Beijing turns yellow in the worst sandstorm in a decade

China could invade Taiwan by the year 2027. Top US commanders are concerned as Beijing thrives to replace American military power in Asia. Democratic and self-ruled Taiwan lives under constant threat of invasion by authoritarian China.

Top US Commander fears Chinese invasion in Taiwan in next 6 years

Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam has praised China's plan to ensure only 'patriots' remain in politics. Earlier, China had said that only those deemed 'patriotic' will be allowed to contest polls.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam echoes Beijing's patriot only move

According to reports, the Chinese coastguard has increased its presence in the contested waters near the Diaoyu Islands. According to a Japanese official, Tokyo is alarmed by the recent activity and is considering a response.

Chinese activity increases near Diaoyu Islands, Japan mulls on sending troops

A plan to build a 'passageway' to South Asia through Tibet has been included in China's 14th five-year-plan, reported the state-run media. Xinhua said that Tibet "will be supported" to build an important passageway" opening to South Asia.

Beijing plans passage to South Asia through Nepal and Tibet

Beijing's proposal for Hong Kong electoral reforms could prevent&nbsp;'dictatorship of the majority', a pro-Beijing Hong Kong lawmaker said, calling people,&nbsp;who want one man one vote&nbsp;'politically immature'.&nbsp;

China's rubber-stamp parliament is deliberating plans to overhaul Hong Kong's electoral system to ensure Beijing loyalists are in charge.&nbsp;

Hong Kong representatives to China's parliament, in Beijing this week for an annual session, say the changes are necessary and desirable.&nbsp;

"Many people in Hong Kong are politically immature," Martin Liao, who sits on both Hong Kong's and China's legislature,&nbsp;said&nbsp;on Saturday.&nbsp;

"They think&nbsp;'one man one vote'&nbsp;is the best thing, and they take advice from countries that don't even have&nbsp;'one man one vote'," he said, referring to how neither the US President nor the British Prime Minister is elected by a popular vote.&nbsp;

The proposed changes, which include expanding the city's Election Committee from 1,200 to 1,500 people, and expanding the city's Legislative Council from 70 to 90 seats, will make Hong Kong's electoral system more&nbsp;'representative', and less prone to&nbsp;'dictatorship of the majority', Liao argued.&nbsp;

Critics,&nbsp;however,&nbsp;worry that the expansion means that Beijing would be able to stack the two bodies with even more pro-establishment members, to gain the numerical superiority needed to influence important decisions,&nbsp;such as the election of the city's chief executive, leaving Hong Kong voters with less direct say in who they want to lead them.&nbsp;

"If you are not a patriot, it's going to be hard for you to get in," Tam Yiu-chung, the only Hong Kong representative in China's top lawmaking body, the National People's Congress Standing Committee,&nbsp;said&nbsp;on Saturday.&nbsp;

Beijing's proposal for Hong Kong electoral reforms could prevent 'dictatorship of the majority', a pro-Beijing Hong Kong lawmaker said, calling people, who want one man one vote 'politically immature'.

Beijing's proposal for Hong Kong electoral reforms could prevent 'dictatorship of the majority', a pro-Beijing Hong Kong lawmaker said, calling people, who want one man one vote 'politically immature'. China's rubber-stamp parliament is deliberating plans to overhaul Hong Kong's electoral system to ensure Beijing loyalists are in charge. Hong Kong representatives to China's parliament, in Beijing this week for an annual session, say the changes are necessary and desirable. "Many people in Hong Kong are politically immature," Martin Liao, who sits on both Hong Kong's and China's legislature, said on Saturday. "They think 'one man one vote' is the best thing, and they take advice from countries that don't even have 'one man one vote'," he said, referring to how neither the US President nor the British Prime Minister is elected by a popular vote. The proposed changes, which include expanding the city's Election Committee from 1,200 to 1,500 people, and expanding the city's Legislative Council from 70 to 90 seats, will make Hong Kong's electoral system more 'representative', and less prone to 'dictatorship of the majority', Liao argued. Critics, however, worry that the expansion means that Beijing would be able to stack the two bodies with even more pro-establishment members, to gain the numerical superiority needed to influence important decisions, such as the election of the city's chief executive, leaving Hong Kong voters with less direct say in who they want to lead them. "If you are not a patriot, it's going to be hard for you to get in," Tam Yiu-chung, the only Hong Kong representative in China's top lawmaking body, the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said on Saturday.

