In remarks made by Singapore's K Shanmugam on the conclusion of his back-to-back introductory visits as foreign minister to the United States and China, he noted that comments he made on the US-China relationship during his visit to Washington were warmly welcomed in Beijing. more ›

Due to the ongoing riots in Thailand, the Chinese government has issued a warning suggesting that tourists postpone their trips into the country. According to the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok, all Chinese travelers in the country are currently believed to be fine, but that the unstable political situation should be taken into account. Many tourism companies insisted they had modified their tours to stay away from places near the riots and could guarantee the safety of Chinese tourists, however they would refund delayed or canceled trips. Last week, the riots, carried out by supporters of ousted ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, forced the shutdown of the ASEAN convention and the quick evacuation of some of Asia's top leaders from the country. Yesterday, they escalated into violent confrontations with troops, leaving scores wounded and two dead. more ›

• China to expand 9-year compulsory education in ethnic minority regions [Xinhua] "By 2010, more than 95 percent of the population of China's ethnic autonomous areas should have access to the nine-year compulsory education, said the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-2010) released Monday by the Information Office of the State Council."
• Thai Protests Prevent Asian Summit [Washington Post] "Anti-government demonstrators forced the cancellation of a summit of Asian leaders Saturday when they invaded the meeting site in this Thai resort town. The summit was supposed to bring together the leaders of the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, known as ASEAN, and Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea."
• In China, Effective Treatment Options for HIV, But Stigma Still Lingers [RH Reality Check] "Last year, South African Supreme Court Justice Edwin Cameron described HIV-related stigma in China as a "tragedy" for preventing people living with HIV from accessing what is otherwise a "very good treatment program." According to his data, whilst between 35,000 and 40,000 HIV-positive people in China are effectively receiving treatment, more than twice that number are unwilling to be tested or receive test results because of fear of stigma and remain untreated."