China's market regulator said on Monday it will fine Alibaba Group, Tencent Holdings-backed&nbsp;China&nbsp;Literature, and Shenzhen Hive Box 500,000 yuan ($76,464.29) each for not reporting deals properly for anti-trust reviews.

The State Administration of Market Regulation said in a statement that it had taken the decision after reviewing deals the firms were involved in, including Alibaba's past deal with Intime Retail (Group) Co Ltd and&nbsp;China&nbsp;Literature's acquisition of New Classics Media.

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The punishments come after controllers a month ago announced their goal to expand examination of China's biggest tech companies with the new enemy of syndication rules.

Beijing in November revealed draft guidelines that set up a structure for controlling hostile to serious conduct, for example, intriguing on sharing delicate customer information, collusions that crush out more modest opponents, and sponsoring administrations at beneath cost to dispose of contenders. Offers in Alibaba and Tencent expanded misfortunes and shut down over 2.5 per cent.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/china-unveils-guidelines-on-mobile-apps-collection-of-personal-data-347206" hreflang="en">China unveils guidelines on mobile apps' collection of personal data</a>

"Venture and takeovers are significant methods for improvement and development of web organizations," the controller said in the proclamation. "The previously mentioned organizations have a huge impact in the business, do numerous ventures and takeovers, have particular lawful groups and should be acquainted with the guidelines overseeing M&amp;A. Their inability to effectively pronounce has a moderately serious effect."&nbsp;

Beijing's uplifted examination is prodding fears of a more extensive crackdown on the nation's biggest firms. On Monday, shares in number&nbsp;3 web organisation Meituan plunged 3.8 per cent&nbsp;after the People's Daily composed a publication pummeling the business' distraction with developing traffic and volumes in regions, for example, staple conveyance, to the detriment of genuine logical advancement.&nbsp;

China's two biggest companies are likewise generally avaricious, utilising scores of arrangements to venture into neighboring fields and husband to be a portion of the nation's most encouraging startups. Alibaba had driven a $2.6 billion buyout of Intime as a feature of endeavors to grow new plans of action that join the web-based business with physical retailing. China Literature concurred in 2018 to purchase New Classics Media for as much as 15.5 billion yuan to extend in recorded substance.&nbsp;

The organisations had neglected to look for endorsement for the arrangements, which aren't considered the enemy of serious, the antitrust controller said Monday. China Literature said in a proclamation that it has been effectively working with controllers on consistency, while Alibaba agents didn't quickly react to demands for input.

China's market regulator said on Monday it will fine Alibaba Group, Tencent Holdings-backed China Literature, and Shenzhen Hive Box 500,000 yuan ($76,464.29) each for not reporting deals properly for anti-trust reviews.

China's market regulator said on Monday it will fine Alibaba Group, Tencent Holdings-backed China Literature, and Shenzhen Hive Box 500,000 yuan ($76,464.29) each for not reporting deals properly for anti-trust reviews. The State Administration of Market Regulation said in a statement that it had taken the decision after reviewing deals the firms were involved in, including Alibaba's past deal with Intime Retail (Group) Co Ltd and China Literature's acquisition of New Classics Media. The punishments come after controllers a month ago announced their goal to expand examination of China's biggest tech companies with the new enemy of syndication rules. Beijing in November revealed draft guidelines that set up a structure for controlling hostile to serious conduct, for example, intriguing on sharing delicate customer information, collusions that crush out more modest opponents, and sponsoring administrations at beneath cost to dispose of contenders. Offers in Alibaba and Tencent expanded misfortunes and shut down over 2.5 per cent. Also read: China unveils guidelines on mobile apps' collection of personal data "Venture and takeovers are significant methods for improvement and development of web organizations," the controller said in the proclamation. "The previously mentioned organizations have a huge impact in the business, do numerous ventures and takeovers, have particular lawful groups and should be acquainted with the guidelines overseeing M&A. Their inability to effectively pronounce has a moderately serious effect." Beijing's uplifted examination is prodding fears of a more extensive crackdown on the nation's biggest firms. On Monday, shares in number 3 web organisation Meituan plunged 3.8 per cent after the People's Daily composed a publication pummeling the business' distraction with developing traffic and volumes in regions, for example, staple conveyance, to the detriment of genuine logical advancement. China's two biggest companies are likewise generally avaricious, utilising scores of arrangements to venture into neighboring fields and husband to be a portion of the nation's most encouraging startups. Alibaba had driven a $2.6 billion buyout of Intime as a feature of endeavors to grow new plans of action that join the web-based business with physical retailing. China Literature concurred in 2018 to purchase New Classics Media for as much as 15.5 billion yuan to extend in recorded substance. The organisations had neglected to look for endorsement for the arrangements, which aren't considered the enemy of serious, the antitrust controller said Monday. China Literature said in a proclamation that it has been effectively working with controllers on consistency, while Alibaba agents didn't quickly react to demands for input.

China fines Alibaba, Tencent under anti-monopoly law

The United States is poised to impose sanctions on&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;over its acquisition last year of Russian S-400 air defense systems, according to a report in Reuters, a move likely to worsen already problematic ties between the two NATO allies.

The long-anticipated step, which is likely to infuriate Ankara and weigh on&nbsp;Turkey's relations with the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden, is expected to be announced this week, sources have said.

The sanctions would target&nbsp;Turkey's Presidency of Defence Industries and its head, Ismail Demir, sources have said. They would be damaging but narrower than the severe scenarios some analysts have outlined.

Two sources familiar with the matter, including a US&nbsp;official speaking on the condition of anonymity, said President Donald Trump had given aides the blessing for the sanctions.

The Turkish lira weakened as much as 1.4 per cent&nbsp;following the news. US&nbsp;sanctions could harm a Turkish economy struggling with a coronavirus-induced slowdown, double-digit inflation, and badly depleted foreign reserves.

A senior Turkish official said sanctions would backfire and hurt ties between the two NATO members.

"Sanctions would not achieve a result but be counter-productive. They would harm relations," the official said. "Turkey&nbsp;is in favor of solving these problems with diplomacy and negotiations. We won't accept one-sided impositions," he said.

The decision will have repercussions far beyond&nbsp;Turkey, sending a message to US&nbsp;partners around the world that might consider buying Russian military equipment and have been warned repeatedly about US&nbsp;sanctions.

Turkey's leader, President Tayyip Erdogan, had hoped to prove US&nbsp;threats hollow, betting the relationship he developed with Trump would insulate Ankara from punitive US&nbsp;action.

Having forged a working relationship with Erdogan, Trump long opposed US&nbsp;sanctions against&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;despite the advice of advisers. Officials in his administration internally recommended sanctions against Ankara in July 2019, when the Turkish government started taking delivery of the S-400s, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

But sanctions appeared likely even if Trump did not act, the sources said.

The final version of the $740 billion annual US&nbsp;defense authorization legislation, which the Senate is expected to vote on as early as this week, would force Washington to impose sanctions within 30 days.

One of the U.S. officials said one of the reasons Trump was finally willing to move ahead with&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;sanctions was to "decouple" the issue from NDAA bill, which carries a provision that would require him to impose measures on Ankara. This way, Trump can avoid looking like his hand is being forced, the official said.

Kicked out of F-35 program

Still, increasing US&nbsp;pressure is not without risk. Washington does not want to push Erdogan even closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose goal is to weaken and divide the NATO alliance.

Russia delivered the ground-to-air S-400s last year and&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;tested them as recently as October. Ankara said they would not be integrated into NATO systems and pose no threat, and has called for a joint working group on the issue.

But the United States maintained that the S-400 does pose a threat, and announced last year it was removing&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;from the F-35 fighter jet program over Ankara's decision.

Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter jet is the most advanced aircraft in the US&nbsp;arsenal and is used by NATO members and other US&nbsp;allies.

The US&nbsp;State Department could still change plans and widen or narrow the scope of planned sanctions against&nbsp;Turkey.

However, sources said the announcement of the sanctions in their current form was imminent.

