The Chinese government has issued a new statement, calling for "objective and fair" reporting of terrorist activities, including last week's suicide attack in front of the Tian'anmen Sqaure.

The comments come amid criticism on foreign media reports about the motiviation behind last week's attack.

A number of reports have also brought the Chinese government's religious and ethnic policies into question.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei says the reporting is "in collusion with terrorists"

The attack left 5 dead, including the attackers and two tourists.

40 others were hurt in the attack.

 

China urges impartiality for U.S. newspaper on Diaoyu Islands

The Chinese government is calling on the Wall Street Journal to be impartial when it comes to the Diaoyu Islands dispute.

The comments come after the U.S. newspaper carried an editorial, calling on the Obama administration to to explicitly endorse Japan's claims to the disputed islands.

The comments in the WSJ's online section says Tokyo's alliance with Washington and its ties with Southeast Asia have been strengthened because of the tensions over the Diaoyu Islands.

Chinese foreign ministry has since responded, calling on the US government to stay neutral, given "it is not a party concerned in the dispute".

The Obama administration has long-held that it will not take sides over the issue.

 

U.S. VP to visit Japan, China, South Korea

US vice-President Joe Biden is scheduled to make a trip here to China next month.

The White House has confirmed Biden will be making a stop in Beijing as part of a 3-nation tour of east Asia.

Biden will also be making stops in Japan and South Korea.

In a statment, the White House says Biden's focus here in China will be to consult with the Chinese leadership about issues of "global and regional" interest.

Biden is also expected to discuss the proposed Trans-Pacific Partership agreement with Japanese officials.

In South Korea, he's expected to touch on matters of security.

The exact dates for Biden's trip in December have not been laid out.

 

China vice premier expresses confidence in achieving growth goals

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli says the government is confident it will reach its economic and social development targets for the year.

But at the same time, Zhang Gaoli also says more needs to be done to create more sustainable development in the private sector. 

Zhang says this country's more-developed eastern regions should be playing a leading role in rebalancing the economy.

He says operations in this region of China need to eliminate excessive production capacity.

Zhang's comments come ahead of the Party's plenary session slated to be held here in Beijing this weekend.

 

Egypt's Morsi trial postponed to Jan. 8

The courts in Egypt have decided to postpone the trial of ousted President Mohamed Morsi.

The postponement to January 8th follows mass demonstrations outside the first hearings held on Monday.

Addressing the court, Morsi has told the session he's being put on trial by force and against his will.

Stating he is still the President, Morsi has described his ouster as a coup, saying its a humiliation and a crime.

He's also demanded the courts to -quote- "try the coup leader."

While not naming him by name, it's believed Morsi is referring to military leader Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.

Morsi and 14 other members of the Muslim Brotherhood are accused of ordering the killing of protesters outside his presidental palace in December.

The demonstrations at that time were launched after Morsi issued a decree giving him sweeping political powers.

That move enraged secular elements of Egyptian society, and eventually created the backlash against his rule which led to Morsi being removed from power by the military in early July.

 

South Africa to encourage North Korea to return to six-party talks: DIRCO

A leading South African official is set to begin a diplomatic mission to North Korea with the aim of trying to convince the country to resume the long-stalled 6-party nuclear talks.

South Africa's deputy minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ebrahim Ebrahim, is beginning his mission there today.

Ebrahim says the South African side wants to try to convince North Korea not to go ahead with the construction of nuclear weapons.

While South Africa is not involved in the 6-party talks, the country has maintained a solid relationship with North Korea since establishing diplomatic ties in 1998.

The 6-party talks have been stalled since 2008 after North Korea pulled out of the negotiations amid frustration over a new round of sanctions.

 

Indian police raid militant hideout, discover bombs

Indian authorities have launched a raid in the eastern state of Jharkhand to try to track down militants believed to be responsible for a recent string of bombings in a neighboring state.

Police raided a hotel in the state capital, discovering 9 different explosive devices.

The bombs are said to be similar to the ones used in neighboring Bihar last month which left 6-people dead.

Authorities say they launched the raid acting on a tip.

However, local TV reports are suggesting the raid came as the result of the interogation of a pair of bombing suspects currently being held.

Indian authorities are pinning the blame for last month's attacks in Bihar on a faction of the Indian Mujahideen.

The blasts were meant to disrupt a political rally for the main opposition's Prime Ministerial candidate.