Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

BEIJING, Nov 9 (APP): China has delivered to Pakistan the largest and most advanced warship China has ever exported, in a move that highlights the friendship between the two countries and will contribute to the two countries’ all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

The completion and the delivery of the vessel is another major achievement of China-Pakistan friendship, and will further enhance the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, the Chinese shipbuilding company said in the statement.

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Nov 9 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob will undertake his inaugural official three-day visit to Indonesia beginning Tuesday.

He will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Saifuddin Abdullah, Senior Minister of Defence Hishammuddin Hussein, Minister of Finance Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, and officials from the relevant ministries and agencies.

JAKARTA, Nov 9 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia reiterated its commitment to work closely with ASEAN countries in combatting COVID-19 from the point the virus was first detected until the emergence of a new variant at present.

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said ASEAN Health Ministers are always discussing and exchanging information on measures to deal with the pandemic.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (NNN-Bernama) — A total of 22,214,024 individuals or 94.9 per cent of the adult population in the country have completed their COVID-19 vaccination as of Monday, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Based on the MOH’s data on the COVIDNOW portal, 97.5 per cent of the adult population, or 22,819,122 individuals, have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- China believes there is wide room for global infrastructure cooperation and various initiatives don't have to counter or replace each other, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

Wang Wenbin made the remarks when asked to comment on the U.S. administration's plans to launch a global infrastructure program, which is intended to counter China's Belt and Road Initiative, according to media reports.

BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- China has once again confirmed its consistency in furthering environmental protection efforts, and has shown the determination to take on the hardest issues in combating pollution with more ambitious goals.

In a recently issued circular, the country pledged in-depth efforts in the nationwide battle to prevent and control pollution, and detailed major targets for the improvement of its ecological environment, aiming to continuously reduce the total discharge of major pollutants over the coming years.

BANGKOK (AP) — Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Bill Richardson acknowledges criticism of his humanitarian visit to Myanmar, but says he feels his trip was constructive.

Richardson, also a former governor of New Mexico, is the highest-profile American to visit the Southeast Asian nation since its military seized power in February from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. He traveled there last week with three colleagues, his office said, to discuss delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, medical supplies and other public health needs.

BEIJING, Nov 8 (APP): The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) revealed it conducted multiple drills in its western plateau over the past week. This comes after the Indian military launched a major exercise along the border with China at the start of the month.

Chinese experts said on Monday the response displayed the PLA’s capabilities in safeguarding national sovereignty and security as it faces India’s provocations, Global Times reported.

PHNOM PENH, Nov 8 (NNN-AKP) – Seven dangerous escapees are being sought, after breaking out of the Stung Treng Provincial Prison, in North-eastern Cambodia early today, said Major General Aun Sivutha, police chief of Stung Treng province.

The seven inmates were spending their prison terms, ranging from four years to life imprisonment, for drug trafficking and theft, he said.

SEOUL, Nov 8 (NNN-YONHAP) – South Korea will crack down on illegal hoarders of urea water solution, amid a supply shortage of the material, used in diesel vehicles to reduce emissions, the government said today.

Those who do activities cornering the urea water solution market, will face up to three years in jail or a fine of up to 100 million won (84,500 U.S. dollars), according to the joint statement, by the environment and industry ministries, the Korea Fair Trade Commission, the National Tax Service, the Korea Customs Service and the National Policy Agency.