The United States is poised to impose sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition last year of Russian S-400 air defense systems, according to a report in Reuters, a move likely to worsen already problematic ties between the two NATO allies.

The United States is poised to impose sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition last year of Russian S-400 air defense systems, according to a report in Reuters, a move likely to worsen already problematic ties between the two NATO allies. The long-anticipated step, which is likely to infuriate Ankara and weigh on Turkey's relations with the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden, is expected to be announced this week, sources have said. The sanctions would target Turkey's Presidency of Defence Industries and its head, Ismail Demir, sources have said. They would be damaging but narrower than the severe scenarios some analysts have outlined. Two sources familiar with the matter, including a US official speaking on the condition of anonymity, said President Donald Trump had given aides the blessing for the sanctions. The Turkish lira weakened as much as 1.4 per cent following the news. US sanctions could harm a Turkish economy struggling with a coronavirus-induced slowdown, double-digit inflation, and badly depleted foreign reserves. A senior Turkish official said sanctions would backfire and hurt ties between the two NATO members. "Sanctions would not achieve a result but be counter-productive. They would harm relations," the official said. "Turkey is in favor of solving these problems with diplomacy and negotiations. We won't accept one-sided impositions," he said. The decision will have repercussions far beyond Turkey, sending a message to US partners around the world that might consider buying Russian military equipment and have been warned repeatedly about US sanctions. Turkey's leader, President Tayyip Erdogan, had hoped to prove US threats hollow, betting the relationship he developed with Trump would insulate Ankara from punitive US action. Having forged a working relationship with Erdogan, Trump long opposed US sanctions against Turkey despite the advice of advisers. Officials in his administration internally recommended sanctions against Ankara in July 2019, when the Turkish government started taking delivery of the S-400s, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. But sanctions appeared likely even if Trump did not act, the sources said. The final version of the $740 billion annual US defense authorization legislation, which the Senate is expected to vote on as early as this week, would force Washington to impose sanctions within 30 days. One of the U.S. officials said one of the reasons Trump was finally willing to move ahead with Turkey sanctions was to "decouple" the issue from NDAA bill, which carries a provision that would require him to impose measures on Ankara. This way, Trump can avoid looking like his hand is being forced, the official said. Kicked out of F-35 program Still, increasing US pressure is not without risk. Washington does not want to push Erdogan even closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose goal is to weaken and divide the NATO alliance. Russia delivered the ground-to-air S-400s last year and Turkey tested them as recently as October. Ankara said they would not be integrated into NATO systems and pose no threat, and has called for a joint working group on the issue. But the United States maintained that the S-400 does pose a threat, and announced last year it was removing Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program over Ankara's decision. Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter jet is the most advanced aircraft in the US arsenal and is used by NATO members and other US allies. The US State Department could still change plans and widen or narrow the scope of planned sanctions against Turkey. However, sources said the announcement of the sanctions in their current form was imminent.

US to impose sanctions on Turkey over Russian S-400 defense system

Chinese state-possessed organizations are beginning to default on their obligations. It's a difficulty that could swell through the nation's monetary framework, taking steps to pummel the brakes on the country's economy and stumble the worldwide recuperation from the pandemic.&nbsp;

China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) defaulted on a record 40 billion yuan ($6.1 billion) worth of connections between January and October, as per Fitch Ratings. That is probably as much as the most recent two years joined.&nbsp;

The issue has just deteriorated lately. A huge number of significant organizations — including BMW's (BMWYY) Chinese accomplice Brilliance Auto Group, top cell phone chip producer Tsinghua Unigroup, and Yongcheng Coal and Electricity — looked into going chapter 11 or defaulted on their credits a month ago, sending stun waves through the country's obligation market. Security costs have plunged and loan fees have spiked, and the disturbance has even poured out over into the financial exchange, where portions of state-possessed firms have been sinking.&nbsp;

It's disturbing on several fronts. Above all else, the cozy connections between these organizations and neighborhood Chinese governments commonly make them sure things in a difficult situation. In the event that financial specialists are stressed that the state is done ready to help them, they unexpectedly become a lot more hazardous recommendations.&nbsp;

Second, the accomplishment of the state area is basic to China's monetary framework. While such firms offer not exactly 33% of GDP, they represent the greater part of the bank credits offered in China and some 90 per cent&nbsp;of the nation's corporate securities, as indicated by information from the People's Bank of China and Chinese financier firm Huachuang Securities.&nbsp;

"The believability of government ensures has been the main defense against [financial] emergency up until now. Presently we are seeing signs that this validity is disintegrating," as per Logan Wright, overseer of China markets research at Rhodium Group.&nbsp;

Verifiably, Beijing has been hesitant to allow these organizations to fall flat. The Chinese Communist Party appreciates tight power over wide areas of the economy, including business, and it accepts that the ties between these organizations and the public authority are significant for keeping up that.&nbsp;

Presently, they seem, by all accounts, to permit probably some to fall. Yet, such a large number of defaults on advances and corporate securities would leave the monetary framework inconceivably powerless, making that approach full of danger.&nbsp;

"In spite of the fact that specialists need market discipline for less secure firms, they can't realize how much credit danger may make more extensive disease," Wright wrote in an ongoing exploration note. "Nobody can know this line unmistakably, given that there is no point of reference for this danger in China's monetary framework."&nbsp;

In the event that Beijing's capacity to deal with the obligation is raised doubt, Wright cautioned that the aftermath could strain the monetary market, diminishing accessible credit, and liquidity. As of now, there have been a few results: Bond financing dropped forcefully in November, as indicated by insights delivered Wednesday by the People's Bank of China.&nbsp;

These issues could eventually delay what has been a delicate recuperation for the world's second-biggest economy. While the International Monetary Fund anticipates that China's economy should develop 1.9% this year, better than its huge worldwide friends, that would be the most vulnerable yearly pace of extension in over forty years.&nbsp;

The endeavors to reign in hazardous obtaining "will burden the movement of non-bank credit," composed Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior China financial specialist for Capital Economics, in a Wednesday research note.&nbsp;

"While it won't wreck China's financial recuperation short-term, it will bit by bit debilitate the ongoing tailwinds from strategy boost," he stated, alluding to moves by the Chinese government this year to cut loan costs and free billions of dollars worth of expenditure to prop up development.&nbsp;

'Inescapable' defaults&nbsp;

While the record measure of bond defaults this year probably has a great deal to do with the Covid pandemic, China's state-possessed organizations have been collecting obligations for quite a long time.&nbsp;

"We saw these defaults as inescapable," composed experts at Nomura in an ongoing exploration report. They noticed that the Chinese government has been propping up the area with trillions of dollars in upgrades since the 2008 worldwide monetary emergency.&nbsp;

Yet, those ventures didn't create as great returns true to form.&nbsp;

The weaknesses of state-possessed organizations have been broadly recognised. Such firms are frequently less serious than their private friends and produce lower quantifiable profits, said Ning Gaoning, the administrator of the state-claimed synthetic aggregate Sinochem Group, at a significant political social affair in Beijing in May.&nbsp;

Simultaneously, China has been verifiably one-sided toward its valued state firms and offered them undeniably more admittance to financing than their private partners. That pattern has quickened lately as President Xi Jinping has required a more grounded and more prevailing state area.&nbsp;

Those variables presently give off an impression of being meeting up this year to make an ideal tempest. To assist organizations with recuperating aftermath identified with Covid-19, China drastically relaxed limitations on financing — a choice specialists recognized before this year would bring about an uptick in terrible advances.&nbsp;

Obviously, state-claimed organizations represented a lot of credit bond issuance through the initial nine months of the year. Such firms raised some 8.5 trillion yuan ($1.3 trillion), contrasted with the private area's 857 billion yuan ($131.2 billion), as indicated by Pengyuan International, a Chinese rating organization.&nbsp;

