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Southeast Asian Leaders Agree to Form Free-Trade Zone by 2015

Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders agree at summit in Philippines to establish free-trade zone by 2015; pledge to intensify their fight against terrorism, protect region's migrant workers and improve their campaign against HIV/AIDS; also break from tradition of consensus and noninterference and agree to new charter with broad enforcement powers; group fails to find common ground on how to deal with Myanmar, which has come under fire for its poor human rights record

The Muslim Stereotype

I find the common American stereotypes of Islam profoundly warped.

Indonesian President Is Sworn In, Promising a Cleaner Government

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono promised a new era of cleaner government and renewed growth for Indonesia.

THREATS AND RESPONSES; President Seems to Gain an Asian Ally

Pres Bush and leader of Brunei, Sultan Sir Bolkiah Hassanal, meet at White House; they agree to expand intelligence-sharing as part of Washington's campaign against terrorism; photo

10 Asian Nations Join With U.S. in Pledge to Fight Terrorism

Ten Southeast Asian nations joined the United States on Thursday in pledging to "prevent, disrupt and combat" global terrorism.

Powell Treading a Thin Line in Rallying Antiterror Support

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell arrived in Brunei on Tuesday night for meetings with fellow foreign ministers aimed at solidifying the campaign against global terrorism.

A Plant Gets Picky

This week's column includes items on the tropical pitcher plant, great white sharks and rules for designating moons.

Brunei: From Oil Rich to Garage Sales

For years, Brunei's Prince Jefri Bolkiah shoveled away at the tiny sultanate's cash reserves. Now the nation is waking up from its swoon of abundance and wondering how it will support itself

Indonesian Chief Cleared in 2 Cases, but Future Seems Dim

Indonesia's attorney general clears Pres Abdurrahman Wahid of involvement in two corruption cases that led to his censure and calls for his ouster by Parliament, but Wahid's options for political survival seem to be narrowing as lawmakers prepare for impeachment vote on May 30; campaign against Wahid has grown from charges of malfeasasnce to referendum on his leadership; photo

Talk of 'Holy War' From Jakarta Leader's Home Base

Soft-spoken and nattily dressed, Abdul Halim does not look as if he is about to set off on a holy war. But when he talks of Indonesia's embattled president, Abdurrahman Wahid, his voice takes on a sudden fervor. ''He is the nation's educator,'' said Mr. Halim, who sells used cars and dabbles in politics in this industrial city in East Java. ''I look up to him because he speaks the truth.''

How to Say No To a Sultan; Brunei and Its Leader Try Economic Discipline

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiash of Brunei, whose lavish spending helped push country into recession, now acts as economic disciplinarian, trying to less its dependence on oil production and into global economy; Brunei has been vowing to diversify its economy since mid-1980's, but reductions in dominance of oil have been achieved largely by raising government outlays; surging oil prices have taken some urgency out of reform drive; photos

Hints of Graft by Indonesian President

Protests against Indonesia's Pres Abdurrahman Wahid erupt into violence in capital of Jakarta as investigative committee submits report to Parliament suggesting he acted improperly in two multimillion-dollar corruption scandals; findings of six-month inquiry suggest Wahid may have been involved in embezzlement of $3.7 million from government agency and that he improperly accepted $2 million from Sultan of Brunei; photo

As in Manila, So in Jakarta? Upset of Leader Is Protests' Aim

Thousands of chanting protesters denounce Indonesia's president, Abdurrahman Wahid, in what has become daily ritual in Jakarta and other major cities; Wahid is embroiled in corruption inquiry, and protests are expected to grow; special parliamentary committee is expected to announce results of its investigation into charges that Wahid's personal masseur embezzled $3.7 million from state agency, and that Wahid failed to report secret $2 million gift from sultan of Brunei; Wahid took office with ...

