Newlyweds: Chinese newlyweds pose for photos, wearing rented Western wedding clothing, in front of a church in Beijing in March, 2010. China's wedding industry is estimated to be worth 400 billion yuan (US$58 billion) a year. The number of weddings, about 10 million in 2008, is increasing by 10 percent a year, while spending is rising 20 percent according to China's Wedding Industry Committee. (UPI Photo/Stephen Shaver)
ANALYSIS
By ROBERT KITTEL
Kathmandu, Nepal, March 18 — About two dozen Tibetans jailed in Nepal for protesting the Chinese occupation of their homeland have gone on a hunger strike in Kathmandu. In the past Nepal was very sympathetic toward Tibetan refugees, but with China’s growing economic investments in Nepal, policies have changed.
By MARTIN WALKER
Washington, DC, United States, March 16 — The Obama administration is trying to play catch-up in its relations with the country that could become its most important long-term ally. But it may be leaving it too late, after India last week agreed a US$7 billion deal in arms, nuclear reactors and space technology with Russia.
