Hong Kong, China — After 10 years of steady effort, both India and China have made significant qualitative changes in their navies. In terms of submarine capabilities China is now far ahead of India, but India is more advanced in terms of large-tonnage surface battleships and aircraft carriers.

Hong Kong, China — The eruption of riots in Tibet in March reflected an increasingly complicated political situation there. Internally, it reflects frustration with the Dalai Lama’s nonviolent policy; externally, it relates to India’s uneasy relations with China. The PLA is ready to handle further pre-Olympic protests.

Seoul, South Korea — The process to disarm North Korea of its nuclear weapons is set to move on to the final phase as the communist country is expected to hand over a long-delayed accounting of its atomic activities this week.

Hong Kong, China — Although in many respects the situation in the Taiwan Strait appears to be improving, China’s military actions do not reflect this trend. China has reinforced its troops on the Shandong Peninsula, opposite Korea, to engage U.S. and Japanese troops should they attempt to support Taiwan in a conflict.

Tokyo, Japan — Experts believe that companies building Japan’s nuclear power plants have deliberately ignored active faults while electric power companies and safety review agencies tend to underestimate risk or neglect unfavorable data; doing otherwise would prevent the building of such facilities in Japan, one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries

Hong Kong, China — For some time, military cooperation between China and Russia has been stalled over a failed deal involving China’s import of Russian Il-76 transport aircraft. China claims that Russia violated the terms of agreement; but there are signs Beijing may be willing to renegotiate the deal.

Hong Kong, China — Satellite photos of the Leping Ballistic Missile Base in China’s southeastern province of Jiangxi show that this is a key site for the deployment of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s DF-15A campaign tactical missiles. The direct distance from the base to Taiwan is 700 kilometers (435 miles).

Seoul, South Korea — The defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States agreed Tuesday in Seoul to bolster their alliance, which has been tested over fierce protests against U.S. beef imports. The defense meeting also comes at a time when China has expressed concerns about the alliance between Seoul and Washington.

Hong Kong, China — Frontline combat units of China’s PLA Air Force will have at least 112 J-10 fighter jets by the end of the year, careful analysis reveals. There are indications that the No. 1 Division in north China has received a full complement of the domestic-made, next-generation fighter jets.

Seoul, South Korea — South Korean President Lee Myung-bak visits China this week, aiming to ease Beijing's concerns over his strengthening ties with the United States and Japan and discuss how to get North Korea to give up its nuclear drive and emerge from its isolationist shell.

Hong Kong, China — China’s air force has substantially reinforced its air defense posture in Jiangxi province in the past year. By stationing S300 SAMs in the city of Nanchang, it has greatly expanded the depth of China’s air defense coverage in preparation for confrontation with Taiwan.

Kolkata, India — As a little-known terror outfit claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s serial blasts in the northwest tourist town of Jaipur, this latest security crisis in India has reinforced fears that -- despite tall claims by the government -- terror cells are alive and thriving in its hinterland.

Toronto, ON, Canada — Is there any end to Chinese ambitions in Asia? China wishes to dominate Asia with blockades, blockages, military diplomacy and political Machiavellism. Its plan to divert the River Brahmaputra from Tibet toward China’s northeast, blocking water to 100 million people in India, could lead to war.

Hong Kong, China — Over the past 20 years, China's military investment has grown faster than any other country; the bamboo curtain that enveloped the country has become a copper curtain. The Chinese navy is enlarging its underground submarine facility and has started to deploy more submarines at the southern island of Hainan.

Kolkata, India — In the decades-old standoff between India and China over their 2,500-mile common boundary, it is no longer enough for India to guard its borders and stave off intermittent Chinese military intrusions. Indian government sources have accused China of waging cyber warfare by snooping into India's Web sites.

Seoul, South Korea — The process to disarm North Korea is about to enter a long-delayed final phase. A team of U.S. envoys will return to Seoul on Saturday, after a three-day trip to North Korea, with Pyongyang's declaration of its plutonium-based program, alleged uranium-enrichment program and cooperation with Syria.

Hong Kong, China — Russia will deliver to China four battalions of 200-kilometer-range S-300PMU2 surface-to-air missiles this summer, the last batch in a series ordered by China. These missiles now cover the whole of the Chinese coast facing the Taiwan Strait.

