A major leak from Beijing has exposed Chinese President Xi Jinping. Files bearing the classification "secret" and "top secret" reveal how the Chinese President ordered the genocide against the Uighurs in Xinjiang. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Xi Jinping ordered the Genocide against Uighurs

President Joe Biden came away from his summit with China’s President Xi Jinping on Nov. 15 committed to prosecuting what he called “simple, straightforward competition” with China. Yet Beijing is already beating the United States and its allies in one crucial domain: data.

Data is the oil of the 21st century, the indispensable resource that will fuel artificial-intelligence algorithms, economic strength and national power. The wellspring of this data is all of us: our health records and genetic sequences, our online habits, the supply chain flows of our businesses, the terabytes of imagery guzzled by phones, drones and autonomous cars.

The competition for global influence in the 21st century will require protecting and harnessing this data to achieve commercial, technological and military advantages. So far, China is winning, and the West is barely even engaged.

Through a latticework of recent laws and regulations, Mr. Xi has been hard at work making the Chinese Communist Party the world’s most powerful data broker. How does Beijing do that? By walling Chinese data off from the world, exerting new extraterritorial power over global data flows and putting foreign companies operating in China in a legal bind — all while absorbing other countries’ data by means licit and illicit.

Mr. Xi knows that even locking down only Chinese data, representing the patterns and behavior of some 1.4 billion people, would hobble Beijing’s rivals in the quest for global economic superiority.

The Biden administration has spoken about the importance of data in our competition with China. But no visible strategy has emerged. That threatens Americans’ privacy, economic competitiveness, national security and future global standing. This will be a major test of America’s China policy in 2022.

Washington’s blind spot to the centrality of big data in Beijing’s ambitions and to the ways our own data are being exploited in service of those ambitions is perplexing at a time when American politicians are growing more concerned about the collection and potential exploitation of big data by U.S. tech giants.

It is further perplexing because Americans in bipartisan fashion also are wising up to the ways that Beijing exploits and weaponizes other U.S. resources, like our capital markets.

That’s evident in how Washington is finally — if fitfully — beginning to address the self-destructive flow of U.S. dollars into China’s military and global surveillance apparatus. While these sorts of measures still need to be scaled up dramatically, at least policymakers now have some tools to curb Beijing’s easy access to U.S. capital.

Not so when it comes to data, where Beijing believes that it has a free hand and that the West is too distracted or feckless to respond meaningfully. Mr. Xi is thinking and acting big, and has been since his first days in power.

In 2013, shortly after assuming the presidency in Beijing, Mr. Xi declared: “The vast ocean of data, just like oil resources during industrialization, contains immense productive power and opportunities. Whoever controls big data technologies will control the resources for development and have the upper hand.”

Since then, Beijing has been building the framework to ensure that mass accumulations of data serve the Chinese Communist Party’s strategic interests.

A series of laws implemented in 2017 asserted the party’s power to gain access to private data on Chinese networks, whether in China or associated with Chinese firms such as Huawei overseas.

Now Beijing has quietly enacted a new set of laws — first the Data Security Law in September, followed in November by the Personal Information Protection Law — that go even further by demanding not just access to private data but also effective control over it.

This has a huge impact on foreign firms operating in China. Not only must their Chinese data stay in China and be accessible by the state, but Beijing now demands control over whether they can send it to their own headquarters; to a corporate lab in, say, California; or to a foreign government that has made a law enforcement or regulatory request.

Beijing’s new laws may make it criminal to comply with foreign sanctions against China that involve data — like shutting off banking or cloud services to a Chinese entity linked to human rights atrocities. In these cases, foreign firms can comply with U.S. law, or they can comply with Chinese law, but not both.

The impact of these laws is clear. Tesla, Apple and others have opted to build dedicated Chinese data centers — sometimes in partnership with Chinese state entities, lest they lose access to the large Chinese consumer market. Goldman Sachs faced pressure against sending memos to its U.S. headquarters.

Beijing’s recent actions complement its longstanding efforts to buy, steal and otherwise acquire data from foreign sources worldwide. Beijing hacks multinational corporate databases. It runs “talent recruitment” programs at foreign universities and firms. It buys foreign companies, such as an Italian maker of military drones. It funds its own data-driven start-ups in open foreign markets like Silicon Valley.

The approach is nakedly nonreciprocal. It relies on access to foreign data while denying foreigners access to Chinese data — and appears to assume that foreign governments won’t respond. The United States, after all, has no comprehensive federal approach to data governance, while the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation is focused mostly on consumer privacy.

Will American and allied policymakers develop approaches to limit strategic data flows to China? For now, the Biden administration’s answer is: maybe.

“Our strategic competitors see big data as a strategic asset,” the U.S. national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said this summer, “and we have to see it the same way.”

This is clear and compelling language. But data did not appear to be high on Mr. Biden’s agenda with Mr. Xi, judging from official readouts of the summit.

And to date, U.S. policy remedies are idle and insufficient.

In June, the administration issued an executive order embracing a new regulatory process to restrict cross-border data flows on national security grounds. But the new process hasn’t yet been put to use — not against Chinese drones, Chinese access to U.S. data centers and biotech labs, or other potential targets.

In the meantime, U.S. diplomats’ and trade negotiators’ engagement on data issues is dominated by bitter fights with European regulators over privacy rules for American tech giants. The far greater threat from Beijing goes largely unaddressed.

The good news is that if democratic nations get their act together, they may be in a better position than Beijing, which complicates its own progress through apparent paranoia.

In recent months, Mr. Xi has cracked down on private Chinese tech giants such as Alibaba and Tencent, forcing them to relinquish their data troves to state-controlled third parties. This crackdown, which helped erase more than $1 trillion in market value, will make these companies less innovative now that they no longer control their data.

But banking on Chinese authoritarian overreach to preserve America’s edge is no strategy.

A smarter approach would begin domestically, with actual (and robust) implementation of the Biden administration’s June executive order. This would entail blocking or unwinding arrangements by which large volumes of sensitive U.S. data flow to China, whether through medical records, cellphone apps or other channels — all of which are basically unregulated right now.

Democratic allies must also work together to promote data sharing among themselves while limiting flows to China. A blueprint was introduced by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. This idea, called Data Free Flow With Trust, ought to become allied policy.

For upward of a generation, Beijing has been coldly effective in designing a strategy of global data mercantilism: data hoarding for me, data relinquishing for thee.

If Washington and its allies don’t organize a strong response, Mr. Xi will succeed in commanding the heights of future global power.

President Joe Biden came away from his summit with China’s President Xi Jinping on Nov. 15 committed to prosecuting what he called “simple, straightforward competition” with China.

