Countries that have anything to do with China in the region have been busy reporting cases, but not Pakistan which has a large people-to-people exchange with China.

The new coronavirus epidemic is about to peak. Despite the huge financial loss, countries across the world have halted flights to China because prevention is paramount in times like these.

However, Pakistan still has thousands of people coming to and fro from China even today. Islamabad doesn't have a single confirmed case yet which seems next to impossible.

Pakistan is probably among the most vulnerable countries to the virus. A big working population linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is always in transit, besides businessmen travelling for trade purposes.

When 28 countries in the world have reported confirmed cases of coronavirus, how come Pakistan hasn't? Pakistan had initially stopped flights to China, but resumed them 10 days ago.

Three flights from China landed in Pakistan on February 3 with more than 350 passengers, including Chinese nationals.

The same day when Pakistan's health ministry made a grand announcement, it had finally developed its own coronavirus testing kit.

That's how inexplicably slow Pakistan has been in dealing with this outbreak. Just 46 people have been quarantined till now, of which 5 are suspected cases.

352 Chinese people arrived via Lahore and Islamabad between February 3 and February 10. Its own students and nationals stuck in China have sent out frantic pleas for help, but Pakistan has refused to bring them back.

Pakistan has been busy praising China, hailing it for having a strong mechanism to deal with the contagion and washing its hands off the fate of its own citizens.

Pakistan might be China's all-weather ally, but this is taking it too far. The truth is that Pakistan is just not prepared to deal with it, and it has admitted to not having enough isolation facilities too.

For now, most people are just screened and then eventually sent away - if they have a fever or symptoms then they are investigated.

But still, no standard operating procedure to quarantine people. And this should not come as a surprise because Pakistan has a poor track record of handling disease outbreaks. It's one of the only two countries in the world which has failed to eliminate polio.

For now, the Pakistan government is in a state of denial, it's scared of what would happen if it faces the truth.

Countries that have anything to do with China in the region have been busy reporting cases, but not Pakistan which has a large people-to-people exchange with China.

Countries that have anything to do with China in the region have been busy reporting cases, but not Pakistan which has a large people-to-people exchange with China. The new coronavirus epidemic is about to peak. Despite the huge financial loss, countries across the world have halted flights to China because prevention is paramount in times like these. However, Pakistan still has thousands of people coming to and fro from China even today. Islamabad doesn't have a single confirmed case yet which seems next to impossible. Pakistan is probably among the most vulnerable countries to the virus. A big working population linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is always in transit, besides businessmen travelling for trade purposes. When 28 countries in the world have reported confirmed cases of coronavirus, how come Pakistan hasn't? Pakistan had initially stopped flights to China, but resumed them 10 days ago. Three flights from China landed in Pakistan on February 3 with more than 350 passengers, including Chinese nationals. The same day when Pakistan's health ministry made a grand announcement, it had finally developed its own coronavirus testing kit. That's how inexplicably slow Pakistan has been in dealing with this outbreak. Just 46 people have been quarantined till now, of which 5 are suspected cases. 352 Chinese people arrived via Lahore and Islamabad between February 3 and February 10. Its own students and nationals stuck in China have sent out frantic pleas for help, but Pakistan has refused to bring them back. Pakistan has been busy praising China, hailing it for having a strong mechanism to deal with the contagion and washing its hands off the fate of its own citizens. Pakistan might be China's all-weather ally, but this is taking it too far. The truth is that Pakistan is just not prepared to deal with it, and it has admitted to not having enough isolation facilities too. For now, most people are just screened and then eventually sent away - if they have a fever or symptoms then they are investigated. But still, no standard operating procedure to quarantine people. And this should not come as a surprise because Pakistan has a poor track record of handling disease outbreaks. It's one of the only two countries in the world which has failed to eliminate polio. For now, the Pakistan government is in a state of denial, it's scared of what would happen if it faces the truth.

Pakistan in denial of coronavirus cases?