Hong Kong poll reforms prevent 'dictatorship of majority': Pro-Beijing leader

China is now irking foreign visitors with its anal swab tests for COVID-19 in a few cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and the port city of Qingdao.

China's controversial anal swab tests for COVID-19 irks visitors

Beijing's persecution of Uighurs is not new, it has been termed as genocide and a violation of Human Rights by major world powers. The Uighurs continue to be subjected to intimidation and threats. WION tells you more.

High level Chinese study exposes Uighur's persecution

“Patriots” included those who loved China, its constitution and the Communist Party and excluded anti-China “troublemakers”, said Xia Baolong

Patriots must hold key roles in Hong Kong govt: Beijing

China jailed 3 bloggers for questioning Beijing over the Galwan death toll. India, meanwhile, is once again allowing China to invest in India. Why? WION's Palki Sharma has the details.

Gravitas: China's Galwan lies

After the UK, Canda has now stepped up efforts to call out China over its treatment of Uighur Muslims living in the Xinjiang region. Canada's parliament has passed a non-binding motion on Monday to declare China's treatment of its Uighur minority population as a genocide.

WION Fineprint: Canada votes to recognize China's treatment of Uighur Muslims

After imposing the National Security Law in Hong Kong China now wants to control HK's electoral system and processes. A top Beijing official has signalled China-led electoral reforms for Hong Kong to ensure only patriots hold power.

WION Fineprint: Beijing plans to control Hong Kong's legislature

After admitting to suffering casualties in Galwan, China has kicked off a propaganda push to paint India as an aggressor. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why Beijing's claim of 4 deaths doesn't add up.

Gravitas | China's Galwan admission: Beijing's propaganda push

China has officially admitted that its 4 soldiers from PLA had died during the Galwan clash with the Indian Army in June 2020. This is the first time that China has unveiled casualties and details of its soldiers who died while dealing with Indian troops.

China acknowledges casualties in Galwan clash

A new associated press investigation now revels how china planted fake information and promoted conspiracy theories about the coronavirus outbreak. Beijing's medium of choice is social media.

Associated press investigation revel China's COVID-19 conspiracy

A boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympics would not bring home two Canadian men detained in China for more than two years or force a change to China`s human rights record but would only punish athletes, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) said on Thursday. 
 
With the Feb. 4-20 Beijing Winter Games scheduled to start in exactly one year, the COC put out an op-ed confirming a commitment to take part in the 2022 Games as calls grow to boycott the event or have it moved from China. 
 
"My regular communication with athletes is via athletes commissions and we have had a few conversations on this topic but I must confess they don`t last very long," COC chief executive officer David Shoemaker told Reuters. 
 
"Our Canadian athletes are very much looking forward to the next two Olympic Games in Tokyo and Beijing. 
 
"Calls for boycotts aren`t new. Having said that, we do have a heightened level of concern." 
 
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) echoed a similar position on Wednesday saying they oppose boycotts because "they have been shown to negatively impact athletes while not effectively addressing global issues". 
 
A group of U.S. Senators, however, have a very different view, introducing a resolution calling on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to move the Beijing Olympics following the U.S.’ designation the Chinese government was perpetrating a genocide by repressing Uighur Muslims in its Xinjiang region. 
 
GET TOUGH 
 
Canada`s participation at the Beijing Games has been further put in the spotlight by China`s detention of businessman Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig in what Canada views as retribution for the arrest of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. warrant. 
 
As Kovrig and Spavor languish in prison, calls for the Canadian government to get tough with China have grown. 
 
A July poll found more than half of Canadians believe Ottawa should take more aggressive action to persuade Beijing to release the two men who face spying charges. 
 
The COC underlined that it supports that effort but not at the expense of athletes, who too often have been the pawns in geo-political disputes. 
 
"We referenced the two Michaels in our op ed and we have had conversations with the government and directly with the Canadian ambassador to China," said Shoemaker. 
 
"We understand all of the issues of concern to Canadians in China and they are being addressed by the Canadian government as the highest priority. 
 
"It is our view that this is where we should place our trust and confidence and the Canadian Olympic Committee and Paralympic Committee focus should be on delivering inspiring teams." 
 
PAST BOYCOTTS 
 
The IOC is no stranger to boycotts or the threat of one. 
 