President Joe Biden came away from his summit with China’s President Xi Jinping on Nov. 15 committed to prosecuting what he called “simple, straightforward competition” with China. Yet Beijing is already beating the United States and its allies in one crucial domain: data. Data is the oil of the 21st century, the indispensable resource that will fuel artificial-intelligence algorithms, economic strength and national power. The wellspring of this data is all of us: our health records and genetic sequences, our online habits, the supply chain flows of our businesses, the terabytes of imagery guzzled by phones, drones and autonomous cars. The competition for global influence in the 21st century will require protecting and harnessing this data to achieve commercial, technological and military advantages. So far, China is winning, and the West is barely even engaged. Through a latticework of recent laws and regulations, Mr. Xi has been hard at work making the Chinese Communist Party the world’s most powerful data broker. How does Beijing do that? By walling Chinese data off from the world, exerting new extraterritorial power over global data flows and putting foreign companies operating in China in a legal bind — all while absorbing other countries’ data by means licit and illicit. Mr. Xi knows that even locking down only Chinese data, representing the patterns and behavior of some 1.4 billion people, would hobble Beijing’s rivals in the quest for global economic superiority. The Biden administration has spoken about the importance of data in our competition with China. But no visible strategy has emerged. That threatens Americans’ privacy, economic competitiveness, national security and future global standing. This will be a major test of America’s China policy in 2022. Washington’s blind spot to the centrality of big data in Beijing’s ambitions and to the ways our own data are being exploited in service of those ambitions is perplexing at a time when American politicians are growing more concerned about the collection and potential exploitation of big data by U.S. tech giants. It is further perplexing because Americans in bipartisan fashion also are wising up to the ways that Beijing exploits and weaponizes other U.S. resources, like our capital markets. That’s evident in how Washington is finally — if fitfully — beginning to address the self-destructive flow of U.S. dollars into China’s military and global surveillance apparatus. While these sorts of measures still need to be scaled up dramatically, at least policymakers now have some tools to curb Beijing’s easy access to U.S. capital. Not so when it comes to data, where Beijing believes that it has a free hand and that the West is too distracted or feckless to respond meaningfully. Mr. Xi is thinking and acting big, and has been since his first days in power. In 2013, shortly after assuming the presidency in Beijing, Mr. Xi declared: “The vast ocean of data, just like oil resources during industrialization, contains immense productive power and opportunities. Whoever controls big data technologies will control the resources for development and have the upper hand.” Since then, Beijing has been building the framework to ensure that mass accumulations of data serve the Chinese Communist Party’s strategic interests. A series of laws implemented in 2017 asserted the party’s power to gain access to private data on Chinese networks, whether in China or associated with Chinese firms such as Huawei overseas. Now Beijing has quietly enacted a new set of laws — first the Data Security Law in September, followed in November by the Personal Information Protection Law — that go even further by demanding not just access to private data but also effective control over it. This has a huge impact on foreign firms operating in China. Not only must their Chinese data stay in China and be accessible by the state, but Beijing now demands control over whether they can send it to their own headquarters; to a corporate lab in, say, California; or to a foreign government that has made a law enforcement or regulatory request. Beijing’s new laws may make it criminal to comply with foreign sanctions against China that involve data — like shutting off banking or cloud services to a Chinese entity linked to human rights atrocities. In these cases, foreign firms can comply with U.S. law, or they can comply with Chinese law, but not both. The impact of these laws is clear. Tesla, Apple and others have opted to build dedicated Chinese data centers — sometimes in partnership with Chinese state entities, lest they lose access to the large Chinese consumer market. Goldman Sachs faced pressure against sending memos to its U.S. headquarters. Beijing’s recent actions complement its longstanding efforts to buy, steal and otherwise acquire data from foreign sources worldwide. Beijing hacks multinational corporate databases. It runs “talent recruitment” programs at foreign universities and firms. It buys foreign companies, such as an Italian maker of military drones. It funds its own data-driven start-ups in open foreign markets like Silicon Valley. The approach is nakedly nonreciprocal. It relies on access to foreign data while denying foreigners access to Chinese data — and appears to assume that foreign governments won’t respond. The United States, after all, has no comprehensive federal approach to data governance, while the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation is focused mostly on consumer privacy. Will American and allied policymakers develop approaches to limit strategic data flows to China? For now, the Biden administration’s answer is: maybe. “Our strategic competitors see big data as a strategic asset,” the U.S. national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said this summer, “and we have to see it the same way.” This is clear and compelling language. But data did not appear to be high on Mr. Biden’s agenda with Mr. Xi, judging from official readouts of the summit. And to date, U.S. policy remedies are idle and insufficient. In June, the administration issued an executive order embracing a new regulatory process to restrict cross-border data flows on national security grounds. But the new process hasn’t yet been put to use — not against Chinese drones, Chinese access to U.S. data centers and biotech labs, or other potential targets. In the meantime, U.S. diplomats’ and trade negotiators’ engagement on data issues is dominated by bitter fights with European regulators over privacy rules for American tech giants. The far greater threat from Beijing goes largely unaddressed. The good news is that if democratic nations get their act together, they may be in a better position than Beijing, which complicates its own progress through apparent paranoia. In recent months, Mr. Xi has cracked down on private Chinese tech giants such as Alibaba and Tencent, forcing them to relinquish their data troves to state-controlled third parties. This crackdown, which helped erase more than $1 trillion in market value, will make these companies less innovative now that they no longer control their data. But banking on Chinese authoritarian overreach to preserve America’s edge is no strategy. A smarter approach would begin domestically, with actual (and robust) implementation of the Biden administration’s June executive order. This would entail blocking or unwinding arrangements by which large volumes of sensitive U.S. data flow to China, whether through medical records, cellphone apps or other channels — all of which are basically unregulated right now. Democratic allies must also work together to promote data sharing among themselves while limiting flows to China. A blueprint was introduced by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. This idea, called Data Free Flow With Trust, ought to become allied policy. For upward of a generation, Beijing has been coldly effective in designing a strategy of global data mercantilism: data hoarding for me, data relinquishing for thee. If Washington and its allies don’t organize a strong response, Mr. Xi will succeed in commanding the heights of future global power.

China, the most powerful data broker in the world, is winning the war against the US

Uganda might soon join the list of countries victimised by China's famed debt trap technique.

The country's only international airport, Entebbe International Airport, is under danger of being taken over by China.

In 2015, China's Export-Import Bank (EXIM) gave Uganda $207 million at a 2% interest rate upon distribution.&nbsp;

The loan, which was intended for the development of Entebbe Airport, included a 20-year payback schedule and a seven-year grace period. 
 
Watch | Gravitas: India's development diplomacy exposes China's debt trap

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The government has failed to modify the loan arrangement with the Chinese that had repayment restrictions that included the attachment of the country's sole airport.

According to reports in African media, Entebbe International Airport and other Ugandan assets were attached and agreed to be taken over by Chinese lenders when the debt was arbitrated.

President Yoweri Museveni dispatched a delegation to Beijing in the hopes of renegotiating the harmful terms, the reports said.

The visit was fruitless because Chinese authorities refused to approve any changes to the deal's initial parameters.

On November 17, 2015, the Uganda government, represented at the time by the finance ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority, signed an agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China (Exim Bank) to borrow US $207 million at 2% upon disbursement, with a 20-year maturity period and a seven-year grace period.

The agreement reached with the Chinese financiers effectively "surrendered" Uganda's most important airport to China, reports said.

Some stipulations in the Financing Agreement, according to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), subject Entebbe International Airport and other Ugandan assets to being attached and taken over by Chinese lenders following arbitration in Beijing.

Uganda's request to amend the loan's hazardous conditions was denied by China, putting Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's administration in uncertainty.&nbsp;

The Ugandan government sacrificed international immunity in the agreements it made to acquire the loans, exposing Entebbe International Airport to takeover without international protection, according to the Daily Monitor of Uganda.

