Authorities in China have issued an emergency security alert as thousands of military veterans were expected to converge on Beijing ahead of a key conference in May in a bid to highlight grievances like unpaid pensions, campaigners told RFA on Tuesday. – Radio Free Asia

Two disqualified pro-independence Hong Kong lawmakers were charged with unlawful assembly on Wednesday, for trying to force their way into a meeting of the city’s legislature in November. – South China Morning Post

Former lawmakers Yau Wai-ching and Baggio Leung Chung-hang have vowed to “fearlessly” resist political oppression following their surprise arrest on Wednesday morning. – Hong Kong Free Press

Australia and China signed an agreement banning the two countries from stealing intellectual property for competitive advantage, Australia's prime minister’s office announced on 24 April. - IHS Jane's Defence Industry

Messenger app operator Line Corp. revealed Monday that it has provided private information about its users to authorities both in and outside Japan as part of criminal investigations. - Japan Times

The U.S. military started moving parts of its controversial THAAD anti-missile defense system to a deployment site in South Korea on Wednesday amid high tensions over North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs. – Japan Times

Conservative presidential candidate Hong Jun-pyo has come under fire for comments revealing his ignorance of homosexuality and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). – The Korea Times

Southeast Asian countries will prioritize creating an Asia-focused trade pact this year that includes China, India and Japan, while trade issues with the United States will be put on the back burner, the Philippine trade minister said. Reuters via The Irrawaddy

A judge yesterday told court officials that he would further extend the detention of four senior staffers of rights group Adhoc and an election official who already have been jailed for nearly a year without trial, in a case that has drawn international criticism from human rights defenders. – The Cambodia Daily

First-quarter earnings for Hyundai were dented by protectionist worries amid missile shield tension. – The Financial Times