Defaults, in the interim, have risen significantly. The Nomura experts assessed that by mid-November, organizations had defaulted on nearly 178 billion yuan ($27 billion) worth of securities in the terrain Chinese market. About 43 per cent&nbsp;of that came from state-possessed firms, over 30% over the ongoing yearly normal.&nbsp;

"Undoubtedly we will see a lot more such defaults in coming years," the Nomura investigators composed.&nbsp;

Finding some kind of harmony&nbsp;

Beijing has been finding a way to help quiet the market. A month ago, the People's Bank of China infused one trillion yuan ($153 billion) worth of medium-term credits into business sectors to facilitate the weight on liquidity and relieve the nerves of speculators.&nbsp;

Bad habit Premier Liu He, who seats China's monetary soundness council, has been attempting to help certainty, as well. During an ongoing gathering with monetary and financial authorities, he asked neighborhood governments in China to forestall most pessimistic scenario situations by reinforcing the notice frameworks they use to recognize foundational dangers and keeping adequate liquidity.&nbsp;

All things being equal, Liu and others have clarified that not every person should be spared. In that equivalent gathering, he cautioned state-claimed firms that Beijing has "zero resistance" for "key defaults" — comments that have been deciphered to imply that the public authority thinks a few organizations are intentionally avoiding obligation commitments that they ought to have had the option to meet.&nbsp;

Investigators have likewise noticed that saving some state-claimed firms from breakdown is presumably an impasse, given how monetarily unwieldy the area can be. Alongside their different failures, such organizations likewise utilize only 10% of the labor force.&nbsp;

In any case, taking into consideration an excessive number of defaults could imperil the monetary strength and close term recuperation. Experts at Goldman Sachs as of late brought up that far and wide disappointments in the area could pour out over into the financial framework, making banks cut back on loaning all the more comprehensively, or increment loan fees — the last of which is now beginning to occur.&nbsp;

"In spite of the fact that the focal government has been attempting to decrease certain certifications on the lookout," they are meaning to do as such in an "organized way," those experts wrote in an ongoing examination note.&nbsp;

"Given China's post-Covid financial recuperation is as yet continuous, the reality is the public authority will attempt to contain" those dangers, they added.

Chinese state-possessed organizations are beginning to default on their obligations. It's a difficulty that could swell through the nation's monetary framework, taking steps to pummel the brakes on the country's economy and stumble the worldwide recuperation from the pandemic.

Chinese state-possessed organizations are beginning to default on their obligations. It's a difficulty that could swell through the nation's monetary framework, taking steps to pummel the brakes on the country's economy and stumble the worldwide recuperation from the pandemic. China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) defaulted on a record 40 billion yuan ($6.1 billion) worth of connections between January and October, as per Fitch Ratings. That is probably as much as the most recent two years joined. The issue has just deteriorated lately. A huge number of significant organizations — including BMW's (BMWYY) Chinese accomplice Brilliance Auto Group, top cell phone chip producer Tsinghua Unigroup, and Yongcheng Coal and Electricity — looked into going chapter 11 or defaulted on their credits a month ago, sending stun waves through the country's obligation market. Security costs have plunged and loan fees have spiked, and the disturbance has even poured out over into the financial exchange, where portions of state-possessed firms have been sinking. It's disturbing on several fronts. Above all else, the cozy connections between these organizations and neighborhood Chinese governments commonly make them sure things in a difficult situation. In the event that financial specialists are stressed that the state is done ready to help them, they unexpectedly become a lot more hazardous recommendations. Second, the accomplishment of the state area is basic to China's monetary framework. While such firms offer not exactly 33% of GDP, they represent the greater part of the bank credits offered in China and some 90 per cent of the nation's corporate securities, as indicated by information from the People's Bank of China and Chinese financier firm Huachuang Securities. "The believability of government ensures has been the main defense against [financial] emergency up until now. Presently we are seeing signs that this validity is disintegrating," as per Logan Wright, overseer of China markets research at Rhodium Group. Verifiably, Beijing has been hesitant to allow these organizations to fall flat. The Chinese Communist Party appreciates tight power over wide areas of the economy, including business, and it accepts that the ties between these organizations and the public authority are significant for keeping up that. Presently, they seem, by all accounts, to permit probably some to fall. Yet, such a large number of defaults on advances and corporate securities would leave the monetary framework inconceivably powerless, making that approach full of danger. "In spite of the fact that specialists need market discipline for less secure firms, they can't realize how much credit danger may make more extensive disease," Wright wrote in an ongoing exploration note. "Nobody can know this line unmistakably, given that there is no point of reference for this danger in China's monetary framework." In the event that Beijing's capacity to deal with the obligation is raised doubt, Wright cautioned that the aftermath could strain the monetary market, diminishing accessible credit, and liquidity. As of now, there have been a few results: Bond financing dropped forcefully in November, as indicated by insights delivered Wednesday by the People's Bank of China. These issues could eventually delay what has been a delicate recuperation for the world's second-biggest economy. While the International Monetary Fund anticipates that China's economy should develop 1.9% this year, better than its huge worldwide friends, that would be the most vulnerable yearly pace of extension in over forty years. The endeavors to reign in hazardous obtaining "will burden the movement of non-bank credit," composed Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior China financial specialist for Capital Economics, in a Wednesday research note. "While it won't wreck China's financial recuperation short-term, it will bit by bit debilitate the ongoing tailwinds from strategy boost," he stated, alluding to moves by the Chinese government this year to cut loan costs and free billions of dollars worth of expenditure to prop up development. 'Inescapable' defaults While the record measure of bond defaults this year probably has a great deal to do with the Covid pandemic, China's state-possessed organizations have been collecting obligations for quite a long time. "We saw these defaults as inescapable," composed experts at Nomura in an ongoing exploration report. They noticed that the Chinese government has been propping up the area with trillions of dollars in upgrades since the 2008 worldwide monetary emergency. Yet, those ventures didn't create as great returns true to form. The weaknesses of state-possessed organizations have been broadly recognised. Such firms are frequently less serious than their private friends and produce lower quantifiable profits, said Ning Gaoning, the administrator of the state-claimed synthetic aggregate Sinochem Group, at a significant political social affair in Beijing in May. Simultaneously, China has been verifiably one-sided toward its valued state firms and offered them undeniably more admittance to financing than their private partners. That pattern has quickened lately as President Xi Jinping has required a more grounded and more prevailing state area. Those variables presently give off an impression of being meeting up this year to make an ideal tempest. To assist organizations with recuperating aftermath identified with Covid-19, China drastically relaxed limitations on financing — a choice specialists recognized before this year would bring about an uptick in terrible advances. Obviously, state-claimed organizations represented a lot of credit bond issuance through the initial nine months of the year. Such firms raised some 8.5 trillion yuan ($1.3 trillion), contrasted with the private area's 857 billion yuan ($131.2 billion), as indicated by Pengyuan International, a Chinese rating organization. Defaults, in the interim, have risen significantly. The Nomura experts assessed that by mid-November, organizations had defaulted on nearly 178 billion yuan ($27 billion) worth of securities in the terrain Chinese market. About 43 per cent of that came from state-possessed firms, over 30% over the ongoing yearly normal. "Undoubtedly we will see a lot more such defaults in coming years," the Nomura investigators composed. Finding some kind of harmony Beijing has been finding a way to help quiet the market. A month ago, the People's Bank of China infused one trillion yuan ($153 billion) worth of medium-term credits into business sectors to facilitate the weight on liquidity and relieve the nerves of speculators. Bad habit Premier Liu He, who seats China's monetary soundness council, has been attempting to help certainty, as well. During an ongoing gathering with monetary and financial authorities, he asked neighborhood governments in China to forestall most pessimistic scenario situations by reinforcing the notice frameworks they use to recognize foundational dangers and keeping adequate liquidity. All things being equal, Liu and others have clarified that not every person should be spared. In that equivalent gathering, he cautioned state-claimed firms that Beijing has "zero resistance" for "key defaults" — comments that have been deciphered to imply that the public authority thinks a few organizations are intentionally avoiding obligation commitments that they ought to have had the option to meet. Investigators have likewise noticed that saving some state-claimed firms from breakdown is presumably an impasse, given how monetarily unwieldy the area can be. Alongside their different failures, such organizations likewise utilize only 10% of the labor force. In any case, taking into consideration an excessive number of defaults could imperil the monetary strength and close term recuperation. Experts at Goldman Sachs as of late brought up that far and wide disappointments in the area could pour out over into the financial framework, making banks cut back on loaning all the more comprehensively, or increment loan fees — the last of which is now beginning to occur. "In spite of the fact that the focal government has been attempting to decrease certain certifications on the lookout," they are meaning to do as such in an "organized way," those experts wrote in an ongoing examination note. "Given China's post-Covid financial recuperation is as yet continuous, the reality is the public authority will attempt to contain" those dangers, they added.

