Chronologies
Regional Overview
Chronology from Jan 2004 to Mar 2004
: Under Secretary Bolton says, “The global proliferation of biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons is becoming riskier and more uncertain, and the United States is sending the message that the pursuit of these weapons does not bring security, but insecurity.”
: Under Secretary Bolton says, “The global proliferation of biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons is becoming riskier and more uncertain, and the United States is sending the message that the pursuit of these weapons does not bring security, but insecurity.”
: Russia claims development of a “revolutionary” weapon that would penetrate a missile defense shield.
: Chinese DM Cao conducts first visit by a Chinese defense minister to India in a decade.
: Russia claims development of a “revolutionary” weapon that would penetrate a missile defense shield.
: Chinese DM Cao conducts first visit by a Chinese defense minister to India in a decade.
: The White House announces that Vice President Cheney will visit Japan, China, and South Korea in April.
: Xinhua announces that China will issue reinterpretation of Hong Kong’s Basic Law.
: The White House announces that Vice President Cheney will visit Japan, China, and South Korea in April.
: Xinhua announces that China will issue reinterpretation of Hong Kong’s Basic Law.
: U.S. and UK introduce draft UNSC resolution to keep WMD out of the hands of non-state actors.
: U.S. and UK introduce draft UNSC resolution to keep WMD out of the hands of non-state actors.
: President Chen agrees to recount and vows to abide by the results.
: Chinese FM Li Zhaoxing visits the DPRK (the first Chinese foreign minister to visit in five years) and meets with DPRK leader Kim Jong-il.
: Seven Chinese activists land on Senkaku Islands and are arrested, taken to Okinawa for questioning, and subsequently released.
: President Chen agrees to recount and vows to abide by the results.
: Chinese FM Li Zhaoxing visits the DPRK (the first Chinese foreign minister to visit in five years) and meets with DPRK leader Kim Jong-il.
: Seven Chinese activists land on Senkaku Islands and are arrested, taken to Okinawa for questioning, and subsequently released.
: ROK Agriculture and Forestry Ministry confirms additional bird flu inflections and announces it killed 400,000 chickens and ducks on farms north of Seoul.
: ROK Agriculture and Forestry Ministry confirms additional bird flu inflections and announces it killed 400,000 chickens and ducks on farms north of Seoul.
: Abdullah Badawi’s Barisan National (BN) Party wins 90 percent of the seats in Parliament and retains control over 12 of Malaysia’s 13 state assemblies.
: Taiwan High Court orders all ballot boxes sealed.
: The U.S. and ROK hold joint military exercises Foal Eagle and Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI).
: Abdullah Badawi’s Barisan National (BN) Party wins 90 percent of the seats in Parliament and retains control over 12 of Malaysia’s 13 state assemblies.
: Taiwan High Court orders all ballot boxes sealed.
: The U.S. and ROK hold joint military exercises Foal Eagle and Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI).
: President Chen defeats opposition contender, Lien Chan, by less than 30,000 votes. Lien demands a recount. Voters reject Chen’s referendum.
: President Bush, in speech at one-year anniversary of war against Iraq, singles out Japan and South Korea for their efforts to help fight the war on terrorism.
: President Chen defeats opposition contender, Lien Chan, by less than 30,000 votes. Lien demands a recount. Voters reject Chen’s referendum.
: President Bush, in speech at one-year anniversary of war against Iraq, singles out Japan and South Korea for their efforts to help fight the war on terrorism.
: ROK halts plans to deploy forces to Kirkuk, Iraq. Government official states that the ROK will eventually dispatch the troops, but only after finding a safer location.
: DPRK says U.S.-ROK joint military exercises show the U.S. is preparing to attack the North and is not serious about pursuing a peaceful solution to the nuclear standoff.
: President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu survive assassination attempt, receiving only minor injuries.
: ROK halts plans to deploy forces to Kirkuk, Iraq. Government official states that the ROK will eventually dispatch the troops, but only after finding a safer location.
: DPRK says U.S.-ROK joint military exercises show the U.S. is preparing to attack the North and is not serious about pursuing a peaceful solution to the nuclear standoff.
