November 7, 2008

Pakistan ties with China warming following tensions with U.S.

Pakistan’s new government under President Asif Ali Zardari is increasing economic, political and likely military ties with China as relations with the United States have become strained by the recent increase in U.S. military operations on the Pakistani side of the Afghan border. Pakistan recently signed a nuclear deal with China to build additional reactors, apparently in response to the conclusion of a U.S.-India nuclear accord     (FULL STORY)

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Chinese President Hu Jintao smile after signing an agreement in Beijing on Oct.15. AP/Elizabeth Dalziel

China’s commercial jet sale to GE seen boosting air force modernization

Chinese authorities have scored a breakthrough for the first generation of domestically manufactured commercial aircraft, an accomplishment that will have immense significance for the modernization of the PLA air force. At the on-going Airshow at Zhuhai the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd. (COMAC) sold five ARJ21-700 jets to GE’s aircraft leasing arm.  (FULL STORY)

China's first home-grown ARJ21-700 regional jet "Xiang Feng" (Flying Phoenix).  AP
Russia assisting China with centrifuge plants, experimental reactor
Chinese subs spotted by Japanese in the vicinity of USS George Washington near Korea
   

Release of new Kim Jong-Il photos fails the smell test

High-living Kim believed convalescing at one of 24 royal villas
Japan's Aso confirms intelligence on Kim's condition
N. Korea orders farmers to sacrifice or military's food supplies

With new reports of abandoned factories, Chinese crisis deepens / Holy kimchi! China's endemic tainted-food export problem crosses the line with South Korea / Oops: Japanese shopping spree for assets ends before it begins / Taiwan-Mainland ties that (may yet) bind / Global Arctic warning winners and losers: Shipping and polar bears
North Korea hints at use of nuclear weapons against South
Taiwan plans cruise missile buildup to counter China's 1,000-missile arsenal
Gates cites China's expanding nuclear arsenal, warns on state of U.S. deterrence

 
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