Uganda's Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija, apologised to parliament last week for the "mishandling" of the $207 million loan.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Uganda might soon join the list of countries victimised by China's famed debt trap technique. The country's only international airport, Entebbe International Airport, is under danger of being taken over by China.

Uganda might soon join the list of countries victimised by China's famed debt trap technique. The country's only international airport, Entebbe International Airport, is under danger of being taken over by China. In 2015, China's Export-Import Bank (EXIM) gave Uganda $207 million at a 2% interest rate upon distribution. The loan, which was intended for the development of Entebbe Airport, included a 20-year payback schedule and a seven-year grace period. Watch | Gravitas: India's development diplomacy exposes China's debt trap The government has failed to modify the loan arrangement with the Chinese that had repayment restrictions that included the attachment of the country's sole airport. According to reports in African media, Entebbe International Airport and other Ugandan assets were attached and agreed to be taken over by Chinese lenders when the debt was arbitrated. President Yoweri Museveni dispatched a delegation to Beijing in the hopes of renegotiating the harmful terms, the reports said. The visit was fruitless because Chinese authorities refused to approve any changes to the deal's initial parameters. On November 17, 2015, the Uganda government, represented at the time by the finance ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority, signed an agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China (Exim Bank) to borrow US $207 million at 2% upon disbursement, with a 20-year maturity period and a seven-year grace period. The agreement reached with the Chinese financiers effectively "surrendered" Uganda's most important airport to China, reports said. Some stipulations in the Financing Agreement, according to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), subject Entebbe International Airport and other Ugandan assets to being attached and taken over by Chinese lenders following arbitration in Beijing. Uganda's request to amend the loan's hazardous conditions was denied by China, putting Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's administration in uncertainty. The Ugandan government sacrificed international immunity in the agreements it made to acquire the loans, exposing Entebbe International Airport to takeover without international protection, according to the Daily Monitor of Uganda. Uganda's Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija, apologised to parliament last week for the "mishandling" of the $207 million loan. (With inputs from agencies)

China's debt trap strategy: Uganda set to lose its only international airport to Beijing

A rare carpet that belongs to the Ming dynasty and it is believed that it likely sat under the throne of the emperor sold fetched 6.88 million euros ($7.74 million) on Tuesday (November 23) at an auction at Christie's Paris. The carpet is from the Imperial Palace in Beijing's Forbidden City, hidden from the public eye in the last 34 years.&nbsp;

"This particular carpet, due to its shape and its decoration, was woven specifically for the emperor's throne. And this was a square format raised above the floor level on which the emperor's throne would have been placed," said Louise Broadhurst, oriental carpets expert at Christie's London.&nbsp;

The magnificent 16th century Ming dragon throne carpet means it was woven in the 16th century for the emperors in the Forbidden City. Broadhurst explained that there was an imperial workshop that created these carpets solely for the interiors of the halls within the Forbidden City.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fashion-police-north-korea-bans-leather-coats-to-stop-citizens-from-copying-kim-jong-uns-style-report-432175">Fashion police? North Korea bans leather coats to stop citizens from copying Kim Jong-un's style: Report</a>

"This is one of only seven complete dragon throne carpets that remain in Western collections. There are nine other carpets, but these remain within the palace museum in Beijing. Of course, they will never come out of that museum collection," Broadhurst added.&nbsp;

It has been learned that the carpet was originally bought in 1920 by a couple from Iowa who were on honeymoon in China.&nbsp;

They had loaned it to the Cleveland Museum of Art then sold it in 1987 to a private collector in Switzerland, the current vendor.&nbsp;

The carpet appears to be in yellow colour but it is believed to have been red when it was first created in an imperial workshop. The carpet has faded to a golden yellow.&nbsp;

"Private individuals who are looking really for works of art that have very strong provenance, historically important and magnificently beautiful. This has all of those," Broadhurst said.

A rare carpet that belongs to the Ming dynasty and it is believed that it likely sat under the throne of the emperor sold fetched 6.88 million euros ($7.74 million) on Tuesday (November 23) at an auction at Christie's Paris.

A rare carpet that belongs to the Ming dynasty and it is believed that it likely sat under the throne of the emperor sold fetched 6.88 million euros ($7.74 million) on Tuesday (November 23) at an auction at Christie's Paris. The carpet is from the Imperial Palace in Beijing's Forbidden City, hidden from the public eye in the last 34 years. "This particular carpet, due to its shape and its decoration, was woven specifically for the emperor's throne. And this was a square format raised above the floor level on which the emperor's throne would have been placed," said Louise Broadhurst, oriental carpets expert at Christie's London. The magnificent 16th century Ming dragon throne carpet means it was woven in the 16th century for the emperors in the Forbidden City. Broadhurst explained that there was an imperial workshop that created these carpets solely for the interiors of the halls within the Forbidden City. ALSO READ | Fashion police? North Korea bans leather coats to stop citizens from copying Kim Jong-un's style: Report "This is one of only seven complete dragon throne carpets that remain in Western collections. There are nine other carpets, but these remain within the palace museum in Beijing. Of course, they will never come out of that museum collection," Broadhurst added. It has been learned that the carpet was originally bought in 1920 by a couple from Iowa who were on honeymoon in China. They had loaned it to the Cleveland Museum of Art then sold it in 1987 to a private collector in Switzerland, the current vendor. The carpet appears to be in yellow colour but it is believed to have been red when it was first created in an imperial workshop. The carpet has faded to a golden yellow. "Private individuals who are looking really for works of art that have very strong provenance, historically important and magnificently beautiful. This has all of those," Broadhurst said.

Rare carpet from Beijing's Forbidden City sells for $7.7m at Paris auction

As US moves forward with its pro-Taiwan policies, Beijing decides to tie up with Iran to resist any interference in its internal affairs.

China mulls teaming up with Iran amid US' pro-Taiwan policies

Tech behemoth Tencent Holdings has been asked by the Chinese authorities to get approval from them for inspections before sending app updates, state broadcaster CCTV said.

According to reports, the company must submit any new apps or updates for inspection by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology before they can be uploaded or updated.

The move from the Chinese government comes after nine of the group’s apps were found to have committed “violations” since the beginning of the year, prompting the need for “transitional administrative guidance measures”, CCTV quoted the government as saying.

"After passing inspection, they can then be launched to users as usual,” the ministry said, according to CCTV in a report Wednesday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/hyundai-tencent-to-develop-software-for-driverless-cars-report-208310">Hyundai, Tencent to develop software for driverless cars: Report</a>

Meanwhile, Tencent told AFP that it would comply with the requirements.

“We are continuously working to enhance user protection features within our apps, and also have regular co-operation with relevant government agencies to ensure regulatory compliance. Our apps remain functional and available for download,” it said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-summons-alibaba-tencent-and-others-over-deep-fakes-internet-security-371351">China summons Alibaba, Tencent and others over 'deep fakes', internet security</a>

Tencent’s most popular apps include the instant messengers Tencent QQ and WeChat, and one of the largest web portals, QQ.com.

It also has a majority stake in popular games like PUNBG and Clash of Clans.

Chinese regulators have in over the past year mounted a wide-ranging crackdown on its tech giants, seeking to dismantle some of the industry's long-held practices after accusing them of monopolistic behaviour and infringing user rights.