GOLF: ROUNDUP; Wayne Smith Leads By One in Thailand

Golf Roundup; Wayne Smith takes lead after first round of Johnnie Walker Classic in Bangkok; Pres Clinton shows up at 11:30PM to play at Royal Brunei Golf and Country, after long day of summit meetings; he and Singapore Prime Min Goh Chok Tong play nine holes until 2AM, on lighted course in lush rain forest, despite flashes of lightning

REPORTERS' NOTEBOOK; An Oil Barony Knows How to Entertain Important Visitors

Reporters' Notebook vignettes from Pres Clinton's visit to oil-rich Brunei; photo of Pres Clinton and his daughter, Chelsea, being greeted by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his two wives

Across the island from Haikou on Hainan's central southern coast (320km direct down the expressway), SANYA is, sooner or later, the destination of every visitor to the island. Though relics at the westerly town of Yazhou prove that the area has been settled for close on a thousand years, Sanya city itself is entirely modern, maintained as a scruffy tourist centre, fishing port and naval base for monitoring events (and staking China's claims) in the South China Sea. What pulls in the crowds - including increasing numbers of Russian and Korean visitors - are the surrounding sights, especially easterly Dadonghai beach , one of the few places in China where you can unwind in public. The Chinese also flock to associated legendary landmarks atop the Luhuitou Peninsula and west at Tianya Haijiao , while foreigners generally find the day trip out to a couple of tiny inhabited coral islands off Dadonghai more interesting.

Farther afield, the coastal arc between Sanya and the western industrial port of Dongfang sees few visitors. While Dongfang alone doesn't really justify a trip, it's emphatically worth getting as far as Jianfeng Ling , the most accessible surviving fragment of Hainan's indigenous mountain rainforest. If this doesn't appeal, there's plenty of transport north from Sanya to the Li stronghold of Tongshi, and on into the central highlands.

