as it seeks to strengthen growth, said the video communications company on Friday. We made a strong commitment about two years ago to really turn on the speed and step on the gas," Abe Smith, Zoom's head of international, told "Squawk Box Asia." watch nowHowever, Smith said Zoom is "extremely optimistic" about the growth of its phone product in Asia Pacific. Zoom's A.I. Zoom's big bet on AI also includes an investment in Anthropic, an AI safety and research company, back in May.

Persons: Abe Smith, Zoom's, Smith Organizations: Microsoft Locations: Asia, Pacific, Singapore, India, Chennai, Bangalore, Asia Pacific, Anthropic

The official said Yellen and her Chinese interlocutors had a "substantive conversation," without giving any further details. "We will take action to protect our national security when needed, and this trip presents an opportunity to communicate and avoid miscommunication or misunderstanding," Yellen wrote. U.S. firms in China hope Yellen's visit will ensure trade and commercial lanes between the two economies remain open, regardless of the temperature of geo-political tensions. "I think if there was another year of no visits by top U.S. government leaders, the market would get colder," he added. Reporting by Joe Cash, Ellen Zhang and Ryan Woo; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Kim CoghillOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Yi Gang, Liu, Yellen, interlocutors, Xi Jinping, Yellen's, Michael Hart, Joe Cash, Ellen Zhang, Ryan Woo, Himani Sarkar, Kim Coghill Organizations: . Treasury, Treasury, Twitter, American Chamber of Commerce, U.S, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, U.S, Beijing, Zurich, China

☆ How Singapore has become a leading force in tech innovation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Insider Studios With Edb Singapore | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Over 13 years ago, AvePoint, a SaaS solutions provider based in New Jersey, recognized the potential of Southeast Asia and found its entry point in Singapore. "While Singapore is a very small country, the country's focus on talent development and productivity results in it leading the forefront of innovation with a strong tech ecosystem for talent and corporate success," he said. In Singapore, ServiceNow was able to access a unique business partnership with Singapore Airlines, the world's most-awarded airline and one of the region's largest customers, developing a system called SQNow, which streamlines and manages IT workflows. "Being successful in Singapore is often a gateway into other markets around Southeast Asia," Nehammer added. Why Singapore's brand continues to thriveSingapore's ascent as a global tech powerhouse is anchored on the pillars of innovation, business networks, and robust tech infrastructure.

Persons: Tianyi Jiang, ServiceNow, it's, Jiang, Nehammer, AvePoint Organizations: ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Singapore government's Smart, Smart, Singapore, Singapore Airlines, NCS, Tech, Monetary Authority of Singapore, MAS, Higher, Insider Studios, Singapore Economic Development Board Locations: Singapore, New Jersey, Southeast Asia, Asia, Rhode

☆ China hosts Russian warships that passed by Taiwan, Japan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, July 6 (Reuters) - China hosted two Russian warships that had earlier sailed past Taiwan and Japan, and the vessels are expected to hold a joint drill with the Chinese navy during their visit, demonstrating the enduring military cooperation between the two countries. The two frigates - Gromkiy and Sovershenniy - made port at the financial hub of Shanghai on Wednesday, Chinese state television reported. The same ships, which belong to the Pacific fleet of the Russian Navy, passed through waters near democratically governed Taiwan at the end of June. China and Russia have pledged stronger military ties, and on Monday, China's Defence Minister Li Shangfu met with the head of the Russian navy, Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, in Beijing. Gerasimov was quoted by Tass news agency as saying that the two sides will continue to expand their military cooperation.

Persons: Xi Jingping's, Vladimir Putin, Li Shangfu, Nikolai Yevmenov, Commission Liu Zhenli, Valery Gerasimov, Gerasimov, Albee Zhang, Ella Cao, Ryan Woo, Ben Blanchard, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Fleet, Pacific, Russian Navy, NATO, China's, Commission, Tass, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Taiwan, Japan, Shanghai, Vladivostok, Okinawa, U.S, Moscow, Washington, Asia, Pacific, Russia, Russian, Beijing

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