Asia-Pacific

President Barack Obama begins his 11th and final presidential trip to the Asia-Pacific in earnest on Friday, visiting China to nurture what has become arguably the world’s most important relationship and cementing an eight-year “pivot to Asia.”

There were no smiles or warmth and no lingering chit-chat, but the leaders of China and Japan actually shook hands in front of the cameras. And even that small step is a good sign for a troubled relationship.

The protests at Tiananmen Square in 1989 were a huge news story around the world. But part of the reason for that was a fluke of history. The foreign media was already in Beijing — at the invitation of the Chinese government.The protests at Tiananmen Square in 1989 were a huge news story around the world. But part of the reason for that was a fluke of history. The foreign media was already in Beijing — at the invitation of the Chinese government.

China and South Korea have protested strongly to Japan, after the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, visited the Yasukuni shrine to Japan’s war dead. But why is the Shrine so controversial?

Washington’s latest round of political implosion could have negative impact on the global economy and US credibility abroad.