US and China Engaged in Hypersonic Arms Race

The United States and China are engaged in a race to develop the most lethal hypersonic weapons.

That's according to US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, who added that the Chinese "have been at it very aggressively."

Patrick Fok reports from Beijing.

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Hong Kong scientists isolate Omicron COVID-19 variant

Researchers at the University of Hong Kong say they're the first in Asia to successfully isolate the Omicron variant from clinical Covid-19 specimens. They hope their analysis can help in the development of vaccines.

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

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India revises travel guidelines, puts 12 countries in the 'at risk' category

India has issued new travel guidelines for international passengers, as calls grow to ban incoming flights from countries where the Omicron variant has been detected.

Starting December 1, international passengers coming into India from 12 'at risk' countries will have to undergo a week-long quarantine even if they test negative.

Neha Poonia has more.

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Report: China Risks "Colossal Outbreak" if Travel Curbs are Lifted

A news study has warned China faces hundreds of thousands of daily COVID-19 infections if it drops its zero-tolerance approach.

It said the country can't afford to lift travel curbs without more vaccinations or specific treatments.

Patrick Fok reports from Beijing.

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Hong Kong prepares to re-open border with China

The Hong Kong government says it has met all the basic requirements required by Beijing for a re-opening of the border with China. Officials say they are now finalizing how to implement new health measures to allow quarantine-free travel to resume.

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

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Japan and Vietnam express “serious concerns” over South China Sea

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh agreed to enhance security cooperation amid "serious concerns" over the South China Sea. The pair met in Tokyo late on Wednesday during a four-day visit by Vietnamese officials.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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Japan to join US and others in oil reserves release

Japan will join the United States, China and others in a coordinated release of oil reserves in an attempt to bring down soaring fuel prices.

The move marks the first such release from state stockpiles outside of the occurrence of a natural disaster or political turmoil.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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China Hits Out at "Malicious Hype" Over Peng Shuai

China has hit out at what it calls malicious hyping and the politicization of the case of Peng Shuai.

Concern has mounted over the tennis star following a social media post that was made alleging she was coerced into sex by a former vice premier.

Patrick Fok reports from Beijing.

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Third Hong Kong activist jailed under national security law

A student activist in Hong Kong has been jailed for three and half years, after pleading guilty to charges under the city's national security law. 20 year-old Tony Chung is the third person to be sentenced under the legislation. Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

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Hong Kong hopes to secure cross-border travel with China

The Hong Kong government is preparing to send a delegation of health experts to China, in a bid to finalise plans to re-open the border with the mainland. 

A resumption of quarantine-free travel has been delayed amid ongoing negotiations between the Hong Kong and Beijing governments.

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Daily infections in India dip to a 500 day low

India's reported just over 7500 new COVID19 cases in the last 24 hours.  

This is the lowest number of confirmed cases in a single day in a year and a half despite huge festival gatherings in recent weeks.

Neha Poonia has more from New Delhi.

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Japan-Vietnam kick off talks to strengthen regional security and economic cooperation

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrives in Japan Monday to begin four days of talks. Both sides are expected to discuss how to strengthen regional security and economic cooperation.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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In a surprise move, India's Prime Minister announces repeal of three farm laws

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced his government will repeal three controversial farm laws brought in last year.

For nearly a year now, Mr Modi's government has categorically refused to back down despite tens of thousands of farmers holding what has been the largest and the longest protest by farmers in recent history.

It's unclear if the farmers will immediately call off their demonstration.

Neha Poonia has more.

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Japan to unveil record stimulus package

Japan is set to unveil a record $490 billion stimulus package in a bid to boost its pandemic stricken economy. The move goes against a global trend towards scaling back crisis-mode stimulus measures. 

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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Hong Kong authorities target election manipulation

Hong Kong's authorities say they'll crack down on any attempt to manipulate the city's Legislative election next month. A range of new measures are being introduced to target calls for election boycotts or the casting of invalid votes. 

Richard Kimber reports.

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Honda sets net-zero CO2 target by 2050 for whole supply chain - Japanese media

Honda has set a net-zero CO2 target by 2050 for its whole supply chain, according to local media.

It's the first Japanese automaker to roll out a long-term carbon reduction strategy, but Japanese corporations are seen as trailing their European and American counterparts in efforts to mitigate climate change. 

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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Xi-Biden Summit Kicks Off

China and the United States should respect each other, coexist peacefully and cooperate for a win-win situation.

Those were part of President Xi Jinping's opening remarks at the virtual summit held with US President Biden.

President Biden emphasized that the two nations must not veer into conflict.

Patrick Fok reports from Beijing.

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Japan outlines plans for vaccination proof system

Japan has seen Covid-19 cases plummet over the past weeks. However, officials believe the winter may bring a fresh wave of infections and plans are underway for a system that requires vaccination or negative test proof in order to help keep business up-and-running, while also restricting behaviour.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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Delhi shuts schools as pollution levels spike

India's capital - one of the most polluted megacities in the world - is once again blanketed by a thick layer of toxic smog.

For more than a week, pollution levels have hovered between the 300 and 900 mark- when permissible limits are 50.

Neha Poonia has more on the emergency measures Delhi has taken.

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Japan PM Kishida strengthens support despite cash handout criticism

Japan's New Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is enjoying steady support, despite strong criticism of a cash handout programme for those aged 18 or under. 

