U.S. Defense Secretary to visit Asia Pacific
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is to make his first trip to Asia Pacific as the Pentagon chief later this month, the Defense Department announced here on Wednesday.
During his visit from Oct. 21-28, Panetta will be making stops in Bali, Indonesia, Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, Republic of Korea, according to Cmdr. Leslie Hull-Ryde, a department spokeswoman.
Panetta is "expected to attend a series of cabinet-level meetings, including meetings with his counterparts," said Hull- Ryde, noting that in Bali, Panetta will meet with defense ministers of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In Seoul, Panetta will conduct the annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) with Republic of Korean Minister of National Defense Kim Kwan-jin.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-10-13 03:48:40 FeedbackPrintRSS
WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 (Xinhua)
Saturday, October 15, 2011
6.8 magnitude shallow quake strikes off Bali, Indonesia
6.8 magnitude shallow quake strikes off Bali, Indonesia
A shallow undersea earthquake measuring 6.8 on Richter scale rocked Bali island of Indonesia on Thursday morning, but no potential of tsunami was reported, the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said.
The quake struck at 10:16 a.m. Jakarta time (0316 GMT) with the epicenter 143 km southwest Nusadua of Bali, a depth of 10 km undersea bad, official of the agency named only Apprillianto told Xinhua.
There have no reports of casualties or property damage so far.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-10-13 12:04:46 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua)
A shallow undersea earthquake measuring 6.8 on Richter scale rocked Bali island of Indonesia on Thursday morning, but no potential of tsunami was reported, the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said.
The quake struck at 10:16 a.m. Jakarta time (0316 GMT) with the epicenter 143 km southwest Nusadua of Bali, a depth of 10 km undersea bad, official of the agency named only Apprillianto told Xinhua.
There have no reports of casualties or property damage so far.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-10-13 12:04:46 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua)
Indonesia's strong quake injures at least 23, damages buildings
Indonesia's strong quake injures at least 23, damages buildings
A shallow undersea quake measuring 6.8 on Richter scale in Bali island injured at least 23 people,one of whom is foreign tourist,and damaged buildings, Wayan Suki local disaster management and mitigation agency told XiInhua by phone.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-13 13:21:19 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua)
A shallow undersea quake measuring 6.8 on Richter scale in Bali island injured at least 23 people,one of whom is foreign tourist,and damaged buildings, Wayan Suki local disaster management and mitigation agency told XiInhua by phone.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-13 13:21:19 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua)
Shallow strong quake strikes off Bali, injures at least 23
Shallow strong quake strikes off Bali, injures at least 23
A shallow undersea quake measuring 6.8 on Richter scale rocked tourist resort of Bali province of Indonesia on Thursday, injuring at least 23 people, with one foreign tourist, and damaging buildings, but it was not potential for tsunami, officials said.
The quake could be felt in nearby provinces of East Java and West Nusa Tenggara, official of the Meteorology and Geophysics agency named only Apprillianto told Xinhua.
The quake struck at 10:16 a.m. Jakarta time (0316 GMT) with epicenter 143 km southwest Nusadua of Bali and the depth 10 km under sea bed, he said.
The intensity of the quake was felt at 4 to 5 MMI (Modified Mercally Intensity) at coastal tourist resort of Kuta of Bali province and Mataram of West Nusa Tenggara province, 3 to 4 MMI in Madura island of East Java province, he said.
The USGS put quake at 6.0 magnitude. In Kuta Bali, one of the hardest hit areas, roofs of school and office buildings collapsed that left at least 23 people injured, Disaster Management and Mitigation official in Bali province Wayan Suki, told Xinhua by phone.
Nevertheless, in the others hard hit areas, Mataram of West Nusa Tenggara province there had been no immediate reports of damage or casualties, said Lili Widyanti the provincial disaster management and mitigation agency official. On Wednesday, nations along the Indian Ocean tested the first full-scale tsunami early warning system installed after the massive tsunami in Dec. 2004 that killed more than 230,000 people, Head of Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency Sri Woro B Harijono told Xinhua on Thursday.
