Growing military tensions around Taiwan, as well as economic and technological rivalry between China and the United States, threaten peace and stability in East Asia as the regional power balance shifts in Beijing’s favour, Japan said in its annual defence white paper. “It is necessary that we pay close attention …
Read More »China ‘drove away’ US warship on tribunal ruling anniversary
China’s military said on Monday it “drove away” a U.S. warship that illegally entered Chinese waters near the Paracel Islands on Monday, the anniversary of an international court ruling that Beijing has no claim over the South China Sea. The USS Benfold entered the waters of the Paracels without the …
Read More »Thousands evacuated from floods in China’s Sichuan province, more rain forecast
Heavy rains and flooding have forced thousands of people to evacuate in China’s southwestern province of Sichuan, with authorities on Sunday urging citizens across the country to brace for more downpours. In Sichuan, torrential rain since Friday has raised the water levels of 14 rivers, swept away boats and bridges, …
Read More »China, Russia condemn new US sanctions against their companies
China and Russia have vigorously denounced new sanctions imposed by the United States against dozens of their companies and entities. The US on Friday announced sanctions against 23 Chinese companies and other entities “for their involvement in, or risk of becoming involved in, activities contrary to interests of United States.” …
Read More »India’s Most Populous state could Punish couples for having over 2 Kids, Reward for sterilisation
A study released by India’s federal Health Ministry in August 2020 predicted that the South Asian nation would surpass China as the most populous country on the planet in 2031. India’s population is expected to grow by 25 percent between 2011 and 2036 around 1.52 billion. The Law Commission of …
Read More »US blacklists more Chinese, Iranian, Russian firms using ‘human rights’ pretext
The Biden administration has added 14 Chinese companies along with 20 other entities – including some from Iran and Russia – to its economist blacklist over purported “human rights violations.” The US Commerce Department claimed on Friday that the companies had been “implicated in human rights violations and abuses in …
Read More »Giant panda no longer on ‘endangered’ species list as wildlife conditions improve – China’s top conservation official
The giant panda has been moved one level upon China’s extinction threat scale due to its increasing numbers, the country’s conservation chief has said. “The panda population in the wild has risen to about 1,800, which reflects their improved living conditions and China’s efforts in keeping their habitats integrated,” Cui …
Read More »Biden administration set to blacklist more than 10 Chinese companies: Report
Tensions between Washington and Beijing continue to escalate as the Biden administration is set to blacklist more than 10 Chinese companies over alleged human rights issues and high-tech surveillance in Xinjiang, according to reports. Quoting sources, Reuters on Friday said the additions to the US Commerce Department’s Entity List are …
Read More »US set to add more Chinese companies to economic blacklist
The Biden administration is set as early as Friday to add more than 10 Chinese companies to its economic blacklist over alleged human rights abuses and high-tech surveillance in Xinjiang, two sources said. The U.S. Commerce Department action will follow its announcement last month adding five other companies and other …
Read More »Taiwan accuses US of causing ‘unnecessary speculation’ after White House deletes Covid-19 donations tweet
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has asked the United States to avoid causing “unnecessary speculation or misunderstanding” after the White House Covid-19 Response Team deleted a tweet that contained the island’s flag. Earlier this week, the White House coronavirus taskforce posted a tweet that showed the flags of nations receiving donations of …
Read More »Beijing issues protest after Japan signals that it would join US to defend Taiwan in case of Chinese attack
Beijing has warned Tokyo against damaging bilateral relations after Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso suggested that his country should work with the US to defend Taiwan in case of a Chinese invasion. “If a major incident happened [in Taiwan], it would not be strange at all if it touches …
Read More »Merkel, Macron discuss EU ties, trade, climate with China’s Xi
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged views on European Union-China relations with China’s President Xi Jinping in a video conference on Monday, Merkel’s office said. “They also discussed international trade, climate protection, and biodiversity,” her office added in a statement. “The conversation also revolved around cooperation …
Read More »WATCH: Astronauts at China’s new space station conduct their 1st spacewalk
The first astronauts to arrive at China’s new space station carried out their debut spacewalk, marking only the second time the country’s astronauts have ventured out of their craft while in orbit. Tang Hongbo, Nie Haisheng, and Liu Boming docked with the Tiangong space station in June, beginning a three-month …
Read More »Security tight in Hong Kong on China anniversary, official says city now stable
Police deployed in the streets of Hong Kong in large numbers on Thursday to prevent protests on the anniversary of its return to Chinese rule, and its acting leader said a national security law had brought order back to the city after chaos. Police vans, water cannon trucks, armoured vehicles, …
Read More »Japan & Philippines to hold joint air force drills for first time amid increasing hostilities with China
The Japanese embassy in Manila has announced that Japan and the Philippines will deepen their defense ties by holding their first-ever joint exercises next week, in an apparent attempt to counter Chinese influence in the region. In a statement on Thursday, the Japanese embassy hailed the drills as a “significant …
Read More »China’s Xi urges ruling party members to advance toward 2nd centenary goal
China’s President Xi Jinping has called on the Chinese Communist Party members to advance toward the second centenary goal of the country as the nation prepares to commemorate the ruling party’s 100th founding anniversary. Xi on Tuesday asked the party’s members and officials to advance toward the second centenary goal …
Read More »China says Japanese official calling Taiwan a ‘country’ is serious violation
China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that the recent characterization of Taiwan as a “country” by a senior Japanese official was erroneous and a serious violation. Japan’s deputy defense minister on Monday warned of a growing threat posed by Chinese and Russian collaboration and said it was necessary to “wake …
Read More »Iran urges parties in Vienna talks to “make decisions” on revival of nuke deal
The Iranian spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday urged the parties in the Vienna talks to make their decisions on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). “We have made and announced the decisions we should have …
Read More »Xi, Putin announce extension of China-Russia friendly cooperation treaty
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a joint statement Monday, officially deciding to extend the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. The announcement came during talks between the two heads of state via video link. Hailing the upcoming 20th anniversary of the signing of the …
Read More »Ten cabin cruisers sunk in Hong Kong marina fire, no serious casualties
A fire swept through a marina in Hong Kong in the early hours of Sunday, igniting fuel tanks as it passed along a line of closely moored cabin cruisers, and resulting in at least 10 sinkings before firefighters extinguished the blaze.
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