Lithuanian companies affected by the Baltic country’s dispute with China could get government help, with Vilnius considering a €130 million (US$147 million) support package.An initial €6 million has been allocated to companies from the European Regional Development Fund due to “the geopolitical tensions and the problems businesses are facing in China today, especially exporting businesses”, Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste told cabinet on Wednesday, Baltic News Service reported.Lithuanian…South China Morning Post
Day: December 30, 2021
Why Chinese stand-up comedians are turning to English
When you think of stand-up comedy, China may not immediately spring to mind but a small explosion in this art form has led to many new venues and unknown comedians attracting solid audiences, especially amongst younger crowds. Even in the darker days of coronavirus and with pressure from the authorities there is much to laugh about in modern Chinese life. Some local comedians are even embracing English as the vessel for their at times hilarious view of the world. Alex Shi is one of them. Reporter: Stephen McDonell Filmed by…
China bans footballers in national teams from getting tattoos
Chinese authorities have banned footballers from getting tattoos and instructed national team players who have been inked to remove them or cover them up to set a “good example for society”. A growing number of high-profile Chinese players have tattoos, including the international defender Zhang Linpeng, who has previously been told to cover up while appearing for the national team and his club Guangzhou FC. The General Administration of Sport of China (GAS) said in a statement about “strengthening the management of football players” that the Chinese Football Association would…
‘Journalism is not sedition’: Blinken urges release of seven arrested in Hong Kong media raids
The US has called on Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to release the seven people linked to the now-shuttered independent news outlet Stand News who were arrested on sedition charges during a police crackdown on Wednesday. Secretary of state Antony Blinken said in a statement: “We call on PRC [People’s Republic of China] and Hong Kong authorities to cease targeting Hong Kong’s free and independent media and to immediately release those journalists and media executives who have been unjustly detained and charged. “A confident government that is unafraid of the…
China Keeps 13 Million in Xi’an Under Strict Lockdown
China, racing to control one of its worst outbreaks in a single city since the beginning of the pandemic, has put in place a sweeping lockdown and mass testing drives, making clear that the country has no intention of abandoning its “zero Covid” policy. Even as a growing number of countries turn away from hard lockdowns, believing their economic and human costs to be too great, the Chinese government has continued to implement harsh restrictions. The city of Xi’an, in northwestern China, recorded 1,117 infections between Dec. 9 and Dec.…
Addressing Challenges Faced by Taiwan’s Migrant Workers
Advertisement Taiwan has relied heavily on migrant workers who make huge contributions in the manufacturing and electronic sectors. While these workers are helping sustain the growth of Taiwan’s economy, their rights and dignity often take second place after company profits. In general, migrant workers have faced enduring physical and emotional stress while the infrastructure for addressing their concerns remains limited and often difficult to access. There have been complaints about migrant workers being forced to stay in overcrowded dormitories with insufficient facilities and almost no private space, exposing them to…
China’s regulator cites investment bank CICC for negligence in arranging Lenovo’s US$1.8 billion IPO on Star Market
CICC mainly relied on documents provided by Lenovo, the regulator said. “Related procedures and the evidence obtained were insufficient to support the disclosure, and [the bank] did not completely and accurately evaluate the [business] nature of the issuer on whether it is of scientific and technological innovation,” CSRC said. China’s regulators tightened the rules for IPOs on the Star Market in April, raising the bar for firms to prove their technology credentials. Technology firms, including those involved in information systems and advanced manufacturing equipment will be fast-tracked for approvals. Regulators…
China bans its national football players from getting tattoos
The match organisers, the National Youth Campus Football League, said in a statement at the time: “Athletes at all stages shall not have tattoos, dye their hair, wear weird hairstyles, or wear any accessories, otherwise they will be ineligible for the competition.” BBC