Asia Pacific – Page 891 – Prologue Journal

China’s Military, ‘Chasing the Dream,’ Probes Taiwan’s Defenses

New York Times Day by day, the People’s Liberation Army is turning up the pressure, deploying an ever-wider array of planes and ships. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/11/world/asia/china-taiwan-military.html

A Japanese Candy Tasted Like Nothing. Why Do People Miss It?

New York Times Flavorless (?) Candy, a convenience store product in Japan, spurred debate over what the “taste of nothingness” tastes like, if anything. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/11/world/asia/japan-flavorless-candy-lawsons.html

Indonesia cheers Dutch return of artefacts, but fears of heists, preservation persist amid lax museum security

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. As Western nations come under increasing pressure to return the spoils of colonial rule, experts query the readiness and safety of Indonesia’s museums to handle the items. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3230767/indonesia-cheers-dutch-return-artefacts-fears-heists-preservation-persist-amid-lax-museum-security?utm_source=rss_feed

Country Garden’s Stock Plunges After Report of Huge Losses

New York Times Financial troubles at Country Garden, the last real estate giant to avoid default, sparked panic in the markets and angry comments online. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/11/business/country-garden-default-risk.html

Orange cat adopted by capybaras at Malaysia zoo turns into smash hit, drawing thousands of visitors

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Oyen the ginger cat has become Zoo Negara’s star attraction after it was moved into the world’s largest rodents’ enclosure. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3230763/orange-cat-adopted-capybaras-malaysia-zoo-turns-smash-hit-drawing-thousands-visitors?utm_source=rss_feed

Singapore to hold presidential election on September 1 if multiple candidates qualify

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Former PAP minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, ex-state fund investment chief Ng Kok Song, and business executive George Goh have their eye on the largely ceremonial role. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3230751/singapore-hold-presidential-election-september-1-if-multiple-candidates-qualify?utm_source=rss_feed

Australia’s defence department charged after 2 soldiers mauled by crocodile

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The badly injured servicemen were hospitalised after escaping from the jaws of the reptile that attacked in 2021 when they went for a swim in northeastern Australia. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3230740/australias-defence-department-charged-after-2-soldiers-mauled-crocodile?utm_source=rss_feed

Biden limits China investments, South China Sea stand-off, Indonesia courts Elon Musk: SCMP’s 7 highlights of the week

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. From Joe Biden’s new restrictions on US investments in China to fresh tensions between Beijing and Manila, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting. https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3230709/biden-limits-china-investments-south-china-sea-stand-indonesia-courts-elon-musk-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed

South China Sea: Philippines to send more supplies, ships and aircraft to disputed reef as tensions rise

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The military said a resupply mission will resume next week after the Chinese coastguard fired water cannons at Philippine ships carrying essentials for troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3230711/south-china-sea-philippines-send-more-supplies-ships-and-aircraft-disputed-reef-tensions-rise?utm_source=rss_feed

Will China be ‘offended’ by Asean openly backing heightened US security presence in the region? Not really

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Southeast Asian countries privately prefer expanded Western military footprint in the region and are hesitant to publicly air their views to avoid ruffling Beijing’s feathers. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3230611/will-china-be-offended-asean-openly-backing-heightened-us-security-presence-region-not-really?utm_source=rss_feed