Indonesia, home of 129 active volcanoes, is earthquake-prone as it lies in a zone called "the Pacific Ring of Fire," where two continental plates stretching from Japan to Western hemisphere meet, causing seismic and volcanic movements.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-13 13:46:24 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua)
A shallow undersea quake measuring 6.8 on Richter scale rocked tourist resort of Bali province of Indonesia on Thursday, injuring at least 23 people, with one foreign tourist, and damaging buildings, but it was not potential for tsunami, officials said.
The quake could be felt in nearby provinces of East Java and West Nusa Tenggara, official of the Meteorology and Geophysics agency named only Apprillianto told Xinhua.
The quake struck at 10:16 a.m. Jakarta time (0316 GMT) with epicenter 143 km southwest Nusadua of Bali and the depth 10 km under sea bed, he said.
The intensity of the quake was felt at 4 to 5 MMI (Modified Mercally Intensity) at coastal tourist resort of Kuta of Bali province and Mataram of West Nusa Tenggara province, 3 to 4 MMI in Madura island of East Java province, he said.
The USGS put quake at 6.0 magnitude. In Kuta Bali, one of the hardest hit areas, roofs of school and office buildings collapsed that left at least 23 people injured, Disaster Management and Mitigation official in Bali province Wayan Suki, told Xinhua by phone.
Nevertheless, in the others hard hit areas, Mataram of West Nusa Tenggara province there had been no immediate reports of damage or casualties, said Lili Widyanti the provincial disaster management and mitigation agency official. On Wednesday, nations along the Indian Ocean tested the first full-scale tsunami early warning system installed after the massive tsunami in Dec. 2004 that killed more than 230,000 people, Head of Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency Sri Woro B Harijono told Xinhua on Thursday.
Indonesia, home of 129 active volcanoes, is earthquake-prone as it lies in a zone called "the Pacific Ring of Fire," where two continental plates stretching from Japan to Western hemisphere meet, causing seismic and volcanic movements.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-10-13 13:46:24 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua)
Moderate aftershock hits Bali, Indonesia
Moderate aftershock hits Bali, Indonesia
A moderate aftershock measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale struck off Bali island, Indonesia on Thursday, the country's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency reported.
The aftershock struck at 14:52 p.m. Jakarta time (0752 GMT) with epicenter at 131 km southwest Nusadua and with the depth at 10 km under sea bed, an official of the agency said.
The main shock with magnitude of 6.8 jolted the island at 10:16 a.m. Jakarta time (0316 GMT) with epicenter at 143 km southwest Nusadua of Bali and with the depth at 10 km under sea bed, the official said.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-13 17:11:16 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua)
A moderate aftershock measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale struck off Bali island, Indonesia on Thursday, the country's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency reported.
The aftershock struck at 14:52 p.m. Jakarta time (0752 GMT) with epicenter at 131 km southwest Nusadua and with the depth at 10 km under sea bed, an official of the agency said.
The main shock with magnitude of 6.8 jolted the island at 10:16 a.m. Jakarta time (0316 GMT) with epicenter at 143 km southwest Nusadua of Bali and with the depth at 10 km under sea bed, the official said.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-13 17:11:16 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua)
63 injured after 6.8-magnitude quake hits Indonesia's Bali Island
63 injured after 6.8-magnitude quake hits Indonesia's Bali Island
A quake measuring 6.8 Richter scale jolted Indonesia's resort island of Bali on Thursday, injuring at least 63 people, nine of them seriously, officials said.
The quake was also felt in nearby provinces of East Java and west Nusa Tenggara, an official at the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency, Apprillianto, told Xinhua.
The quake jolted at 10:16 a.m. (0316 GMT) with the epicenter at 143 km southwest of Nusadua, Bali, and at a depth of 10 km under sea bed, the official said. "So far the number of injured people has increased to 63, nine of whom are receiving intensive medical treatment at the emergency unit at hospital," an official at Bali Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency, Eka Purwata, told Xinhua over phone.
But no death has been reported so far, he added.
The quake also damaged scores of school buildings, office buildings, shopping centers and residential houses, he said.
Most of the wounded persons have been rushed to the nearby hospitals, such as Sanglah General Hospital, said Purwata.
"Most of those being treated at the emergency unit suffer from broken bones and head wounds," Ni Wayan Suki, press officer at the hospital told Xinhua over phone from the hospital.