Airbnb is halting check-ins at all of its Beijing listings until March due to the Coronavirus outbreak and local policies in China

Coronavirus Outbreak: Airbnb To Suspend Beijing Check-Ins

Unable to catch up, Beijing has now ordered a draconian response to tackle the coronavirus.

Gravitas: The Coronavirus has unveiled China's ugliest face

Xi Jinping finally resurfaces after conjecture amid coronavirus outbreak

China calls itself an emerging superpower, but the dragon is losing to a virus. China is losing not just lives to coronavirus, but also its credentials as an economic superpower.&nbsp;

The pandemic is exposing china's weaknesses and the cracks it tries to paper over. Furthermore, Beijing refuses to concede that it needs help.

China did try and cover up the extent of this crisis. A report in the New England Journal of Medicine presents a smoking gun conclusive evidence of a cover-up. It says that healthcare workers were infected in early January.

This is clear evidence that the coronavirus existed well before China admitted. There was also evidence that the virus transmits from one human to another, but the public was kept in the dark. 
 
WATCH:&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-coronavirus-has-unveiled-chinas-ugliest-face-279905/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The first reports came out on January 18. And, by then - it was too late. Chinese politicians downplayed the challenge and doctors who tried to raise an alarm were silenced.&nbsp;

Cases cropped up across China and eventually spread across the world. In recent weeks, China has escalated its response. More money was pumped in. In almost a week's time, Wuhan had a new hospital.&nbsp;

The state media began publishing stories of China's resilience. The Twitter onslaught against the critics has been unrelenting.&nbsp;

But the coronavirus war is not meant to be fought on social media. It is taking lives, and hence, the medical response has to be sharp.

More than a month after the outbreak, China still cannot get its priorities straight. China's top anti-corruption body is sending a team to Wuhan. The anti-corruption team will be conducting a probe into the death of the whistleblower doctor - Li Wenliang, which appears to be a pretend investigation to silence the critics.

China is going after journalists as well. Beijing has demanded a public apology from the Wall Street Journal for carrying an anti-China article. A citizen journalist - &nbsp;Chen Qiushi - who was reporting on coronavirus has gone missing. He was the world's eyes and ears in China.

He posted videos of corpses in a hospital and filmed the dramatic moment when people in hazmat suits broke down his apartment door to take him into quarantine. He has been missing since.

It's not just the messengers who face the wrath of the state, but the patients too. The government has unleashed a wave of harsh measures to target those infected. China has ruled that people will face the death penalty if they deliberately infect others.&nbsp;

One county in the Hebei province is offering $140 to those who report potential cases. They want local residents to report which citizen was in Wuhan recently.

Reports say residents are being locked up inside their own homes and those who try to protect their loved ones are being detained.

China has ordered a draconian response to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. But it's not necessarily helping, it's a cruel and chaotic response.

Untrained doctors, military guards, homes turned into lock-ups, neighbours reporting on you and the government punishing you rather than treating you for the deadly disease.

 
(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

China calls itself an emerging superpower, but the dragon is losing to a virus. China is losing not just lives to coronavirus, but also its credentials as an economic superpower.

