Taiwan

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Monday stressed its opposition to the Taiwan authorities' attempts to hold a "referendum on U.N. membership" in the name of Taiwan. "The SCO member states oppose the intention of the Taiwan authorities to make efforts for Taiwan to join the United Nations by holding a "referendum" on March 22, 2008," the SCO said in a statement.

The US has expressed worries over China's military plans and urged Beijing to clarify the intentions behind its military buildup.

India today joined the elite group of world's five biggest holders of foreign exchange reserves as it added about 4.5 billion dollars last week to take the kitty to 261 billion dollars.