The U.S. led a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Summer Games over the Soviet Union`s presence in Afghanistan. 
 
Four years later in a tit-for-tat response the Soviet Union led a boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. 
 
Canada`s senior IOC member Dick Pound says in both instances nothing was accomplished. 
 
"If the Canadian government is mad at the Chinese government, it knows how to get that message to them," Pound told Reuters. "There are all kinds of recognised international measures available. 
 
"In 1980, the Canadian government leaned all over the COC and, over my dead body, capitulated, and it turned out the boycott was the only significant measure they took. 
 
"They know it is an ineffective gesture." 
 
 
 
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto. Editing by Ken Ferris) 
&nbsp;

A boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympics would not bring home two Canadian men detained in China for more than two years or force a change to China`s human rights record but would only punish athletes, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) said on Thursday.

A boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympics would not bring home two Canadian men detained in China for more than two years or force a change to China`s human rights record but would only punish athletes, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) said on Thursday. With the Feb. 4-20 Beijing Winter Games scheduled to start in exactly one year, the COC put out an op-ed confirming a commitment to take part in the 2022 Games as calls grow to boycott the event or have it moved from China. "My regular communication with athletes is via athletes commissions and we have had a few conversations on this topic but I must confess they don`t last very long," COC chief executive officer David Shoemaker told Reuters. "Our Canadian athletes are very much looking forward to the next two Olympic Games in Tokyo and Beijing. "Calls for boycotts aren`t new. Having said that, we do have a heightened level of concern." The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) echoed a similar position on Wednesday saying they oppose boycotts because "they have been shown to negatively impact athletes while not effectively addressing global issues". A group of U.S. Senators, however, have a very different view, introducing a resolution calling on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to move the Beijing Olympics following the U.S.’ designation the Chinese government was perpetrating a genocide by repressing Uighur Muslims in its Xinjiang region. GET TOUGH Canada`s participation at the Beijing Games has been further put in the spotlight by China`s detention of businessman Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig in what Canada views as retribution for the arrest of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. warrant. As Kovrig and Spavor languish in prison, calls for the Canadian government to get tough with China have grown. A July poll found more than half of Canadians believe Ottawa should take more aggressive action to persuade Beijing to release the two men who face spying charges. The COC underlined that it supports that effort but not at the expense of athletes, who too often have been the pawns in geo-political disputes. "We referenced the two Michaels in our op ed and we have had conversations with the government and directly with the Canadian ambassador to China," said Shoemaker. "We understand all of the issues of concern to Canadians in China and they are being addressed by the Canadian government as the highest priority. "It is our view that this is where we should place our trust and confidence and the Canadian Olympic Committee and Paralympic Committee focus should be on delivering inspiring teams." PAST BOYCOTTS The IOC is no stranger to boycotts or the threat of one. The U.S. led a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Summer Games over the Soviet Union`s presence in Afghanistan. Four years later in a tit-for-tat response the Soviet Union led a boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Canada`s senior IOC member Dick Pound says in both instances nothing was accomplished. "If the Canadian government is mad at the Chinese government, it knows how to get that message to them," Pound told Reuters. "There are all kinds of recognised international measures available. "In 1980, the Canadian government leaned all over the COC and, over my dead body, capitulated, and it turned out the boycott was the only significant measure they took. "They know it is an ineffective gesture." (Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto. Editing by Ken Ferris)

Beijing boycott not the answer says Canadian Olympic Committee

Joe Biden & his team are sending a clear warning to China over expansionism. From reassuring Japan to re-affirming commitment to Taiwan and offering support for Indo-Pacific - The US has underscored its support for allies.

Gravitas: A week after taking office, Joe Biden sends a warning to Beijing

China failed to export vaccines to the world, so it is now exporting a smear campaign. Beijing is targeting Pfizer, Moderna vaccines. WION's Molly Gambhir tells you how.

Gravitas: China starts a smear campaign

China will conduct military exercises in the South China Sea this week, just days after Beijing bristled at a US aircraft carrier group’s entry into the disputed waters.

China to conduct military drills in disputed South China Sea

Worries of a new wave of coronavirus resurfaced in China as authorities reported more than 100 cases on Sunday. 109 new coronavirus cases were found in China's Hebei province surrounding Beijing. China has seen new coronavirus infections for last one week. The cases have seen the number go up to a 10-month high.

