May 19, 2010

Scientists report Cheonan was sunk by Chinese torpedo from North Korean sub

A N. Korean submarine fired a Chinese-made torpedo to sink the S. Korean warship Cheonan, scientists said. A team of S. Korean scientists led by Bae Myung-Jin of Soongsil University's Sound Research Lab reported that the ship was probably sunk by a Chinese Yu-3 heavy torpedo. If confirmed, it would implicate China in the incident. (FULL STORY)
Navy officers close the gate to the area where the salvaged South Korean naval vessel Cheonan is being kept.  AFP/Lee Jae-Won
Micromanaging Hong Kong politics: Beijing moving in to assume direct control

Thirteen years after taking back Hong Kong from the British, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is poised to exercise a more hands-on, over-the-table approach to influencing the course of political development in the Special Administration Region (SAR). Beijing is rolling out the big guns to tackle growing demands by pro-democracy activists in the SAR for a bigger say in local affairs, particularly direct elections for the post of chief executive and members of the Legislative Council.  (FULL STORY)
Tanya Chan, left, one of the five Hong Kong opposition legislators who resigned in January, accompanied by nson Chan, Hong Kong's former No. 2 official, delivers leaflets in Hong Kong on May 16.   AP/Kin Cheung
State Department's Steinberg welcomes 'strong China', skirts serious bilateral tensions
Locke announces relaxed export controls in advance of Asia trip
   
Seoul to refocus military reform back on the North Korea threat
Taiwanese caught trying to illegally export dual-use items to Iran
Taiwan group presses Obama on urgent request for 66 F-16s
North Korea to convene extra parliament session in June

  INSIDE  NORTH  KOREA     
Mountain retreat figures into analysis of several North Korea implosion scenarios

Ruler Kim Jong-Il's largest and most secret redoubt is located inside a northern mountain. The Kanwa Asian Defense reported May 11 that if Kim were ever forced to retreat, the Paekdu Mountain Military Base would be the likely location.
Kim Jong-Il fires senior military leader in unusual move seen tied to succession
China official commentary calls for declassifying more military budget details
U.S. raised Internet freedom in human rights dialogue with China

 
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