This month, Tencent reported its slowest revenue growth since 2004.

(With inputs from agencies)

Tech behemoth Tencent Holdings has been asked by the Chinese authorities to get approval from them for inspections before sending app updates, state broadcaster CCTV said.

Tech behemoth Tencent Holdings has been asked by the Chinese authorities to get approval from them for inspections before sending app updates, state broadcaster CCTV said. According to reports, the company must submit any new apps or updates for inspection by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology before they can be uploaded or updated. The move from the Chinese government comes after nine of the group’s apps were found to have committed “violations” since the beginning of the year, prompting the need for “transitional administrative guidance measures”, CCTV quoted the government as saying. "After passing inspection, they can then be launched to users as usual,” the ministry said, according to CCTV in a report Wednesday. Also read | Hyundai, Tencent to develop software for driverless cars: Report Meanwhile, Tencent told AFP that it would comply with the requirements. “We are continuously working to enhance user protection features within our apps, and also have regular co-operation with relevant government agencies to ensure regulatory compliance. Our apps remain functional and available for download,” it said. Also read | China summons Alibaba, Tencent and others over 'deep fakes', internet security Tencent’s most popular apps include the instant messengers Tencent QQ and WeChat, and one of the largest web portals, QQ.com. It also has a majority stake in popular games like PUNBG and Clash of Clans. Chinese regulators have in over the past year mounted a wide-ranging crackdown on its tech giants, seeking to dismantle some of the industry's long-held practices after accusing them of monopolistic behaviour and infringing user rights. This month, Tencent reported its slowest revenue growth since 2004. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese regulators tell Tencent to get approval before launching apps, updates

Taiwanese conglomerate was fined by mainland regulators as tensions flare between Taipei and Beijing.

Beijing fines Taiwanese conglomerate

China is holding tennis star Peng Shuai hostage. China has put Uighurs in concentration camps. China is guilty of quashing peace in Hong Kong. China is guilty of systemic abuse. Palki Sharma asks- Why is the World still not boycotting China's Genocide Games?

Gravitas: Will the world boycott Beijing Winter Olympics?

Peng Shuai has been missing for 17 days. China is facing a storm over her disappearance. Tennis players & officials are challenging Beijing for silencing Peng. The WTA has threatened to withdraw from China. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: #WhereIsPengShuai: Women's tennis is challenging China

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that he is 'considering' boycott of Beijing winter Olympics. This comes as a move against China's violation of human rights, especially its treatment of Uighur muslims.&nbsp;

UK’s leading newspaper The Times reported that Johnson's administration would not attend the games, however, some of the UK diplomats to China will.

UK's Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has been actively discussing the possibility of not sending officials to the game.&nbsp;This comes after US President Joe Biden has confirmed that the US is considering a 'diplomatic boycott' of the upcoming games.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/joe-biden-to-attend-beijing-winter-olympics-report-says-he-might-get-a-personal-invitation-from-xi-jinping-428790">Also read |&nbsp;Joe Biden to attend Beijing Winter Olympics? Report says he might get a personal invitation from Xi Jinping</a>

Earlier, there have been reports of Biden getting an invite by Chinese President Xi Jinping for the winter games. CNBC on November 11, citing two people familiar with the matter, reported that the Chinese President is likely to extend his invitation to Biden when the two leaders will meet during a virtual summit.&nbsp;

The preparation for the upcoming games have seen several obstacles. There have been calls by the human rights groups for a partial or full boycott over reported abuses. Also, the preparation wereovershadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

China on November 12 confirmed the first COVID-19 cases among foreign athletes at preparatory events. Two lugers of the same nationality tested positive, said Huang Chun, an official of the Games organising committee.&nbsp;

The Games will run from February 4 until February 20.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that he is 'considering' boycott of Beijing winter Olympics. This comes as a move against China's violation of human rights, especially its treatment of Uighur muslims.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that he is 'considering' boycott of Beijing winter Olympics. This comes as a move against China's violation of human rights, especially its treatment of Uighur muslims. UK’s leading newspaper The Times reported that Johnson's administration would not attend the games, however, some of the UK diplomats to China will. UK's Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has been actively discussing the possibility of not sending officials to the game. This comes after US President Joe Biden has confirmed that the US is considering a 'diplomatic boycott' of the upcoming games. Also read | Joe Biden to attend Beijing Winter Olympics? Report says he might get a personal invitation from Xi Jinping Earlier, there have been reports of Biden getting an invite by Chinese President Xi Jinping for the winter games. CNBC on November 11, citing two people familiar with the matter, reported that the Chinese President is likely to extend his invitation to Biden when the two leaders will meet during a virtual summit. The preparation for the upcoming games have seen several obstacles. There have been calls by the human rights groups for a partial or full boycott over reported abuses. Also, the preparation wereovershadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. China on November 12 confirmed the first COVID-19 cases among foreign athletes at preparatory events. Two lugers of the same nationality tested positive, said Huang Chun, an official of the Games organising committee. The Games will run from February 4 until February 20. (With inputs from agencies)

After US, UK 'considering' boycott of Beijing winter Olympics

The United States is mulling over the diplomatic boycott of the winter Olympics which was scheduled to be held in Beijing in February 2022. The diplomatic boycott aims to protest against human rights violations by the Chinese government.

US 'considering' boycott of Beijing winter Olympics, move against China's human rights record

Taiwanese political figures in favour of independence have been barred by Beijing from travelling to the mainland. The restrictions are part of an updated blacklist from Beijing which also includes family members of the said individuals. The ban also applies to those who finance their political campaigns.

Beijing stops Taiwanese political figures from travelling to the mainland

China is slowly dismantling Evergrande through a "controlled implosion". Reports say Beijing will let some parts of the business fail. But looking out for foreign investors isn't a priority. Palki Sharma tells you how foreign investors are now exiting China & turning to India.

Gravitas: Beijing wants to take Evergrande apart, foreign investors are losing cash

Authorities in Beijing closed a mall and locked down several residential compounds after a spurt of Covid cases were reported from Chinese capital’s central districts.

Six new cases were found in Beijing's central districts of Chaoyang and Haidian on Thursday morning, local media reported.

According to reports, the six cases were close contacts of people infected recently in northeastern Jilin province.

Raffles City mall in Dongcheng in the capital was sealed off on Wednesday evening after a close contact of a person infected with COVID-19 was found to have visited the mall, the Beijing Youth Daily reported.

Videos shared on social media platform Weibo showed crowds of shoppers in masks, lining up to be tested inside the shopping centre.

The Chinese authorities have been pursuing a zero-Covid policy, aiming to suppress cases whenever they arise with tough measures including limitations on movement. Notably, Beijing will also host the Winter Olympics&nbsp;in February.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-covid-19-outbreak-in-china-authorities-shut-down-lanzhou-city-of-4-million-people-424081">New COVID-19 outbreak in China: Authorities shut down Lanzhou, city of 4 million people</a>

The latest spike occurred amid high-level meeting of top Communist Party leaders in Beijing.

Beijing health officials said at a briefing that over 280 close contacts have been identified, with almost 12,000 people screened for the virus in both Chaoyang and Haidian districts.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/just-ahead-of-communist-party-conclave-chinas-covid-cases-hit-three-month-high-426394">Just ahead of Communist Party conclave, China's Covid cases hit three-month high</a>

“This cluster outbreak was sudden with many places covering a large area. It involves many people, and prevention and control is very difficult,” said city government spokesman Xu Hejian.