How China's staggering debt crisis, SOE shocks can hurt global recovery

China and Pakistan have signed an agreement to deepen defence cooperation between the all-weather allies amid rising tensions with India.

China’s Defence Minister Gen Wei Fenghe&nbsp;on Monday held talks with Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and discussed regional security issues.

Both “exchanged in-depth views on the international and regional situations, the relations between the two countries and militaries, the equipment and technology cooperation and other issues”, a report in China’s official media said.

While details of the new MoU were not immediately available, it follows another agreement signed last year, when China’s Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) General Xu Qiliang visited Rawalpindi for defence cooperation and “capacity building of the Pakistan Army”.

According to reports, this MoU appears&nbsp;to be a response to the growing defence partnership between India and America.&nbsp;Earlier this year,&nbsp;both countries inked the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), a&nbsp;pact that would allow India to access data and information from the military satellites of America.

On Tuesday he met Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan. He called on both countries to “push the military-to-military relationship to a higher level, so as to jointly cope with various risks and challenges, firmly safeguard the sovereignty and security interests of the two countries and safeguard the regional peace and stability,” Chinese State media reported.

Gen. Wei also discussed on-going projects under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), in which the Pakistani military is playing an increasingly prominent role.

The Chinese defence minister’s visit to Pakistan came a day after his whirlwind trip to Nepal where he met Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest.

He also held talks with Nepal Army chief Gen. Purna Chandra Thapa on ways to resume military cooperation and training impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

China's provocation

A batch of Chinese air force personnel left for Pakistan on Monday to participate in a joint exercise to deepen practical cooperation and improve the actual-combat training level of the two sides, the Chinese military said.

The troops left for Pakistani Air Force's airbase in Bholari at Thatta district in Sindh, northeast of Pakistan's port city of Karachi, to participate in the drills named "Shaheen (Eagle)-IX", a statement issued by China's Defence Ministry said. The joint air force exercise, which will be held close to the Gujarat border&nbsp;is said to conclude in late December and is a project within the 2020 cooperation plan of the two militaries.

"It will promote the development of China-Pakistan military-to-military relationships, deepen practical cooperation between the two air forces, and improve the actual-combat training level of the two sides," it said. The first such drill was held in Pakistan in March 2011. All-weather friends, China and Pakistan share close military ties. China helps Pakistan to jointly produce JF-17 fighter jets and other armaments.

The drill comes in the backdrop of the ongoing India-China border friction along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and Pakistan miserably failing to send terrorists across the Line of Control (LOC) before winters settle in.&nbsp;

China and Pakistan have signed an agreement to deepen defence cooperation between the all-weather allies amid rising tensions with India. China’s Defence Minister Gen Wei Fenghe on Monday held talks with Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and discussed regional security issues.

China and Pakistan have signed an agreement to deepen defence cooperation between the all-weather allies amid rising tensions with India. China’s Defence Minister Gen Wei Fenghe on Monday held talks with Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and discussed regional security issues. Both “exchanged in-depth views on the international and regional situations, the relations between the two countries and militaries, the equipment and technology cooperation and other issues”, a report in China’s official media said. While details of the new MoU were not immediately available, it follows another agreement signed last year, when China’s Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) General Xu Qiliang visited Rawalpindi for defence cooperation and “capacity building of the Pakistan Army”. According to reports, this MoU appears to be a response to the growing defence partnership between India and America. Earlier this year, both countries inked the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), a pact that would allow India to access data and information from the military satellites of America. On Tuesday he met Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan. He called on both countries to “push the military-to-military relationship to a higher level, so as to jointly cope with various risks and challenges, firmly safeguard the sovereignty and security interests of the two countries and safeguard the regional peace and stability,” Chinese State media reported. Gen. Wei also discussed on-going projects under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), in which the Pakistani military is playing an increasingly prominent role. The Chinese defence minister’s visit to Pakistan came a day after his whirlwind trip to Nepal where he met Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest. He also held talks with Nepal Army chief Gen. Purna Chandra Thapa on ways to resume military cooperation and training impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. China's provocation A batch of Chinese air force personnel left for Pakistan on Monday to participate in a joint exercise to deepen practical cooperation and improve the actual-combat training level of the two sides, the Chinese military said. The troops left for Pakistani Air Force's airbase in Bholari at Thatta district in Sindh, northeast of Pakistan's port city of Karachi, to participate in the drills named "Shaheen (Eagle)-IX", a statement issued by China's Defence Ministry said. The joint air force exercise, which will be held close to the Gujarat border is said to conclude in late December and is a project within the 2020 cooperation plan of the two militaries. "It will promote the development of China-Pakistan military-to-military relationships, deepen practical cooperation between the two air forces, and improve the actual-combat training level of the two sides," it said. The first such drill was held in Pakistan in March 2011. All-weather friends, China and Pakistan share close military ties. China helps Pakistan to jointly produce JF-17 fighter jets and other armaments. The drill comes in the backdrop of the ongoing India-China border friction along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and Pakistan miserably failing to send terrorists across the Line of Control (LOC) before winters settle in.

Amid tensions with India, China and Pakistan sign military deal

The trial of 20 people charged over the November 13, 2015 jihadist attacks in Paris that were France's deadliest peacetime atrocity will get underway in late 2021, sources close to the case said on Friday.

The night of carnage on November 13, 2015 saw 130 people killed and 350 wounded when Islamist suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the Stade de France stadium, bars and restaurants in central Paris and the Bataclan concert hall.

The sheer horror of the attacks, which were claimed by extremists from the Islamic State (IS) group, left scars that have still not healed. Modern France's attitude towards Islam remains an issue of burning controversy.

And the security threat to France has not diminished, security sources say, even if the nature of the risk has changed with attackers more likely to be lone extremists inspired by a deadly ideology than part of an organised group.

Jihadist propaganda

In the last five years, 20 attacks have been carried out on French soil, 19 plots failed and 61 were foiled.

There has been an increasing trend of attacks being carried out by isolated individuals, previously unknown to the intelligence services, who are inspired by jihadist propaganda and carry out attacks with cold weapons needing little preparation.

But the threat of an attack planned from outside France -- as was the case on November 13, 2015 -- remains serious.&nbsp;

"Just because IS has suffered a military defeat does not mean its military capacities have been annihilated," said a French official involved in the fight against terror, who asked not to be named.

Between 100 and 200 French jihadists are still believed to be in former IS strongholds in northern Iraq and Syria, and it would be an "illusion" to think they were not capable of clandestinely coming back to France, added the official.

Repeated attacks

In January 2015, Islamist gunmen massacred staff at the Charlie Hebdo satirical weekly, claiming they were avenging its publication of cartoons of the prophet Mohammed.

True to its defiant reputation, the magazine republished the cartoons to mark the start in September of the trial of suspected accomplices in the killings.

In the wake of that move, a Pakistan-born man wounded two people with a meat cleaver on September 25 outside Charlie Hebdo's former offices.

Teacher Samuel Paty, who had shown his class the cartoons, was beheaded outside his school on October 16 by an Islamist radical from Chechnya. And on October 29 a man recently arrived from Tunisia killed three people with a knife in a Nice church.

The attacks reopened painful debates in France about the integration of Muslim minorites and also prompted tougher rhetoric from President Emmanuel Macron against radical Islam.