: President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu survive assassination attempt, receiving only minor injuries.
: U.S. files a WTO case against China for discriminatory tax rebate policy for integrated circuits.
: U.S. files a WTO case against China for discriminatory tax rebate policy for integrated circuits.
: KCNA commentary on Roh impeachment: “The U.S. is chiefly to blame for the incident. […] The U.S. egged the South Korean political quacks, obsessed by the greed for power, on to stage such incident in a bid to install an ultra-right pro-U.S. regime there.”
: KCNA commentary on Roh impeachment: “The U.S. is chiefly to blame for the incident. […] The U.S. egged the South Korean political quacks, obsessed by the greed for power, on to stage such incident in a bid to install an ultra-right pro-U.S. regime there.”
: Secretary Powell visits India.
: Secretary Powell visits India.
: Vladimir Putin is re-elected president of Russia, winning 71% of the vote.
: China amends its constitution to include formal guarantees of private property right and human rights.
: Vladimir Putin is re-elected president of Russia, winning 71% of the vote.
: China amends its constitution to include formal guarantees of private property right and human rights.
: South Korea’s parliament impeaches President Roh for endorsing a pro-government party and for corruption and incompetence by a vote of 193 to 2, suspending his powers pending a Constitutional Court ruling. PM Goh Kun becomes acting president.
: South Korea’s parliament impeaches President Roh for endorsing a pro-government party and for corruption and incompetence by a vote of 193 to 2, suspending his powers pending a Constitutional Court ruling. PM Goh Kun becomes acting president.
: South Korea’s main opposition parties take unprecedented action and place a motion before the parliament to impeach President Roh.
: The Indonesian Supreme Court announces a reduced prison sentence for JI leader Abu Bakar Bashir.
: South Korea’s main opposition parties take unprecedented action and place a motion before the parliament to impeach President Roh.
: The Indonesian Supreme Court announces a reduced prison sentence for JI leader Abu Bakar Bashir.
: IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei tells IAEA’s Board of Governors that North Korea’s nuclear activities and withdrawal from the NPT have “set a dangerous precedent and thus remain a threat to the credibility of the nuclear non-proliferation regime.”
: IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei tells IAEA’s Board of Governors that North Korea’s nuclear activities and withdrawal from the NPT have “set a dangerous precedent and thus remain a threat to the credibility of the nuclear non-proliferation regime.”
: President Megawati says martial law could be lifted in Aceh province by May, but does not indicate if major military operations would also end.
: FM Ban visits Tokyo, meets FM Kawaguchi. Japan and South Korea agree to work closely to persuade the DPRK to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
: President Megawati says martial law could be lifted in Aceh province by May, but does not indicate if major military operations would also end.
: FM Ban visits Tokyo, meets FM Kawaguchi. Japan and South Korea agree to work closely to persuade the DPRK to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
: Secretary Powell meets with Hong Kong Democratic Party Leader Martin Lee in Washington, DC.
: Secretary Powell meets with Hong Kong Democratic Party Leader Martin Lee in Washington, DC.
: ROK FM Ban Ki-moon meets Secretary Powell in Washington, D.C.
: ROK FM Ban Ki-moon meets Secretary Powell in Washington, D.C.
: Asst. Secretary Kelly tells Senate Foreign Relations Committee that six-party talks are “working to our benefit and are moving a serious process forward.”
: U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Greenspan singles out Japan for criticism over dollar intervention and high accumulation of dollar reserves.
: Asst. Secretary Kelly tells Senate Foreign Relations Committee that six-party talks are “working to our benefit and are moving a serious process forward.”
: U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Greenspan singles out Japan for criticism over dollar intervention and high accumulation of dollar reserves.
: China releases annual report on human rights in the United States.
: U.N. special envoy Razali Ismail visits Burma, meets pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Prime Minister Khin Nyunt in effort to restart peace talks between the NLD and the military junta.
: The Philippine army chief announces that the U.S. Army will complete it training of Philippine soldiers in counterterror tactics by June, slightly extending its U.S. counterterror program on Mindanao.
