ULAN BATOR: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sought support from Mongolia yesterday in Tokyo’s territorial row with Beijing over disputed East China Sea islands, during a visit to the country.
Abe arrived in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator seeking closer trade and diplomatic ties with the mineral-rich nation, a potentially important strategic partner due to its location on China’s northern border and diplomatic ties with North Korea.
“I asked for Mongolian support relating to the Chinese situation and Mongolia expressed its understanding of the Japanese position,” Abe said in response to questions from journalists about the islands Japan claims as the Senkakus and China as the Diaoyus.
Taiwan leader’s confidant held
TAIPEI: A Taiwanese politician known for her close ties with the president has been taken into custody on suspected corruption, a court said yesterday, in the latest graft scandal to hit the island.
Lai Su-ju, a member of the Taipei City Council, was detained on the grounds that she could collude with witnesses and other suspects in the case to cover up the alleged crime, the Taipei district court said in a statement.
According to the court, Lai has admitted to accepting Tw$1m ($33,500) from a businessman but claimed that it was a political donation rather than a bribe in connection with a construction project in the capital Taipei.
Rodwell abductors to face charges
MANILA: The Philippine National Police (PNP) said criminal charges will be filed against those behind the kidnapping of Australian Warren Rodwell, who was released by his captors after his family reportedly paid P4m in ransom.
PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima said the Anti-Kidnapping Group is conducting a thorough investigation for the filing of criminal charges against the people behind the kidnapping of Rodwell, who was held hostage for 15 months. “We are investigating this case, we have identified some people and we will be filing cases against these people.”
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PHILIPPINE STAR