'Background noise'&nbsp;

The security source said the risks were higher in the context of the current Charlie Hebdo trial and another trial over the Paris attacks, which is due to open early next year.

These hearings keep up "a kind of background noise" with the risk of "actions of support to those" who are on trial, said the security source.

The 2021 trial into the Paris attacks will see just one of the suspecter perpetrators in the dock -- French-Belgian Salah Abdeslam.

Nineteen other suspects accused of providing various logistical support will be on trial with him, though five are presumed dead in Iraq or Syria will be tried in absentia.

The suspected coordinator of the attacks -- Belgian Abdelhamid Abaaoud who shot indiscriminately at packed cafe terraces that night -- was killed five days later in a police assault on the Paris suburb of Saint Denis.

The trial of 20 people charged over the November 13, 2015 jihadist attacks in Paris that were France's deadliest peacetime atrocity will get underway in late 2021, sources close to the case said on Friday.

The trial of 20 people charged over the November 13, 2015 jihadist attacks in Paris that were France's deadliest peacetime atrocity will get underway in late 2021, sources close to the case said on Friday. The night of carnage on November 13, 2015 saw 130 people killed and 350 wounded when Islamist suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the Stade de France stadium, bars and restaurants in central Paris and the Bataclan concert hall. The sheer horror of the attacks, which were claimed by extremists from the Islamic State (IS) group, left scars that have still not healed. Modern France's attitude towards Islam remains an issue of burning controversy. And the security threat to France has not diminished, security sources say, even if the nature of the risk has changed with attackers more likely to be lone extremists inspired by a deadly ideology than part of an organised group. Jihadist propaganda In the last five years, 20 attacks have been carried out on French soil, 19 plots failed and 61 were foiled. There has been an increasing trend of attacks being carried out by isolated individuals, previously unknown to the intelligence services, who are inspired by jihadist propaganda and carry out attacks with cold weapons needing little preparation. But the threat of an attack planned from outside France -- as was the case on November 13, 2015 -- remains serious. "Just because IS has suffered a military defeat does not mean its military capacities have been annihilated," said a French official involved in the fight against terror, who asked not to be named. Between 100 and 200 French jihadists are still believed to be in former IS strongholds in northern Iraq and Syria, and it would be an "illusion" to think they were not capable of clandestinely coming back to France, added the official. Repeated attacks In January 2015, Islamist gunmen massacred staff at the Charlie Hebdo satirical weekly, claiming they were avenging its publication of cartoons of the prophet Mohammed. True to its defiant reputation, the magazine republished the cartoons to mark the start in September of the trial of suspected accomplices in the killings. In the wake of that move, a Pakistan-born man wounded two people with a meat cleaver on September 25 outside Charlie Hebdo's former offices. Teacher Samuel Paty, who had shown his class the cartoons, was beheaded outside his school on October 16 by an Islamist radical from Chechnya. And on October 29 a man recently arrived from Tunisia killed three people with a knife in a Nice church. The attacks reopened painful debates in France about the integration of Muslim minorites and also prompted tougher rhetoric from President Emmanuel Macron against radical Islam. 'Background noise' The security source said the risks were higher in the context of the current Charlie Hebdo trial and another trial over the Paris attacks, which is due to open early next year. These hearings keep up "a kind of background noise" with the risk of "actions of support to those" who are on trial, said the security source. The 2021 trial into the Paris attacks will see just one of the suspecter perpetrators in the dock -- French-Belgian Salah Abdeslam. Nineteen other suspects accused of providing various logistical support will be on trial with him, though five are presumed dead in Iraq or Syria will be tried in absentia. The suspected coordinator of the attacks -- Belgian Abdelhamid Abaaoud who shot indiscriminately at packed cafe terraces that night -- was killed five days later in a police assault on the Paris suburb of Saint Denis.

Trial over deadly jihadist attacks in Paris to begin in late 2021: Sources

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday reshuffled his Cabinet, days after a top court barred un-elected advisers and special assistants from heading the Cabinet committees.

This is the fourth Cabinet shakeup since Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) came to power in 2018. The reshuffle followed the December 7 verdict of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) barring un-elected advisers and special assistants from heading Cabinet committees.

The court ruled that special assistants and advisers to the prime minister were not members of the Cabinet and therefore, cannot be part of Cabinet proceedings.

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On Friday, Khan elevated Sheikh Rashid Ahmed as interior minister and appointed Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh as finance minister.

=State-run Radio Pakistan reported that Ahmed was already a part of the Cabinet working as minister for railways, while Hafeez Sheikh was serving as advisor on finance and revenue.

Hafeez Sheikh is not an elected member and he could not lead several committees. He was appointed as minister under Article 91 (9) of the Constitution and can serve as a minister for six months. He must be elected as a member of the National Assembly or Senate to continue after that. 
Brigadier (Retd) Ijaz Ahmad Shah who was serving the interior minister was appointed as minister for narcotics control, while Azam Khan Swati was appointed as minister for railways.

It is believed that Hafeez Sheikh would be made a senator in March when the election for the upper house is scheduled to be held. 
The most notable elevation in the new Cabinet is that of Ahmed, who despite failing to improve the functioning of the railways, was given the charge of the interior ministry, a key portfolio.

The IHC judgment noted that Article 93 of the Constitution allows the prime minister to appoint up to five advisors and conferring of a federal minister status on an advisor is "only for the purpose of perks and privileges" and "does not make the advisor a federal minister as such".

The court had subsequently set aside the notification of the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation, headed by Hafeez. The move was seen as a major blow to government's privatisation efforts that were being spearheaded by un-elected members of the federal Cabinet, the Dawn newspaper reported.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday reshuffled his Cabinet, days after a top court barred un-elected advisers and special assistants from heading the Cabinet committees.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday reshuffled his Cabinet, days after a top court barred un-elected advisers and special assistants from heading the Cabinet committees. This is the fourth Cabinet shakeup since Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) came to power in 2018. The reshuffle followed the December 7 verdict of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) barring un-elected advisers and special assistants from heading Cabinet committees. The court ruled that special assistants and advisers to the prime minister were not members of the Cabinet and therefore, cannot be part of Cabinet proceedings. Also read: World Bank approves $300 milllion loan for cash-strapped Pakistan On Friday, Khan elevated Sheikh Rashid Ahmed as interior minister and appointed Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh as finance minister. =State-run Radio Pakistan reported that Ahmed was already a part of the Cabinet working as minister for railways, while Hafeez Sheikh was serving as advisor on finance and revenue. Hafeez Sheikh is not an elected member and he could not lead several committees. He was appointed as minister under Article 91 (9) of the Constitution and can serve as a minister for six months. He must be elected as a member of the National Assembly or Senate to continue after that. Brigadier (Retd) Ijaz Ahmad Shah who was serving the interior minister was appointed as minister for narcotics control, while Azam Khan Swati was appointed as minister for railways. It is believed that Hafeez Sheikh would be made a senator in March when the election for the upper house is scheduled to be held. The most notable elevation in the new Cabinet is that of Ahmed, who despite failing to improve the functioning of the railways, was given the charge of the interior ministry, a key portfolio. The IHC judgment noted that Article 93 of the Constitution allows the prime minister to appoint up to five advisors and conferring of a federal minister status on an advisor is "only for the purpose of perks and privileges" and "does not make the advisor a federal minister as such". The court had subsequently set aside the notification of the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation, headed by Hafeez. The move was seen as a major blow to government's privatisation efforts that were being spearheaded by un-elected members of the federal Cabinet, the Dawn newspaper reported.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan reshuffles Cabinet on court's directive

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The&nbsp;United Kingdom said on Friday that it is&nbsp;'deeply concerned' after Hong Kong's media mogul Jimmy Lai charged by China under the city's national security law on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces and endangering national security.

"The UK remains deeply concerned about the Hong Kong authorities' focus on pursuing legal cases against pro-democracy figures like Jimmy Lai," a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters.

