BEIJING - THIRTEEN years after splurging 240,000 yuan (S$53,000) on a Swiss-made gleaming gold Rolex, Mr Wang Yongxing found out that it was neither made in Switzerland nor a Rolex.

TOKYO - JAPAN'S ruling party had high hopes when it chose the outspoken and colorful Taro Aso as prime minister in September.

There was even talk of calling snap elections to try to win a larger mandate from voters and end the gridlock that has brought policy-making to a virtual standstill.

TAIPEI - JAILED former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian has begun a hunger strike to highlight his allegations that he is being persecuted by his successors, his lawyer said on Thursday.

Chen, who is under investigation for graft, was taken to Tucheng jail in suburban Taipei on early Wednesday morning after a marathon court hearing concluded there was enough evidence to hold him for up to four months to prevent him from colluding with alleged co-conspirators.