January 9, 2009

North Korea's New Year's message lures Obama with words of peace

SEOUL — Pyongyang offered an olive branch to the incoming U.S. administration of Barack Obama with a "Joint New Year Editorial" by the state media and the military. The editorial's pledge that the communist regime would seek a "nuclear-free Korean peninsula" was taken as a clear signal that Pyongyang has high hopes for the incoming Obama administration.    (FULL STORY)
Pyongyang rally on Jan. 5. The banner means 'Let's thoroughly achieve the tasks set out in this year's joint editorials'.  AP/KCNA

Great Leap Outward: PLA celebrates China's 'quasi-superpower' status

With the Hu Jintao leadership keen to speed up China’s transformation into a “quasi-superpower,” the People’s Liberation Army is set to play an ever-bigger role in Chinese politics and diplomacy. Plans are already afoot for a gargantuan military parade on Oct. 1 to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic.  (FULL STORY)
Chinese navy prepares for deployment to the Gulf of Aden.
North Korea starts 2009 with major shakeup of top officials
Hanoi seeks close U.S. ties to counter China's growing military/political leverage
   
Beijing all but confirms reports it plans carrier battle groups
China deploys Aegis-type warships for anti-piracy mission
U.S. command: China remains top strategic 'question mark'
CCP rocked by hacking of computer with Tibet documents

Damn the missiles, it's full steam ahead for Taiwan-Mainland economic ties / Obama administration trade showdown with China seen likely / Korea’s Lee is now on a tear / Brazilian sugar cane energy on sale in Japan
16 years of failed North Korea policies prompt call for new human rights strategy
Report: Smuggling on border with China conducted by official North Korean security agency
Beijing's fears of publicity during Olympics stemmed tide of North Korean defectors in 2008

 
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