Latest East Asia News

Wuhan resident Zhu Tao talks about his stockpile of supplies at home in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. Zhu, a government critic, took precautions against the virus early and felt vindicated when the outbreak exploded and the city went into lockdown. But now that the situation is back to something close to normal in Wuhan, Zhu finds himself at odds with his neighbors and the government. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Year after lockdown, Wuhan dissident more isolated than ever

Jan. 24, 2021 12:06 AM EST

WUHAN, China (AP) — One year after lockdown, Wuhan has long since sprung back to life — but Zhu Tao remains bunkered in his 14th-floor apartment, spending his days doomscrolling through news, playing virtual soccer on his PlayStation and feeling China is teetering on the brink of collapse. He has...

A government worker wearing personal protective equipment guards at the closed area in Jordan district, in Hong Kong, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. Thousands of Hong Kong residents were locked down Saturday in an unprecedented move to contain a worsening outbreak in the city, authorities said. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Asia Today: New Zealand reports 1st community case in months

Jan. 23, 2021 11:17 PM EST

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand has reported its first coronavirus case outside of a quarantine facility in more than two months, although there was no immediate evidence the virus was spreading in the community. Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said Sunday the case was a 56-year-old...

In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, rescuers drill a new channel at the explosion site of a gold mine in Qixia City, east China's Shandong Province, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. Chinese state media say 12 out of 22 workers trapped for a week by an explosion in the gold mine are alive, as hundreds of rescuers seek to bring them to safety. (Wang Kai/Xinhua via AP)

One of 22 workers trapped in China gold mine rescued

Jan. 23, 2021 10:57 PM EST

BEIJING (AP) — Rescuers in China on Sunday lifted to the surface one of 22 workers trapped for two weeks after an explosion in a northern gold mine, state media reported. Reports said the worker was in weak condition but no other details were given. State broadcaster CCTV showed ambulances parked...

FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2021 file photo medical staff members walk between traffic cones at a mass COVID-19 vaccination site set up in the parking lot of Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, Calif. Five weeks into its vaccination program, California still doesn't have nearly the supply to meet demand and there's growing angst among residents over the difficulty to even get in line for a shot. Social media is awash with people seeking or giving tips on how to maneuver through the system. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong,File)

The Latest: New virus clusters hit China's north provinces

Jan. 23, 2021 9:38 PM EST

BEIJING — A Chinese city has brought 2,600 temporary treatment rooms online as the country’s north battles new clusters of coronavirus. The single-occupancy rooms in the city of Nangong in Hebei province just outside Beijing are each equipped with their own heaters, toilets, showers and other...

In this photo released by the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense, a Chinese People's Liberation Army H-6 bomber is seen flying near the Taiwan air defense identification zone, ADIZ, near Taiwan on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. The second high-level U.S. envoy to visit Taiwan in two months began a day of closed-door meetings Friday as China conducted military drills near the Taiwan Strait after threatening retaliation. (Taiwan Ministry of National Defense via AP)

US reaffirms Taiwan support after China sends warplanes

Jan. 23, 2021 9:36 PM EST

BEIJING (AP) — The U.S. has reaffirmed support for Taiwan following China’s dispatch of warplanes near the island in an apparent attempt to intimidate its democratic government and test American resolve. The State Department on Saturday said it “notes with concern the pattern of ongoing...

A police officer stands guard at the Yau Ma Tei area, in Hong Kong, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. Thousands of Hong Kong residents were locked down Saturday in an unprecedented move to contain a worsening outbreak in the city, authorities said. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Thousands of Hong Kongers locked down to contain coronavirus

Jan. 23, 2021 5:17 AM EST

HONG KONG (AP) — Thousands of Hong Kong residents were locked down in their homes Saturday in an unprecedented move to contain a worsening coronavirus outbreak in the city. Authorities said in a statement that an area comprising 16 buildings in the city's Yau Tsim Mong district would be locked down until...

Residents practice tai chi at a park in Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. A year after it was locked down to contain the spread of coronavirus, the central Chinese city of Wuhan has largely returned to normal, even as China continues to battle outbreaks elsewhere in the country. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Wuhan returns to normal as world still battling pandemic

Jan. 23, 2021 3:36 AM EST

WUHAN, China (AP) — A year ago, a notice sent to smartphones in Wuhan at 2 a.m. announced the world's first coronavirus lockdown, bringing the bustling central Chinese industrial and transport center to a virtual standstill almost overnight. It would last 76 days. Early Saturday morning, however, residents...

FILE - This undated file photo released on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, by Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA) shows a Chinese Cost Guard ship sails in North Natuna Sea. Earlier this month, an Indonesian patrol ship confronted a Chinese coast guard vessel that spent almost three days in waters where Indonesia claims economic rights and are near the southernmost part of China’s disputed South China Sea claims. (Indonesian Maritime Security Agency via AP, File)

China law empowers coast guard to use force amid disputes

Jan. 23, 2021 2:23 AM EST

BEIJING (AP) — China has authorized its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels and destroy structures on features it claims, potentially raising the possibility of clashes with regional maritime rivals. The Coast Guard Law passed on Friday empowers the force to “take all necessary measures,...

FILE - In this file image made from March 28, 2018, video, Michael Kovrig, an adviser with the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based non-governmental organization, speaks during an interview in Hong Kong. China's Foreign Ministry said Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 that two Canadians, including Kovrig, held for two years in a case linked to a Huawei executive have been indicted and put on trial, but gave no details. (AP Photo, File)

Diplomats contact Canadian held for over 2 years in China

Jan. 23, 2021 12:12 AM EST

BEIJING (AP) — Canada said its officials have met online with former diplomat Michael Kovrig, who has been held in China for more than two years in a case related to an executive of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei. Canada’s Foreign Ministry said officials led by Ambassador Dominic Barton were given...

Dr. Angel Temponi, left, administers the second dose of the Moderna vaccine to Dr. Barton Bernstein Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021 at Yuma Regional Medical Center in Yuma, Ariz. (Randy Hoeft/The Yuma Sun via AP)

The Latest: Arizona COVID-19 cases down despite high rate

Jan. 22, 2021 6:26 PM EST

PHOENIX -- Health officials say the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Arizona are declining despite the state having the worst infection rate in the country. Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ said Friday that the number of patients and even the positivity test rate have dipped...

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