Beijing

China hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the building of two lighthouses in the disputed South China Sea, state media said on May 26, a move that is likely to escalate tensions in a region already jittery about Beijing's maritime ambitions. 

They're ubiquitous in Asia, swarming the bustling streets of Bangkok, New Delhi and Beijing.
     
Now, a company that manufactures the tuk-tuk - the three-wheeled motorized rickshaws that have moved the masses for more than half a century - aims to make inroads in the United States.
     

US surveillance aircraft and naval ships have yet to test China?s territorial claims around artificial islands built in the South China Sea, but the Pentagon warned on May 21 that could be ?the next step.?

Japan will announce a $100 billion plan to invest in roads, bridges, railways and other building projects in Asia, a report said May 19, weeks after China outlined its vision for a new infrastructure development bank in the region.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi got down to business on the final day of his trip to China on May 16, saying his country was open for investment as firms signed deals worth more than $22 billion.

The hunt for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has uncovered a previously uncharted shipwreck, leading officials to say May 13 that if the plane is in their search zone they will find it.

Obama tells Abe his country will "defend Japan"

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Barack Obama has accused China of "flexing its muscles to advance its maritime claims against Asian neighbors," Reuters reported.

Montenegro is exempting Chinese contractors and subcontractors working on a new highway from paying VAT, customs duties, taxes and fees for engaging foreign workers and corporate income tax.

The Tax Administration on Tuesday said new laws prescribed the tax exemption for the procurement of products and services for the planned new highway.

Chinese soldiers arrive in Moscow ahead of May 9

BEIJING -- Members of the Chinese army's guards of honor have arrived in Moscow, according to the Chinese embassy in Russia, Xinhua is reporting.

They will for the first time take part in the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, scheduled for May 9.

Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov on Friday told the joint press conference he had with his Romanian and Serbian counterparts that, with respect to the common infrastructure, he wished to see a motorway built to link Bucharest, Sofia and Belgrade.

Photo credit: (c) Alex MICSIK / AGERPRES ARCHIVE