Japan lawmakers visit war shrine

Dozens of Japanese lawmakers visited Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine to the war dead Wednesday. The visit took place a day after Prime Minister Taro Aso was criticized by China and the Republic of Korea for having sent an offering to the shrine. Official visits to the Yasukuni shrine deeply upset Japan's neighbors, who see it as a symbol of Japan's past militarism. Aso has decided not to visit the shrine while he is in office.

Paris to extend invitation to President Hu

Paris plans to invite President Hu Jintao to France, a move that will further mend relations with Beijing. National Assembly of France President Bernard Accoyer is in China and will officially invite Hu to visit France by the end of the year. Relations between Beijing and Paris hit a low after President Nicolas Sarkozy met the Dalai Lama in December, despite China's repeated protests.

Israel's deputy PM compares Iran to Nazis

Iran is trying to replicate Nazi Germany's treatment of the Jewish people, Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom said Monday, ahead of a Holocaust ceremony at a former death camp. Shalom was speaking a day after Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has called for Israel to be wiped off the map, described the Holocaust as a "myth”.

China drives car sales for global majors

Overseas and domestic carmakers are showing off more than 900 models at the 13th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition this week. While other vehicle markets are being hit hard by the global financial crisis, the China market is a bright beacon for global automakers. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers forecasts full-year vehicle sales to reach 10.2 million units, up almost 9 percent from last year.

Fleets gather to salute navy's 60th anniversary

Delegations from 29 naval forces attended celebrations to mark the navy's 60th anniversary at Qingdao harbor Monday. The maritime celebration also attracted well-traveled warships from major powers, such as the US and Russia, whose vessels were assembled at the naval harbor. Chinese naval chief Admiral Wu Shengli stressed in his keynote speech that the expansion of the country's force was focused on maintaining peace and stability. Earlier this year, plans for the nation’s first aircraft carrier were announced by the navy and Ministry of Defense. Naval generals said at the celebration that China's own aircraft carrier will not come as a surprise to the world, as its navy's growth in recent years was "expected and warranted".

Suicide official mourned in quake zone

Additional psychological counseling will be carried out for frontline rebuilders in Sichuan following the suicide of a local official. Feng Xiang, 33, vice director of the public affairs department, hanged himself on Monday. As per Feng’s wishes, his cremated remains were buried under a tree of Qushan Primary School. His son, Feng Hanmo, who was killed in last year's massive earthquake, used to study at the school. When asked about the reason for Feng’s suicide, his twin brother Feng Weizheng said it was due to depression. "When he could not find a way to change the world, he could only change himself." Feng is the county's second official to commit suicide.

Boao Forum for Asia wraps up

The Boao Forum for Asia wrapped up in the southern province of Hainan on Sunday. High-level officials and business leaders were in the town for three days to discuss how Asian countries can work together to offset the worst of the global financial crisis. China has promised to set up a $10-billion China-Asian investment fund. With such encouraging signs, participants hope Asia can lead a world recovery. Premier Wen Jiabao attended Saturday's opening session and delivered a keynote address focusing on how Asian economies can handle the worst financial crisis in decades.

The 28th HK Film Awards

The 28th Hong Kong Film Awards rolled out the red carpet Sunday night at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. "Ip Man," a profile of Bruce Lee's kung fu master starring Donnie Yen, took home the Best Film Award. Low-budget film "The Way We Are" dominated the other top prizes including Best Director and Best Actress. Best Actor went to Nick Cheung, who portrayed a kidnapper in the action thriller "The Beast Stalker."