“Today is a crucial day... and it is necessary to trace the source of the outbreak as soon as possible.”

Five residential communities, a primary school and two office compounds were placed under snap lockdowns early on Thursday, with tens of thousands of residents barred from leaving and made to undergo mass testing.

As of November 10, mainland China had reported 98,001 COVID-19 cases with confirmed symptoms, including locally transmitted cases and those who arrived from abroad, and 4,636 deaths in total.

(With inputs from agencies)

Authorities in Beijing closed a mall and locked down several residential compounds after a spurt of Covid cases were reported from Chinese capital’s central districts.

Authorities in Beijing closed a mall and locked down several residential compounds after a spurt of Covid cases were reported from Chinese capital’s central districts. Six new cases were found in Beijing's central districts of Chaoyang and Haidian on Thursday morning, local media reported. According to reports, the six cases were close contacts of people infected recently in northeastern Jilin province. Raffles City mall in Dongcheng in the capital was sealed off on Wednesday evening after a close contact of a person infected with COVID-19 was found to have visited the mall, the Beijing Youth Daily reported. Videos shared on social media platform Weibo showed crowds of shoppers in masks, lining up to be tested inside the shopping centre. The Chinese authorities have been pursuing a zero-Covid policy, aiming to suppress cases whenever they arise with tough measures including limitations on movement. Notably, Beijing will also host the Winter Olympics in February. Also read | New COVID-19 outbreak in China: Authorities shut down Lanzhou, city of 4 million people The latest spike occurred amid high-level meeting of top Communist Party leaders in Beijing. Beijing health officials said at a briefing that over 280 close contacts have been identified, with almost 12,000 people screened for the virus in both Chaoyang and Haidian districts. Also read | Just ahead of Communist Party conclave, China's Covid cases hit three-month high “This cluster outbreak was sudden with many places covering a large area. It involves many people, and prevention and control is very difficult,” said city government spokesman Xu Hejian. “Today is a crucial day... and it is necessary to trace the source of the outbreak as soon as possible.” Five residential communities, a primary school and two office compounds were placed under snap lockdowns early on Thursday, with tens of thousands of residents barred from leaving and made to undergo mass testing. As of November 10, mainland China had reported 98,001 COVID-19 cases with confirmed symptoms, including locally transmitted cases and those who arrived from abroad, and 4,636 deaths in total. (With inputs from agencies)

Beijing closes down mall, several housing compounds amid fresh Covid flare-up

The meeting of the communist party is underway, a party that started with 12 members in 1921 has 90 million members now. It commands and controls practically everything in China. With one supreme leader Xi Jinping, the president of China since 2013 who is all set to rule for life, this crucial meeting in China is part of that conclave.

Chinese communist party's plenary underway in Beijing, Xi Jinping sets stage for historic resolution

Highways closed, visibility below 200m as ‘heavy pollution’ masks Beijing

Beijing troubled by heavy air pollution

At the ongoing COP26 summit, countries have been making pledges to phase out the use of coal but the world's biggest polluter China largely remained missing.

Pollution amid rise in coal production, Beijing air quality dips to very serious

China's new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases spiked to a near three-month high and tighter curbs to contain the spread are expected in the capital Beijing.

New locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases spike to three-month high in China

The world's leaders assembled at the G20 Leaders'&nbsp;Summit in Rome, hosted by the G20 presidency of Italy, have expressed their support for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.

"We look ahead to Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics 2022, as opportunities for competition for athletes from around the world, which serves as a symbol of humanity's resilience," the Heads of State and Heads of Government were quoted as saying by the official website of IOC.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pressure-grows-on-g-20-nations-to-get-covid-19-vaccines-to-the-poor-425671">Pressure grows on G-20 nations to get COVID-19 vaccines to the poor</a>

IOC President Thomas Bach thanked the leaders for their support and said, "The IOC warmly welcomes the recognition and support of the G20 Leaders'&nbsp;Summit for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, with the Olympic athletes demonstrating humanity's resilience against COVID-19.

"The Declaration from the Rome Summit is another strong signal of support from the G20 for the upcoming Games. The Games were also supported by the United Nations in a declaration last November.

A resolution entitled "Sport as an enabler of sustainable development" from November 23, 2020, welcomed "with appreciation all upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games, in particular, those to be held in Tokyo in 2021, in Beijing in 2022, in Paris in 2024, in Milano-Cortina, Italy, in 2026 and in Los Angeles, United States of America, in 2028, as well as the Youth Olympic Games to be held in Dakar in 2026," and called upon "future hosts of such Games and the other Member States to include sport, as appropriate, in conflict prevention activities and to ensure the effective implementation of the Olympic Truce during the Games".

The world's leaders assembled at the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rome, hosted by the G20 presidency of Italy, have expressed their support for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.

The world's leaders assembled at the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rome, hosted by the G20 presidency of Italy, have expressed their support for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. "We look ahead to Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics 2022, as opportunities for competition for athletes from around the world, which serves as a symbol of humanity's resilience," the Heads of State and Heads of Government were quoted as saying by the official website of IOC. Also Read | Pressure grows on G-20 nations to get COVID-19 vaccines to the poor IOC President Thomas Bach thanked the leaders for their support and said, "The IOC warmly welcomes the recognition and support of the G20 Leaders' Summit for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, with the Olympic athletes demonstrating humanity's resilience against COVID-19. "The Declaration from the Rome Summit is another strong signal of support from the G20 for the upcoming Games. The Games were also supported by the United Nations in a declaration last November. A resolution entitled "Sport as an enabler of sustainable development" from November 23, 2020, welcomed "with appreciation all upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games, in particular, those to be held in Tokyo in 2021, in Beijing in 2022, in Paris in 2024, in Milano-Cortina, Italy, in 2026 and in Los Angeles, United States of America, in 2028, as well as the Youth Olympic Games to be held in Dakar in 2026," and called upon "future hosts of such Games and the other Member States to include sport, as appropriate, in conflict prevention activities and to ensure the effective implementation of the Olympic Truce during the Games".

G20 leaders look ahead to Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022

With&nbsp;100&nbsp;days&nbsp;until the start of the&nbsp;Winter&nbsp;Olympics,&nbsp;Beijing&nbsp;is promising a "simple and safe" 2022 Games - although preparations are anything but simple as China readies to host thousands of athletes and personnel as it battles flare-ups of&nbsp;COVID-19.

Beijing&nbsp;will be the first city to stage both the Summer and&nbsp;Winter&nbsp;Games, but the 2022 event is shadowed by the coronavirus pandemic and calls from human&nbsp;rights&nbsp;groups for a boycott over China's treatment of Tibet, Uyghur Muslims and Hong Kong.

The Games will run Feb. 4 to 20, with all participants subject to daily&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;tests and no international spectators. Unlike this year's Tokyo Summer Games local spectators will be allowed at events in and around the Chinese capital.

Athletes and other Games-related personnel will be enveloped in a "closed loop" including three clusters of venues - one in downtown&nbsp;Beijing, one in the outskirts near the Great Wall, and one to the northwest of the city, in Hebei province.