Nevertheless, in the other hardest-hit areas of Mataram in West Nusa Tenggara province, there has been no immediate reports of damage or injury, Lili Widyanti, the provincial disaster management and mitigation agency official, told Xinhua by phone from the province.
On Wednesday, countries along the Indian Ocean tested the first full-scale tsunami early warning system installed after the massive tsunami in Dec. 2004, which killed more than 230,000 people, Head of Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency Sri Woro B. Harijono told Xinhua on Wednesday.
Indonesia, where 129 active volcanoes are located, is prone to earthquake as it lies on a vulnerable quake-hit zone called "the Pacific Ring of Fire," where two continental plates stretching from Japan to Western hemisphere meet, which frequently causes seismic and volcanic movements.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-13 17:35:51 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua)
A quake measuring 6.8 Richter scale jolted Indonesia's resort island of Bali on Thursday, injuring at least 63 people, nine of them seriously, officials said.
The quake was also felt in nearby provinces of East Java and west Nusa Tenggara, an official at the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency, Apprillianto, told Xinhua.
The quake jolted at 10:16 a.m. (0316 GMT) with the epicenter at 143 km southwest of Nusadua, Bali, and at a depth of 10 km under sea bed, the official said. "So far the number of injured people has increased to 63, nine of whom are receiving intensive medical treatment at the emergency unit at hospital," an official at Bali Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency, Eka Purwata, told Xinhua over phone.
But no death has been reported so far, he added.
The quake also damaged scores of school buildings, office buildings, shopping centers and residential houses, he said.
Most of the wounded persons have been rushed to the nearby hospitals, such as Sanglah General Hospital, said Purwata.
"Most of those being treated at the emergency unit suffer from broken bones and head wounds," Ni Wayan Suki, press officer at the hospital told Xinhua over phone from the hospital.
Nevertheless, in the other hardest-hit areas of Mataram in West Nusa Tenggara province, there has been no immediate reports of damage or injury, Lili Widyanti, the provincial disaster management and mitigation agency official, told Xinhua by phone from the province.
On Wednesday, countries along the Indian Ocean tested the first full-scale tsunami early warning system installed after the massive tsunami in Dec. 2004, which killed more than 230,000 people, Head of Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency Sri Woro B. Harijono told Xinhua on Wednesday.
Indonesia, where 129 active volcanoes are located, is prone to earthquake as it lies on a vulnerable quake-hit zone called "the Pacific Ring of Fire," where two continental plates stretching from Japan to Western hemisphere meet, which frequently causes seismic and volcanic movements.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-13 17:35:51 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua)
Earthquake injures 83 in Indonesia's Bali
Earthquake injures 83 in Indonesia's Bali
At least 83 people were injured as a 6.8 magnitude earthquake jolted leisure island of Bali, Indonesian health minister said here on Friday.
Citing the data released by the crisis mitigation agency, Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih said ten critically injured were being treated in hospital in Bali.
The remaining 73 people were suffering from minor injuries, she added.
The earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale jolted near the southern coast of Bali at 11.16 a.m. local time on Thursday. People ran in panic out of their houses.
Aftershock occurred a few hours later with lower magnitude.
Editor: Zhang Xiang
English.news.cn 2011-10-14 16:28:07 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua)
At least 83 people were injured as a 6.8 magnitude earthquake jolted leisure island of Bali, Indonesian health minister said here on Friday.
Citing the data released by the crisis mitigation agency, Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih said ten critically injured were being treated in hospital in Bali.
The remaining 73 people were suffering from minor injuries, she added.
The earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale jolted near the southern coast of Bali at 11.16 a.m. local time on Thursday. People ran in panic out of their houses.
Aftershock occurred a few hours later with lower magnitude.
Editor: Zhang Xiang
English.news.cn 2011-10-14 16:28:07 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua)
ASEAN ministers discuss measures to promote bloc economy at retreat in Malaysia
ASEAN ministers discuss measures to promote bloc economy at retreat in Malaysia
International trade and foreign ministers from members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia on Friday for a retreat aimed at strategizing policies to promote the region's economy.