Kishida is working towards compiling a $265 billion stimulus package to revive the economy after the pandemic.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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The world's biggest shopping event boosts Chinese economic woes

The biggest shopping event in the world has broken another record.

China's e-commerce giant Alibaba says its Singles Day sales reached almost 85 billion US dollars on Thursday. But the rate of annual sales growth is stalling, amid China's wider economic slowdown.  

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

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Japan’s new foreign minister - stable ties with China “important”

Japan's new foreign minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said Thursday that it was important to build constructive and stable ties with China.

His appointment to the top post has reportedly caused friction in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party among conservative lawmakers, who see him as being too pro-Beijing.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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US, CHINA STRIKE CLIMATE DEAL TO TIP COP26 TOWARDS SUCCESS

China and the United States have unveiled a surprise deal to ramp up cooperation on tackling climate change.

Announced at the UN climate conference in Scotland, it was billed by both sides as a way to tip the summit towards success.

Patrick Fok reports from Beijing.

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US, CHINA STRIKE CLIMATE DEAL TO TIP COP26 TOWARDS SUCCESS

China and the United States have unveiled a surprise deal to ramp up cooperation on tackling climate change.

Announced at the UN climate conference in Scotland, it was billed by both sides as a way to tip the summit towards success.

Patrick Fok reports from Beijing.

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Hong Kong mulls tightening aircrew COVID-19 quarantine rules

Airlines in Hong Kong are urging the government to resist further tightening the city's COVID-19 quarantine rules, after two cargo pilots tested positive for the virus.

Local flight crew are currently exempt from quarantine, but health officials say that may have to change. 

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

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Japan educational media award for Greta documentary

A documentary on teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has won The Japan Prize by Japan's national broadcaster. The award - established in 1965  - aims to recognise excellence in educational media. 

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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Arrests in Hong Kong over calls to cast blank votes at election

Hong Kong authorities have arrested three people on allegations of encouraging the casting of blank votes at the city's upcoming legislative election. The electoral process is facing criticism from democracy activists, with candidates required to pass a vetting process before being allowed to stand.

Richard Kimber reports.

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US Expressed Concern Over Health of Jailed Wuhan Citizen Journalist

The United States has expressed concern over the deteriorating health of jailed Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan.

Last week her family said the 38-year-old was close to death, amplifying calls for her release.

Patrick Fok reports from Beijing.

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Japan kicks off debate on $265 billion stimulus

The Japanese government has begun discussions on an economic stimulus package that could total more than $265 billion in order to revive the pandemic-hit economy.

Prime Minister Kishida has pledged a form of "new capitalism" to promote both growth and wealth distribution, and tackle growing income inequality.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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Japan eases border restrictions as Covid cases plummet

Japan has eased border restrictions for some visitors in a bid to boost the economy after a sharp decline in coronavirus cases.  The move is expected to give a lift to businesses, which can now bring staff to the country from overseas. although tourists remain prohibited.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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Chinese Communist Party Set to Pass "Historic Resolution"

The Chinese Communist Party is poised to pass a new resolution, clearing the way for current president Xi Jing Ping to secure an unprecedented third term next year.

The country's leadership is meeting for its sixth and penultimate plenum of the Communist Party's five year term.

Nina-Maria Potts has more.

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Beijing dismisses concerns over Hong Kong press freedoms

There are growing concerns over press freedoms in Hong Kong. The head of a prominent pro-democracy news platform in the city resigned at the weekend, days after a local industry survey suggested an increasing number of journalists are planning to move overseas. 

Beijing says the survey is misleading and lacks credibility. 

Richard Kimber reports.

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Nintendo lowers sales forecast for its Switch games console

Nintendo had lowered its sales forecast for its Switch game console for the current business year due to the ongoing global shortage of semiconductors. 

However, it upgraded its net profit due to strong demand for games.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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Japan’s service sector activity expands for first time in 21 months

Japan's service sector activity rose for the first time in 21 months in October. The country is emerging from the coronavirus pandemic, and that's driving a recovery in consumer demand.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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Hong Kong prepares to rollout COVID-19 booster jabs

Hong Kong will begin administering COVID-19 booster shots next week to high-risk groups. The move comes as a third of the city's population are still yet to be inoculated against the virus, despite a free mass vaccination programme having been in operation for almost nine months. 

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

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Japan PM Kishida and US President Biden agree to strengthen alliance in first in-person talks

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US President Joe Biden agreed to strengthen the Japan-US alliance in their first in person talks. The meeting came on the sidelines of the UN climate summit, which marked Kishida's debut on the world stage.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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Hong Kong police investigate fake COVID-19 tracing app

Hong Kong police are on the hunt for the developers of a fake government COVID-19 tracing app. The public are required to use the official mobile app to record their daily movements, as part of efforts to monitor the spread of the virus. But critics say it's unnecessary, and infringes personal privacy.

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

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Suicide among Japanese women jumps more than 15%

A Japanese government white paper on suicide prevention has reported a sharp jump in suicide among women in 2020.

Changes in the working environment due to the coronavirus pandemic are believed to be a major factor.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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Hong Kong to end special exemptions for COVID-19 quarantine

Hong Kong is tightening its COVID-19 border rules, in a bid to get approval from Beijing to restart quarantine-free travel with mainland China. Business groups say the restrictions are damaging the city's status as a global finance hub, but the government says the measures will help the economy.

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

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