"Keeping the virus under control is the biggest challenge for us as hosts of the&nbsp;Winter&nbsp;Olympics," Zhang Jiandong,&nbsp;Beijing's vice mayor, told a Wednesday briefing.

"If we cannot be&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;secure, then we will not have hosted the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;successfully," he said.

Unlike the Tokyo Games, which were delayed by a year and stalked by speculation they would be cancelled, there has been little doubt the&nbsp;Beijing&nbsp;Winter&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;will take place - no matter what - as an increasingly assertive China seizes the opportunity to demonstrate soft power.

Still, the countdown comes as China, with some of the world's most stringent&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;controls, manages small Delta variant outbreaks. The&nbsp;Beijing&nbsp;and Wuhan marathons were recently postponed, with curbs on travel into the capital announced due to dozens of daily new cases.

Such restrictions have contributed to a lack of the anticipatory buzz that marked the&nbsp;Beijing&nbsp;2008 Summer&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;- an extravaganza widely seen as China's global coming-out party.

On Wednesday, China reported 50 new locally-transmitted cases for the previous day - the most since Sept 16 but still tiny by global standards.

BOYCOTT CALLS

Since then, China has risen to superpower status, locked in antagonistic competition with the United States and under the increasingly authoritarian leadership of President Xi Jinping, with tightened censorship and suppression of dissent.

During the torch-lighting ceremony in Athens earlier this month,&nbsp;rights&nbsp;activists unfurled a banner reading "No Genocide Games" and waved a Tibetan flag, although the ceremony itself was not interrupted, as had been the case for the 2008&nbsp;Beijing&nbsp;Summer Games.

Rights&nbsp;groups and some U.S. lawmakers have called on the International Olympic Committee to postpone the&nbsp;Winter&nbsp;Games and relocate the event unless China ends what the United States deems ongoing genocide against Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups.

Activists and U.N.&nbsp;rights&nbsp;experts have said that at least 1 million Muslims&nbsp;were&nbsp;detained in camps in Xinjiang since 2017.&nbsp;Beijing&nbsp;denies all allegations of abuse of Uyghurs and describes the camps as vocational training facilities to combat religious extremism.

After Boston Celtics centre Enes Kanter posted videos denouncing China's human&nbsp;rights&nbsp;record last week, his name appeared to be blocked on Chinese social media platform Weibo, and his team's highlights were dropped from a domestic sports platform.

While no country has said its athletes will boycott the Games, European, British and American lawmakers have all voted for their diplomats to do so.

STAR POWER

Some facilities built for 2008 will be re-used, including the Bird's Nest Stadium, which will again be the site of the opening and closing ceremonies. Others have been newly built near the city of Zhangjiakou in Hebei province, connected to&nbsp;Beijing&nbsp;by high speed rail, with the region's cold but dry&nbsp;winters requiring the help of artificial snow to cover slopes.

The Games are also set to feature players from North America's National Hockey League after they skipped the 2018 edition in Pyeongchang, South Korea, with superstars like Canada's Sidney Crosby and Russia's Alexander Ovechkin poised to add star power.

And while Xi has positioned the Games as an opportunity to accelerate development of&nbsp;winter&nbsp;sports, China is not expected to be among the biggest medals winners.

China topped the gold medals table at the 2008 Summer Games and came second at Tokyo, but won just one in the&nbsp;Winter&nbsp;Games in Pyeongchang and finished 14th overall.

With 100 days until the start of the Winter Olympics, Beijing is promising a "simple and safe" 2022 Games - although preparations are anything but simple as China readies to host thousands of athletes and personnel as it battles flare-ups of COVID-19.

With 100 days until the start of the Winter Olympics, Beijing is promising a "simple and safe" 2022 Games - although preparations are anything but simple as China readies to host thousands of athletes and personnel as it battles flare-ups of COVID-19. Beijing will be the first city to stage both the Summer and Winter Games, but the 2022 event is shadowed by the coronavirus pandemic and calls from human rights groups for a boycott over China's treatment of Tibet, Uyghur Muslims and Hong Kong. The Games will run Feb. 4 to 20, with all participants subject to daily COVID-19 tests and no international spectators. Unlike this year's Tokyo Summer Games local spectators will be allowed at events in and around the Chinese capital. Athletes and other Games-related personnel will be enveloped in a "closed loop" including three clusters of venues - one in downtown Beijing, one in the outskirts near the Great Wall, and one to the northwest of the city, in Hebei province. "Keeping the virus under control is the biggest challenge for us as hosts of the Winter Olympics," Zhang Jiandong, Beijing's vice mayor, told a Wednesday briefing. "If we cannot be COVID-19 secure, then we will not have hosted the Olympics successfully," he said. Unlike the Tokyo Games, which were delayed by a year and stalked by speculation they would be cancelled, there has been little doubt the Beijing Winter Olympics will take place - no matter what - as an increasingly assertive China seizes the opportunity to demonstrate soft power. Still, the countdown comes as China, with some of the world's most stringent COVID-19 controls, manages small Delta variant outbreaks. The Beijing and Wuhan marathons were recently postponed, with curbs on travel into the capital announced due to dozens of daily new cases. Such restrictions have contributed to a lack of the anticipatory buzz that marked the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics - an extravaganza widely seen as China's global coming-out party. On Wednesday, China reported 50 new locally-transmitted cases for the previous day - the most since Sept 16 but still tiny by global standards. BOYCOTT CALLS Since then, China has risen to superpower status, locked in antagonistic competition with the United States and under the increasingly authoritarian leadership of President Xi Jinping, with tightened censorship and suppression of dissent. During the torch-lighting ceremony in Athens earlier this month, rights activists unfurled a banner reading "No Genocide Games" and waved a Tibetan flag, although the ceremony itself was not interrupted, as had been the case for the 2008 Beijing Summer Games. Rights groups and some U.S. lawmakers have called on the International Olympic Committee to postpone the Winter Games and relocate the event unless China ends what the United States deems ongoing genocide against Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups. Activists and U.N. rights experts have said that at least 1 million Muslims were detained in camps in Xinjiang since 2017. Beijing denies all allegations of abuse of Uyghurs and describes the camps as vocational training facilities to combat religious extremism. After Boston Celtics centre Enes Kanter posted videos denouncing China's human rights record last week, his name appeared to be blocked on Chinese social media platform Weibo, and his team's highlights were dropped from a domestic sports platform. While no country has said its athletes will boycott the Games, European, British and American lawmakers have all voted for their diplomats to do so. STAR POWER Some facilities built for 2008 will be re-used, including the Bird's Nest Stadium, which will again be the site of the opening and closing ceremonies. Others have been newly built near the city of Zhangjiakou in Hebei province, connected to Beijing by high speed rail, with the region's cold but dry winters requiring the help of artificial snow to cover slopes. The Games are also set to feature players from North America's National Hockey League after they skipped the 2018 edition in Pyeongchang, South Korea, with superstars like Canada's Sidney Crosby and Russia's Alexander Ovechkin poised to add star power. And while Xi has positioned the Games as an opportunity to accelerate development of winter sports, China is not expected to be among the biggest medals winners. China topped the gold medals table at the 2008 Summer Games and came second at Tokyo, but won just one in the Winter Games in Pyeongchang and finished 14th overall.

