at 18:30 (JST), August 17

Asian View

"Asian View" is a five-minute news segment broadcast by NHK WORLD-JAPAN. It features the latest news and deep analysis from Japan and the rest of Asia. Listen to "Asian View" and get the latest information from a region that's playing an increasingly important role in the world.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20220817183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : security visit china akiba
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220817_04/

Arrangements are underway for the head of Japan's National Security Secretariat to visit China to meet with the country's top diplomat.

Rising tensions over the Taiwan Strait are expected to be on the agenda in talks between the secretariat's Secretary General Akiba Takeo and Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Yang Jiechi.

Akiba is likely to stress the importance of peace and stability in the region including the Taiwan Strait and call on Beijing to exercise self-restraint.

The Chinese military carried out large-scale drills around Taiwan, following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit there in early August.

The Japanese government says some of the ballistic missiles fired during the drills fell inside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has said it is important to closely communicate with China especially at a time like this.

Akiba and Yang are also expected to discuss how to build constructive and stable bilateral relations, as next month will mark the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Key words : chinese research
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220817_01/

A Chinese research vessel has docked at a port in Sri Lanka, raising concerns in neighboring India over China's intentions in the region.

China's foreign ministry said that the Yuan Wang 5 arrived at Sri Lanka's southern port of Hambantota on Tuesday. It said the vessel will stay at the port until resupply is completed.

China says the ship is used for maritime research.

But Indian media reported that the ship is intended to track launches of India's ballistic missiles and satellites. The media also mentioned the possibility that the vessel might be used to reconnoiter the entire Indian Ocean.

The port was built as part of China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

In 2017, Sri Lanka agreed to lease it to China for 99 years in a bid to write off a massive debt on the construction cost.

The port constitutes a place of strategic importance in maritime shipping lanes that link Asia with the Middle East. The port call of the Chinese ship is fueling concerns in India that Beijing could be trying to increase its influence in the region.

Key words : extreme heat
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220817_06/

The recent extreme heat is straining the electricity supply in parts of China. Authorities in the inland province of Sichuan are restricting industrial power usage.

Chinese media say the mercury topped 40 degrees Celsius in Sichuan and the city of Chongqing on Tuesday. Temperatures reportedly hit record highs at 68 locations on Monday.

The heat wave has caused an increase in power demand for air conditioning in Sichuan, while hydroelectric power generation has declined due to little rain.

This week, local authorities ordered companies that use large amounts of electricity to suspend production in order to prioritize residential usage. The restriction will to continue until August 20.

The order is having a widespread impact on businesses, including Japanese firms. Toyota Motor has halted operations at a plant in the city of Chengdu.

The eastern provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang are also reported to have introduced curbs on electricity consumption at some companies.

Such restrictions, if prolonged, could have an impact on the economy.

Key words : learning another language
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