The ASEAN Economic Council retreat, to be held through Sunday, will discuss ASEAN's economic thrust in the years ahead amid current global developments especially in the European Union and the United States, according to a statement issued by Malaysia's ministry of international trade and industry.
The ministers were expected to address ASEAN's economic strengths, strategies to engage trading partners in free trade agreements and measures to minimize trade barriers.
Recommendations formed at the retreat would be considered at the 19th ASEAN summit on Nov. 17-19 in Bali, Indonesia, according to the statement.
Secretary General of ASEAN, Surin Pitsuwan, ministers and trade officials from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia were among those attending the retreat.
The bloc is striving to become an integrated, single market economic community by 2015.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-10-14 19:41:04 FeedbackPrintRSS
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 14 (Xinhua)
International trade and foreign ministers from members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia on Friday for a retreat aimed at strategizing policies to promote the region's economy.
The ASEAN Economic Council retreat, to be held through Sunday, will discuss ASEAN's economic thrust in the years ahead amid current global developments especially in the European Union and the United States, according to a statement issued by Malaysia's ministry of international trade and industry.
The ministers were expected to address ASEAN's economic strengths, strategies to engage trading partners in free trade agreements and measures to minimize trade barriers.
Recommendations formed at the retreat would be considered at the 19th ASEAN summit on Nov. 17-19 in Bali, Indonesia, according to the statement.
Secretary General of ASEAN, Surin Pitsuwan, ministers and trade officials from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia were among those attending the retreat.
The bloc is striving to become an integrated, single market economic community by 2015.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-10-14 19:41:04 FeedbackPrintRSS
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 14 (Xinhua)
Japan seeks to deepen partnership with ASEAN beyond 2015
Japan seeks to deepen partnership with ASEAN beyond 2015
Japan will deepen its decades-old partnership with ASEAN, through active efforts to support ASEAN's disaster-relief efforts as the group approaches its 2015 target of an ASEAN Community, a statement released by the ASEAN Secretariat said here on Friday.
The commitment was made by Japanese Foreign Minister, Koichiro Gemba, when he met the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Surin Pitsuwan, here Friday.
"The Japan-ASEAN cooperation will continue beyond 2015, and Japan is committed to providing support, and Tokyo wants to see the partnership developing with great care," Gemba said.
He also outlined a four-point proposal to guide the partnership. This includes Tokyo's full support for ASEAN Connectivity; disaster management support including assistance for the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management, or AHA Center and the disaster emergency stockpile; the continuation of the youth exchange program, especially upon the expiry of the current JENESYS programme; and a joint statement on the partnership at the Japan-ASEAN Summit.
Thanking Gemba, Surin assured the Japanese Minister that Japan's commitment is deeply appreciated by ASEAN.
The two sides have enjoyed excellent relations since the establishment of formal ties in March 1977. Japan's relations with ASEAN have been shaped by the Fukuda Doctrine, which was named after then Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda.
The Japanese leader had then told ASEAN leaders that the peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian nations is a major concern of Japan. "It is from this perspective that we intend to extend co- operation to their various efforts to develop themselves in the spirit of self-reliance as seen in the efforts by ASEAN through personal exchanges, active contribution to nation-building and other means," he said.
The relevance and importance of people-to-people exchanges are still crucial today, said Dr Surin, adding that increasing awareness among the youth should be a cornerstone in ASEAN's relations with its Dialogue and non-Dialogue Partners. This is because they are the ones who will manifest the desire for better ties and cooperation between ASEAN and Japan.
As for the floods and bad weather that is currently threatening several ASEAN Member States, Dr Surin expressed his hope that ASEAN Member States will establish the AHA Center soon to better respond to disasters within the region. AHA Center will be launched at the sidelines of the 19th ASEAN Summit in Bali next month.
Commending Japan's active support to assist ASEAN in the area of disaster management, Dr Surin pointed out that "a timely and early response by Japan on this matter, will be seen as a dramatic and well meaning gesture by Tokyo towards ASEAN."
Surin also pointed out that ASEAN is planning to deploy a rapid assessment team from the ASEAN countries, known as ASEAN-ERAT (Emergency Rapid Assessment Team), to Thailand within 24 hours.
