What you need to know
Asia Morning Update: A quick roundup of the most important news from around the region.
Taiwan:
President Tsai Ing-wen said Thursday that the government will take the lead in probing the 228 Incident and find those accountable for the tragic chapter in Taiwan's history. – China Post
The Taoyuan city government says hackers have attacked dozens of schools from universities to elementary schools over the weekend. – ICRT News
Taiwan, China:
Allegations of misappropriation of public funds by a Taiwan Power Co Research Institute member, surnamed Hsieh, that surfaced on Wednesday snowballed into the possibility of threats to national security yesterday when it emerged the institute had purchased drones linked to a Chinese satellite system. – Taipei Times
A former senior mainland Chinese official responsible for Taiwan affairs was removed from the country’s top advisory body, state media reported on Thursday. – South China Morning Post
U.S., China:
President Donald Trump huddled with U.S. manufacturing moguls at the White House on Thursday (Feb. 23), discussing "tough policies" to bring "our jobs back" from places like China and Mexico. AFP via Straits Times
Hong Kong, U.S., Sri Lanka:
Three Sri Lankan families who harbored U.S. whistleblower Edward Snowden in 2013 say that the Sri Lankan authorities have entered the city to seek them out. – Hong Kong Free Press
China:
Chinese authorities in the restive northwestern region of Xinjiang have banned all Christian activities not linked to state-approved churches, launching a region-wide crackdown on unofficial worship in the name of "anti-terrorism" measures, RFA has learned. – Radio Free Asia
China, North Korea:
China is maintaining a dubious stance on the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in Malaysia last week while international criticism is mounting against Pyongyang. – Korea Times
North Korea, Vietnam:
The Vietnamese suspect in the killing of Kim Jong Un's half-brother was renowned for her fashion, funky hairstyles and foreign boyfriends, say family members shocked at the link between their poor rice-farming village and a crime that has gripped the world. AFP via The Straits Times
Philippines:
The Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) ordered the arrest of Senator Leila de Lima and two others for drug charges on Thursday, February 23. – Rappler (Philippines)
Indonesia:
New Zealand-born veteran correspondent, John McBeth, captured the darker side of former president Susilo "SBY" Bambang Yudhoyono's presidency in his new book "The Loner: President Yudhoyono's Decade of Trial and Indecision." – Jakarta Globe
Cambodia:
Cambodia’s government on Wednesday said it was an “obvious fact” that the U.S. was interfering in the country’s coming elections in a scathing response to a statement from the U.S. Embassy saying it was “deeply concerned” by proposed amendments to the Law on Political Parties. – The Cambodia Daily
Myanmar:
The ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) has received complaints against around 150 lawmakers in the first year of the new Parliament, according to the party’s section which handles such complaints. – Irrawaddy (Myanmar)
Singapore, United States:
Teen blogger Amos Yee has taken to Facebook to blame the American President Donald Trump for his extended incarceration in the United States’ detention center. The Independent (Singapore)
China, United States:
Preparations are underway for U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to meet at G20 summit in Germany in July, sources say. – South China Morning Post
India:
Eight people were killed on Thursday in an explosion near a restaurant serving Indian cuisine in Lahore, police said. – The Hindu
Editor: Edward White