China calls itself an emerging superpower, but the dragon is losing to a virus. China is losing not just lives to coronavirus, but also its credentials as an economic superpower. The pandemic is exposing china's weaknesses and the cracks it tries to paper over. Furthermore, Beijing refuses to concede that it needs help. China did try and cover up the extent of this crisis. A report in the New England Journal of Medicine presents a smoking gun conclusive evidence of a cover-up. It says that healthcare workers were infected in early January. This is clear evidence that the coronavirus existed well before China admitted. There was also evidence that the virus transmits from one human to another, but the public was kept in the dark. WATCH: × The first reports came out on January 18. And, by then - it was too late. Chinese politicians downplayed the challenge and doctors who tried to raise an alarm were silenced. Cases cropped up across China and eventually spread across the world. In recent weeks, China has escalated its response. More money was pumped in. In almost a week's time, Wuhan had a new hospital. The state media began publishing stories of China's resilience. The Twitter onslaught against the critics has been unrelenting. But the coronavirus war is not meant to be fought on social media. It is taking lives, and hence, the medical response has to be sharp. More than a month after the outbreak, China still cannot get its priorities straight. China's top anti-corruption body is sending a team to Wuhan. The anti-corruption team will be conducting a probe into the death of the whistleblower doctor - Li Wenliang, which appears to be a pretend investigation to silence the critics. China is going after journalists as well. Beijing has demanded a public apology from the Wall Street Journal for carrying an anti-China article. A citizen journalist - Chen Qiushi - who was reporting on coronavirus has gone missing. He was the world's eyes and ears in China. He posted videos of corpses in a hospital and filmed the dramatic moment when people in hazmat suits broke down his apartment door to take him into quarantine. He has been missing since. It's not just the messengers who face the wrath of the state, but the patients too. The government has unleashed a wave of harsh measures to target those infected. China has ruled that people will face the death penalty if they deliberately infect others. One county in the Hebei province is offering $140 to those who report potential cases. They want local residents to report which citizen was in Wuhan recently. Reports say residents are being locked up inside their own homes and those who try to protect their loved ones are being detained. China has ordered a draconian response to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. But it's not necessarily helping, it's a cruel and chaotic response. Untrained doctors, military guards, homes turned into lock-ups, neighbours reporting on you and the government punishing you rather than treating you for the deadly disease. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: Coronavirus has unveiled China's ugliest face

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-chinas-coronavirus-crosses-900-as-who-sends-team-to-investigate-279657">China&nbsp;</a>consumer prices rose at their highest rate in more than eight years, official data showed Monday, with&nbsp;inflation&nbsp;more than expected on the back of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-chinas-coronavirus-crosses-900-as-who-sends-team-to-investigate-279657">Lunar New Year </a>demand and a deadly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-chinas-coronavirus-crosses-900-as-who-sends-team-to-investigate-279657">virus outbreak</a>.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-chinas-coronavirus-crosses-900-as-who-sends-team-to-investigate-279657">Beijing </a>had already been battling a slowing domestic economy before the new coronavirus emerged, disrupting businesses, travel and supply chains.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-chinas-coronavirus-crosses-900-as-who-sends-team-to-investigate-279657">Death toll in China's coronavirus crosses 900 as WHO sends team to investigate</a>

The consumer price index (CPI), a key gauge of retail&nbsp;inflation, came in at 5.4 per cent last month on-year, up from 4.5 per cent in December, with prices of pork and fresh vegetables pushing up costs.

Food prices spiked 20.6 per cent.

The overall monthly figure exceeded the 4.9 percent forecast by analysts in a Bloomberg survey and is the highest since October 2011.

"The year-on-year increase has been affected not only by Spring Festival-related factors but by the new coronavirus as well," said the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday.

Analysts expect&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-chinas-coronavirus-crosses-900-as-who-sends-team-to-investigate-279657">China</a>'s struggle to contain the spread of the virus over the Lunar New Year holiday, which started in late January, to keep prices higher than usual.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-coronavirus-death-toll-crosses-800-china-allocates-1026-billion-to-fight-the-outbreak-279604">China allocates $10.26 billion to fight the outbreak</a>

"Some food supplies may&nbsp;spoil before shipping to large cities due to the disruption of transportation and other lockdown measures, especially for fruits, vegetables and livestock," said Lu Ting of Nomura in a research note last Thursday.

"People also tend to hoard food and other supplies in this&nbsp;kind of situation. The hoarding will most likely push up prices."

The virus has so far claimed more than 900 lives in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-chinas-coronavirus-crosses-900-as-who-sends-team-to-investigate-279657">China</a>.

The rise in January was the highest since October 2011 when CPI&nbsp;inflation&nbsp;was 5.5 per cent, .

UOB's head of research Suan Teck Kin told AFP that while prices tend to fall after the Lunar New Year break, "this year, prices may continue to stay high" because of supply chain disruptions.

