Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

SINGAPORE, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday warned of the scope for miscalculations over tensions in the Taiwan Strait, which he said were unlikely to ease soon amid deep suspicion and limited engagement between the United States and China.

In a televised address ahead of the city-state's national day on Tuesday, Lee said Singapore would be buffeted by that intense rivalry and tension in the region, which should prepare for a future less peaceful and stable than now.

BEIJING (AP) — China said Monday it is extending threatening military exercises surrounding Taiwan that have disrupted shipping and air traffic and substantially raised concerns about the potential for conflict in a region crucial to global trade.

The announcement further increases uncertainty in the crisis that developed last week with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

PHNOM PENH, Aug 7 (NNN-AKP) – The 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings, have successfully concluded here, adopting some 30 documents on regional cooperation, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Prak Sokhonn, said.

“We have reviewed the progress made thus far, to strengthen ASEAN’s community building, advance regional integration, and enhance our cooperation with external partners,” he told a press conference, at the end of the meetings.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Malaysia reported 4,684 new COVID-19 infections as of midnight, bringing the national total to 4,705,824, according to the health ministry.

There are five new imported cases and 4,679 local transmissions, data released on the ministry’s website showed.

Another 11 deaths have been reported, pushing the death toll to 36,020.

The ministry reported 4,275 new recoveries, bringing the total number of cured and discharged to 4,622,900.

BEIJING, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said on Sunday that Taiwan is not part of the United States but Chinese territory, in the latest diplomatic invective against U.S. policy since a visit to Taiwan by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The United States has been engaging in "sophistry" on the Taiwan question, and China's actions on Taiwan have been just, appropriate and legal, as well as being aimed at safeguarding the country's sacred sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wang said during a visit to Bangladesh.

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Pakistan on Saturday vowed to further promote bilateral relations for benefits of the two countries and peoples, a Cambodian spokesman said.

The commitment was made during a meeting between Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari here on the sidelines of the 29th ASEAN regional forum hosted by Cambodia, said foreign ministry spokesman Chum Sounry.

BEIJING, Aug 06 (APP): China’s renewable energy solutions conglomerate Zonergy has installed four solar power plants at different buildings of BahawalVictoria Hospital in Bahawalpur district of Punjab province.

The plants, having a total peak generation capacity of 325kW, have been installed by the Chinese company free of cost under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agreement with the government of Punjab, China Economic Net (CEN) reported.

PHNOM PENH, Aug 6 (NNN-XINHUA) – Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, met here Thursday, with Singaporean Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, on the sidelines of meetings of foreign ministers on East Asia cooperation.

The two sides expressed satisfaction over the sound strategic communication and close interaction at various levels between the two countries. They agree to continue maintaining high-level exchanges, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, resume flights in an orderly manner and facilitate personnel exchanges.

MANILA, Aug 6 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused China of "irresponsible steps" on Saturday by halting key communication channels with Washington, and said its Taiwan actions showed a move from prioritising peaceful resolution towards use of force.

His comments came as Chinese aircraft and warships practised on Saturday for an attack on Taiwan, island officials said, part of a raft of steps taken by Beijing after a visit by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this week.

TAIPEI, Aug 6 (Reuters) - The deputy head of Taiwan defence ministry's research and development unit was found dead on Saturday morning in a hotel room, succumbing to a heart attack, according to the official Central News Agency.

Ou Yang Li-hsing, deputy head of the military-owned National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, had died in a hotel room in southern Taiwan, CNA reported.