Beijing marks 100 days to Winter Olympics amid COVID-19, rights concerns

China has moved 100+ rocket launchers to the border with India. Can excess weaponry make up for the PLA's ineffectiveness in the snow? What is India doing to tackle this build-up by Beijing? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: China moves 100 rocket launchers to India border

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on all nations to defend the status quo of the United Nations-backed international order. Xi's comments came in a speech in Beijing at a meeting to mark the 50th anniversary of China's admission to the UN.

Xi slams US over support to Taiwan, calls for maintaining international order

As per local media reports, authorities in China have started offering booster shots against the deadly coronavirus disease in Beijing and surrounding regions. This comes four months before the capital city hosts the Winter Olympics.

People who are 18 or older, and have received two-dose Chinese vaccines and belong to at-risk groups, including those participating, organising or working on games facilities, would be eligible for the additional shot.

Beijing rolled out its booster campaign earlier this week.

The games will begin on February 4 with only residents of China allowed in the stands.&nbsp;

Indoor events with sliding, skiing and jumping will be held in the suburb of Yanqing and the neighbouring city of Zhangjiakou.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-nih-admits-to-us-funding-of-gain-of-function-research-in-wuhan-lab-423010">Also read |&nbsp;Coronavirus: NIH admits to US funding of gain-of-function research in Wuhan lab</a>

China has so far reported 96,665 cases, 4,636 deaths, 91,511 recoveries and 518 active cases due to the viral disease. On Thursday, the country reported 43 new cases. Out of this, 28 were locally transmitted.

To get rid of a new outbreak, which has been linked to a group of tourists, authorities in China have closed schools, cancelled hundreds of flights and have ramped up mass testing.

According to reports by AFP, the new outbreak is traced to an elderly couple who were in a group of other tourists. They had started their trip in Shanghai before going to Xi'an, Gansu province and Inner Mongolia.&nbsp;

As per local media reports, authorities in China have started offering booster shots against the deadly coronavirus disease in Beijing and surrounding regions. This comes four months before the capital city hosts the Winter Olympics.

As per local media reports, authorities in China have started offering booster shots against the deadly coronavirus disease in Beijing and surrounding regions. This comes four months before the capital city hosts the Winter Olympics. People who are 18 or older, and have received two-dose Chinese vaccines and belong to at-risk groups, including those participating, organising or working on games facilities, would be eligible for the additional shot. Beijing rolled out its booster campaign earlier this week. The games will begin on February 4 with only residents of China allowed in the stands. Indoor events with sliding, skiing and jumping will be held in the suburb of Yanqing and the neighbouring city of Zhangjiakou. Also read | Coronavirus: NIH admits to US funding of gain-of-function research in Wuhan lab China has so far reported 96,665 cases, 4,636 deaths, 91,511 recoveries and 518 active cases due to the viral disease. On Thursday, the country reported 43 new cases. Out of this, 28 were locally transmitted. To get rid of a new outbreak, which has been linked to a group of tourists, authorities in China have closed schools, cancelled hundreds of flights and have ramped up mass testing. According to reports by AFP, the new outbreak is traced to an elderly couple who were in a group of other tourists. They had started their trip in Shanghai before going to Xi'an, Gansu province and Inner Mongolia.

Beijing offering COVID-19 booster shots four months ahead of Olympics

China lit its Olympic flame in Beijing on Wednesday after the ceremonial torch arrived from Athens, ahead of the Chinese capital`s hosting of the 2022 Winter Games in February. The Winter Games will be held from Feb. 4 to Feb. 20, when Beijing will become the first city to host both the summer and winter Olympics, amid a COVID-19 pandemic that means overseas spectators will be excluded.

At a welcome ceremony held near the National Stadium, shaped like a bird`s nest and built for the 2008 Summer Games, Beijing Communist Party chief Cai Qi lit a cauldron to symbolise the arrival of the Olympic flame in China. 
The flame had left Athens on Oct. 19 and travelled to Beijing in a red lantern designed in the likeness of a Han Dynasty tomb artefact, carried by torchbearers decked in white.

China will display the Olympic flame at Beijing`s Olympic Park from Wednesday. In early February next year, 1,200 torchbearers will carry the flame through the three cities of Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou, which are the competition venues.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympics-beijing-2022-games-flame-lit-at-olympia-amid-human-rights-protests-421773">Olympics: Beijing 2022 Games flame lit at Olympia amid human rights protests</a>

The torch relay route has been "appropriately reduced" due to the need to guard against the spread of COVID-19, said Beijing Vice Mayor Zhang Jiandong at the ceremony. The ceremony went off without a hitch on Wednesday in Beijing, where, like elsewhere in China, security is usually tight.

At a ceremony in Athens on Oct. 18 to hand over the flame to China, three protesters unfurled a banner reading "No Genocide Games" and waved a Tibetan flag. Rights groups have called for a boycott of the Beijing games to protest against what they termed as human rights atrocities in Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong. China has rejected those claims.

Greece`s Olympic Committee (HOC) said it was disappointed the Athens ceremony had been used for political purposes.

China lit its Olympic flame in Beijing on Wednesday after the ceremonial torch arrived from Athens, ahead of the Chinese capital`s hosting of the 2022 Winter Games in February.

China lit its Olympic flame in Beijing on Wednesday after the ceremonial torch arrived from Athens, ahead of the Chinese capital`s hosting of the 2022 Winter Games in February. The Winter Games will be held from Feb. 4 to Feb. 20, when Beijing will become the first city to host both the summer and winter Olympics, amid a COVID-19 pandemic that means overseas spectators will be excluded. At a welcome ceremony held near the National Stadium, shaped like a bird`s nest and built for the 2008 Summer Games, Beijing Communist Party chief Cai Qi lit a cauldron to symbolise the arrival of the Olympic flame in China. The flame had left Athens on Oct. 19 and travelled to Beijing in a red lantern designed in the likeness of a Han Dynasty tomb artefact, carried by torchbearers decked in white. China will display the Olympic flame at Beijing`s Olympic Park from Wednesday. In early February next year, 1,200 torchbearers will carry the flame through the three cities of Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou, which are the competition venues. ALSO READ | Olympics: Beijing 2022 Games flame lit at Olympia amid human rights protests The torch relay route has been "appropriately reduced" due to the need to guard against the spread of COVID-19, said Beijing Vice Mayor Zhang Jiandong at the ceremony. The ceremony went off without a hitch on Wednesday in Beijing, where, like elsewhere in China, security is usually tight. At a ceremony in Athens on Oct. 18 to hand over the flame to China, three protesters unfurled a banner reading "No Genocide Games" and waved a Tibetan flag. Rights groups have called for a boycott of the Beijing games to protest against what they termed as human rights atrocities in Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong. China has rejected those claims. Greece`s Olympic Committee (HOC) said it was disappointed the Athens ceremony had been used for political purposes.

Beijing lights flame, to be first city to host summer, Winter games

Russia announced fresh talks on the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan. Moscow, Washington D.C, Beijing, and Islamabad were all set to meet but, the United States has now decided to skip it citing logistical reasons. Watch Anas Mallick giving more details on the topic.

Regional powers engage with new rulers of Afghanistan

Russia announced fresh talks on the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan. Moscow, Washington D.C, Beijing, and Islamabad were all set to meet but the United States has now decided to skip it citing logistical reasons.

