41 h. ago Is Japan making tourism more expensive to deter unruly visitors?

Japan’s proposed increase in visa fees and departure tax is an attempt to balance between dealing with overtourism and deterring misbehaving visitors at “the bottom of the pyramid”, according to industry observers. The government believes the present fees for visas and departure taxes are low in comparison with international standards, with the Asahi newspaper reporting that the additional funds would be used on improving tourism infrastructure and the education sector. If implemented, the...

Politics

2 w. ago Asian student arrivals to US plunge to lowest level since pandemic

The number of students arriving from Asia to the US in August fell by nearly 24 per cent this year compared with last year, according to recently released US government data, marking the lowest August numbers on record outside of the Covid-19 pandemic. The data, based on arrival records of international students published by the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA), includes both new students and existing students returning to the US. August arrival data typically...

Events

3 w. ago China Replaces Head of Communist Party's International Department

China Replaces Head of Communist Party's International Department  U.S. News & World Report

Society

3 w. ago China names veteran diplomat to head party’s International Liaison Department

Liu Haixing, a veteran diplomat specialising in European affairs, has been appointed as the head of the Communist Party’s International Liaison Department. He replaces Liu Jianchao who has not been seen in public since late July. Sources said the diplomat was detained shortly after returning from a trip to Algeria. Liu Haixing, 62, has served in a variety of diplomatic roles and has been a member of the party’s national security commission since 2018. More to follow

Politics

3 w. ago China names veteran diplomat to head party’s International Department

Liu Haixing, a veteran diplomat specialising in European affairs, has been appointed as the head of the Communist Party’s International Department. He replaces Liu Jianchao who has not been seen in public since late July. Sources said the diplomat was detained shortly after returning from a trip to Algeria. Liu Haixing, 62, has served in a variety of diplomatic roles over the past three decades and has been deputy director of the office of the National Security Commission since 2018. He joined...

Politics

3 w. ago Breaking | China names veteran diplomat to head party’s International Liaison Department

Breaking | China names veteran diplomat to head party’s International Liaison Department  South China Morning Post

Politics

3 w. ago Developing | China names veteran diplomat to head party’s International Department

Developing | China names veteran diplomat to head party’s International Department  South China Morning Post

Politics