Over the past year, a spike in pork prices due to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-case-of-african-swine-fever-reported-in-north-korea-222926">African Swine Fever</a>, which ravaged pig herds across the country, had also driven up CPI.

The rise slowed in December as officials released pork reserves to ease the strain on supplies ahead of the holidays, a peak period for consumption.

Last month, pork prices rose 116 per cent from a year ago, up from the 97 per cent rise in December.

The on-month rise for pork was 8.5 per cent.

China consumer prices rose at their highest rate in more than eight years, official data showed Monday, with inflation more than expected on the back of Lunar New Year demand and a deadly virus outbreak.

China consumer prices rose at their highest rate in more than eight years, official data showed Monday, with inflation more than expected on the back of Lunar New Year demand and a deadly virus outbreak. Beijing had already been battling a slowing domestic economy before the new coronavirus emerged, disrupting businesses, travel and supply chains. Also read: Death toll in China's coronavirus crosses 900 as WHO sends team to investigate The consumer price index (CPI), a key gauge of retail inflation, came in at 5.4 per cent last month on-year, up from 4.5 per cent in December, with prices of pork and fresh vegetables pushing up costs. Food prices spiked 20.6 per cent. The overall monthly figure exceeded the 4.9 percent forecast by analysts in a Bloomberg survey and is the highest since October 2011. "The year-on-year increase has been affected not only by Spring Festival-related factors but by the new coronavirus as well," said the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday. Analysts expect China's struggle to contain the spread of the virus over the Lunar New Year holiday, which started in late January, to keep prices higher than usual. Also read: China allocates $10.26 billion to fight the outbreak "Some food supplies may spoil before shipping to large cities due to the disruption of transportation and other lockdown measures, especially for fruits, vegetables and livestock," said Lu Ting of Nomura in a research note last Thursday. "People also tend to hoard food and other supplies in this kind of situation. The hoarding will most likely push up prices." The virus has so far claimed more than 900 lives in China. The rise in January was the highest since October 2011 when CPI inflation was 5.5 per cent, . UOB's head of research Suan Teck Kin told AFP that while prices tend to fall after the Lunar New Year break, "this year, prices may continue to stay high" because of supply chain disruptions. Over the past year, a spike in pork prices due to African Swine Fever, which ravaged pig herds across the country, had also driven up CPI. The rise slowed in December as officials released pork reserves to ease the strain on supplies ahead of the holidays, a peak period for consumption. Last month, pork prices rose 116 per cent from a year ago, up from the 97 per cent rise in December. The on-month rise for pork was 8.5 per cent.

China inflation rises as coronavirus disrupts supply chains

A British man who contracted the new coronavirus while attending a conference in Singapore may have infected seven other people when he stopped off at a chalet in a French mountain village for a few days on his way home, health experts said on Sunday.

The man, Britain's third case of the virus, stayed with a group of holidaymakers for four days in the chalet in Les Contamines-Montjoie late last month.

Five other Britons in the Alpine ski resort have since tested positive for the coronavirus, French officials said this weekend, linking the cases to the chalet group.

The trail does not appear to end there, however. The disease carried by the same man may have spread elsewhere, underlining the challenges health authorities face in containing infections in an era of global air travel.

Also read: A<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-coronavirus-death-tolls-crosses-800-china-allocates-1026-billion-to-fight-the-outbreak-279604">s coronavirus death toll&nbsp;crosses 800, China allocates $10.26 billion to fight the outbreak</a>

Spanish authorities said on Sunday that a British man had tested positive in Mallorca after coming into contact with an infected person in France, whom they said appeared to have been part of the chalet group.

British health officials, meanwhile, said on Sunday that the country had recorded its fourth case of coronavirus, and the person had caught the illness from a Briton while in France.

"This new case would appear to be linked to the cluster of cases in the French ski resort," said Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at England's University of East Anglia. "As such, this case is part of the same cluster which is being reported as linked to a British national returning from Singapore."