: China releases annual report on human rights in the United States.
: U.N. special envoy Razali Ismail visits Burma, meets pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Prime Minister Khin Nyunt in effort to restart peace talks between the NLD and the military junta.
: The Philippine army chief announces that the U.S. Army will complete it training of Philippine soldiers in counterterror tactics by June, slightly extending its U.S. counterterror program on Mindanao.
: Two million supporters for President Chen form human chain along the length of Taiwan.
: The U.S. and China celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the signing of the Shanghai Communiqué.
: Two million supporters for President Chen form human chain along the length of Taiwan.
: The U.S. and China celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the signing of the Shanghai Communiqué.
: A Japanese court sentences Asahara Shoko, the leader of a Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo, to death for ordering the 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway.
: A Japanese court sentences Asahara Shoko, the leader of a Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo, to death for ordering the 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway.
: Second round of six-party talks on the DPRK nuclear issue held in Beijing. ROK outlines a three-step proposal to resolve the stand-off and offers “countermeasures” to reward the DPRK for compliance. U.S. hails the meeting as “very successful,” but DPRK says there has been “no substantive and positive result.” China states there is a “complete lack of trust” between the U.S. and North Korea.
: State Department issues “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.” Burma and the DPRK are rated as “extremely poor.” Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, and Vietnam’s rated “poor”; East Timor and Thailand rated as “problematic.” Also accuses China of “backsliding.”
: Second round of six-party talks on the DPRK nuclear issue held in Beijing. ROK outlines a three-step proposal to resolve the stand-off and offers “countermeasures” to reward the DPRK for compliance. U.S. hails the meeting as “very successful,” but DPRK says there has been “no substantive and positive result.” China states there is a “complete lack of trust” between the U.S. and North Korea.
: State Department issues “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.” Burma and the DPRK are rated as “extremely poor.” Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, and Vietnam’s rated “poor”; East Timor and Thailand rated as “problematic.” Also accuses China of “backsliding.”
: Philippines and U.S. militaries hold Balikatan-04 exercises in the Philippines with approximately 2,500 forces from each country.
: Philippines and U.S. militaries hold Balikatan-04 exercises in the Philippines with approximately 2,500 forces from each country.
: Under Secretary Bolton visits Tokyo, says the success of the upcoming six-party talks in Beijing depends on North Korea.
: Under Secretary Bolton visits Tokyo, says the success of the upcoming six-party talks in Beijing depends on North Korea.
: Japan confirms second outbreak of bird flu.
: Japan confirms second outbreak of bird flu.
: USTR Zoellick visits New Delhi for talks about increasing market access for goods, services, and agriculture.
: Under Secretary Bolton visits China for the third round of China-U.S. consultations on strategic security, multilateral disarmament, and proliferation prevention.
: Exercise Cope Tiger among the U.S., Thai, and Singapore air forces takes place at Korat, Thailand.
: USTR Zoellick visits New Delhi for talks about increasing market access for goods, services, and agriculture.
: Under Secretary Bolton visits China for the third round of China-U.S. consultations on strategic security, multilateral disarmament, and proliferation prevention.
: Exercise Cope Tiger among the U.S., Thai, and Singapore air forces takes place at Korat, Thailand.
: Tin Oo, vice chairman of Burma’s National League for Democracy, is released from prison and placed under house arrest in Rangoon.
: Tin Oo, vice chairman of Burma’s National League for Democracy, is released from prison and placed under house arrest in Rangoon.
: South Korea’s Parliament approves deployment of more than 3,000 troops to Iraq, in addition to 465 Korean military medics already in Iraq. It will be the third largest force after US and British troops.
: USTR Zoellick visit Singapore.
: South Korea’s Parliament approves deployment of more than 3,000 troops to Iraq, in addition to 465 Korean military medics already in Iraq. It will be the third largest force after US and British troops.
: USTR Zoellick visit Singapore.
: USTR submits to Congress a formal “Intent to Initiate Free Trade Agreement Negotiations with Thailand.”
: USTR Zoellick visits Beijing.
: USTR submits to Congress a formal “Intent to Initiate Free Trade Agreement Negotiations with Thailand.”
