Japan calls for ‘smooth’ trade after reports of China snags

TOKYO: Japan said Friday (Jan 9) that international trade should be “smooth” after media reports said China was delaying Japanese imports as well as rare-earth exports to Tokyo, as their two-month-old spat escalates. China has ramped up pressure on its…

US announces aid to bolster Thailand, Cambodia truce

WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday (Jan 9) announced some US$45 million in aid as it tries to bolster a fragile truce between Thailand and Cambodia. Michael DeSombre, the top State Department official for East Asia, was visiting Thailand and Cambodia to…