"We have raised this case with the authorities and will continue to lobby them at senior levels to end their targeting of pro-democracy voices."

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Lai, an ardent critic of Beijing, is&nbsp;the highest profile person charged under the sweeping new law imposed on the Chinese-ruled city in June.

The law has been condemned by the West and human rights groups as a tool to crush dissent. Authorities in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;and Beijing say it is vital to plug gaping holes in national security defenses exposed by months of sometimes violent anti-government and anti-China protests that rocked the city over the last year.

Britain, which ruled&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;for over 150 years until it handed it back to China in 1997, says a new security law imposed on the territory by Beijing just before midnight on June 30 was a breach of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration that paved the way for the handover.

London has also objected to new rules imposed by mainland China to disqualify elected legislators in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, and to what it describes as retribution by the territory's executive against political opposition and silencing of dissent.

"This has been, and continues to be, the most concerning period in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong’s post-handover history," Foreign Secretary Dominic&nbsp;Raab wrote in his foreword to the latest in a regular series of six-monthly reports on&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong.

The United Kingdom said on Friday that it is 'deeply concerned' after Hong Kong's media mogul Jimmy Lai charged by China under the city's national security law on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces and endangering national security.

The United Kingdom said on Friday that it is 'deeply concerned' after Hong Kong's media mogul Jimmy Lai charged by China under the city's national security law on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces and endangering national security. "The UK remains deeply concerned about the Hong Kong authorities' focus on pursuing legal cases against pro-democracy figures like Jimmy Lai," a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters. "We have raised this case with the authorities and will continue to lobby them at senior levels to end their targeting of pro-democracy voices." Also read: Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai charged under national security law Lai, an ardent critic of Beijing, is the highest profile person charged under the sweeping new law imposed on the Chinese-ruled city in June. The law has been condemned by the West and human rights groups as a tool to crush dissent. Authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing say it is vital to plug gaping holes in national security defenses exposed by months of sometimes violent anti-government and anti-China protests that rocked the city over the last year. Britain, which ruled Hong Kong for over 150 years until it handed it back to China in 1997, says a new security law imposed on the territory by Beijing just before midnight on June 30 was a breach of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration that paved the way for the handover. London has also objected to new rules imposed by mainland China to disqualify elected legislators in Hong Kong, and to what it describes as retribution by the territory's executive against political opposition and silencing of dissent. "This has been, and continues to be, the most concerning period in Hong Kong’s post-handover history," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab wrote in his foreword to the latest in a regular series of six-monthly reports on Hong Kong.

UK says 'deeply concerned' after Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai charged

A Chinese ex-lawyer and a citizen journalist, Zhang Zhan,&nbsp;who uncovered COVID-19&nbsp;has had a feeding tube forcibly inserted and her arms restrained to stop her pulling it out, her lawyer has claimed.

The 37-year-old Shanghai-based citizen journalist was arrested by the local police authorities in mid-May on the allegations of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble".

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-citizen-journalist-zhang-zhan-imprisoned-for-reporting-on-covid-19-outbreak-343989/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In a blog entry on Wednesday, Zhang's legal advisor, Zhang Keke, said he visited his customer on Tuesday evening and discovered her unwell and exhausted.&nbsp;

"She was wearing thick night robe with a support around the midsection, her left hand stuck in front and right hand stuck behind," he composed. "She said she had a stomach tube embedded as of late and on the grounds that she needed to haul it out, she was limited."&nbsp;

Her lawyer&nbsp;said Zhang Zhan was in "steady torture" from 24 hours per day of restrictions and required help to go to the washroom.&nbsp;

"Notwithstanding migraine, unsteadiness, and stomach torment, there was likewise torment in her mouth and throat. She said this might be irritating because of the addition of a gastric cylinder."&nbsp;

Zhang Keke said he revealed to Zhang her family, companions, and attorneys had asked her to stop her appetite strike, however, she won't. He said Zhang revealed to him she had expected a court hearing in December, and now it showed up there were no designs to hold one, she didn't have a clue whether she would endure.&nbsp;

Zhang was recently confined on comparable allegations by Chinese experts in 2018, and again in 2019 for voicing support for Hong Kong activists. She prevents the charge from getting misrepresenting data, disclosing to her legal counselor that all the data was accumulated firsthand through meetings with Wuhan inhabitants.&nbsp;

Zhang is among a few Chinese writers to have been captured for the current year subsequent to going to Wuhan to investigate the infection episode and reaction.&nbsp;

Chen Qiushi, a previous legal advisor turned writer, was kept in January. Li Zehua, who ventured out to Wuhan to report after Chen's vanishing, disappeared toward the beginning of February yet was delivered in April. Wuhan inhabitant Fang Bin who allegedly posted film of overpowered emergency clinics, and shot police thumping on his entryway disappeared simultaneously, however, has not been seen since.&nbsp;

The Chinese government's crackdown on activists, dissenters, and basic liberties works seems to have demolished for the current year.&nbsp;

On Thursday Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) said for the current week alone specialists had confined attorney Tang Jitian, and put under evident house capture legal counselors Xie Yanyi, Li Heping and his family, Wang Quanzhang and his family, and the spouse of legal advisor Yu Wenshang. Posting recordings of a portion of the police activity at the attorneys' homes, CHRD blamed experts for turning "Basic liberties Day into a field day for assaulting basic freedoms safeguards".

A Chinese ex-lawyer and a citizen journalist, Zhang Zhan, who uncovered COVID-19 has had a feeding tube forcibly inserted and her arms restrained to stop her pulling it out, her lawyer has claimed.

A Chinese ex-lawyer and a citizen journalist, Zhang Zhan, who uncovered COVID-19 has had a feeding tube forcibly inserted and her arms restrained to stop her pulling it out, her lawyer has claimed. The 37-year-old Shanghai-based citizen journalist was arrested by the local police authorities in mid-May on the allegations of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble". In a blog entry on Wednesday, Zhang's legal advisor, Zhang Keke, said he visited his customer on Tuesday evening and discovered her unwell and exhausted. "She was wearing thick night robe with a support around the midsection, her left hand stuck in front and right hand stuck behind," he composed. "She said she had a stomach tube embedded as of late and on the grounds that she needed to haul it out, she was limited." Her lawyer said Zhang Zhan was in "steady torture" from 24 hours per day of restrictions and required help to go to the washroom. "Notwithstanding migraine, unsteadiness, and stomach torment, there was likewise torment in her mouth and throat. She said this might be irritating because of the addition of a gastric cylinder." Zhang Keke said he revealed to Zhang her family, companions, and attorneys had asked her to stop her appetite strike, however, she won't. He said Zhang revealed to him she had expected a court hearing in December, and now it showed up there were no designs to hold one, she didn't have a clue whether she would endure. Zhang was recently confined on comparable allegations by Chinese experts in 2018, and again in 2019 for voicing support for Hong Kong activists. She prevents the charge from getting misrepresenting data, disclosing to her legal counselor that all the data was accumulated firsthand through meetings with Wuhan inhabitants. Zhang is among a few Chinese writers to have been captured for the current year subsequent to going to Wuhan to investigate the infection episode and reaction. Chen Qiushi, a previous legal advisor turned writer, was kept in January. Li Zehua, who ventured out to Wuhan to report after Chen's vanishing, disappeared toward the beginning of February yet was delivered in April. Wuhan inhabitant Fang Bin who allegedly posted film of overpowered emergency clinics, and shot police thumping on his entryway disappeared simultaneously, however, has not been seen since. The Chinese government's crackdown on activists, dissenters, and basic liberties works seems to have demolished for the current year. On Thursday Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) said for the current week alone specialists had confined attorney Tang Jitian, and put under evident house capture legal counselors Xie Yanyi, Li Heping and his family, Wang Quanzhang and his family, and the spouse of legal advisor Yu Wenshang. Posting recordings of a portion of the police activity at the attorneys' homes, CHRD blamed experts for turning "Basic liberties Day into a field day for assaulting basic freedoms safeguards".

