Asia Pacific

OTTAWA — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has asked Canada to form closer ties during a visit to Ottawa that experts say comes at a time when the two countries have significant geopolitical alignment.

BEIJING (AP) — After years of separation from his wife in mainland China, Hong Kong resident Cheung Seng-bun made sure to be among the first in line following the reopening Sunday of border crossing points.

OTTAWA — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's first official visit to Canada will take place next week, as Tokyo looks to Canada to provide much-needed liquefied natural gas.

Air travellers from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau flying to Canada will need to present a negative COVID-19 test starting Jan. 5.

VANCOUVER — Airline passengers leaving China, Hong Kong and Macau will have to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test when they enter Canada starting today.

BEIJING (AP) — Patients, most of them elderly, are lying on stretchers in hallways and taking oxygen while sitting in wheelchairs as COVID-19 surges in China’s capital Beijing.

VANCOUVER — Travellers arriving in Vancouver from Hong Kong said they were relieved to be among the last arrivals before Canada's new COVID-19 testing requirements took effect, including one woman who changed her flight to avoid the rules.

OTTAWA — The Chinese government is unhappy that Canada and other countries are creating new COVID-19 restrictions for people flying from China, but business groups say the policy won't impact trade.

BEIJING (AP) — The Chinese government sharply criticized COVID-19 testing requirements imposed on passengers from China and threatened countermeasures against countries involved, which include the U.S. and several European nations.

TOKYO (AP) — Major Japanese companies have grown more pessimistic about the economy, given higher costs and a weaker yen, according to a survey by Kyodo News.