Shanghai, China | AFP | China will on Friday conduct the maiden test flight of a home-grown passenger jet built to meet soaring domestic travel demand and challenge the dominance of Boeing and Airbus. The C919, built by state-owned aerospace manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), was set to take wing …
Read More »China demands immediate halt to US missile shield in South Korea
Beijing, China | AFP | China called Tuesday for the immediate suspension of a controversial missile defence system hours after Washington confirmed the shield was now operational in South Korea. “China’s position is clear-cut and firm. We oppose the deployment of the THAAD system in (South Korea) and urge relevant …
Read More »Kyambadde vouches for Chinese on petty trade
Minister for Trade and Industry Amelia Kyambadde has backed Chinese businessman in the country who are under fire for being involved in petty trade. Kyambadde told MPs there is no provision in the law excluding foreigners from carrying out trade in the country. She told the parliamentary committee on trade …
Read More »Defiant North Korea fires another ballistic missile
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile Saturday in apparent defiance of a US push for tougher international sanctions to curb the Asian country’s nuclear threat. “North Korea fired an unidentified missile from a site in the vicinity of Bukchang in Pyeongannam-do (South Pyeongan Province) …
Read More »US ready to talk to North Korea
US seeks talks with North Korea to solve nuke issue Washington, United States | AFP | The United States is not ruling out direct dialogue with North Korea on its nuclear program, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in an interview with National Public Radio. “Obviously, that would be the …
Read More »China more interested in Macron’s marriage than his politics
Beijing, China | AFP | China is closely following France’s presidential election, but web users appear less interested in the politics than the unusual marriage between moderate candidate Emmanuel Macron and his former teacher. Comparisons with the characters of a popular Chinese television drama called “In the Name of the People” …
Read More »US THAAD missiles arrive in Seoul, China not amused
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | Trailers carrying US THAAD missile defence equipment entered a deployment site in South Korea early Wednesday with tensions high over North Korea’s intentions, Yonhap news agency reported. Arrival of the six trailers at the golf course location sparked clashes between locals and police, the …
Read More »China’s Xi Jinping urges ‘restraint’ on North Korea as US carrier nears
Beijing, China | AFP | Chinese President Xi Jinping urged “restraint” on North Korea in a phone call with Donald Trump Monday, as Japan joined drills with an American supercarrier heading to the Korean peninsula. The US leader has repeatedly called on China, the North’s sole major ally, to do …
Read More »US Defense Secretary Mattis visits strategic Djibouti
Djibouti, Djibouti | AFP | US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis arrived Sunday for a short visit to Djibouti, a strategic Horn of Africa nation which hosts Washington’s only permanent military base on the continent. Camp Lemonnier, home to some 4,000 US soldiers and contractors, is vital to US military operations …
Read More »China’s Q1 growth stabilises at 6.8%: AFP poll
Beijing, China | AFP | China’s growth stabilised in the first quarter thanks to rising investments and a recovery in exports, experts said, though they warned the reprieve may be temporary. According to an AFP survey of 16 economic analysts, the gross domestic product expanded 6.8 percent in the first …
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