To Be or Not to Be...? Someone’s grief, and someone’s drinking party

Traditions of the Kyrgyz people were being formed with the help of economic, trade, domestic and other relations with kindred and other tribes that were closely related to the geography of their ha...

Iran of the 60s: unsuccessful attempt to reform

After the coup of 19 March 1953 in the socio-political history of Iran there were fundamental changes: the powers of parliament were limited and the absolute power of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was...

Topic: Regional rivalry in the Middle East.

In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran are two countries that claim to leadership in the region. With a powerful resources and political potential these countries are the...

Far East

Azerbaijani President congratulates Japanese Prime Minister
27.12.2012
Public Policy & Politics|Japan|Far East

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev congratulated Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe on re-election to his position.

"I cordially congratulate you on your re-election as Prime Minister of Japan.Today bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Japan are steadily developing. I am sure our joint efforts towards strengthening traditional friendly relations, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation will continue to serve the prosperity of our countries and peoples," said the President's letter.

Ilham Aliyev also congratulated Shinzo Abe on the occasion of upcoming New Year.

Eleven children die after school van falls into pond in China
25.12.2012
China|Culture & Living|Far East

Eleven children died after a minivan carrying them to their kindergarten plunged into a pond in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangxi, state media said on Tuesday, DPA reported.
The van was carrying 15 children and a teacher through a rural area of Jiangxi's Guixi city on Monday when it left the road and fell into the pond, which was some 3-4 metres deep.

Three children died at the scene of the accident and eight others died in hospital after emergency treatment failed to save them, the government's Xinhua news agency said.

Two injured, seven feared missing in Japan highway tunnel collapse
03.12.2012
Culture & Living|Japan|Far East

A highway tunnel collapsed in central Japan Sunday, leaving two people injured and at least seven missing while a fire broke out inside, dpa reported.

Three vehicles were trapped inside the 4.7-kilometer Sasago tunnel on the Chuo Expressway, the Kyodo News agency reported.

Two cars were crushed in the tunnel in Otsuki, about 80 kilometres west of Tokyo, after the 20-centimetre-thick ceiling collapsed in one section, Kyodo said.

One injured woman told rescue workers she had escaped from a car in which six people were traveling, Kyodo reported.

Kyrgyzstan, China sign agreement on economic cooperation
03.12.2012
Business & Economics|China|Far East

Kyrgyzstan and China plan to sign an agreement on cooperation in the area of economy, geology and preferential loans.

The documents related to the agreement are planned to be signed during the official visit of the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Wen Jiabao to Kyrgyzstan on December 4.

The sides plan to sign four agreements, including the memorandum on cooperation in monitoring joint investment projects, agreement on technical and economic cooperation as well as memorandum on understanding between the countries' bodies.

China asks IAEA, G5+1 to enhance cooperation with Iran
20.11.2012
China|Public Policy & Politics|Far East

China once again urged International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 5 permanent members of UN Security Council and Germany to enhance dialogue and cooperation with Iran to resolve Iran's nuclear issue, IRNA reported.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying was responding to a question about the UN nuclear watchdog's latest report, which allegedly said Iran is installing more centrifuges at its enrichment plants.

Noting the report Hua said, 'China has always considered that dialogue and cooperation is the only right way to properly resolve the Iranian nuclear issue.'

China to bolster Iran ties unconcerned by Western pressure - envoy
07.11.2012
Business & Economics|China|Far East

Although China is under pressure by Western powers due to its close relations with Iran, but China expands ties with Iran unconcerned by the pressures, IRNA quoted China Ambassador to Iran Yu Hongyang as saying on Tuesday.

Over 70 state-run Chinese companies are active in Iran, he said, adding that the administration will support the companies as a means to boost relations with Iran.

In August, Iranian Ambassador to China Mahdi Safari said that the Islamic Republic and China plan to increase the value of bilateral trade to $70 billion in five years.

UN's Syria envoy holds talks with China
31.10.2012
China|Public Policy & Politics|Far East

United Nations and Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi held talks on Syria with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Wednesday as he sought ways to halt rising violence in Syria, dpa reported.

The Foreign Ministry gave no immediate details of the talks, which took place following the death of more than 70 people in Syria on Tuesday, according to Syrian activists.

The latest violence erupted as Brahimi travelled to China in an attempt to secure support for his efforts to stop the violence. He met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday.

Japan Sept crude imports from Iran fall 36.1 pct y/y
31.10.2012
Business & Economics|Japan|Far East

Japan's crude oil imports from Iran in September fell 36,1 percent from a year earlier, data from the trade ministry showed on Wednesday, as Western sanctions continued to squeeze exports from the Middle Eastern country, Reuters reported.

The Islamic Republic is under intense financial pressure from U.S. and European trade restrictions imposed over its disputed nuclear programme. Iran denies all accusations, claiming its nuclear program is of civilian nature.

Chinese company meets Georgian workers’ demands
30.10.2012
Business & Economics|China|Far East

Following four-hour talks, leadership of the Chinese Road Construction Company Sino Gidro and representatives of road department and trade unions of Georgia reached an agreement.

As Georgian Trade Union Confederation reported, the leadership of the Chinese company agreed with terms of road builders in Choloki (Adjara), who held a 10-day strike demanding a salary increase. Their wages will increase by 5 lari ($ 1 = 1.66 lari) per day, approximately by 30-33 per cent.

Iran seeking China funding to complete metro project
15.10.2012
Business & Economics|China|Far East

Iran is hopeful its ally China will fund up to $2 billion to complete Tehran's metro rail which faces delays due to lack of financing as a result of sanctions, a government official said on Monday, reported Reuters.

Phase two of the metro is on track for completion next year but two new lines under the third phase may be delayed due to lack of money, Mohammad Montazeri, deputy managing director, planning & logistics, Tehran Urban & Suburban Railway Co said.