The team is expected to do a preliminary assessment of the situation on the ground, and assess the most needed assistance that can be deployed by ASEAN Member States and the Dialogue Partners for immediate relief and recovery for the survivors.
Both the leaders agree that ASEAN and Japan have been on the receiving end of natural calamities year after year. This provides the perfect platform for Japan to share its resources, as well as to showcase its expertise on disaster relief management, and concern for the people of ASEAN.
Agreeing to look into the matter, Gemba also thanked Surin for leading the ASEAN Caravan of Goodwill, to express ASEAN's solidarity with the survivors of the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami.
The Caravan was a voluntary project funded by private partners of ASEAN and Dr Surin. It included survivors of the 2004 Boxing Day earthquake and tsunami, who brought along their greetings and condolences, and also shared their experience in recuperation with their Japanese counterparts.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-14 19:47:45 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua)
Japan will deepen its decades-old partnership with ASEAN, through active efforts to support ASEAN's disaster-relief efforts as the group approaches its 2015 target of an ASEAN Community, a statement released by the ASEAN Secretariat said here on Friday.
The commitment was made by Japanese Foreign Minister, Koichiro Gemba, when he met the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Surin Pitsuwan, here Friday.
"The Japan-ASEAN cooperation will continue beyond 2015, and Japan is committed to providing support, and Tokyo wants to see the partnership developing with great care," Gemba said.
He also outlined a four-point proposal to guide the partnership. This includes Tokyo's full support for ASEAN Connectivity; disaster management support including assistance for the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management, or AHA Center and the disaster emergency stockpile; the continuation of the youth exchange program, especially upon the expiry of the current JENESYS programme; and a joint statement on the partnership at the Japan-ASEAN Summit.
Thanking Gemba, Surin assured the Japanese Minister that Japan's commitment is deeply appreciated by ASEAN.
The two sides have enjoyed excellent relations since the establishment of formal ties in March 1977. Japan's relations with ASEAN have been shaped by the Fukuda Doctrine, which was named after then Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda.
The Japanese leader had then told ASEAN leaders that the peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian nations is a major concern of Japan. "It is from this perspective that we intend to extend co- operation to their various efforts to develop themselves in the spirit of self-reliance as seen in the efforts by ASEAN through personal exchanges, active contribution to nation-building and other means," he said.
The relevance and importance of people-to-people exchanges are still crucial today, said Dr Surin, adding that increasing awareness among the youth should be a cornerstone in ASEAN's relations with its Dialogue and non-Dialogue Partners. This is because they are the ones who will manifest the desire for better ties and cooperation between ASEAN and Japan.
As for the floods and bad weather that is currently threatening several ASEAN Member States, Dr Surin expressed his hope that ASEAN Member States will establish the AHA Center soon to better respond to disasters within the region. AHA Center will be launched at the sidelines of the 19th ASEAN Summit in Bali next month.
Commending Japan's active support to assist ASEAN in the area of disaster management, Dr Surin pointed out that "a timely and early response by Japan on this matter, will be seen as a dramatic and well meaning gesture by Tokyo towards ASEAN."
Surin also pointed out that ASEAN is planning to deploy a rapid assessment team from the ASEAN countries, known as ASEAN-ERAT (Emergency Rapid Assessment Team), to Thailand within 24 hours.
The team is expected to do a preliminary assessment of the situation on the ground, and assess the most needed assistance that can be deployed by ASEAN Member States and the Dialogue Partners for immediate relief and recovery for the survivors.
Both the leaders agree that ASEAN and Japan have been on the receiving end of natural calamities year after year. This provides the perfect platform for Japan to share its resources, as well as to showcase its expertise on disaster relief management, and concern for the people of ASEAN.
Agreeing to look into the matter, Gemba also thanked Surin for leading the ASEAN Caravan of Goodwill, to express ASEAN's solidarity with the survivors of the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami.
The Caravan was a voluntary project funded by private partners of ASEAN and Dr Surin. It included survivors of the 2004 Boxing Day earthquake and tsunami, who brought along their greetings and condolences, and also shared their experience in recuperation with their Japanese counterparts.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-10-14 19:47:45 FeedbackPrintRSS
JAKARTA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua)
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