The Myanmar government has carried out airstrikes this week against ethnic rebels in northern Kachin state, raising fresh concerns about reforms and a fragile peace processes.
Top Asia Pacific (View all)
- In South Korea, Kim Jong-un's New Year speech generates surprise - and doubt
- Could the US learn from Australia's gun-control laws?
- South Korea charges North building missile that could reach US
- Japanese firms set spending record in buying up foreign assets
- South Korea's president-elect promises 'new era of change'
- South Korea elects its first woman president, Park Geun-hye
- Japan's hawkish Abe claims the win, but not a mandate
- Dictator's daughter leading polls ahead of South Korean election
- Chinese police suspect man who stabbed 23 kids 'influenced' by doomsday rumor
- Japan's deadlock over? A supermajority emerges in exit polls.
More Asia Pacific
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On election's eve, Japan's conservatives appear poised for dramatic comeback
If polls ahead of Sunday's vote are correct, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will take up the top slot again as leader of the LDP. His more hawkish tone on China has played well to an uneasy electorate.
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Mysteries swirl around North Korea's satellite launch (+video)
The US believes North Korea's satellite is out of control, but the South Koreans insist that it is functioning normally.
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'Act of Killing': In small screenings, by word of mouth, Indonesians learn of dark past
The new film 'The Act of Killing' recounts the slaughter in Indonesia of up to 2 million people following an attempted coup in 1965. Filmmakers are showing it in small venues to dodge potential censorship.
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North Korea rocket launch: Why China only 'expresses regret' (+video)
Beijing's restrained response to a widely condemned rocket launch is based on its concern about North Korea's stability – and its view that a tough UN resolution could worsen regional security.
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As North Korea celebrates surprise rocket launch, alarm mounts abroad (+video)
North Korea went ahead with a rocket launch despite international pressure to call it off. Critics say the launch masks a weapons development effort and is a clear violation of UN sanctions.
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China's economic recovery picks up pace, but for how long? (+video)
While the global recession took a toll, China's economy is now in a sweet spot that may hold through the first half of 2013, say some analysts. But worrisome longer-term trends are surfacing.
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Is Japan losing its cool?
Manga, anime, J-pop – once it was all about Japan. But the country's efforts to channel its 'cool' as part of a global soft power strategy may need a revamp amid intense competition from Korea.
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Test passed? Japan's earthquake causes quick response near Fukushima (+video)
Coming so soon after Sunday’s tunnel collapse raised questions about Japan's infrastructure, the absence of major damage from today's quake shows Japan’s level of preparedness for them.
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Japanese chef dishes on North Korean leader and missile launch
'It’s hard to understand why surrounding countries are so sensitive,' says Kenji Fujimoto, who left North Korea in 2001 but returned for a visit last summer at Kim Jong-un’s invitation.
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Japan tunnel collapse ignites debate about infrastructure spending
Japan has ordered immediate inspections of dozens of road and highway tunnels after the ceiling of a tunnel near Tokyo collapsed on Sunday, killing nine people.
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Exclusive: How a Chinese prisoner release reveals business as usual at 'black jail'
A Monitor investigation reveals that Tuesday's announced freedom for 70,000 prisoners was really just a regular release of several hundred petitioners.
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Thai king's birthday marks time-out in Thailand's game of thrones
Though the royal institution once enjoyed a near-universal respect, recent political polarization has raised questions about the role of the monarchy and about the country's future after his reign.
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North Korea preps for rocket launch despite international warnings
Many are concerned that North Korea's rocket launch is cover for developing the technology to attach a nuclear warhead to a long-range missile capable of going as far as Hawaii, Alaska, or the US West Coast.
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Fight over snack in China lights up blogosphere
Controversy over how police handled a fight between ethnic minority snack vendors and a Han Chinese costumer went viral in China, highlighting discontent with 'leniency' for minorities.
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China's leadership change is disturbing the corridors of power
Officials at some top-level Chinese government meetings have been banned from simply reading their notes and have been encouraged to engage in real discussion.
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China sentences Chen Guangcheng's nephew after snap trial
Chen Kegui, the nephew of blind legal activist Chen Guangcheng, will spend more than three years in prison for assaulting men who broke into his house in April. His lawyers were barred from the four-hour trial.
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Spike in Tibetan self-immolations draws international attention to China
Today, yet another Tibetan died after he set himself on fire in protest. And neither the Chinese authorities nor exiled Tibetan leaders seem able, or willing, to halt the recent spike in such incidents.
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Disposable diapers or bare bottoms? China frets over potty training
As they rapidly enter the middle class, Chinese parents are scorning traditional environmentally-friendly split pants for disposable diapers.
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Is China coming to a city near you?
Hong Kong is being transformed by the influx of mainland tourists, some say Chinese tourism magnets such as Paris, Seoul, and Taipei should prepare to deal with something similar.
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Why one of China's richest men is squaring off against Obama in court
Wu Jialiang, CEO of Ralls Corp. is challenging Obama's refusal on national security grounds to let him build a wind farm in America, marking the first such high level case in the US from a Chinese firm.
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