However, more broadly, while the outbreak of the new coronavirus has spread to at least 27 countries and territories, according to a Reuters count, only a tiny fraction of cases - about 330 out of over 37,000 - have been outside mainland China.

Tracing chalet group

Residents of Les Contamines-Montjoie, a few wearing facemasks, lined up on Sunday to get tested for the new coronavirus as authorities sought to contain the spread.

French officials said they were tracing all the people who might have been in close contact with the group of 11 Britons exposed to the virus after sharing lodgings in the village.

Five of those tested positive, including a nine-year-old child and their father. Two other children - the infected child's siblings - were hospitalised in France for checks, officials added.

Their mother had left the country by the time the investigation began and was under observation in a UK hospital, French officials said. It was not clear if she was the latest case to be diagnosed in Britain.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-a-letter-pm-modi-offers-assistance-to-chinese-president-xi-jinping-over-coronavirus-outbreak-279583">In a letter, PM Modi offers assistance to Chinese President Xi Jinping over coronavirus outbreak&nbsp;</a>

Spanish authorities said the British man who had tested positive in Mallorca was one of four members of a family taken into observation on Friday after coming into contact with someone in France who was subsequently diagnosed with the virus.

The family appear to have been part of the larger group in the French ski resort, Fernando Simon, director of the Centre of Coordination of Health Emergencies at Spain's Health Ministry, told reporters.

However, he said he could not confirm this 100% because of respect for the family's privacy.

The family returned to Mallorca from France on Jan. 29 and the father started to show light symptoms 24 hours later.

Simon said the man was currently "in good health" but was being kept in isolation and authorities were drawing up a list of everyone he may have come into contact with in Mallorca.

A British man who contracted the new coronavirus while attending a conference in Singapore may have infected seven other people when he stopped off at a chalet in a French mountain village for a few days on his way home, health experts said on Sunday.

A British man who contracted the new coronavirus while attending a conference in Singapore may have infected seven other people when he stopped off at a chalet in a French mountain village for a few days on his way home, health experts said on Sunday. The man, Britain's third case of the virus, stayed with a group of holidaymakers for four days in the chalet in Les Contamines-Montjoie late last month. Five other Britons in the Alpine ski resort have since tested positive for the coronavirus, French officials said this weekend, linking the cases to the chalet group. The trail does not appear to end there, however. The disease carried by the same man may have spread elsewhere, underlining the challenges health authorities face in containing infections in an era of global air travel. Also read: As coronavirus death toll crosses 800, China allocates $10.26 billion to fight the outbreak Spanish authorities said on Sunday that a British man had tested positive in Mallorca after coming into contact with an infected person in France, whom they said appeared to have been part of the chalet group. British health officials, meanwhile, said on Sunday that the country had recorded its fourth case of coronavirus, and the person had caught the illness from a Briton while in France. "This new case would appear to be linked to the cluster of cases in the French ski resort," said Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at England's University of East Anglia. "As such, this case is part of the same cluster which is being reported as linked to a British national returning from Singapore." However, more broadly, while the outbreak of the new coronavirus has spread to at least 27 countries and territories, according to a Reuters count, only a tiny fraction of cases - about 330 out of over 37,000 - have been outside mainland China. Tracing chalet group Residents of Les Contamines-Montjoie, a few wearing facemasks, lined up on Sunday to get tested for the new coronavirus as authorities sought to contain the spread. French officials said they were tracing all the people who might have been in close contact with the group of 11 Britons exposed to the virus after sharing lodgings in the village. Five of those tested positive, including a nine-year-old child and their father. Two other children - the infected child's siblings - were hospitalised in France for checks, officials added. Their mother had left the country by the time the investigation began and was under observation in a UK hospital, French officials said. It was not clear if she was the latest case to be diagnosed in Britain. Also read: In a letter, PM Modi offers assistance to Chinese President Xi Jinping over coronavirus outbreak Spanish authorities said the British man who had tested positive in Mallorca was one of four members of a family taken into observation on Friday after coming into contact with someone in France who was subsequently diagnosed with the virus. The family appear to have been part of the larger group in the French ski resort, Fernando Simon, director of the Centre of Coordination of Health Emergencies at Spain's Health Ministry, told reporters. However, he said he could not confirm this 100% because of respect for the family's privacy. The family returned to Mallorca from France on Jan. 29 and the father started to show light symptoms 24 hours later. Simon said the man was currently "in good health" but was being kept in isolation and authorities were drawing up a list of everyone he may have come into contact with in Mallorca.

