Asia

Taiwan is an island that has for all practical purposes been independent since 1950, but which China regards as a rebel region that must be reunited with the mainland - by force if necessary.China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, when the defeated Nationalist government fled to the island as the Communists, under Mao Zedong, swept to power.China insists that nations cannot have official relations with both China and Taiwan, with the result that Taiwan has formal diplomatic ties with only a few countries. The US is Taiwan's most important friend and protector. Despite its diplomatic isolation, Taiwan has become one of Asia's major economic players, and one of the world's top producers of computer technology.Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring FACTS Republic of China (ROC) Capital: Taipei Population 23,3 million Area 36,188 sq km (13,972 sq miles) Major languages … [Read more...] about Taiwan country profile

Sri Lanka’s new president Gotabaya Rajapaksa has begun concentrating power within his own powerful family, appointing one brother Mahinda as both prime minister and finance minister and another brother as minister of agriculture. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the candidate for the SLPP, the Sinhalese-Buddhist nationalist party, won an overwhelming victory in Sri Lanka’s presidential polls last weekend. His win marked a return to power for the Rajapaksa family, which has been one of the most dominant political dynasties in Sri Lanka for over a decade. Their previous time in power was marked by human rights abuses, disappearances and a stranglehold over the judiciary and police. His brother Mahinda Rajapaksa was president from 2005 to 2015, with Gotabaya serving as his secretary of defence. Due to a law introduced by the previous government, Mahinda could not run for another term as president, so Gotabaya was put forward as the candidate. However, suggestions that Mahinda, the more … [Read more...] about Sri Lanka’s president Rajapaksa cements family power as brothers join cabinet

Nigel Farage is hoping to enlist the climate science denier Donald Trump to help lead a global campaign to plant billions of trees to capture CO2. The Brexit party leader, a friend of the US president, is due to make the announcement in Westminster on Friday as his party launches its version of an election manifesto. Described as a “contract with the British people”, the party’s focus on the environment with the support of the US may be part of an attempt to broaden its appeal to voters beyond those looking to vote for a hard form of Brexit. Speaking to the Guardian, Farage said the UK should become the face of a worldwide UN initiative. “The UK should spearhead a global initiative at the United Nations to plant billions of trees around the world and I have every confidence Britain would get support from the American administration on this,” he said. “If it’s true that an area the size of Devon and Cornwall is removed from the Amazon every … [Read more...] about Farage hoping to enlist help of Trump in Brexit party tree-planting plan

Canadian pop star Justin Bieber has been banned from performing in China, according to Beijing's Culture Bureau.In a statement, the ministry said it was not appropriate to allow in entertainers who have engaged in "bad behaviour." "Justin Bieber is a gifted singer, but he is also a controversial young foreign singer," it added.The statement was issued in response to a question recently submitted by a user of the bureau's website."We hope that as Justin Bieber matures, he can continue to improve his own words and actions, and truly become a singer beloved by the public," the statement said. AnalysisBy John Sudworth, BBC Beijing correspondent To its list of hostile foreign forces - one assumes ranking somewhere below the Dalai Lama and Taiwanese separatists - China has added the name Justin Bieber. The news came in a statement from the Beijing municipal culture bureau, answering a question from a fan about why, with the singer about to embark on an Asia-wide tour, no venues have been … [Read more...] about Justin Bieber banned from China for ‘bad behaviour’

Jon Bon Jovi has become the latest Western pop star to woo the Chinese market, singing what is arguably the most famous Chinese love song ever. The BBC analyses his attempt.The music video, set in a recording studio, starts in soft focus as the soulful opening strains of The Moon Represents My Heart cue up. Then, Jon Bon Jovi's familiar gravelly voice fades in. "Ni wen wo ai ni you duo shen, wo ai ni you ji fen..." croons the American rock star in somewhat intelligible Mandarin."Jon put a lot of thought on choosing the right song for his Chinese fans," reads a statement on his website announcing the video.Shot through the heartThe rocker clearly has big ambitions by taking on The Moon Represents My Heart - the song ranks as one of the greatest love ballads and is a beloved karaoke staple for older Chinese people.The plaintive ballad, popularised by Taiwanese superstar Teresa Teng in 1977, is sung from the perspective of a woman whose love is being questioned - her answer is that her … [Read more...] about Jon Bon Jovi takes on Chinese classic love song