What you need to know
Asia Morning Update: A quick roundup of the most important news from around the region.
United States, China:
The Trump administration is moving to expand social media checks to cover Chinese citizens traveling to the U.S. – Politico
China has overtaken the United States to become the world leader in deep learning research, a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) inspired by the human brain. – World Economic Forum
North Korea:
North Korean defectors in Europe and the United States had offered Kim Jong-nam to serve as head of a government-in-exile, if one had been established, but he rejected the offer, according to sources, Tuesday. – The Korea Times
China:
Chinese officials in the western region of Xinjiang, an area troubled by occasional acts of ethnic violence and domestic terrorism, ordered paramilitary units and police officers to attend large rallies in the past week as a show of force. – The New York Times
Many global investors are missing out on China’s strongest stock-market rally in years, the latest sign that a potential clash with the U.S. over trade and currency policy looms over the world’s most populous nation. - The Wall Street Journal
The Philippines:
The Senate will reopen its investigation into the Davao Death Squad (DDS), following revelations made by retired Davao policeman Arturo Lascañas in a press conference on Monday, February 20. – Rappler
Indonesia:
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has teamed up with social media platform Twitter to combat the circulation of fake news. – Jakarta Globe
Myanmar:
Myanmar's army-controlled home ministry is investigating a cover-up by the country's border force of the deaths in custody of two Rohingya Muslims in troubled Rakhine State, according to a police report reviewed by Reuters and interviews with two senior security officials. – Reuters via The Bangkok Post
Malaysia:
The North Korean arrested in the probe into last week's murder of the half-brother of the isolated state's leader, lived in Malaysia for more than three years without working at the company registered on his employment permit or receiving a salary. – Reuters via Malaysiakini
Editor: Edward White