Briton in French Alps may have spread coronavirus to others across Europe

China's finance ministry said on Sunday all levels of government had allocated a total of 71.85 billion yuan ($10.26 billion) as of Saturday afternoon to fight coronavirus.

The ministry will deploy the funds to ensure that members of the public can afford diagnosis and treatment, it said in a statement on its website.

The funds will also be used to ensure that efforts of every region to fight the virus are not hampered by financial constraints, it added.

China raised the death toll from its coronavirus outbreak to 811 on Sunday, passing the number killed globally by the SARS epidemic, as authorities made plans for millions of people returning to work after an extended Lunar New Year break.

Many of China's usually teeming cities have almost become ghost towns during the past two weeks as Communist Party rulers ordered virtual lockdowns, cancelled flights, closed factories and shut schools.

Even on Monday, a large number of workplaces and schools will remain closed and many white-collar employees will work from home.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-resorts-to-wartime-measures-to-stop-coronavirus-in-wuhan-279537">China resorts to 'wartime' measures to stop coronavirus in Wuhan</a>

The scale of the potential hit to an economy that has been the engine of global growth in recent years has taken a toll on financial markets, as shares slumped and investors switched into safe-havens such as gold, bonds and the Japanese yen.

China's cabinet said on Sunday it would coordinate with transport authorities to ensure the smooth return to work of employees in key industries such as food and medicines.

The State Council's special coronavirus group also said workers should return in "batches", rather than all at once, in order to reduce infection risks.

China's ambassador to Britain described the newly identified virus as "the enemy of mankind" in an interview with BBC television on Sunday, but added it "is controllable, is preventable, is curable".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/who-team-to-leave-for-china-to-probe-over-coronavirus-outbreak-279566/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"At this moment is very difficult to predict when we are going to have an inflection point," Liu Xiaoming said. "We certainly hope it will come soon, but the isolation and quarantine measures have been very effective."

China's National Health Commission recorded another 89 deaths on Saturday, pushing the total well above the 774 who died from SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2002/2003.

Total confirmed coronavirus cases in China stood at 37,198, commission data showed. New infections recorded the first drop since Feb. 1, falling back below 3,000 to 2,656 cases. Of those, 2,147 cases were in Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak.

The virus has also spread to at least 27 countries and regions, according to a Reuters count based on official reports, infecting more than 330 people. Two deaths have been reported outside mainland China - both of Chinese nationals.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-global-death-toll-overtakes-sars-epidemic-fatalities-279534">Coronavirus global death toll overtakes Sars epidemic fatalities</a>

Mistrust and dismay

As millions of Chinese prepared to go back to work, the public dismay and mistrust of official numbers was evident on Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter.

"What's even more frustrating is that these are only the 'official' data," said one user.

"We all know we can't purchase masks anywhere, why are we still going back to work?" said a second.

"More than 20,000 doctors and nurses around the country have been sent to Hubei, but why are the numbers still rising?" asked a third.

Authorities had told businesses to tack up to 10 extra days on to holidays that had been due to finish at the end of January and some restrictions continued.

Gaming giant Tencent Holdings Ltd said on Sunday it had asked staff to continue working from home until Feb. 21.

Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing, will keep schools shut until March 1, the People's Daily newspaper said. Several provinces have shut schools until the end of February.

The local government in the southern manufacturing hub of Shenzhen, meanwhile, denied a report in the Nikkei business daily that it had blocked a plan by Apple Inc supplier Foxconn Technology Co Ltd to resume production in China from Monday. The company would restart once inspections were completed, it said.

