30th September 09

The New York Times

China’s Ties With Iran May Snag Sanctions

BEIJING — Leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee swept into Beijing last month to meet with Chinese officials, carrying a plea from Washington: If Iran were to be kept from developing nuclear weapons, China would have to throw more diplomatic weight behind the cause.

Chinese Pride, at the Touch of a Cellphone Button

BEIJING — Just in case residents of this capital are not feeling sufficiently nationalistic ahead of National Day, the state-controlled mobile service company has changed its customers’ cellphone ring-back tones to a patriotic song.

One Holiday, Two Systems and Lots of Book Sales in Hong Kong

To prepare for the National Day holiday, retailers here have been stocking up on merchandise like designer bags, gold jewelry — and banned books.

Asia Times Online

Taiwan, China tread carefully
By Cindy Sui

TAIPEI - Sixty years after Taiwan split from China at the end of a civil war in 1949, there are still no clear signs of how the two sides will resolve their dispute over the island's status, but as mainland China celebrates its victory in the war on October 1, the indications are stronger than ever that both sides are aiming for a peaceful solution, analysts say.