12 h. ago China: Updated Online Visa Application System for U.S. Applicants Launched

China: Updated Online Visa Application System for U.S. Applicants Launched  Fragomen

Politics

13 h. ago China calls itself a responsible AI force, as most in US think otherwise

China has positioned itself as a responsible major collaborative force in AI development and governance, contrasting with a recently released survey finding that most Americans view US leadership in the field as crucial. Beijing arrived at its assessment this week as China hosted a workshop on AI capacity building, the third of its kind in two years. The week-long event in Shanghai attracted participants from more than 20 countries. Details of the discussions were not disclosed. “Artificial...

Politics

14 h. ago Can the Philippines regain its tourism edge with revival of China e

The Philippines will revive its electronic visa programme for Chinese tourists next month, nearly two years after its abrupt suspension, as part of a broader push to boost lagging visitor arrivals and regain lost ground in the regional tourism race. The Philippine embassy in Beijing confirmed in a statement issued on October 15 that Chinese citizens – including those from Hong Kong and Macau – would again be able to apply for short-stay e-visas online for up to 14 days of travel for tourism or...

Politics

22 h. ago Beijing hosts sharing event marking 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration

Beijing hosts sharing event marking 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration  news.cgtn.com

Politics

34 h. ago Can J.D. Vance’s visit to Israel cement Gaza’s fragile ceasefire?

US Vice-President J.D. Vance arrived in Israel on Tuesday to shore up the fragile US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza that has teetered over the past few days following a burst of deadly violence and questions over how to move forward with the plan for cementing a long-term peace. Also on Tuesday, Israel said it has identified the body of a hostage that was released by Palestinian militants overnight, while the chief Hamas negotiator said the group remains determined to implement the ceasefire...

Politics

35 h. ago China says US visa threats to Central America show ‘lack of basic respect’

China has accused the United States of showing “a lack of basic respect” for Central America following its threat to ban officials and others from the region with ties to the Communist Party from entering the country. The State Department said last month that it would “restrict US visas for Central American nationals intentionally acting on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party” and who “knowingly direct, authorise, fund, provide significant support to, or carry out activities that undermine...

Events

36 h. ago Hong Kong will lead push for green fuel to elevate status as aviation hub: minister

Hong Kong will play a pivotal role in pushing for the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in an effort to raise the city’s status as an international aviation hub, the city’s transport chief has pledged. Speaking at the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s World Sustainability Symposium hosted in Hong Kong on Tuesday, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan also said the government’s green fuel usage target of 1 to 2 per cent by 2030, announced after Chief Executive John...

Politics

37 h. ago Trump retreat from soft power hurts US, Kansas — but helps China | Opinion

Trump retreat from soft power hurts US, Kansas — but helps China | Opinion  Wichita Eagle

Politics

44 h. ago Chinese Tech Titans Retreat From Hong Kong Stablecoin Launch After Beijing Warning | Bitcoinist.com

Chinese Tech Titans Retreat From Hong Kong Stablecoin Launch After Beijing Warning | Bitcoinist.com  Bitcoinist.com

Events

45 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

58 h. ago ‘Stolen too soon’: Nepal mourns hero hostage returned from Gaza after ceasefire

Nepal’s interim prime minister on Monday draped a national flag over the coffin of returned Gaza hostage Bipin Joshi, released under the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. “Bipin is a son of all Nepali mothers,” Sushila Karki said at a ceremony held at the airport in Kathmandu, after his body was flown back to the capital from Tel Aviv. “The name Bipin will be immortal, no one can forget him for his bravery and the hardships he had to face.” Joshi, an agriculture student who was 22 when...

Events

61 h. ago Amazon says cloud service back to normal after internet outage causes global turmoil

Amazon.com cloud service returned to normal operations on Monday afternoon, the company said, after an internet outage that caused global turmoil among thousands of sites, including some of the web’s most popular apps like Snapchat and Reddit. Still, Amazon said some AWS services had a backlog of messages that would take a few hours to process. AWS hosts applications and computer processes for companies around the world, and the disruption knocked workers from London to Tokyo offline and halted...

Politics

64 h. ago China to host the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2027

China to host the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2027  FIBA

Politics

3 d. ago Hong Kong police to expand CCTV coverage and link up with more departments

Hong Kong police will expand their surveillance camera coverage to public housing estates, cross-harbour tunnels and venues hosting the National Games including Kai Tak Sports Park by the end of the year after footage helped officers arrest more than 840 suspects. The force said on Sunday it was exploring a wider range of installation platforms and continuing to gradually integrate closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera feeds from other government departments and public organisations with the...

Events

4 d. ago Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt will stay closed, Israeli PM says

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed until further notice, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday, adding its reopening will depend on Hamas handing over bodies of deceased hostages. Netanyahu’s statement came shortly after the Palestinian embassy in Egypt announced that the Rafah crossing, the main gateway for Gazans to leave and enter the enclave, would reopen on Monday for entry into Gaza. Hamas, in a statement late on Saturday, said...

Politics

4 d. ago Indian film ‘Dupki’ premieres at Beijing children festival without its cast; director says denied visa

Indian film ‘Dupki’ premieres at Beijing children festival without its cast; director says denied visa  The Indian Express

Politics

4 d. ago Indian film ‘Dupki’ premieres at Beijing festival without its cast; director says denied visa

Indian film ‘Dupki’ premieres at Beijing festival without its cast; director says denied visa  The Indian Express

Politics

4 d. ago 2,600 student hostel spaces under way to match surging demand in Hong Kong

Education authorities have received more than 10 applications to convert commercial buildings and hotels into 2,600 dormitory spaces, a move to address the increased demand after raising the cap for non-local students at Hong Kong tertiary institutions to 50 per cent. Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin said on Saturday she was encouraged by the response to the “Hostel in the City” scheme, as it was only launched in July, together with the Development Bureau. “We have approved a few...

Politics

4 d. ago Rush to create 2,600 student hostel spaces to meet surging demand in Hong Kong

Education authorities have received more than 10 applications to convert commercial buildings and hotels into 2,600 dormitory spaces in Hong Kong, a move to address the increased demand after raising the cap on non-local students at tertiary institutions to 50 per cent. Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin said on Saturday she was encouraged by the response to the “Hostel in the City” scheme, launched in July with the Development Bureau. “We have approved a few applications now,” Choi...

Politics

4 d. ago Germany’s military conscription ‘draft lottery’ plan raises alarm

Germany is seeking to boost military recruitment to deter a hostile Russia, but a proposed “draft lottery” has sparked a row in the ruling coalition and unsettled many young people. The flashpoint issue of bringing back any form of military conscription has rattled the government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the centre-left Social Democrats of Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. Merz, citing dangerous tensions between Nato and Russia and doubts about future US security commitment to Europe,...

Events