China:

An image posted on online forums in early February shows what appears to be a next-generation Chinese infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) featuring a new front-engined hull and a possible unmanned turret. - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) is reportedly considering a shortcut to allow the largest technology firms — Alibaba Group’s Ant Financial, Zhong An Online Property and Casualty Insurance and security software maker Qihoo 360 Technology Co. — to list at home without queuing for years. – EJ Insight

Chinese authorities in the troubled northwestern region of Xinjiang have issued a detailed list of "illegal" religious activities spanning Islam, Christianity and Tibetan Buddhism, RFA has learned. – Radio Free Asia

China, South Korea:

Chinese state media has reacted with anger and threats of boycotts after the board of an affiliate of South Korea’s Lotte Group approved a land swap with the South Korean government that will enable authorities to deploy a U.S. missile defense system. – Japan Times

China, Nepal:

Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong said on Tuesday that China is hoping Nepal will soon become member of the Belt and Road Initiative. – Xinhua (Chinese State Media)

Tibet, U.S.:

An India-based Tibetan women’s football team has said that its players have been denied US tourist visas to attend a tournament in Dallas “for no reason.” - Hong Kong Free Press

Malaysia, North Korea:

Pyongyang has sent a high-level delegation to Malaysia seeking the body of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half- brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who was killed on Feb 13 at KLIA2, and to inquire on the arrest of a North Korean citizen over the matter. – Malaysiakini

Singapore:

Singapore's defense ministry said Tuesday, February 28, that hackers had stolen the personal details of hundreds of staff and soldiers in what appeared to be a "targeted" cyberattack on its computer systems. – Agence France-Presse via Rappler

Cambodia, Australia, China:

Breaking further from traditional partners, Cambodia has aborted a planned military exercise with Australia, a defense official said on Tuesday, tilting the country’s allegiances once again toward China. Having now suspended joint drills with both the U.S. and Australia, all Cambodian military exercises are being supported by China, the official said. – The Cambodia Daily

Philippines:

Despite his misgivings, President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Rappler

Shortly after releasing a video showing the beheading of its German captive, the Abu Sayyaf freed an eight-year-old boy allegedly after payment of ransom. - The Philippine Star

India:

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has kept its January estimate for growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016-17 unchanged at 7.1%, signaling that independent economic forecasters may have overstated the drag on the economy from the November withdrawal of high-value currency notes. – The Hindu

South Korea, U.S.:

South Korean conglomerate LG Electronics Inc. said it is planning to build a new washing machine factory in Tennessee, its first major U.S. plant, and hire at least 600 workers by the end of 2019. – Wall Street Journal

U.S., North Korea:

The United States is taking steps to put North Korea back on its list of state sponsors of terrorism, senior South Korean officials said Tuesday. – Korea Times

Taiwan:

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has confirmed the nation’s first human fatality from the H7N9 avian influenza virus (bird flu). – Taipei Times

Myanmar:

More than 100 armed members of the Burma Army, police and militia were killed in Shan State’s Mong Ko during conflict between the Burma Army and joint ethnic armed forces between Nov. 20 and December last year. – The Irrawaddy

Editor: Edward White