Taliban, China, Pakistan and Russia set to hold talks

The 2022 winter Olympic games in Beijing are set to take place amid one of the world’s worst crackdowns on freedom, democracy, and human rights. While rights groups are calling attention to Beijing’s repression of Uighur Muslims. The international Olympic committee has openly ruled out taking a stand against China.

2022 winter Olympic games set to take place in Beijing

China stated on Sunday that Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's statements provoke hostility, distort facts, and mislead the people in the name of so-called unity and consensus, according to local media.

According to CGTN, Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, Tsai's statements "incite hostility, distort facts, and mislead the public in the name of so-called unity and consensus while cooperating with external forces to pursue independence." 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wont-bow-to-china-will-bolster-our-national-defence-taiwan-president-tsai-ing-wen-419560">Also read | Won't bow to China, will bolster our national defence: Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen</a>

Tsai, who spoke on Taiwan's National Day on Sunday, pledged to preserve Taiwan's sovereignty in the face of "new difficulties" posed by China's military aggression.&nbsp;

Tsai's statements, Ma said, were a provocation, and that "they are the core cause of stress in cross-Strait ties and the greatest danger to regional peace and stability."

Ma reiterated that Taiwan is a part of Chinese territory, saying: "The truth has not changed and will not change.

China's sovereignty and territorial integrity have never been and will never be divided.&nbsp;

Earlier on Sunday, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen stated that the country will not "bow to pressure" and will "fight annexation," speaking amid growing tensions with China and a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to achieve "complete reunification."

During her National Day speech in Taipei, Ms. Tsai stated that Taiwan's "stance on cross-strait ties is unchanged: neither our goodwill nor our pledges will alter."

"We ask for the status quo to be maintained, and we will do all in our power to prevent it from being unilaterally altered," she said, adding that "resolving cross-strait issues needs the two sides of the strait to participate in discussion on the basis of parity."&nbsp;

Facts about Taiwan-China

China and Taiwan were split during the 1940s civil war, but Beijing believes that the island will be recovered at some time, by force if necessary.

Taiwan has its own constitution, democratically elected authorities, and a military force of around 300,000 active personnel.

Taiwan is only recognised by a few nations.

Instead, most people recognise the Chinese government in Beijing.

The United States has no formal relations with Taiwan, but a law mandates it to equip the island with the tools to defend itself.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

China stated on Sunday that Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's statements provoke hostility, distort facts, and mislead the people in the name of so-called unity and consensus, according to local media.

China stated on Sunday that Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's statements provoke hostility, distort facts, and mislead the people in the name of so-called unity and consensus, according to local media. According to CGTN, Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, Tsai's statements "incite hostility, distort facts, and mislead the public in the name of so-called unity and consensus while cooperating with external forces to pursue independence." Also read | Won't bow to China, will bolster our national defence: Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen Tsai, who spoke on Taiwan's National Day on Sunday, pledged to preserve Taiwan's sovereignty in the face of "new difficulties" posed by China's military aggression. Tsai's statements, Ma said, were a provocation, and that "they are the core cause of stress in cross-Strait ties and the greatest danger to regional peace and stability." Ma reiterated that Taiwan is a part of Chinese territory, saying: "The truth has not changed and will not change. China's sovereignty and territorial integrity have never been and will never be divided. Earlier on Sunday, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen stated that the country will not "bow to pressure" and will "fight annexation," speaking amid growing tensions with China and a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to achieve "complete reunification." During her National Day speech in Taipei, Ms. Tsai stated that Taiwan's "stance on cross-strait ties is unchanged: neither our goodwill nor our pledges will alter." "We ask for the status quo to be maintained, and we will do all in our power to prevent it from being unilaterally altered," she said, adding that "resolving cross-strait issues needs the two sides of the strait to participate in discussion on the basis of parity." Facts about Taiwan-China China and Taiwan were split during the 1940s civil war, but Beijing believes that the island will be recovered at some time, by force if necessary. Taiwan has its own constitution, democratically elected authorities, and a military force of around 300,000 active personnel. Taiwan is only recognised by a few nations. Instead, most people recognise the Chinese government in Beijing. The United States has no formal relations with Taiwan, but a law mandates it to equip the island with the tools to defend itself. (With inputs from agencies)

China-Taiwan tensions: Tsai Ing-wen's remarks incite confrontation, distort facts, says Beijing spokesperson

In Pics | Meeting commemorating 110th anniversary of Xinhai Revolution in Beijing

China and Pakistan have signed a precursor deal to develop the Karachi coastline. Beijing is expected to invest $3.5 billion in what is being called another debt trap. What does this deal mean for the Gwadar port? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: China's new debt trap: Karachi port

Beijing’s top envoy in New Delhi, Sun Weidong, emphasised that India should maintain “strategic autonomy” instead of joining any exclusive alliances against its neighbour. This comes in a few days after leaders of the Quad gathered in Washington for their first in-person summit.

Weidong further said that any attempts to “gang up for containing and suppressing China” would “be doomed to fail”. He did not mention the Quad alliance or any of its members.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the joint statement of Quad countries stressed on the need for an open Indo-Pacific region 'undaunted by coercion'.&nbsp;

Though China has not been named in this regard, experts have been quoted in media reports to underline hints towards China.

The joint statement was released after leaders of Quad countries (India, Australia, USA, Japan) held their first-ever in-person summit in Washington.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/quad-joint-statement-underlines-need-for-open-indo-pacific-undaunted-by-coercion-415748">Also read |&nbsp;Quad joint statement underlines need for open Indo-Pacific 'undaunted by coercion'</a>

Quad joint statement batted for freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.

"We stand for the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, democratic values, and territorial integrity of states," US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a joint statement after the talks.

Their statement made frequent mention of the leaders' insistence on rules-based behaviour in a region where China has been trying to flex its muscles.

"Together, we recommit to promoting the free, open, rules-based order, rooted in international law and undaunted by coercion, to bolster security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond," they said.

Beijing’s top envoy in New Delhi, Sun Weidong, emphasised that India should maintain “strategic autonomy” instead of joining any exclusive alliances against its neighbour.

Beijing’s top envoy in New Delhi, Sun Weidong, emphasised that India should maintain “strategic autonomy” instead of joining any exclusive alliances against its neighbour. This comes in a few days after leaders of the Quad gathered in Washington for their first in-person summit. Weidong further said that any attempts to “gang up for containing and suppressing China” would “be doomed to fail”. He did not mention the Quad alliance or any of its members. Meanwhile, the joint statement of Quad countries stressed on the need for an open Indo-Pacific region 'undaunted by coercion'. Though China has not been named in this regard, experts have been quoted in media reports to underline hints towards China. The joint statement was released after leaders of Quad countries (India, Australia, USA, Japan) held their first-ever in-person summit in Washington. Also read | Quad joint statement underlines need for open Indo-Pacific 'undaunted by coercion' Quad joint statement batted for freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific. "We stand for the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, democratic values, and territorial integrity of states," US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a joint statement after the talks. Their statement made frequent mention of the leaders' insistence on rules-based behaviour in a region where China has been trying to flex its muscles. "Together, we recommit to promoting the free, open, rules-based order, rooted in international law and undaunted by coercion, to bolster security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond," they said.

India should maintain 'strategic autonomy', says Beijing’s top envoy in New Delhi

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