China Encourages Private Sector Weapons Development; Japanese Spy Charge in China; Taiwan Declassifies Massacre Records

Taiwan:

President Tsai Ing-wen yesterday announced the declassification of all historical records relating to the 228 Incident, saying that the measure is critical to establishing the truth and expediting transitional justice. – Taipei Times

Taiwan, Indonesia:

An Indonesian woman was deported by the Taiwan authorities two days ago on suspicion of her being a member of Islamic State (IS), and she was arrested by Indonesian police upon her arrival at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, according to Indonesian media reports. – Central News Agency (Taiwan)

China, United States:

China’s top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, will start a two-day trip to the United States on Monday, according to state media. - South China Morning Post

China:

Three Uyghurs shot dead last week by authorities in China's troubled northwestern region of Xinjiang after they killed five Chinese passersby on the spot and wounded five others with knives appear to have been motivated by anger at threats by local officials to punish them for praying with their family, RFA’s Uyghur Service has learned. - Radio Free Asia (United States)

China encourages private sector participation in weapons development. – Xinhua (China)

China, Japan:

A Japanese man detained in Beijing last summer may have been officially charged with spying by Chinese authorities, according to sources. - Japan Times

Myanmar:

Burma’s State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi broke her silence on the assassination of National League for Democracy (NLD) party legal advisor U Ko Ni, calling him a “comrade” of hers and said that losing him was a “deep loss” for the party. – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar's police court has sentenced three senior officers to prison for negligence after Rohingya insurgents overran three border posts in October, killing nine policemen, a government official said yesterday. – Reuters via Malaysiakini

Indonesia, Australia:

Indonesia and Australia have patched up their defense relationship after a dramatic public spat on Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo long awaited visit to Sydney as the countries mull how to lower tension in the South China Sea. - The Australian

North Korea, Malaysia:

Malaysia's health minister said Sunday that the dose of nerve agent given to North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un's exiled half-brother was so high that it killed him within 20 minutes and caused "very serious paralysis." - Associated Press via Bangkok Post

Cambodia:

Three jailed opposition members handed in their resignations this week in response to a legal amendment that could result in the government dissolving political rivals over the crimes of their leaders. – The Cambodia Daily

Philippines: Chief presidential peace adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza receives a report that the local terrorist group has beheaded its German hostage, but he says this is still unverified information. – Rappler

Editor: Edward White