A magnitude-6.6 earthquake hit China's southwestern Sichuan province April 20, Reuters reported.

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit off the east coast of Japan on April 17, but no tsunami warning was issued, Reuters reported, citing public broadcaster NHK.

North Korea dismissed South Korea's offer of talks on the future of the Kaesong joint industrial zone as an empty political gesture, saying Seoul's joint military drills with the United States and its calls for Pyongyang to give up its nuclear ambitions prevent meaningful dialogue, AFP reported April 14.

The United States is committed to defending Japan and opposed to any Chinese action to seize territory controlled by Japan in the East China Sea, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said April 14, AP reported.