May 1, 2009

Japan upgrade of space agency seen having national security implications

In a move toward strengthening its strategic military capabilities, Japan last week announced it is upgrading the status of its space agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA. The move follows North Korea’s third flight test of a long-range ballistic missile that passed over Japanese territory.   (FULL STORY)
An H-2A rocket carrying a Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite for Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) blasts off from the southern island of Tanegashima on Jan. 23. Xinhua/Reuters

CCP calls for 'proactive' crackdown as 20th anniversary of Tiananmen approaches

Beijing has launched a “strike hard” campaign to ensure law and order in the run-up to the 20th anniversary of the June 4 Tiananmen massacre and the PRC’s 60th birthday on October 1. The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) reported earlier this week that the nation’s roughly 2 million police and tens of millions of vigilantes and reservists will adopt a multi-pronged approach of “cracking down, prevention and rectification.”  (FULL STORY)
Falun Gong members practise in Taipei on April 25, the 10th anniversary of the crackdown that drove the spiritual group underground in China.   Reuters/Nicky Loh
PetroChina plans purchase of firm that is U.S. Navy's sole nuclear fuel provider
U.S. Navy continues to signal tolerance of China's development of aircraft carriers
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Setup? U.S. journalists were arrested by North Korean military intelligence, not border troops
Kim takes first official step to groom youngest son as successor
N. Korean WMD prompts call in Japan for debate on Constitution

At the Blue House in Seoul, what goes around … / China decides its best defense against multiple U.S. trade complaints is… / Oops: Chinese pirates try to export counterfeit specialty Israeli oranges to Iran / Sanctions on Iran are beginning to bite
Joint North-South industrial park could close as Pyongyang takes hostage, changes terms
China's anti-democratic strategy for Pacific islands bearing fruit in Fiji
Report: Obama, Clinton weighing review of Taiwan policy
Report: Global recession reveals divide in China between 'neo-leftists' and 'rightists'

 
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