Asia Pacific – Page 1034 – Prologue Journal

US-China rivalry: American troops to access Papua New Guinea ports, airports in new security pact

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Prime Minister James Marape said two agreements focusing on defence cooperation and maritime surveillance had been agreed with Washington and would be signed in the near future. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3221051/us-china-rivalry-american-troops-access-papua-new-guinea-ports-airports-new-security-pact?utm_source=rss_feed

New Zealand police charge man with arson in connection with hostel fire that killed at least 6

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Police said they were not seeking anyone else in relation to the blaze, which engulfed a four-storey, 92-room hostel in the early hours of Tuesday. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3221039/new-zealand-police-charge-man-arson-connection-hostel-fire-killed-least-6?utm_source=rss_feed

Cyclone Aid Stalled in Myanmar: ‘I Just Hope We Get Help Before We Die.’

New York Times Aid groups in the war-torn country say they are having trouble gaining access to areas affected by the storm without approval from the junta. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/18/world/asia/myanmar-cyclone-mocha.html

South China Sea: Vietnam criticises China, Philippines for ‘violating its sovereign rights’ over their maritime conduct

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Chinese and Vietnamese vessels confronted each other in recent days on multiple occasions as a Chinese research ship moved within Hanoi’s exclusive economic zone. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3221028/south-china-sea-vietnam-criticises-china-philippines-violating-its-sovereign-rights-over-their?utm_source=rss_feed

Singapore Hangs Man in Second Drug-Related Execution in Three Weeks

New York Times The man had been sentenced to death for possessing less than 3.5 pounds of cannabis, a punishment that human rights groups condemned as grossly excessive. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/18/world/asia/singapore-marijuana-execution.html

Ukraine and China Will Dominate G7 Summit, but a New Threat Lurks: A.I.

New York Times The leaders are expected to hold their first talks on a common regulatory approach to generative artificial intelligence. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/18/world/asia/g7-ukraine-artificial-intelligence.html

Thailand’s Move Forward has ‘momentum on our side’, Pita says as he seeks allies for PM bid

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat says he has consensus to form a coalition, but is still 63 seats short of forming a majority of 376 across the Thai parliament’s two chambers. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3221014/thailands-move-forward-has-momentum-our-side-pita-says-he-seeks-allies-pm-bid?utm_source=rss_feed

As Cathay Pacific struggles, Singapore Airlines earns record results hands staff 8 months’ bonus

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The city state’s flag carrier reported net income of US$1.62 billion for the year ended March 31, after posting losses for the past three years. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3221005/cathay-pacific-struggles-singapore-airlines-earns-record-results-hands-staff-8-months-bonus?utm_source=rss_feed

Bangladesh can learn from China’s development experience amid pressure to choose sides

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Like many developing countries, Bangladesh is more focused on climate change, ending poverty and securing investment than choosing geopolitical sides. China has first-hand experience with many of the issues countries like Bangladesh are experiencing…

As the U.S. Attends the G7, China Hosts a Summit of Its Own

New York Times Xi Jinping of China is meeting with leaders of five countries in Central Asia, a region crucial to his geopolitical ambitions. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/18/world/asia/china-central-asia-g7.html