This Week in the News (November 25, 2016)

This week newspapers over Asia highlight very different events taking part during the last days. The decision of the European Parliament to stop negotiations with Turkey to become European Union member was news in China and Japan. Chinese press also mentioned the possibility of Turkey proposing to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization instead of persisting in the negotiations with European Union.

President Xi Jiping visits Latin America and takes part in the APEC Summit

The President of the People’s Republic of China visited for six days three Latin American countries: Ecuador, Peru and Chile, and participated in APEC summit. The Chinese media open their websites with this event, giving some details about the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit and about the visit to these important partners in business and cooperation. This diplomatic operation is seen as a way to reinforce China’s presence in Latin America and to boost cooperation with these partners.

Trilateral Meeting and new nominations for Trump’s Cabinet: what do they have in common?

They were the highlights of international news in Japan. The international week was focused in the preparation of the Trilateral Meeting between Japan, China and South Korea, raising the issue about the possibility of the President Park Geun-hye not being able to participate, due to the tensions in South Korea. As for Japan and China more negotiations about hot questions like the South East China Sea should be on the table.

Also Donald Trump’s nominations after being elected of the United States were brought to front page, because some of the names seem to be very surprising, according to The Japan Times.

Thailand’s look to the world

In Thailand two stories with no echo in Western newspapers made the front pages: Malaysia and the United Nation Refugees Agency pilot program to allow Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to work legally in the country, and the intensive investigation looking for evidence that some Thai Muslims  in the southern part of the country were supporting and funding the activities of the Islamic State.

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Cátia Miriam Costa

Researcher at CEI-IUL. PhD in Literature (Univ. Évora). Master in African Studies (ISCSP-UTL). Undergraduate studies in International Relations (ISCSP-UTL). Research interests: intercultural relations, colonial and post-colonial studies, international communicaion, discourse analysis. Work experience: Think tanks and Economic and scientific diplomacy.

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