NATO Review - Photostory: Asian security developments in pictures

On 29th January 2010, a proposed $6 billion arms sale to Taiwan caused a diplomatic row between the US and China. China threatens to suspend military exchanges with the US.

In July 2009, violence erupts between ethnic Uighurs and the Han Chinese in China's western region of Xinjiang, leaving an estimated 156 people dead and 828 injured.

In 2009, China’s military spending saw an increase of 14.9% to 480.7 billion Yuan (£50 billion), up 62.5 billion Yuan from 2008 after rises of 17.8% in 2007 and 17.6% in 2008.

In October 2009, China stages mass celebrations to mark 60 years since the Communist Party came to power.

In January 2009, Japan's economic crisis deepened after exports fell by a record 46%, widening Japan's trade deficit to ¥952.6bn (£6.75bn) the fourth deficit in as many months and the biggest since records began in 1979.

In 25 May 2009, North Korea conducted an underground nuclear test and subsequently test-fired a number of short-range missiles.

Despite a financial crisis, South Korea increased its military budget by 9% in 2009, compared with a 7% jump in 2008. In the region, many are unclear about China’s intentions.

In July 2009, Korean War veterans at a rally in Seoul chant slogans to denounce North Korea. North Korea says it will start a uranium enrichment program and militarise all its plutonium in response to fresh U.N. sanctions, which the United States said it would work vigorously to enforce. © Reuters