Streets in major Chinese cities were eerily quiet on Sunday as people opted to stay home to protect themselves from a surge in Covid-19 cases that has hit urban centres from north to south as officials warn of more waves to come. The latest official figures continue to show a relatively low number of new daily cases, however concerns linger over the accuracy of the data amid reports of over-burdened funeral homes and crematoriums. The country’s chief epidemiologist has also warned that China is in the first of an expected…
Day: December 18, 2022
Communist Party of Vietnam expels aide to Deputy PM
The Communist Party of Vietnam has expelled an assistant to Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam for being “ideologically and politically degraded” and accepting bribes. The decision to expel Nguyen Van Trinh was made at a meeting of the Politburo and the Secretariat at Party Central Committee headquarters on Dec. 16 under the chairmanship of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Trinh was detained and investigated by the Ministry of Public Security at the end of November for his role in the Viet A COVID-19 test kit scandal. “Nguyen Van Trinh,…
Taiwan Probes TikTok for Suspected Illegal Operations
Taipei, Taiwan — Taiwan’s government has opened a probe into Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok on suspicion of illegally operating a subsidiary on the island and warned that the social media platform was being used by Beijing to spread disinformation. TikTok, which is not widely used in Taiwan, has come under pressure mostly in the United States on concerns about China getting access to users personal data, which the company denies. In a statement late on Sunday, Taiwan’s China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said that on December 9 a working…
North Korea Claims Spy Satellite Progress, Posts Imagery of Seoul, Incheon
Seoul, South Korea — North Korea claimed Monday to have taken satellite photos of the South Korean cities of Seoul and Incheon, as its state media boasted of success toward developing its first military spy satellite. The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported an “important final-stage test” involving a mock satellite that it said was launched Sunday from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in western North Korea. Along with pictures of the launch, KCNA posted a pair of low-resolution, black-and-white images of Seoul and Incheon, presumably taken from the…
Swire Properties, Hongkong Land say businesses will refocus on city as Covid-19 curbs end, mainland China border reopens
“These latest arrangements will help boost positive market sentiment, and send an important message to the international community that Hong Kong is resuming its normal social and economic activities,” Tim Blackburn, CEO of Swire Properties, told the Post. 03:16 China opens thousands of ‘fever clinics’ as it shifts Covid focus from prevention to treatment “This will also facilitate international travel and help Hong Kong retain its status as an international financial centre.” Advertisement Swire Properties’ investment portfolio comprising about 16.8 million sq ft includes Taikoo Place, Cityplaza, Pacific Place and…
How does Australia fix a problem like China? By showing maximum restraint | Nick Coyle
During my time as CEO of the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce in Beijing from 2013 until July this year, I had a ringside seat to the rapid rise and subsequent deterioration in bilateral relations between China and Australia. The reasons for the deterioration were complex, with fault on both sides, and we must learn from them or risk history repeating. From 2013 to 2015, barely a week went by without a senior federal minister, premier, chief minister or CEO coming through Beijing or another major city to engage with local…
Penny Wong to travel to China this week for 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations
Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, will fly to China this week to mark a key diplomatic milestone in the latest sign of easing tensions between the two countries. Wong is due to arrive in Beijing on Tuesday and will attend Wednesday’s events marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China. Her forthcoming travel was announced on Monday, days after the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, predicted “further measures and activities which indicate a much improved relationship” over the “coming weeks”. The trip would build…
Cop15 negotiators close to agreeing nature deal as talks draw to end
A potentially transformational agreement for nature is close to being reached at Cop15 in Montreal, which could bring better protection for Earth’s vital ecosystems such as the Amazon and Congo basin rainforests, big reforms to agriculture and better protection of indigenous territories and rights. After four years of negotiations and 12 years since the last biodiversity targets were agreed in Japan, the Chinese president of Cop15 put forward its recommendations for a final agreement after two weeks of intense negotiations at the UN biodiversity summit in Canada. Over the last…
Malaysia’s New Prime Minister Faces Early Tests
Kuala Lumpur — “Take a bite,” Leo Lim tells his 3-year-old son, Jaye, while feeding him some bread for breakfast. Jaye’s twin sister, Cleona, sits next to him nibbling away. The twins are loud, messy and everything else you would expect from 3-year-olds. “It’s a lot of work, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Lim, 46, said. But the day-to-day living costs for Leo and his wife, Cassin, 39, have increased significantly. Leo said their food bill has gone up about 30% during the past year. “So many of…
Streets Deserted in China’s Cities as New COVID Surge Looms
Beijing — Streets in major Chinese cities were eerily quiet on Sunday as people stayed home to protect themselves from a surge in COVID-19 cases that has hit urban centres from north to south… China is in the first of an expected three waves of COVID cases this winter, according to the country’s chief epidemiologist, Wu Zunyou. Further waves will come as people follow the tradition of returning en masse to their home areas for the Lunar New Year holiday next month, he said. China has not reported any COVID…