Zhang Zhan: Chinese citizen journalist who uncovered COVID-19 'restrained and fed by tube'

President&nbsp;Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro has said&nbsp;the end of the pandemic was in sight for Brazil, despite a worsening second wave of infections, with daily case numbers back to mid-August levels.

"We're at the tail end of the pandemic. Compared to other countries in the world, our government was the best, or one of the best, in handling it," the far-right president said on a visit to the southern city of Porto Alegre.

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Brazil has the world's second-deadliest outbreak of the novel coronavirus after the United States, with more than 178,000 deaths. The continent-sized country, with a population of 212 million, has registered 6.7 million confirmed cases.

The comment came in for criticism from his opponents in Brazil. The government's own figures lend little support to the president's assessment.

Brazil, which endured a brutal plateau of more than 1,000 Covid-19 deaths a day from June to August, had succeeded in bringing its average daily death toll down to about 300 last month. However, that number has again risen above 800 this week.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/journalists-are-wimps-more-likely-to-die-of-coronavirus-says-brazils-bolsonaro-322872">Journalists are 'wimps'; more likely to die of coronavirus, says Brazil's Bolsonaro</a>

Intensive care units at public hospitals in Rio de Janeiro are meanwhile 100 percent full, and preparations for an eventual vaccination campaign have been caught up in a political battle between Bolsonaro and a likely adversary in the 2022 presidential race, Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria.

Bolsonaro has been at odds with health experts over how to respond to the pandemic.

He has downplayed the new coronavirus as a "little flu," condemned the "hysteria" around it, and pushed to use the drug hydroxychloroquine against Covid-19, despite a raft of studies showing it is ineffective.

Political tensions

Doses of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccine</a> made by China's Sinovac Biotech are rolling off a Brazilian production line, drawing interest around the country and across Latin America from governments struggling to procure costlier vaccines.

Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria said at a news conference on Thursday (December 10) that the state's biomedical centre, the Butantan Institute, aims to fill and finish 1 million doses per day on its production line for a vaccination campaign to start Jan. 25.

Doria said 11 Brazilian states have contacted Butantan seeking the doses of the vaccine, called CoronaVac, setting up a showdown with President&nbsp;Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro, who has said he refuses to buy the Chinese vaccine for a national immunization program.

At the same news conference, Butantan head Dimas Covas said several countries in the region, including Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay and Honduras are interested in buying the CoronaVac vaccine from Brazil. Butantan is in advanced talks with Argentina to the supply vaccine, he said.

Dimas said CoronaVac doses would cost $10.30 to Brazilian states and cities outside of Sao Paulo, a fraction of what U.S. and European pharmaceutical companies are charging for COVID-19 vaccines.

Butantan has begun to build a facility where it plans to produce the vaccine from scratch as of September 2021 instead of receiving it in bulk from China to fill and label vials.

Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello has said that vaccinations could begin in January. Pressure has been mounting, with state governors criticising the federal government as unprepared for a mass immunisation campaign and failing to secure a diverse enough supply of vaccines.

Pazuello repeated the ministry would buy any effective vaccines that are approved by health regulator Anvisa and reasonably priced, opening the door to a federal purchase of the Chinese vaccine.

President Jair Bolsonaro has said the end of the pandemic was in sight for Brazil, despite a worsening second wave of infections, with daily case numbers back to mid-August levels.

President Jair Bolsonaro has said the end of the pandemic was in sight for Brazil, despite a worsening second wave of infections, with daily case numbers back to mid-August levels. "We're at the tail end of the pandemic. Compared to other countries in the world, our government was the best, or one of the best, in handling it," the far-right president said on a visit to the southern city of Porto Alegre. Also see: Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics Brazil has the world's second-deadliest outbreak of the novel coronavirus after the United States, with more than 178,000 deaths. The continent-sized country, with a population of 212 million, has registered 6.7 million confirmed cases. The comment came in for criticism from his opponents in Brazil. The government's own figures lend little support to the president's assessment. Brazil, which endured a brutal plateau of more than 1,000 Covid-19 deaths a day from June to August, had succeeded in bringing its average daily death toll down to about 300 last month. However, that number has again risen above 800 this week. Also read: Journalists are 'wimps'; more likely to die of coronavirus, says Brazil's Bolsonaro Intensive care units at public hospitals in Rio de Janeiro are meanwhile 100 percent full, and preparations for an eventual vaccination campaign have been caught up in a political battle between Bolsonaro and a likely adversary in the 2022 presidential race, Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria. Bolsonaro has been at odds with health experts over how to respond to the pandemic. He has downplayed the new coronavirus as a "little flu," condemned the "hysteria" around it, and pushed to use the drug hydroxychloroquine against Covid-19, despite a raft of studies showing it is ineffective. Political tensions Doses of a COVID-19 vaccine made by China's Sinovac Biotech are rolling off a Brazilian production line, drawing interest around the country and across Latin America from governments struggling to procure costlier vaccines. Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria said at a news conference on Thursday (December 10) that the state's biomedical centre, the Butantan Institute, aims to fill and finish 1 million doses per day on its production line for a vaccination campaign to start Jan. 25. Doria said 11 Brazilian states have contacted Butantan seeking the doses of the vaccine, called CoronaVac, setting up a showdown with President Jair Bolsonaro, who has said he refuses to buy the Chinese vaccine for a national immunization program. At the same news conference, Butantan head Dimas Covas said several countries in the region, including Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay and Honduras are interested in buying the CoronaVac vaccine from Brazil. Butantan is in advanced talks with Argentina to the supply vaccine, he said. Dimas said CoronaVac doses would cost $10.30 to Brazilian states and cities outside of Sao Paulo, a fraction of what U.S. and European pharmaceutical companies are charging for COVID-19 vaccines. Butantan has begun to build a facility where it plans to produce the vaccine from scratch as of September 2021 instead of receiving it in bulk from China to fill and label vials. Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello has said that vaccinations could begin in January. Pressure has been mounting, with state governors criticising the federal government as unprepared for a mass immunisation campaign and failing to secure a diverse enough supply of vaccines. Pazuello repeated the ministry would buy any effective vaccines that are approved by health regulator Anvisa and reasonably priced, opening the door to a federal purchase of the Chinese vaccine.

Jair Bolsonaro says 'tail end' of pandemic in sight for Brazil

Taiwan's President Tsai-ing Wen launched&nbsp;the first of a new fleet of coastguard ships on Friday, an advanced catamaran that can be armed with missiles during war, as the island bolsters its defences&nbsp;as tensions rise with China.

''The ships are superior in speed and function compared to previous ships of the same tonnage, demonstrating the technical strength of Taiwan's shipbuilding industry,''&nbsp;President Tsai Ing-wen said at the launch ceremony in the southern city of Kaohsiung.

Tsai has made boosting Taiwan's indigenous defense capacity a central pillar of her defense policy. She relaunched the military aviation industry with the production of new trainer jets and has pushed for the development of more sophisticated systems by utilising the island's high-tech industries.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-is-trying-to-wear-out-taiwans-air-force-by-incursions-says-defence-minister-334046">China is trying to wear out Taiwan's Air Force by incursions, says defence minister</a>

President Tsai Ing-wen has made military modernisation a priority for the Chinese-claimed island. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.

The new Anping (CG-601) vessel is the first of 12 locally designed and built 600-ton class catamaran patrol vessels that can also be used in a military capacity.

The Anping is a similar vessel to the Tuo Chiang-class of corvettes, on which it is based, and has space for launchers for Hsiung Feng anti-ship and sea-to-land missiles but has added equipment for rescue operations.

The Tuo Chiang vessels are state-of-the-art, highly manoeuvrable stealth vessels, meant to take out larger warships while operating close to Taiwan’s shores.

The first is already in service and has been referred to by Taiwan’s navy as the “aircraft carrier killer” due to its missile complement. China has two carriers in operation and is building at least one more.

