Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

SINGAPORE, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain on Thursday signed a free-trade deal with Singapore, giving it a key foothold in Asia as it seeks to forge its own path after leaving the European Union, while talks on a post-Brexit deal stumble.

The agreement largely replicates an existing EU-Singapore agreement, with the city-state’s trade ministry saying it will cover more than 17 billion pounds in trade.

SINGAPORE, Dec 11 (NNN-CNA) — Singapore will lift border restrictions for visitors from Taiwan from Dec 18, said the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS).

With immediate effect, travellers can apply for a single-entry Air Travel Pass (ATP) to enter Singapore from next Friday, said CAAS in a news release, adding that they must be in Taiwan for 14 consecutive days before departure.

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan (Reuters) - Taiwan commissioned the first of a new fleet of coastguard ships on Friday, an advanced catamaran that can be armed with missiles during war, as the island bolsters its defences in the face of what it sees as a growing threat from Beijing.

President Tsai Ing-wen has made military modernisation a priority for the Chinese-claimed island. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.

HONG KONG, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government announced late Thursday the cancellation of visa-free visit arrangement for holders of U.S. diplomatic passports with immediate effect.

The move followed the central government's counter-measure against the United States.

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been charged under the city’s national security law, amid a widening crackdown on dissent, according to local media reports.

Lai, who founded the Apple Daily tabloid, was charged on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces and endangering national security, local broadcaster TVB reported Friday. He is the most high-profile person to be charged under the law since it was implemented in June.

BEIJING, Dec 10 (APP): China’s leading AI company will launch an AI Outbound Calling System for Epidemic Prevention and Control in Pakistan against COVID-19.

“We are to launch an AI Outbound Calling System for Epidemic Prevention and Control in Pakistan next month as the second wave of coronavirus grips Pakistan,” noted iFLYTEK, a Chinese company well-known for its AI products and their sector-based applications, while attending the 12th China Overseas Investment Fair (COIFAIR for short) recently.

BEIJING, Dec 10 (APP): A Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson on Thursday reiterated that the India side was totally responsible for the current standoff between the troops of two countries on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

“The merits of the situation at the border area are very clear and the responsibility totally lies with the Indian side,” Hua Chunying said in response to remarks of Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar about China-India border situation, during her regular briefing held here.

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai protesters called on Thursday for the abolition of the lese majeste law which bans criticism of the monarchy and has been used recently against the leaders of months of protests demanding royal reforms and the removal of the government.

Section 112 of the Thai criminal code sets jail terms of three to 15 years for anyone convicted of defaming, insulting or threatening King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his closest family.

TAIPEI (Reuters) -Buildings shook in Taipei on Thursday as a deep, 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit the northern part of Taiwan, though with no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The quake’s epicentre was just off Taiwan’s northeastern coast, at a depth of 77 km (48 miles), according to the island’s Central Weather Bureau.

The Taipei city government said the subway system was operating as normal with no reports of problems.

Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China considers its own, lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes.

Beijing, Dec 10 (AP-PTI) China's government on Thursday slapped more taxes on wine from Australia, stepping up pressure in a bitter diplomatic conflict over the coronavirus, territorial disputes and other irritants.

China, Australia's biggest export market, already has blocked imports of its wine, barley, beef and other goods since the Australian government expressed support for a probe into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic that began in China last December.