America.gov-World Regions: East Asia and the Pacific

U.S.-China Trade Relations Improve Incrementally, Report Says

Andrzej Zwaniecki — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:02:42 -0500

In 2008, U.S. trade engagement with China produced important progress in many areas, according to a report to Congress by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. U.S. industries report, however, that the cooperative approach may not last.

United States Eager to Team with China to Deter Pirate Attacks

Jacquelyn S. Porth — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:04:13 -0500

African nations look to Asia for guidance on pirates. In the Straits of Malacca, pirates were dealt a serious blow through regional efforts. China joins international patrols off Somalia, adding clout there and giving hope for a resumption of U.S.-Chinese military ties.

Anniversary of U.S.-China Ties Highlights Complex Relationship

David McKeeby — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:39:08 -0500

As the United States and China look forward to celebrating 30 years of formal diplomatic ties in 2009, a look back at the past year shows the depth and complexity of their relationship. While they continue to strengthen ties, they also confront a host of shared security and economic challenges.

Universities Collaborate to Improve Water Quality in China

Nancy L. Pontius — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:52:39 -0500

Water with arsenic levels up to 180 times those of international health guidelines is harming the health of more than a million people in Chinese Inner Mongolia. University of Pittsburgh students are working with Tsinghua University and the Shenyang Institute of Environmental Sciences to change that.

United States Opens Food-Safety Offices in China

Kathryn McConnell — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:22:24 -0500

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has opened offices in the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in hopes of better regulating the safety of imported food and medicine. In 2009, the agency plans to open offices in India, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

Burmese Cyclone Victims to Get Additional $5 Million in U.S. Aid

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:31:52 -0500

On International Human Rights Day, first lady Laura Bush praises the courage of Burmese women dissidents and announces another $5 million in U.S. aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis. “I know that the next administration will continue the United States’ work to support the people of Burma,” she says.

China’s Acts Against Human Rights Advocates Raise U.S. Concern

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:40:25 -0500

The U.S. State Department calls on the Chinese government to release writer Liu Xiaobo from detention. The prominent dissident and more than 300 other Chinese citizens signed Charter ’08, which calls on the Chinese government to show greater respect for human rights and political freedom.

Louisiana Republican to Be First Vietnamese American in Congress

Michelle Austein Brooks — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:52:00 -0500

There will be many new faces in the 111th Congress, among them Vietnamese-American Anh “Joseph” Cao. The next Congress will include at least 50 new representatives and nine new senators — some with years of political experience, others serving in an elected office for the first time.

Six-Party Talks Stall as North Korea Refuses to Sign Agreement

Merle D. Kellerhals Jr. — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:28:08 -0500

The United States and other members of the Six-Party Talks on eliminating nuclear weapons from the Korean Peninsula are reassessing the arms control negotiations with North Korea after it refused to verify its past nuclear activities in a written agreement offered by the Chinese, the White House says.

United States Committed to Worldwide Cultural Preservation

Yvette Ridenour — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:02:45 -0500

Every year, a U.S. program known as the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation helps preserve and restore priceless artifacts in countries around the world, ensuring that ancient treasures will not be lost to future generations. Since 2001, the fund has supported cultural heritage projects in 120 countries.

Award to Burmese Cyberdissidents Highlights Problem of Censorship

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:08:49 -0500

The U.S. State Department welcomes Reporters Without Borders’ decision to recognize journalists from Burma, Cuba and North Korea in its annual awards, which highlight the severe difficulties many journalists face in their efforts to exercise freedom of expression.

U.S., China Agree to Coordinated Action to Face Economic Woes

Phillip Kurata — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:37:27 -0500

The United States and China agree to concerted action to quell the global financial crisis and keep global trade flowing. At the Strategic Economic Dialogue in Beijing, the two nations voice a common commitment to oppose protectionism, which becomes more appealing in some quarters in difficult economic times.

Philippine Alliance Helps Reduce Water Pollution, Diseases

Nancy L. Pontius — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:00:29 -0500

A new low-cost housing development under construction in the Philippines, with help from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Navy, provides former slum dwellers with proper sewage treatment to protect their health and the environment.

Bush Optimistic About Overcoming Global Financial Problems

Phillip Kurata — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:42:15 -0500

President Bush believes that the global economic crisis turmoil be overcome well ahead of the 18-month time frame adopted by participants at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima, Peru. U.S. officials say keeping trade open and resisting protectionism are keys to resolving the issue.

Financial Crisis to Top U.S. Agenda at Asia-Pacific Meeting

David McKeeby — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:24:49 -0500

President Bush will urge leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit to endorse reform measures formulated by the G20 countries to confront the global financial crisis. The ongoing crisis will loom large on the agenda when leaders of the 21-member APEC forum meet November 22-23 in Lima, Peru.

Asia-Pacific Summit to Focus on Global Economic Recovery

David McKeeby — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:49:55 -0500

Progress toward free trade and open investment is essential to address the current global financial crisis, and will take center stage when President Bush joins leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ summit November 22 in Lima, Peru.

Financial Crisis Underscores U.S.-Chinese Relations

Kelly Daniel — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:32:22 -0500

China is emerging as a global economic power. The United States faces reform of its financial system. The two countries must work together in the best interest of their economies and their people, says Alan Holmer, special envoy for China and the Strategic Economic Dialogue, in Nanjing, China.

Congress Welcomes North Korea's Nuclear Declaration

Merle D. Kellerhals Jr. — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:14:03 -0500

Key members of Congress say North Korea's submission of its long-awaited nuclear declaration is critical to enhancing East Asian security by removing nuclear weapons from the Korean Peninsula. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman said North Korea's declaration is encouraging, but must be verified.

Three Young Women Win Top Awards at International Science Fair

Jeffrey Thomas — Tue, 20 May 2008 10:33:21 -0500

Three 17-year-old girls win top awards at the 2008 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. More than 1,500 students from 51 countries competed for more than $4 million in awards and scholarships, making this fair the world’s largest. Some entrants have applied to patent their work, or intend to.