Hong Kong, China — China's production of J-11B fighters using Russian technology has become the latest bone of contention in the military cooperation between the two countries. The China-made fighter is a violation of a technology transfer agreement, Russian sources say.

Seoul, South Korea — The drive to disarm North Korea of its nuclear weapons could be endangered by conflicting U.S. moves. While a U.S. team has gone to North Korea to finalize the terms of Pyongyang's list of nuclear activities, in Washington video evidence of Pyongyang's nuclear cooperation with Syria is being revealed.

Tokyo, Japan — Amid skyrocketing oil prices and growing fears of global warming, Japan has decided to step up the promotion of nuclear power as a solution to both problems. The country's first nuclear reprocessing facility opens next month, enabling the recycling of nuclear waste by extracting uranium and plutonium.

Hong Kong, China — China's stockpile of intermediate-range ballistic missile nuclear warheads should by no means be ignored. The People's Liberation Army's strategy of keeping a balance between its nuclear and conventional capabilities, or focusing on nuclear capability, as a matter of fact refers to these IRBMs and some short-range ballistic missiles.

Seoul, South Korea — Efforts to end North Korea's nuclear weapons drive are at a critical juncture, as top nuclear envoys from Pyongyang and Washington meet in Singapore this week for what may be make-or-break negotiations. Skepticism still lingers about significant progress, given the long history of mutual distrust.

Hong Kong, China — China's stockpile of nuclear warheads has increased sharply, with more DF-31A and JL-2 long-range strategic ballistic missiles entering service, giving it preliminary capability to engage in three-dimensional nuclear strikes upon opponent targets.

Manila, Philippines — The failure of the Manila government to address the roots of armed conflict in the Philippines through peace negotiations has emboldened two armed political groups to raise the ante of their armed struggle against the seven-year-old presidency of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Kolkata, India — It is no surprise that Australia's new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd would kick off his round-the-world tour with a visit to the United States and announce that he would fulfill his election pledge to pull out 550 Australian troops from Iraq. He is different from his predecessor.

Seoul, South Korea — South Korea's new approach toward North Korea -- linking economic aid to progress in Pyongyang's denuclearization efforts -- is facing a major test following a series of angry reactions from the North, from missile launches to threats of suspending cross-border dialogue and reducing the South to "ashes."

Hong Kong, China — China has shipped its latest-version FN-6 portable ground-to-air missiles to Sudan, video footage of that country's 2007 Independence Day military parade has revealed. These are the most advanced ground-to-air missiles China has introduced to the international market.

Hong Kong, China — China has shipped its latest-version FN-6 portable ground-to-air missiles to Sudan, video footage of that country's 2007 Independence Day military parade has revealed. These are the most advanced ground-to-air missiles China has introduced to the international market.

Manila, Philippines — Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo says she will spend US$334.6 million to upgrade the military in order to defeat the communist guerillas before her term ends in May 2010. Critics say the resumption of peace talks with the rebels is a better option.

Colombo, Sri Lanka — The Indian government has been making repetitive pronouncements to the effect that there is no military solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. On the other hand, India has been providing Sri Lanka with weapons and training its military personnel. The United States is sending a similar double message.

Seoul, South Korea — South Korea's diplomatic chief left for the United States Tuesday on a mission to restore the two countries' strained security alliance and boost momentum on ending North Korea's nuclear drive ahead of a planned Washington visit by Seoul's new president.

Toronto, ON, Canada — The peace along India's northeastern border with China has been disturbed in the last five years by the aggressive buildup of roads and military infrastructure on the China side, as well as the recent completion of a rail line to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.

Hong Kong, China — Elite ground force units of the People's Liberation Army were involved in China's recent crackdown on Tibetan protesters in Lhasa. Images taken the day the crackdown began show the new T-90 armored personnel carrier and T-92 wheeled armored vehicles belonging to the elite ground forces on the streets of Lhasa.

Hong Kong, China — China has exported two 16 PA6 shipborne diesel engines to Myanmar to be fitted on its navy's indigenous patrol ships, a representative of the German MAN Diesel Company, which designed the original engines, has confirmed. Most of the major surface combatants of the Myanmar navy were supplied by China.