Global alarm

Among the latest deaths, 81 were in Hubei.

An American hospitalised in the provincial capital Wuhan, where the outbreak began, became the first confirmed non-Chinese victim. The Washington Post identified him as Hong Ling, a 53-year old geneticist who studied rare diseases at Berkeley.

Joseph Eisenberg, professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan, said it was too early to say whether the epidemic was peaking.

"Even if reported cases might be peaking, we don't know what is happening with unreported cases," he said.

Major cities and capitals announced new travel restrictions as concern over the spread of the virus increased.

Chinese-ruled Hong Kong introduced a two-week quarantine on Saturday for all people arriving from the mainland, or who have been there during the previous 14 days. Malaysia expanded its ban on visitors from China.

France issued a new travel advisory for its citizens, saying it did not recommend travelling to China unless there was an "imperative" reason. Italy asked children travelling from China to stay away from school for two weeks voluntarily.

The latest patients outside China include five British nationals staying in a mountain village in Haute-Savoie in the Alps, French health officials said, raising fears of further infections at a busy period in the ski season.

Princess Cruises, operator of the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined off the coast of Japan, said a further six people had tested positive, bringing the total cases aboard to 70.

China's finance ministry said on Sunday all levels of government had allocated a total of 71.85 billion yuan ($10.26 billion) as of Saturday afternoon to fight coronavirus.

China's finance ministry said on Sunday all levels of government had allocated a total of 71.85 billion yuan ($10.26 billion) as of Saturday afternoon to fight coronavirus. The ministry will deploy the funds to ensure that members of the public can afford diagnosis and treatment, it said in a statement on its website. The funds will also be used to ensure that efforts of every region to fight the virus are not hampered by financial constraints, it added. China raised the death toll from its coronavirus outbreak to 811 on Sunday, passing the number killed globally by the SARS epidemic, as authorities made plans for millions of people returning to work after an extended Lunar New Year break. Many of China's usually teeming cities have almost become ghost towns during the past two weeks as Communist Party rulers ordered virtual lockdowns, cancelled flights, closed factories and shut schools. Even on Monday, a large number of workplaces and schools will remain closed and many white-collar employees will work from home. Also read: China resorts to 'wartime' measures to stop coronavirus in Wuhan The scale of the potential hit to an economy that has been the engine of global growth in recent years has taken a toll on financial markets, as shares slumped and investors switched into safe-havens such as gold, bonds and the Japanese yen. China's cabinet said on Sunday it would coordinate with transport authorities to ensure the smooth return to work of employees in key industries such as food and medicines. The State Council's special coronavirus group also said workers should return in "batches", rather than all at once, in order to reduce infection risks. China's ambassador to Britain described the newly identified virus as "the enemy of mankind" in an interview with BBC television on Sunday, but added it "is controllable, is preventable, is curable". × "At this moment is very difficult to predict when we are going to have an inflection point," Liu Xiaoming said. "We certainly hope it will come soon, but the isolation and quarantine measures have been very effective." China's National Health Commission recorded another 89 deaths on Saturday, pushing the total well above the 774 who died from SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2002/2003. Total confirmed coronavirus cases in China stood at 37,198, commission data showed. New infections recorded the first drop since Feb. 1, falling back below 3,000 to 2,656 cases. Of those, 2,147 cases were in Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak. The virus has also spread to at least 27 countries and regions, according to a Reuters count based on official reports, infecting more than 330 people. Two deaths have been reported outside mainland China - both of Chinese nationals. Also read: Coronavirus global death toll overtakes Sars epidemic fatalities Mistrust and dismay As millions of Chinese prepared to go back to work, the public dismay and mistrust of official numbers was evident on Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter. "What's even more frustrating is that these are only the 'official' data," said one user. "We all know we can't purchase masks anywhere, why are we still going back to work?" said a second. "More than 20,000 doctors and nurses around the country have been sent to Hubei, but why are the numbers still rising?" asked a third. Authorities had told businesses to tack up to 10 extra days on to holidays that had been due to finish at the end of January and some restrictions continued. Gaming giant Tencent Holdings Ltd said on Sunday it had asked staff to continue working from home until Feb. 21. Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing, will keep schools shut until March 1, the People's Daily newspaper said. Several provinces have shut schools until the end of February. The local government in the southern manufacturing hub of Shenzhen, meanwhile, denied a report in the Nikkei business daily that it had blocked a plan by Apple Inc supplier Foxconn Technology Co Ltd to resume production in China from Monday. The company would restart once inspections were completed, it said. Global alarm Among the latest deaths, 81 were in Hubei. An American hospitalised in the provincial capital Wuhan, where the outbreak began, became the first confirmed non-Chinese victim. The Washington Post identified him as Hong Ling, a 53-year old geneticist who studied rare diseases at Berkeley. Joseph Eisenberg, professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan, said it was too early to say whether the epidemic was peaking. "Even if reported cases might be peaking, we don't know what is happening with unreported cases," he said. Major cities and capitals announced new travel restrictions as concern over the spread of the virus increased. Chinese-ruled Hong Kong introduced a two-week quarantine on Saturday for all people arriving from the mainland, or who have been there during the previous 14 days. Malaysia expanded its ban on visitors from China. France issued a new travel advisory for its citizens, saying it did not recommend travelling to China unless there was an "imperative" reason. Italy asked children travelling from China to stay away from school for two weeks voluntarily. The latest patients outside China include five British nationals staying in a mountain village in Haute-Savoie in the Alps, French health officials said, raising fears of further infections at a busy period in the ski season. Princess Cruises, operator of the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined off the coast of Japan, said a further six people had tested positive, bringing the total cases aboard to 70.

