High on hype, low on expectations

US President Barack Obama's four-nation East Asian tour from Wednesday is aimed at pushing forward Washington's "pivot to Asia" policy. First, his visits to Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines show the US is determined to consolidate its military presence and use its diplomatic power to ensure the success of the policy.

Uncomfortable bedfellows

The US and Japan will haggle over who gets what as they each look to use their security alliance to their own ends

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End incidents involving chengguan officers

Furious, people gathered quickly, surrounding a vehicle used by urban patrol officers, or chengguan, and attacking it with sticks, bricks and other objects. They even overturned an ambulance that came to offer medical aid to the injured.

Stronger environment bill

WILL THE AMENDED LAW ON ENVIRONMENTAL protection add teeth to the watchdogs and provide the public with a weapon to wage war against polluters?

Protect employees from overwork

Liu Xianjun, a 33-year-old engineer, was recently found dead in his room in Dongguan, Guangdong province; records show he worked 190 extra hours in March alone.

Navy sailing with the times

Wednesday marks the 65th anniversary for the founding of the People's Liberation Army Navy of China. Over those years, the Chinese navy has grown from almost nothing into a formidable force with both comprehensive defense capabilities and strategic deterrence potential.

P5 should help make NPT a success

Editor's Note:

Letters

Not the right move to curb pollution MARIE

Connie hedegaard

Sustainable growth is good business

Rate within reasonable range

It would be wrong to interpret the lackluster economic figures in the first quarter as an indication of crisis

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