China welcomes foreign-invested firms to expand mutually beneficial cooperation

SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - China is enhancing its openness in the financial sector and welcomes foreign-invested firms to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, Vice Premier He Lifeng said on Tuesday in Beijing. While meeting with Invesco's CEO Andrew Schlossberg, he highlighted China's progress in capital market reforms. He said the country is steadily expanding its financial sector's institutional openness and aims to provide high-quality financial services to sup

November 14, 2024

Monthlong Dubai shopping festival to return with iconic displays next month

SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - Dubai Shopping Festival is returning next month, marking its 30th anniversary with 38 days of celebrations featuring fireworks, drone shows, and light displays across the city. Highlights of the festival, which runs from Dec. 6 to Jan. 12 next year, include a major show at Bluewaters Island and The Beach, JBR, with skydiving stunts, pyrotechnics, and drone performances against the backdrop of Ain Dubai. Free drone shows will also run twice daily at this lo

November 14, 2024

China set to launch Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft

SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - The Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft and the Long March-7 Y9 rocket were moved to the launch site on Wednesday, China's Manned Space Agency said. The facilities and equipment at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in China's Hainan Province are in good condition, with pre-launch function checks and joint tests proceeding as scheduled, according to the agency. The spacecraft carries supplies for the Shenzhou-19 and Shenzhou-20 crews, including packag

November 14, 2024

OPINION: What Trump's reelection means for relations between regional rivals China and Japan

SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - Donald Trump was declared the winner of the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 6, sealing a historic and improbable return to the White House. His reelection has triggered speculation as to the state of world affairs once he assumes office in January. One of the relationships most speculated on is between the U.S. and China. Trump waged a trade war against China during his first term as president and has now promised higher tariffs on Chinese goods –

November 14, 2024

China taps vice UN representative as ambassador to Seoul: sources

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) -- China has nominated Dai Bing, currently the deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, as its new ambassador to South Korea, diplomatic sources said Wednesday. The Chinese government is reportedly in the final stages of review before officially announcing Dai's appointment to the position, which has been vacant for over three months. Beijing is expected to request agrement from Seoul as early as this week, the sources said. If approv

November 13, 2024

PHOTOS: Students protest co-ed proposal at Dongduk Women's University

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Students at Dongduk Women's University boycotted classes for a third day Wednesday over possible plans to admit male students. The university administration said no decision has been made on becoming co-educational and promised to consult with current students.

November 13, 2024

Singer Kim Ho-joong gets prison term in hit-and-run case

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Singer Kim Ho-joong was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on Wednesday for a hit-and-run accident early this year. He rammed into a taxi while driving under the influence and fled the scene in Gangnam, southern Seoul in May. Kim initially denied driving under the influence, but after CCTV footage and other evidence emerged, he was forced to admit it about 10 days later. The Seoul Central District Court reprimanded Kim for his reckless drivi

November 13, 2024

OPINION: The Republican election sweep – beyond the headlines

KENOSHA, November 13 (AJP) - If there was a single strategic turning point in the 2024 presidential election, it could have been the disastrous decision of the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris to take a pass on the Al Smith Dinner in New York. Since the now-legendary 1960 race between Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard M. Nixon, this singular event has generally been considered obligatory. The only other presidential nominee to duck the dinner was ill-fated W

November 13, 2024

Korea Zinc cancels controversial share sale; chairman to step down as board chief

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Korea Zinc on Wednesday withdrew its plan to sell new shares worth 2.5 trillion won (US$1.77 billion) amid regulatory scrutiny and shareholder pushback. The world's largest smelter announced the share issue Oct. 30 to fend off a takeover attempt by its largest shareholder, Young Poong, and MBK Partners. "We humbly accepted concerns from shareholders and market participants that we hadn't anticipated when we initially decided on the public o

November 13, 2024

Test-takers advised to avoid 'distracting' songs ahead of exam

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Over half a million South Korean students will sit for a crucial university entrance exam on Thursday, prompting authorities to implement extraordinary measures to ensure optimal testing conditions. To minimize distractions during the English listening section, flights nationwide will be grounded for approximately 30 minutes in the afternoon. Additionally, drivers have been urged to refrain from honking their horns. In a unique cultural phenom

November 13, 2024