Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia’s electrical and electronics (E&E) sector has huge potential to meet the increasing global demand particularly in the semiconductor market worldwide, said Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC).

Based on the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics, the global semiconductor sector is projected to grow at a rate of 20 per cent or US$527 billion in 2021 and will increase by another 10 per cent in 2022 (US$573 billion).

BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Thursday that the United States should take concrete actions to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and stop sending erroneous signals to "Taiwan independence" forces.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a press briefing when asked to comment on U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent remarks on U.S. commitment to ensuring Taiwan's ability to defend itself.

BEIJING, Nov 10 (APP): China’s Special Envoy for Afghan Affairs, Yue Xiaoyong will lead a delegation to attend the Pakistan-hosted meeting on the Afghanistan situation on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Wang Wenbin said here on Wednesday.

“China supports Pakistan in hosting the extended troika meeting. We support all efforts conducive for stability in Afghanistan to building up consensus in the world,” he said during his regular briefing.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf will chair the Trioka Plus meeting.

BEIJING, Nov 10 (APP): China was ready to work with Pakistan to further deepen and expand cooperation with Pakistan, said a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Wednesday, welcoming Pakistan’s participation in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) for the fourth consecutive year.

“We are pleased with the achievements of China-Pakistan economic and trade cooperation at the expo,” Wang Wenbin said during his regular briefing in response to a question raised by APP.

BANGKOK, Nov 10 (Reuters) - A Thai court ruled on Wednesday that three anti-government activists who had called for reform of the country's powerful monarchy had violated the constitution by making what it called a veiled attempt to overthrow the institution.

The Constitutional Court, ruling in a case brought by a royalist lawyer, said a controversial 10-point call for reforms of the institution by three student protest leaders in August last year was designed to topple the monarchy.

SEOUL, Nov 10 (Reuters) - A senior U.S. diplomat will meet newly selected presidential candidates in South Korea this week, ahead of next year's election that will shape the future of relations between the two allies.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink was due to arrive in Seoul on Wednesday, with plans to hold separate talks with ruling Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, and Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party.

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on Wednesday left here for the French capital Paris to attend the 41st General Conference of UNESCO on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, which will be held on Nov. 10-14.

In a royal message to the Cambodian people, Sihamoni, 68, said he will be absent from the kingdom from Nov. 10 to Nov. 15 and during his absence, Senate President Samdech Say Chhum will be the acting head of state.

BEIJING, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- SF Airlines, China's largest air cargo carrier, has deployed more than 60 freighters to serve the rocketing express delivery demands from the country's major shopping spree, according to the cargo airline on Wednesday.

These all-cargo freighters are in place to ensure efficient air delivery during the annual logistics peak around the "Double 11" online shopping spree on Nov. 11, said SF Airlines.

TOKYO (AP) — Fumio Kishida is set to be reelected as Japan’s prime minister Wednesday after clearing the first major test of his leadership in recent elections.

Elected just over a month ago by parliament, Kishida called a quick election where he secured enough seats in 465-member lower house — the more powerful of Japan’s two-chamber Diet — to maintain a free hand in pushing legislation through parliament. He sees the Oct. 31 victory as a mandate from voters for his weeks-old government to tackle the pandemic-battered economy, virus measures and other challenges.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — An autistic Cambodian teenager was released from prison Wednesday after serving time for posting comments critical of the government on social media in a case that has attracted global attention.

Kak Sovannchhay, 16, was met by his mother and supporters outside Prey Sar prison on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.

He clutched a bouquet of red roses and lilies tightly to his chest and smiled shyly as reporters snapped photos.