China's top leaders have released a new statement, highlighting the role of reform in their economic planning model for next year.

The statement comes following a politburo meeting on Tuesday in Beijing.

The statement says China faces encouraging economic growth prospects for next year, but that challenges remain.

The new statement also highlights the protection of farmland to ensure the country's grain supplies.

 

China's ADIZ to improve identification: FM spokesman

China's Foreign Ministry has released a new statement, saying the newly established Air Defense Identification Zone has been set up to improve the capacity to identify aircraft and avoid misjudgment.

The statement also says most airlines traveling through the zone are now reporting their flight plans to China.

The statement comes amid criticism from Japan, the US and South Korea over the establishment of the new ID Zone.

The zone covers large portions of the East China Sea, including the Diaoyu Islands and an islet claimed by South Korea.

 

Abe, Biden agree to address ADIZ concerns in coordinated manner

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden have met in Tokyo to discuss rising tensions in the Asia Pacific region.

The two leaders held a joint news conference where they revealed they will raise concerns with Chinese leaders over the country's newly-formed Air Defense Identification Zone.

The vice president has urged China and Japan to seek diplomatic means to lower the mounting tension between the two neighbors.

He calls for Tokyo and Beijing to reestablish more effect ministerial levels of communication.

Biden will travel to China next on his Asian visit before wrapping up his tour in Seoul, South Korea.

 

Ukraine president in China despite protests at home

Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovich has arrived in Xi'an, Shaanxi province on a state trip to China.

Yanukovich is scheduled to stay until Friday and sign economic and trade agreements.

But back in Ukrainian capital Kiev, tens of thousands of demonstrators have poured onto the streets to renew their call for the government's dismissal.

Earlier, the country's parliament failed to pass a motion to hold a no-confidence vote against the government.

Anger erupted in Ukraine over Yanukovich's decision to not sign an integration agreement with the European union.

 

Kerry in Israel on Iran and middle east peace

Israeli and Palestinian peace negotiators held a new round of talks two days before U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's return to the region.

Chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, and his Israeli counterpart, Tzipi Livni, reportedly held another round of direct talks without achieving any progress due to the sticky question of Israeli settlement. 

On Wednesday, Kerry will arrive in Israel for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the Iran nuclear issue and the Middle East peace process.

Kerry will encourage Israeli leaders to restart the stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

He will then travel to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Kerry's visit, which comes at a tense time in US-Israel relations, was delayed by 2 weeks because of the temporary Iran nuclear agreement signed last week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demonstrated outspoken criticism to the easing of sanctions on Iran's nuclear program.

 

Thai PM calls for all Thais to work together to resolve unrest

Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has offered a new solution to the current unrest in the capital and has invited Thai people to a forum to share their views on political reform.

Yingluck is on record saying she hopes to form "a democratic system with the King as its leader."

Her invitation comes as hundreds of anti-government protestors swarmed the compound of her office as police stood by watching.

Protesters later withdrew without incident.

Mass demonstrations have been taking place in Bangkok the past few weeks, with protesters demanding the ouster of Yingluck Shinawatra.

 

China detains Bitcoin fraud suspects

Chinese police have detained 3 people who allegedly operated an online Bitcoin trading platform then shut it down and vanished with their investors' assets.

Police report the online trading platform, GBL, grew since its opening in May and ranked as fourth in the country.

Investors who signed up with the company, which claimed to be Hong Kong based, could trade Bitcoins similar to buying and selling stocks.

GBL suddenly closed in October with the management team being unreachable and users unable to log into their accounts.

Police apprehended 3 suspects last month in China's Guizhou Province and are still looking for two others.

Bitcoin, a form of digital currency stored in a virtual wallet, has soared in value in recent months.

 

Beijing police deny foreigner blackmailed in motor accident

Beijing police have denied a Chinese woman attempted to blackmail a foreign male whose unlicensed motorcycle allegedly hit her at a city's crosswalk.

The woman was taken to a hospital where examiners found she suffered from minor injuries.

Both sides agreed on compensation, however internet rumors began circling after local media reports indicated she was blackmailing the foreigner.

According to these reports the woman fell to the ground as the motorcycle passed by.

Witness video shows the foreigner shouting Chinese and English abuses at the woman as she tries to stop him from leaving the scene.