Mayor won't endorse 'one China' principle

TAIPEI • An annual forum between the mayors of Shanghai and Taipei might not take place as scheduled this year because the mayor of the Taiwanese capital will not publicly endorse Beijing's "one China" principle.

Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je met the deputy mayor of Shanghai, Ms Weng Tiehui, yesterday to discuss a possible visit to Shanghai next month but no decision was reached.

REUTERS

India: Men from Pakistan stormed police station

NEW DELHI • Three gunmen who stormed a police station and killed seven people in northern India this week came from Pakistan, India's Home Minister said yesterday. Mr Rajnath Singh told Parliament that the three had crossed into Punjab state from the neighbouring country before launching their assault, which led to a gun battle with police that nearly lasted 11 hours.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Shorter UK visa for dissident China artist

BEIJING • Dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei said yesterday that Britain had denied his application for a six-month visa in favour of one with a shorter duration, telling him that he had not declared a previous "criminal conviction".

The denial of a longer visa comes three months before President Xi Jinping visits Britain and could fuel criticism of Prime Minister David Cameron's government, which has been accused of putting trade before human rights in dealing with China.

REUTERS