Asia, Communism | featured news

Ai Weiwei, the dissident artist whose secret detention earlier this year stirred an international outcry, has been given two weeks to pay $2.4 million in back taxes and penalties, he said Tuesday.

When Vice President Biden visits China this week, his official host will be his counterpart, Vice President Xi Jinping, who has already been tapped to take over the leadership of this country and its ruling Communist Party, in a carefully managed succession that begins next year.

The European Union said Monday it will restart food aid to North Korea after the country's repressive communist regime agreed to an unprecedented monitoring system as it suffers through its worst food crisis in years.

Given China's increasing power and economic security, dealing with the communist nation poses a "big challenge" for the United States, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said Sunday.

Cuba and China have signed a series of economic accords that include the expansion of an oil refinery in Cienfuegos.

The two countries seemingly renew their vows as Communist brethren, with China's Hu Jintao promising to help develop his ally's economy and North Korea's leader expressing desire to resume nuclear talks. Chinese President Hu Jintao promised North Korean leader Kim Jong Il help in developing the North's economy while Kim spoke of his desire to restart talks on the nuclear program during a summit Friday in the northeastern Chinese city of Changchun, the Chinese government said Monday.