With Taiwan’s armed forces dwarfed by China’s, Tsai has championed the concept of “asymmetric warfare”, including adding weapons that are mobile and harder to attack, to make any Chinese offensive costly and difficult.

While the United States remains Taiwan’s most important arms supplier, Tsai has also boosted the island’s indigenous defence industry, most notably the planned building of eight submarines.

Taiwan’s coastguard is often involved in confrontations with Chinese fishing and sand-dredging ships which Taiwan says operate illegally in its waters.

Taiwan's President Tsai-ing Wen launched the first of a new fleet of coastguard ships on Friday, an advanced catamaran that can be armed with missiles during war, as the island bolsters its defences as tensions rise with China.

Taiwan's President Tsai-ing Wen launched the first of a new fleet of coastguard ships on Friday, an advanced catamaran that can be armed with missiles during war, as the island bolsters its defences as tensions rise with China. ''The ships are superior in speed and function compared to previous ships of the same tonnage, demonstrating the technical strength of Taiwan's shipbuilding industry,'' President Tsai Ing-wen said at the launch ceremony in the southern city of Kaohsiung. Tsai has made boosting Taiwan's indigenous defense capacity a central pillar of her defense policy. She relaunched the military aviation industry with the production of new trainer jets and has pushed for the development of more sophisticated systems by utilising the island's high-tech industries. Also read: China is trying to wear out Taiwan's Air Force by incursions, says defence minister President Tsai Ing-wen has made military modernisation a priority for the Chinese-claimed island. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. The new Anping (CG-601) vessel is the first of 12 locally designed and built 600-ton class catamaran patrol vessels that can also be used in a military capacity. The Anping is a similar vessel to the Tuo Chiang-class of corvettes, on which it is based, and has space for launchers for Hsiung Feng anti-ship and sea-to-land missiles but has added equipment for rescue operations. The Tuo Chiang vessels are state-of-the-art, highly manoeuvrable stealth vessels, meant to take out larger warships while operating close to Taiwan’s shores. The first is already in service and has been referred to by Taiwan’s navy as the “aircraft carrier killer” due to its missile complement. China has two carriers in operation and is building at least one more. With Taiwan’s armed forces dwarfed by China’s, Tsai has championed the concept of “asymmetric warfare”, including adding weapons that are mobile and harder to attack, to make any Chinese offensive costly and difficult. While the United States remains Taiwan’s most important arms supplier, Tsai has also boosted the island’s indigenous defence industry, most notably the planned building of eight submarines. Taiwan’s coastguard is often involved in confrontations with Chinese fishing and sand-dredging ships which Taiwan says operate illegally in its waters.

Taiwan launches new coast guard ships to bolster defences as tensions rise with China

China said on Friday&nbsp;that US&nbsp;claims about risks to national security were completely false, following a US&nbsp;decision to halt&nbsp;China&nbsp;Telecom US&nbsp;operations.

The US&nbsp;Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said on Thursday&nbsp;it had begun the process of revoking&nbsp;China&nbsp;Telecom's authorisation to operate in the United States as it took further steps to crack down on&nbsp;China's role in US&nbsp;telecommunications.

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"We once again urge the US&nbsp;to stop generalizing the concept of national security, stop suppressing specific Chinese companies unreasonably, and to truly provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for normal cooperation between the countries," said Hua in a regular news briefing.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai noted several US&nbsp;government agencies had recommended the revocation citing national security concerns. Pai said there are "significant concerns" that&nbsp;China&nbsp;Telecom will be forced to comply with the Chinese government's requests for information, including communications intercepts.&nbsp;China&nbsp;Telecom, the largest Chinese telecommunications company, has had authorisation to provide telecommunications services for nearly 20 years.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/after-united-kingdom-sweden-bans-huawei-from-upcoming-5g-networks-336623">After United Kingdom, Sweden bans Huawei from upcoming 5G networks</a>

The FCC in April had warned it might shut down the US&nbsp;operations of three state-controlled Chinese telecommunications companies, citing national security risks, including&nbsp;China&nbsp;Telecom Americas as well as&nbsp;China&nbsp;Unicom Americas, Pacific Networks Corp, and its wholly-owned subsidiary ComNet (USA) LLC.

The US&nbsp;Justice Department and other federal agencies in April called on the FCC to revoke&nbsp;China&nbsp;Telecom's ability to operate in the United States.

In May 2019, the FCC voted unanimously to deny another state-owned Chinese telecommunications company,&nbsp;China&nbsp;Mobile Ltd, the right to provide services in the United States, citing risks that the Chinese government could use the approval to conduct espionage against the US&nbsp;government.

The FCC also on Thursday rejected a petition from Huawei Technologies Co Ltd asking the agency to reconsider its decision to designating the Chinese company as a U.S. national security threat to communications networks.

The FCC said in June it had formally designated&nbsp;China’s Huawei and ZTE Corp as threats, a declaration that bars US&nbsp;firms from tapping an $8.3 billion government fund to purchase equipment from the companies. The FCC affirmed its ZTE designation last month.

The FCC on Thursday also finalized rules that require carriers with ZTE or Huawei equipment to "rip and replace" that equipment and created a reimbursement program to subsidize smaller carriers to remove and replace those services and equipment.

Pai noted the commission "can’t actually implement the reimbursement program unless and until Congress appropriates the necessary funding."

Huawei said in a statement it "is disappointed with the FCC’s decision to force the removal of our products from telecommunications networks. This overreach puts US&nbsp;citizens at risk in the largely underserved rural areas – during a pandemic - when reliable communication is essential."

China said on Friday that US claims about risks to national security were completely false, following a US decision to halt China Telecom US operations. The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said on Thursday it had begun the process of revoking China Telecom's authorisation to operate in the United States as it took further steps to crack down on China's role in US telecommunications.

China said on Friday that US claims about risks to national security were completely false, following a US decision to halt China Telecom US operations. The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said on Thursday it had begun the process of revoking China Telecom's authorisation to operate in the United States as it took further steps to crack down on China's role in US telecommunications. "We once again urge the US to stop generalizing the concept of national security, stop suppressing specific Chinese companies unreasonably, and to truly provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for normal cooperation between the countries," said Hua in a regular news briefing. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai noted several US government agencies had recommended the revocation citing national security concerns. Pai said there are "significant concerns" that China Telecom will be forced to comply with the Chinese government's requests for information, including communications intercepts. China Telecom, the largest Chinese telecommunications company, has had authorisation to provide telecommunications services for nearly 20 years. Also read: After United Kingdom, Sweden bans Huawei from upcoming 5G networks The FCC in April had warned it might shut down the US operations of three state-controlled Chinese telecommunications companies, citing national security risks, including China Telecom Americas as well as China Unicom Americas, Pacific Networks Corp, and its wholly-owned subsidiary ComNet (USA) LLC. The US Justice Department and other federal agencies in April called on the FCC to revoke China Telecom's ability to operate in the United States. In May 2019, the FCC voted unanimously to deny another state-owned Chinese telecommunications company, China Mobile Ltd, the right to provide services in the United States, citing risks that the Chinese government could use the approval to conduct espionage against the US government. The FCC also on Thursday rejected a petition from Huawei Technologies Co Ltd asking the agency to reconsider its decision to designating the Chinese company as a U.S. national security threat to communications networks. The FCC said in June it had formally designated China’s Huawei and ZTE Corp as threats, a declaration that bars US firms from tapping an $8.3 billion government fund to purchase equipment from the companies. The FCC affirmed its ZTE designation last month. The FCC on Thursday also finalized rules that require carriers with ZTE or Huawei equipment to "rip and replace" that equipment and created a reimbursement program to subsidize smaller carriers to remove and replace those services and equipment. Pai noted the commission "can’t actually implement the reimbursement program unless and until Congress appropriates the necessary funding." Huawei said in a statement it "is disappointed with the FCC’s decision to force the removal of our products from telecommunications networks. This overreach puts US citizens at risk in the largely underserved rural areas – during a pandemic - when reliable communication is essential."

China says US claims about national security risks from telecom are false

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