World Health Organisation-led team of investigators is currently in Wuhan but in quarantine. The team will investigate origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

Giving details of the latest daily caseload, the National Health Commission (NHC) said 96 were local infections, 72 of them in Hebei, 12 in northeastern Heilongjiang province, 10 in northeastern Jilin province and two in Beijing.

The latest numbers are much lower than what China reported during the height of the pandemic in 2020 but authorities are on alert nonetheless.

NHC Minister Ma Xiaowei said on Saturday that outbreaks in the northeast have come from travellers entering the country or contaminated frozen food imports. China is the only country to claim COVID-19 can be transmitted via cold chain imports, even though the WHO has downplayed the risks.

Beijing city will begin requiring travellers from abroad to undergo health monitoring for seven additional days following 21 days of medical observation, state-run news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday.

Shijiazhuang, Hebei's capital and the hardest-hit spot in the latest surge of infections, reported 65 new locally transmitted confirmed cases on Jan. 16, the provincial health commission said.

State media also reported a "super-transmission event" linked to one person, who was found asymptomatic on Jan 12 and turned into a confirmed case on Saturday. Data from Jilin showed that 98 cases, mostly asymptomatic, could be linked to the person who had travelled between Heliongjiang and Jilin earlier in the month.

The total of confirmed COVID-19 cases in mainland China stands at 88,227, while the death toll remains unchanged at 4,635.

(With Reuters inputs)

Worries of a new wave of coronavirus resurfaced in China as authorities reported more than 100 cases on Sunday. 109 new coronavirus cases were found in China's Hebei province surrounding Beijing.

Worries of a new wave of coronavirus resurfaced in China as authorities reported more than 100 cases on Sunday. 109 new coronavirus cases were found in China's Hebei province surrounding Beijing. China has seen new coronavirus infections for last one week. The cases have seen the number go up to a 10-month high. World Health Organisation-led team of investigators is currently in Wuhan but in quarantine. The team will investigate origins of the coronavirus pandemic. Giving details of the latest daily caseload, the National Health Commission (NHC) said 96 were local infections, 72 of them in Hebei, 12 in northeastern Heilongjiang province, 10 in northeastern Jilin province and two in Beijing. The latest numbers are much lower than what China reported during the height of the pandemic in 2020 but authorities are on alert nonetheless. NHC Minister Ma Xiaowei said on Saturday that outbreaks in the northeast have come from travellers entering the country or contaminated frozen food imports. China is the only country to claim COVID-19 can be transmitted via cold chain imports, even though the WHO has downplayed the risks. Beijing city will begin requiring travellers from abroad to undergo health monitoring for seven additional days following 21 days of medical observation, state-run news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday. Shijiazhuang, Hebei's capital and the hardest-hit spot in the latest surge of infections, reported 65 new locally transmitted confirmed cases on Jan. 16, the provincial health commission said. State media also reported a "super-transmission event" linked to one person, who was found asymptomatic on Jan 12 and turned into a confirmed case on Saturday. Data from Jilin showed that 98 cases, mostly asymptomatic, could be linked to the person who had travelled between Heliongjiang and Jilin earlier in the month. The total of confirmed COVID-19 cases in mainland China stands at 88,227, while the death toll remains unchanged at 4,635. (With Reuters inputs)

China reports more than 100 new COVID cases near Beijing

China urged the United States and other countries to immediately stop wrongdoings, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Thursday (January 14), after Washington announced an import ban on some imports from the Xinjiang region over forced labour allegations.

China urges US to stop wrongdoings over Xinjiang

According to a report, China is planning to alter Hong Kong's electoral system. This came after more than 50 pro-democracy leaders and activists were arrested last week.

News Alert: China planning to change HK's electoral system says report

Beijing has compelled its companies to either ignore US sanctions or face the consequences thereafter. The new rules prohibit Chinese companies from complying with punitive measures by the United States.

Chinese firms barred from complying with US sanctions

As part of efforts to open a full-function studio in Shanghai or Beijing and design electric cars tailored to Chinese consumer tastes, Tesla electric car maker is searching for a design director in China.

World Business Watch: Tesla hunts for design chief to create cars for China

Around 50 pro-democracy activists have been arrested in Hong Kong under the new National Security Law imposed by Beijing. This happens to be the biggest crackdown yet against the pro-democracy movement.

