Yasukuni glorifies Japan's inglorious past

In the field of diplomacy, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe could be better described as "Downturn Abe".

Navy lauded for foiling pirates

In his 201-day stint fighting pirates in the Gulf of Aden in 2012, Cheng Wengang said the most intense mission was picking up 26 hostages who were released after being kidnapped for 19 months.

Rough life on the Gulf of Aden

On good days, the water in the Gulf of Aden is as flat as a mirror. Schools of dolphins leap as they chase flying fish, which try to escape over the water, while breezes carry the fresh smell of the ocean.

Warships to help dispose of Syrian chemical weapons

China can assume more responsibility in international affairs thanks to its enhanced naval capability, observers said.

Street talk

The escorting duty was the first time the Chinese navy sent its warships overseas for non-military actions and initiatives outside the traditional type of safeguarding. With a tour exhibit from Dec 26 to March 26, China Maritime Museum will inform more people about this duty.

UN sends more peacekeepers to S. Sudan

The UN Security Council approved plans on Tuesday to almost double the number of peacekeepers in South Sudan in an effort to protect civilians, as reports of mass graves fueled fears of a worsening of ethnic bloodletting in the world's newest nation.

President says troops retake key town

South Sudan President Salva Kiir said on Tuesday that government troops have taken control of the Jonglei state capital, Bor, a key town that rebels loyal to former-vice president Riek Machar seized last week.

Egypt arrests ex-PM after major bombing

Egyptian police arrested ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi's former prime minister on Tuesday as tensions rose after a major car-bomb attack on a police building killed 15 people.

China seeks to defuse border issues

China and neighboring countries should "properly control" border disputes until boundaries have been agreed, a senior diplomat in charge of boundary and ocean affairs said on Wednesday.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Tokyo's global tour against China

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has demonstrated his New Year's diplomatic resolution with plans to visit at least six nations in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Abe plans to rewrite pacifist Constitution

Since he took the helm in Japan for a second time on Dec 26, 2012, hawkish Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been paving the way for Japan to "escape from the postwar regime".