: USTR Zoellick visits Beijing.
: President Bush proposes new measures to counter WMD threat during NDU speech.
: China dismisses President Chen’s proposal to establish a DMZ as “deceitful,” warning the March referendum will “provoke confrontation” and “endanger peace.”
: Adm. Fargo visits Indonesia, meets with President Megawati to discuss new measures to enhance military cooperation between the two countries.
: President Bush proposes new measures to counter WMD threat during NDU speech.
: China dismisses President Chen’s proposal to establish a DMZ as “deceitful,” warning the March referendum will “provoke confrontation” and “endanger peace.”
: Adm. Fargo visits Indonesia, meets with President Megawati to discuss new measures to enhance military cooperation between the two countries.
: The sixth round of bilateral U.S.-China Defense Consultative talks are held in Beijing.
: USTR Zoellick visits Tokyo.
: The sixth round of bilateral U.S.-China Defense Consultative talks are held in Beijing.
: USTR Zoellick visits Tokyo.
: The UN World Food Programme (WFP) issues statement that it faces a supply shortfall for emergency aid to the DPRK due to a funding crisis.
: The UN World Food Programme (WFP) issues statement that it faces a supply shortfall for emergency aid to the DPRK due to a funding crisis.
: U.S. and Australia conclude historic free trade agreement.
: Adm. Thomas Fargo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, visits Vietnam.
: U.S. and Australia conclude historic free trade agreement.
: Adm. Thomas Fargo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, visits Vietnam.
: Bombing on Moscow subway kills 39 people and injures more than 100.
: Bombing on Moscow subway kills 39 people and injures more than 100.
: Deputy USTR Charles Freeman says “China’s WTO compliance record falls short of the mark”; notes that over the past three years, U.S. exports to the world have decreased by 9 percent, while China exports have increased by 62 percent.
: Deputy USTR Charles Freeman says “China’s WTO compliance record falls short of the mark”; notes that over the past three years, U.S. exports to the world have decreased by 9 percent, while China exports have increased by 62 percent.
: President Chen calls for Taiwan and China to launch talks on political, economic, and military relations after the island’s March election; also offers to establish a demilitarized zone across the Taiwan Strait.
: In Tokyo, Australia, U.S., and Japan conduct fifth round of the Trilateral Security Dialogue that began in August 2002.
: North-South Cabinet-level talks in Seoul.
: President Megawati Sukarnoputri opens Bali Regional Ministerial Meeting on Counter-Terrorism co-chaired by Indonesia and Australia; U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and over two dozen foreign ministers from Asia and Europe participate.
: President Chen calls for Taiwan and China to launch talks on political, economic, and military relations after the island’s March election; also offers to establish a demilitarized zone across the Taiwan Strait.
: In Tokyo, Australia, U.S., and Japan conduct fifth round of the Trilateral Security Dialogue that began in August 2002.
: North-South Cabinet-level talks in Seoul.
: President Megawati Sukarnoputri opens Bali Regional Ministerial Meeting on Counter-Terrorism co-chaired by Indonesia and Australia; U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and over two dozen foreign ministers from Asia and Europe participate.
: Assistant Secretary of State Kelly visits Seoul.
: Assistant Secretary of State Kelly visits Seoul.
: In Beijing, Secretary Armitage states that the U.S. opposes any unilateral action by either side that could affect the status quo in the region.
: Dead sperm whale being transported to a natural preserve explodes in Tainan City, Taiwan.
: BBC reports the DPRK has offered Nigeria missile technology. The U.S. expresses concern.
: Under Secretary of State Bolton visits Moscow; fails to convince Russia to join PSI.
: Under Secretary of State Bolton visits Moscow; fails to convince Russia to join PSI.
: Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage visits China, Mongolia, and Japan.
: Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture confirms the avian flu epidemic has reached Indonesia.
: Secretary Powell visits Russia and Georgia.
: U.S. expresses deep disappointment in the Malaysian court of appeal decision to uphold the conviction and sentence of former Deputy PM Anwar Ibrahim.