Beijing calls the arrests of Hong Kong activists 'a necessary measure'

Hong Kong: Crackdown on pro-democracy movement under new National Security Law

Around 50 pro-democracy activists arrested in Hong Kong under the new National Security Law imposed by Beijing. This happens to be the biggest crackdown yet against the pro-democracy movement.

News Alert: 50 pro-democracy activists arrested in Hong Kong under NSL

Thousands of people were lining up in Beijing to receive a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">Covid-19 vaccine</a> as China races to innoculate millions before the Chinese New Year mass travel season in February.

More than 73,000 people in the Chinese capital have received the first dose of the vaccine over the last couple of days, state media reported Sunday, including community workers and bus drivers.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazils-private-clinics-seek-indias-covaxin-vaccine-354288" hreflang="en">Brazil's private clinics seek India's COVAXIN vaccine</a>

Health authorities on New Year's Eve granted "conditional" approval to a vaccine candidate made by Chinese pharma giant Sinopharm, which the company said had a 79 per cent efficacy rate.

Footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed queues outside local hospitals and community health centres as people waited to read consent forms and have their temperatures taken before getting the jab.

Health officials said gyms and empty factories were among centres being used for the vaccination programme.

China plans to vaccinate millions this winter in the run-up to Lunar New Year in mid-February.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-approves-sii-and-bharat-biotechs-covid-19-vaccines-for-restricted-emergency-use-354141" hreflang="en">India approves SII and Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccines for restricted emergency use</a>

Beijing has already administered around 4.5 million doses of largely unproven emergency vaccines this year — mostly to health workers and other state employees destined for overseas jobs, according to authorities.

But China now plans a gradual rollout for the vaccine starting with key groups considered to have a high risk of exposure to the virus, including port and logistic workers and people planning to return to studies abroad.

China — where the coronavirus first emerged late in 2019 -- has broadly stamped out the virus inside its borders, introducing swift local lockdowns and mass testing when cases emerge.&nbsp;

But the country has stepped up testing and movement controls after a recent spate of small local outbreaks, including a handful of cases in Beijing.

Thousands of people were lining up in Beijing to receive a Covid-19 vaccine as China races to innoculate millions before the Chinese New Year mass travel season in February.

Thousands of people were lining up in Beijing to receive a Covid-19 vaccine as China races to innoculate millions before the Chinese New Year mass travel season in February. More than 73,000 people in the Chinese capital have received the first dose of the vaccine over the last couple of days, state media reported Sunday, including community workers and bus drivers. Also read| Brazil's private clinics seek India's COVAXIN vaccine Health authorities on New Year's Eve granted "conditional" approval to a vaccine candidate made by Chinese pharma giant Sinopharm, which the company said had a 79 per cent efficacy rate. Footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed queues outside local hospitals and community health centres as people waited to read consent forms and have their temperatures taken before getting the jab. Health officials said gyms and empty factories were among centres being used for the vaccination programme. China plans to vaccinate millions this winter in the run-up to Lunar New Year in mid-February. Also read| India approves SII and Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccines for restricted emergency use Beijing has already administered around 4.5 million doses of largely unproven emergency vaccines this year — mostly to health workers and other state employees destined for overseas jobs, according to authorities. But China now plans a gradual rollout for the vaccine starting with key groups considered to have a high risk of exposure to the virus, including port and logistic workers and people planning to return to studies abroad. China — where the coronavirus first emerged late in 2019 -- has broadly stamped out the virus inside its borders, introducing swift local lockdowns and mass testing when cases emerge. But the country has stepped up testing and movement controls after a recent spate of small local outbreaks, including a handful of cases in Beijing.

Beijing vaccinates thousands in COVID-19 jab drive

Setting the tone for the US-China ties for the next four years, President-elect Joe Biden said that Washington needs to build a coalition of like-minded nations to confront Beijing.

US-China ties: Biden says coalition needed of like-minded  nations to confront Beijing

Sadam Abdusalam posted photographs on social media on Friday of his family arriving at Sydney airport, and thanked Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne as well as human rights activists for their help.

Uighur family separated by Beijing reunites after 3 years

beijing

Beijing, News on Beijing, stories on Beijing, articles on Beijing, Beijing stories at Wion, Beijing news, Beijing latest news