SANYA CHINA
Most Popular Provinces: Beijing - Changsha - Chengdu - Chongqing City - Guangzhou - Guilin - Hangzhou - HongKong - Kunming - Lhasa is occupied - Macau - Nanjing - Sanya - Shanghai - Suzhou - Xi'an	LATEST NEWS LATEST NEWS Southeast Asian Leaders Agree to Form Free-Trade Zone by 2015 Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders agree at summit in Philippines to establish free-trade zone by 2015; pledge to intensify their fight against terrorism, protect region's migrant workers and improve their campaign against HIV/AIDS; also break from tradition of consensus and noninterference and agree to new charter with broad enforcement powers; group fails to find common ground on how to deal with Myanmar, which has come under fire for its poor human rights record The Muslim Stereotype I find the common American stereotypes of Islam profoundly warped. Indonesian President Is Sworn In, Promising a Cleaner Government Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono promised a new era of cleaner government and renewed growth for Indonesia. THREATS AND RESPONSES; President Seems to Gain an Asian Ally Pres Bush and leader of Brunei, Sultan Sir Bolkiah Hassanal, meet at White House; they agree to expand intelligence-sharing as part of Washington's campaign against terrorism; photo 10 Asian Nations Join With U.S. in Pledge to Fight Terrorism Ten Southeast Asian nations joined the United States on Thursday in pledging to "prevent, disrupt and combat" global terrorism. Powell Treading a Thin Line in Rallying Antiterror Support Secretary of State Colin L. Powell arrived in Brunei on Tuesday night for meetings with fellow foreign ministers aimed at solidifying the campaign against global terrorism. A Plant Gets Picky This week's column includes items on the tropical pitcher plant, great white sharks and rules for designating moons. Brunei: From Oil Rich to Garage Sales For years, Brunei's Prince Jefri Bolkiah shoveled away at the tiny sultanate's cash reserves. Now the nation is waking up from its swoon of abundance and wondering how it will support itself Indonesian Chief Cleared in 2 Cases, but Future Seems Dim Indonesia's attorney general clears Pres Abdurrahman Wahid of involvement in two corruption cases that led to his censure and calls for his ouster by Parliament, but Wahid's options for political survival seem to be narrowing as lawmakers prepare for impeachment vote on May 30; campaign against Wahid has grown from charges of malfeasasnce to referendum on his leadership; photo Talk of 'Holy War' From Jakarta Leader's Home Base Soft-spoken and nattily dressed, Abdul Halim does not look as if he is about to set off on a holy war. But when he talks of Indonesia's embattled president, Abdurrahman Wahid, his voice takes on a sudden fervor. ''He is the nation's educator,'' said Mr. Halim, who sells used cars and dabbles in politics in this industrial city in East Java. ''I look up to him because he speaks the truth.'' How to Say No To a Sultan; Brunei and Its Leader Try Economic Discipline Sultan Hassanal Bolkiash of Brunei, whose lavish spending helped push country into recession, now acts as economic disciplinarian, trying to less its dependence on oil production and into global economy; Brunei has been vowing to diversify its economy since mid-1980's, but reductions in dominance of oil have been achieved largely by raising government outlays; surging oil prices have taken some urgency out of reform drive; photos Hints of Graft by Indonesian President Protests against Indonesia's Pres Abdurrahman Wahid erupt into violence in capital of Jakarta as investigative committee submits report to Parliament suggesting he acted improperly in two multimillion-dollar corruption scandals; findings of six-month inquiry suggest Wahid may have been involved in embezzlement of $3.7 million from government agency and that he improperly accepted $2 million from Sultan of Brunei; photo As in Manila, So in Jakarta? Upset of Leader Is Protests' Aim Thousands of chanting protesters denounce Indonesia's president, Abdurrahman Wahid, in what has become daily ritual in Jakarta and other major cities; Wahid is embroiled in corruption inquiry, and protests are expected to grow; special parliamentary committee is expected to announce results of its investigation into charges that Wahid's personal masseur embezzled $3.7 million from state agency, and that Wahid failed to report secret $2 million gift from sultan of Brunei; Wahid took office with ... GOLF: ROUNDUP; Wayne Smith Leads By One in Thailand Golf Roundup; Wayne Smith takes lead after first round of Johnnie Walker Classic in Bangkok; Pres Clinton shows up at 11:30PM to play at Royal Brunei Golf and Country, after long day of summit meetings; he and Singapore Prime Min Goh Chok Tong play nine holes until 2AM, on lighted course in lush rain forest, despite flashes of lightning REPORTERS' NOTEBOOK; An Oil Barony Knows How to Entertain Important Visitors Reporters' Notebook vignettes from Pres Clinton's visit to oil-rich Brunei; photo of Pres Clinton and his daughter, Chelsea, being greeted by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his two wives Province of Sanya Across the island from Haikou on Hainan's central southern coast (320km direct down the expressway), SANYA is, sooner or later, the destination of every visitor to the island. Though relics at the westerly town of Yazhou prove that the area has been settled for close on a thousand years, Sanya city itself is entirely modern, maintained as a scruffy tourist centre, fishing port and naval base for monitoring events (and staking China's claims) in the South China Sea. What pulls in the crowds - including increasing numbers of Russian and Korean visitors - are the surrounding sights, especially easterly Dadonghai beach , one of the few places in China where you can unwind in public. The Chinese also flock to associated legendary landmarks atop the Luhuitou Peninsula and west at Tianya Haijiao , while foreigners generally find the day trip out to a couple of tiny inhabited coral islands off Dadonghai more interesting. Farther afield, the coastal arc between Sanya and the western industrial port of Dongfang sees few visitors. While Dongfang alone doesn't really justify a trip, it's emphatically worth getting as far as Jianfeng Ling , the most accessible surviving fragment of Hainan's indigenous mountain rainforest. If this doesn't appeal, there's plenty of transport north from Sanya to the Li stronghold of Tongshi, and on into the central highlands.

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