Kerry cautions China on actions in South China Sea

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says China would be committing a provocative and destabilizing act if it establishes an air defense zone in the South China Sea. Kerry says doing so would raise tensions between China and other Asian countries. He says such an act also would call into question China’s commitment to resolving disputes over islands and maritime claims diplomatically. Kerry says the U.S. doesn’t take sides on competing claims. He says no country should move unilaterally to militarize the resource-rich region. Kerry spoke to reporters while visiting Mongolia. He traveled on to China later yesterday for annual U.S.-China strategic and economic talks.

14 missing, 1 child dead after boat capsizes

A leisure boat capsized on a large lake in southwestern China during strong winds, killing one child and leaving another 14 people missing, local authorities said. The incident happened Saturday afternoon in Sichuan province on Bailong Lake, a man-made lake that translates as “White Dragon” and has an area of more than 60 square kilometers. The lake is surrounded by mountains and a tourist attraction. An online statement from the news office of Guangyuan city government said late Saturday that the boat was carrying 18 people and the three survivors were receiving treatment.

China approves train spur line to 2022 Winter Games site

China has approved the construction of a USD1 billion high-speed rail extension to connect Beijing with the venue for many of the skiing events for the 2022 Winter Olympics, officials said Saturday. The Zhangjiakou city government said the 53-kilometer-line from the Hebei province city of Zhangjiakou to the town of Chongli will be ready by 2019.China is already building an almost USD9 billion high-speed line from Beijing to Zhangjiakou, located about 140 kilometers northwest of the capital. Beijing will host the indoor events but lacks the tall mountains and snow fall for skiing events. Chongli will host the Nordic and other events, while Alpine skiing and sliding sports will be held at a third site in Yanqing, just northwest of the capital. The cost of the rail connections has not been included in the games’ approximately $3 billion operating budget because Chinese authorities have said they would be built anyway as part of a national high-speed network. Beijing is the first city to be awarded both the summer and winter Olympics.