Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

TOKYO, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The United States has no hostile intent towards North Korea and hopes it responds positively to offers for talks on its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, a U.S. envoy said on Tuesday as he met Asian allies.

The meeting between top officials of the United States, Japan and South Korea on ways to end a standoff with North Korea over is nuclear ambitions came a day after it said it had tested a new long-range cruise missile.

SHANGHAI, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 330,000 people in Shanghai have been evacuated as the city braced for heavy rains and strong winds brought by Typhoon Chanthu, the 14th typhoon of the year.

Chanthu was forecast to linger over sea waters between 100 km and 200 km east of Shanghai from Monday night to Wednesday before weakening and moving northeastward away from the city on Thursday, said the Shanghai meteorological center.

Parts of Shanghai are forecast to receive precipitation of up to 250 mm from Monday night to Wednesday.

HONG KONG, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 2021 Election Committee's subsector ordinary elections in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will be held on Sept. 19.

As the first practice of improving Hong Kong's electoral system, the elections will lay a solid foundation for the implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and the central authorities' overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR, and usher in a new future of greater prosperity for Hong Kong that has returned to stability from chaos.

BROAD REPRESENTATION

SINGAPORE (AP) — China’s top diplomat met Tuesday in Singapore with the wealthy city-state’s prime minister, reaffirming the importance of trade and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In a Facebook post, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he had a “productive and candid” discussion with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi covering international and regional developments.

“Singapore welcomes China’s continued contribution in our part of the world, and will continue working with China to build a more harmonious and peaceful world,” Lee wrote.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s competition watchdog plans to fine Google at least 207.4 billion won ($177 million) for allegedly blocking smartphone makers like Samsung from using other operating systems, in what would be one of the country’s biggest antitrust penalties ever.

Google said it plans to challenge the fine. It has accused South Korean authorities of disregarding how its software policy benefits hardware partners and consumers.

BEIJING (AP) — Global stock markets were mixed Tuesday as investors waited for an update on U.S. inflation that has been stronger than expected.

London and Shanghai declined while Frankfurt and Tokyo advanced.

Wall Street futures were higher a day after the benchmark S&P 500 index closed higher, snapping a five-day losing streak.

Investors were watching for August inflation data. Headline inflation stands above 5% as consumer and business activity revives.

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 Sept (NNN-Bernama) — The Malaysian King Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has called upon the government to accelerate the nation’s economic recovery by drafting business and investment-friendly policies to boost the nation’s competitivity.

He said the right amount of expenditure should also be provided to fund public health measures, provide assistance to the affected groups, as well as support to boost business activities in line with the opening up of the economy.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 (NNN-Bernama) — The Japanese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has confirmed that a warning has been issued to Japanese citizens in Malaysia over possible terrorist threat in Southeast Asia.

According to media reports, Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry had issued an advisory to all of its citizens in Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar to stay away from religious facilities and other crowded areas.

HANOI, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Vietnam's coronavirus outbreak epicentre Ho Chi Minh City will extend its restrictions, state media reported on Monday, as the capital Hanoi and several provinces sought an easing of curbs and the aviation authority proposed domestic flights resume.

Ho Chi Minh City authorities said an extension until the end of September was necessary to isolate clusters, speed up inoculations and prevent hospitals being overwhelmed in the city of 9 million people.

TOKYO, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Japan must counter neighbouring China's assertiveness by beefing up the coast guard and improving its coordination with the military, Fumio Kishida, a contender to head the ruling party and become the next prime minister, said on Monday.

Only lawmakers and grassroots members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will vote for its chief in a Sept 29. election, but candidates' popularity with the public counts, as the winner will lead it into general elections this year.