: The U.S. initiates an antidumping investigation on shrimp imports from India, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, and Ecuador worth more than $2 billion a year.
: Naoto Kan of opposition Democratic Party of Japan calls for PM Koizumi to resign over his decision to send troops to Iraq, claiming he violated the Japanese constitution.
: TCOG meeting in Washington, DC.
: The U.S. initiates an antidumping investigation on shrimp imports from India, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, and Ecuador worth more than $2 billion a year.
: Naoto Kan of opposition Democratic Party of Japan calls for PM Koizumi to resign over his decision to send troops to Iraq, claiming he violated the Japanese constitution.
: TCOG meeting in Washington, DC.
: U.S. police officers attend a 22 nation Asia-Pacific conference in Bali on the global campaign against terror.
: U.S. police officers attend a 22 nation Asia-Pacific conference in Bali on the global campaign against terror.
: PM Koizumi, in speech opening Parliament, marks the first day Japanese troops have entered a combat zone since WWII and defends support of the U.S. war in Iraq stating, “Japan’s development and prosperity depends on world peace and stability.”
: PM Koizumi, in speech opening Parliament, marks the first day Japanese troops have entered a combat zone since WWII and defends support of the U.S. war in Iraq stating, “Japan’s development and prosperity depends on world peace and stability.”
: Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian announces the wording of his proposed referendum; Secretary Powell says it shows some “flexibility.”
: Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian announces the wording of his proposed referendum; Secretary Powell says it shows some “flexibility.”
: Roh appoints veteran diplomat Ban Ki-moon as foreign minister.
: Shanghai Cooperation Organization Secretariat opening ceremony in Beijing.
: Roh appoints veteran diplomat Ban Ki-moon as foreign minister.
: Shanghai Cooperation Organization Secretariat opening ceremony in Beijing.
: ROK President Roh accepts resignation of FM Yoon Young-kwan.
: Former South Vietnam PM Nguyen Cao Ky, vists Vietnam for the first time since the war ended in 1975 for the lunar new year holiday.
: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard Myers visits China.
: ROK President Roh accepts resignation of FM Yoon Young-kwan.
: Former South Vietnam PM Nguyen Cao Ky, vists Vietnam for the first time since the war ended in 1975 for the lunar new year holiday.
: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard Myers visits China.
: U.S. announces immediate embargo on importation of civet cats to prevent the spread of SARS.
: U.S. announces immediate embargo on importation of civet cats to prevent the spread of SARS.
: WHO links the death of three children in Hanoi to an Avian flu virus that has killed thousands of chickens in Vietnam.
: U.S. and China sign Statement of Intent establishing a process for cooperation with the IAEA on a range of nuclear nonproliferation and security activities, including strengthening export controls and nuclear safeguards.
: USTR Robert Zoellick calls for reinvigoration of WTO Doha Development Agenda trade talks.
: WHO links the death of three children in Hanoi to an Avian flu virus that has killed thousands of chickens in Vietnam.
: U.S. and China sign Statement of Intent establishing a process for cooperation with the IAEA on a range of nuclear nonproliferation and security activities, including strengthening export controls and nuclear safeguards.
: USTR Robert Zoellick calls for reinvigoration of WTO Doha Development Agenda trade talks.
: Cambodia marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Khmer Rouge.
: Cambodia marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Khmer Rouge.
: DPRK offers to stop testing and producing nuclear weapons, as well as cease operating its nuclear power industry, if compensated.
: Stanford University Professor John Lewis leads delegation to Yongbyon nuclear facilities in the DPRK, including former Los Alamos Director Sig Hecker, former State Dept. negotiator Jack Pritchard, and Congressional staff members Frank Jannuzi and Keith Luse.
: DPRK offers to stop testing and producing nuclear weapons, as well as cease operating its nuclear power industry, if compensated.
: Stanford University Professor John Lewis leads delegation to Yongbyon nuclear facilities in the DPRK, including former Los Alamos Director Sig Hecker, former State Dept. negotiator Jack Pritchard, and Congressional staff members Frank Jannuzi and Keith Luse.
: Former Taiwan president Lee Teng-hui visits Japan.