China's State Council has declared the reduction of PM2.5 and other pollutants in smoggy cities as key in the fight against air pollution.

A statement released after an executive meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang stated the main focus should be on major cities and regions with the worst smog.

The cabinet stresses consistent efforts against pollution must be undertaken to enhance quality of life and benefit the environment.

In December, 74 Chinese cities saw an increase in PM2.5 and PM10 of 56 and 30-percent respectively.

The statement calls for more efforts to promote high quality gasoline, energy conservation, and the use of greener boilers.

10 billion yuan, or over 1 and a half billion US dollars, has been allocated this year to reward key cities and regions that make significant progress in air pollution.

 

Former Japanese PM urges Abe government to follow Murayama statement

Former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama is urging the current government of Shinzo Abe to honour the apology made in 1995.

The former Japanese Prime Minister made the statement while giving a speech in Seoul at the invitation of South Korea's opposition Justice Party.

When he was in office, Murayama made an official apology in for the suffering of Japan's Asian neighbors, caused by wartime aggression.

Known as the Murayama statement, it says Japan caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations.

 

Two Koreas end high-level talks; DPRK calls for delay of S. Korea-U.S. military drills

North and South Koreas have concluded their first high-level talks in seven years.

The two sides hold the talks early Wednesday at the border village of Panmunjeom.

North Korea has called the South to delay its military drill with the United States to dates after ending the reunion event.

No other details about the discussion has been opened up.

Seoul and Pyongyang agreed last week to hold reunion of families separated by the Korean War from Feb. 20 to 25.

 

Russian Deputy FM meets Syrian FM to discuss latest Syrian peace talks

A trilateral meeting involving senior US and Russian officials with UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi has been moved forward one day and will now take place on Thursday in Geneva.

Ahead of the meeting, Russia Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov had stressed that a political solution is necessary to resolve the crisis in Syria.

Warring sides from Syria have met face to face in Geneva on Wednesday to continue the second phase of peace talks.

The two sides have been unable to agree on a common agenda for the talks, which started Monday.

On the ground, more civilians are being evacuated from the embattled city of Homs, as the ceasefire truce draws to a close.

 

British Man Identified in Syrian Suicide Bombing

A British man believed to have carried out a suicide bombing in Syria last week has been identified as Abdul Waheed Majeed, a man from Crawley in West Sussex, England.

The 41 year old is believed to have carried out a suicide truck bombing in the city of Aleppo last Thursday.

The attack occurred at a prison in central Aleppo and allowed inmates to escape.

Anti-terror police are searching a house in Martyrs Avenue, Langley Green, as part of their investigation.

The bombing may be the first in the country to be carried out by a Briton.

The prison was the scene of heavy fighting between opposition and Syrian forces last week.

 

No casualties reported in latest Xinjiang quake

A 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit China's Xinjiang region. There were no casualties.

The epicenter of the quake is in a high altitude area that is sparsely populated. 

A 5.4 magnitude quake hit the same region yesterday afternoon.

 

Three more human H7N9 cases in China

Three more human cases of H7N9 bird flu have been reported in China.

All of the new victims are in Zhejiang, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the province to 82.

Among the new cases of the virus, an 84 year old man is listed in critical condition.

The others, men aged 46 and 58, are in severe condition.

No evidence of widespread human-to-human transmission of the virus has been detected.

Authorities are warning people about the risk of keeping poultry at home, or visiting live poultry markets.

 

China land prices pick up pace in fourth quarter

Official data shows the average price of residential land in Chinese cities has increased throughout fourth quarter.

This marks a seventh consecutive quarter of gains as demand from developers remains high after a jump in home sales last year.

The average price of residential land in 105 cities surveyed 830 US dollars per square meter, up 2.6 percent from the previous quarter.

On an on-year basis, prices rose 9 percent in the fourth quarter, up from 7.6 percent in the third quarter.

 

Sri Lanka, China FTA expected to conclude this year: Foreign Minister

China and Sri Lanka are expecting to reach a Free Trade Agreement with this year.

Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Gamini Lakshman Peiris says the feasibility study is on the verge of completion.

Peiris says the vast Chinese market will be much easier for Sri Lanka to access once the FTA is adopted. 

He believes the deal will open the door for a faster expansion of trade, investment and tourism with a whole range of economic activities to be facilitated.

Sri Lanka has set a 7.5 percent economic growth target for 2014. Promoting trade with China, India and Japan will be part of the policy package for realizing this goal. 

The tropical island has achieved a 7.2 percent economic growth in 2013.