Shanghai, China — The shooting down of a U.S. satellite by U.S. navy forces last month raised concern from other satellite-owning countries, particularly China and Russia, despite the explanation that the move was to prevent the malfunctioning satellite from crashing and spreading toxic materials on the Earth.

Seoul, South Korea — North Korea is under mounting pressure to hasten its disarmament process in the face of a strengthening South Korea-U.S. alliance. Diplomatic sources say China has crafted a proposed compromise on the outstanding issue, Pyongyang's declaration of its suspected uranium-based nuclear program.

Hong Kong, China — China is not prepared to handle a large-scale external crisis, particularly in the Taiwan Strait, it can be concluded after assessing the nation's hardware, including ammunition supplies and fuel reserves, as well as the quality of its military personnel and its political infrastructure.

Hong Kong, China — INTERPOL, the world's largest international police organization, began a three-day Asian Regional Conference in Hong Kong Wednesday, emphasizing the need for member states to increase regional cooperation and engage in greater use of technology to combat transnational crimes.

Beijing, China — China announced a 17.6 percent increase in its defense spending Tuesday, saying the hike was for pay rises, inflation, training and hi-tech know-how. One day earlier, the Pentagon released a report on China's military buildup, warning that confusion about Beijing's intentions could spark instability in East Asia.

Hong Kong, China — Some high-resolution images of China's Type 094 SSBN have shed new light on this mysterious strategic missile nuclear-powered submarine of the People's Liberation Army Navy. Satellite photos released by Google Earth reveal two of these new submarines at the Huludao Shipyard in northeast China.

Hong Kong, China — Based on the design of the Russian Sukhoi Su-27SK fighter, China has come up with its own domestic version, the J-11B multi-function fighter. Except for the Russian-made engines, 90 percent of the major subsystems fitted on the J-11B, including the radar and optical electronic systems, are made by China.

Hong Kong, China — China has exported more advanced weapon systems to Sudan. TV video footage of a military parade shows that the country already has new-generation Chinese T96 and upgraded T59D main battle tanks and T92 wheeled infantry fighting vehicles fitted with Russian 2A72 30-mm cannon guns.

Seoul, South Korea — A year ago, optimism was high for an early resolution of the standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons drive, on the back of a landmark aid-for-disarmament deal. But Pyongyang has missed a key deadline, aid has been delayed, and optimism is waning.

Hong Kong, China — NATO is closely watching China's military expansion with an attitude of rising concern and wariness. Led by the United States, NATO members are starting to view China as a possible emerging common adversary. Chances are very slim that the European Union will lift its arms embargo on China this year.

Tokyo, Japan — UPI contributor Andrei Chang interviewed Japan's Vice Minister of Defense Kohei Masuda recently on issues related to Japan's defense preparedness, China's military, and regional alliances. Excerpts from the interview follow.

Beijing, China — Robert Mueller, director of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, was in Beijing this week for discussions with counterparts concerning security preparations for the upcoming Summer Olympics. He also told reporters about his agency's "cop-to-cop diplomacy" with China.

Seoul, South Korea — Officials from the United States and China are heading to North Korea this week to revive efforts to rid the country of its atomic weapons. Sung Kim, who leads the U.S. State Department's office of Korean affairs, is due to arrive in Pyongyang Thursday.

Seoul, South Korea — With the restored support of South Korea and that of Japan, the United States is better positioned to drive its foreign policy in Northeast Asia and on the Korean peninsula. However, Washington would be wise to broaden the framework of its policy if it wishes to remain a long-term regional player.

Hong Kong, China — The appearance of Chinese amphibious assault vehicles has fundamentally changed the mode of cross-sea combat operations in the Taiwan Strait, making beyond-vision landing assaults possible. These vehicles can greatly weaken the artillery projection capability of the Taiwanese ground forces.

Colombo, Sri Lanka — Events of the past three weeks are an indication of the potential for savagery in the Sri Lankan government's war with the LTTE. The recent massacre of civilians in the remote rural countryside of the south evoked memories of earlier war times, and it is likely that more such attacks will occur.