September 5, Tuesday, 2023

1. Japan’s government has decided to extend over 20 billion yen, or more than 140 million dollars, in emergency aid to domestic seafood producers. This is in response to China’s suspension of seafood imports following the release of treated and diluted water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
2. Leaders and top diplomats from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations kicked off a summit meeting on Tuesday in Jakarta. At the top of the agenda is the situation in Myanmar where battles are intensifying between the military that seized power two years ago and pro-democracy groups. 3. China’s foreign minister Wang Yi has demonstrated in talks with Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani that Beijing intends to strengthen bilateral ties. The move is apparently aimed at urging Italy to continue its participation in the Beijing-led Belt and Road Initiative.