Seoul's 3.5% defense budget, shipyards pledge suit 'partners' over 'dependents' US vision

The country is in the middle of a traditionally busy season for military exercises, though its army hasn’t made announcements of large-scale officially named drills.

In between all all various and sundry ways I find to use my time, I've recently been taken by the urge to write stories around pictures I've taken (in addition to the novel I'm still plugging away at. And the nonfiction book that still calls weakly for attention. Oh, and work. Work is still there, for the most part). It's a fun little diversion, but then I find I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do with them.

Meetings with top Russian, British and French officials are seen as part of an attempt by Beijing to rally support for its cause as it continues to heap pressure on Tokyo.

Taiwan's top intelligence chief on Wednesday said it was not unlikely that China's military holds another large-scale military drill before the end of this year and that Taiwan has to stay prepared.

Taiwan's top diplomat, Lin Chia-lung, said that Taipei hopes the two sides can find a way to resolve their differences, as the row over Japan's role in a Taiwan crisis roils ties.