Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

BEIJING, July 13 (Reuters) - A U.S. destroyer sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on Wednesday, drawing an angry reaction from Beijing, which said its military had "driven away" the ship after it illegally entered territorial waters.

The United States regularly carries out what it calls Freedom of Navigation Operations in the South China Sea challenging what it says are restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China and other claimants.

BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday that the "U.S. rules" of interfering in other countries' internal affairs will be opposed by people all over the world.

He made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked to comment on former U.S. national security advisor John Bolton's statements to the press that he had helped plan coups in other countries.

"It is not surprising that former senior U.S. officials have admitted that they had planned coups in foreign countries," said Wang.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Health officials in South Korea are expanding booster shots to adults 50 and over as COVID-19 cases creep up again across the country.

The 40,226 new cases reported Wednesday marked the country’s highest daily jump in more than two months, although hospitalizations and deaths remain stable.

BEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets gained while Europe opened lower Wednesday ahead of U.S. inflation data that some investors worry might lead to more interest rate hikes.

Wall Street futures were lower. Oil prices rose $1 per barrel, rebounding from Tuesday’s plunge.

Investors were waiting for U.S. data on June consumer prices amid concern that global central bank action to cool surging inflation might derail economic growth.

BEIJING, July 12 (APP): Pakistan’s exports to China in June 2022 have increased by 8% to US$251.30 million as compared to the corresponding month of the previous year when it was recorded at US$232.74 million in June 2021.

Also, as compared to May 2022, Pakistan’s exports to China have shown positive signs by gaining a value of US$22.38 million. In May, the total exports to China were recorded as US$228.92 million, China Economic Net reported.

BEIJING, July 12 (APP): China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday that China will continue to do what it can to help the embattled South Asian country recover.

China has provided emergency humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, amid its economic crisis, including food and medicine, he said during his regular briefing.

“As we have stated on several occasions, China feels deeply for the difficulties and challenges Sri Lanka faces,” he added.

BEIJING, July 12 (Reuters) - China's commercial capital of Shanghai and dozens of other Chinese cities baked in scorching temperatures as unusually hot weather buckled roads, popped roof tiles and drove people to seek the cool in raid shelters underground.

By 3 p.m. (0700 GMT) on Tuesday, 86 cities had issued red alerts, the highest in a three-tier warning system, warning of temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) in the next 24 hours. Construction and other outdoor work are to be halted.

BEIJING, July 12 (Reuters) - China's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday its embassy in Japan had lodged "stern representations" with the government there about Taiwan Vice President William Lai attending the funeral of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.

Lai visited Japan in what a Japanese official described as a private visit to pay his respects as a friend of Abe's, a move that was always likely to upset Beijing which considers democratically ruled Taiwan its own territory with no right to the trappings of a state. 

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on China to comply with a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing’s vast territorial claims in the South China Sea and warned that Washington is obligated to defend treaty ally Philippines if its forces, vessels or aircraft come under attack in the disputed waters.

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese bid their final goodbye to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday as his funeral was held at a temple days after his assassination shocked the nation.

Abe, the country’s longest-serving prime minister, remained influential even after stepping down two years ago for health reasons. He was gunned down Friday during a campaign speech in the western city of Nara.