links for 2007-05-18

Sparkling Korea has posted a translation of an 1885 Japanese editorial entitled, “Datsu-A Ron” (Argument for Leaving Asia), which was printed in the Japanese newspaper 時事新報. Here is an interesting excerpt:

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has urged Japan to declare the right to collective defense so its missile defense shield can be used to intercept North Korean ballistic missiles targeted at the United States, according to Japanese and U.S. diplomatic

The pledge was made by Liu Qi, Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Communist Party of China (CPC) Committee, when delivering a work report to the opening ceremony of the 10th municipal congress of the CPC on Thursday morning.

African central bankers and finance ministry officials prepared to wrap up two days of talks here Thursday as a Sudan representative criticised China’s role in the strife-torn nation.

Eliasson, speaking late Thursday, said it was Chinese pressure that had helped persuade Sudanese officials to lift their opposition to the deployment of 3,000 UN peacekeepers in Darfur.

China has begun an ambitious effort to build a fleet of more than 90 supertankers to improve its control over oil imports

Via CDT

Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi on Thursday criticized calls in the United States for trade protectionist measures, calling such moves “irresponsible acts” that can only harm both countries’ interests.

On a New Jersey couple Levitt saw choosing between orphans to adopt in China.

Weighing in on the Lampton-Mann debate on FP

The summit should be seen as a solid first step. In the coming year, Prime Minister Abe will be probably be asking the Bush Administration to join his government in the crafting of a detailed and inspiring vision of America’s and Japan’s common future.

Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi has said. “Mutual benefit and win-win progress: These are what China-U.S. business and trade relations are all about, and these intrinsic qualities have made our trade ties strong and vibrant,