As coronavirus death toll crosses 800, China allocates $10.26 billion to fight the outbreak

Under Mao Zedong, China once wanted to eradicate religion.

Under Xi Jinping's rule, it wants to rule over all religions. China has now issued a new set of rules, declaring that the communist party is above all religions.

In the summer of 2019, the true Jesus Church in the same province was razed to the ground. And in December, it came to light that China wants to rewrite the Quran and the Bible in order to reflect socialist values.

Christian rights activists have called this the worst crackdown on religion since the cultural revolution when under the leadership of Mao Zedong, China had vowed to eradicate religion.

Practising your religion in China is a tricky affair, President Xi Jinping maintains a tight grip on the country. And his ruling communist party of China is the supreme power.

But now, the party also has supremacy over all religions in China. And there are rules which govern this, running into six chapters and 41 articles. The rules were released in December 2019 by the National Religious Affairs Administration of China, and came into effect this month.

"The regulations include content on the organisation, functions, supervision and management of religious groups. They stipulate that religious affairs departments of people’s governments are the administrative bodies of religious groups, and should perform their functions such as guiding and supervising the groups’ operation," said the Chinese state media.

As anticipated, the unholy diktat has met with criticism. The regulations mean that all religions and related organisations should support what is called the 'sinicisation'&nbsp;of religions.

What is sinicisation?

The process by which the non-Chinese societies come under the influence of Chinese culture. This means all five religions that are practised in China are secondary to the Communist Party.

And those practising Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism and Protestantism must now look up to the party for leadership. Not just that, they should also promote the party's policies.

But these rules are in a way only a rubber stamp, a confirmation of what was known on the ground all along. 
 
&nbsp;

Under Mao Zedong, China once wanted to eradicate religion. Under Xi Jinping's rule, it wants to rule over all religions. China has now issued a new set of rules, declaring that the communist party is above all religions.

Under Mao Zedong, China once wanted to eradicate religion. Under Xi Jinping's rule, it wants to rule over all religions. China has now issued a new set of rules, declaring that the communist party is above all religions. In the summer of 2019, the true Jesus Church in the same province was razed to the ground. And in December, it came to light that China wants to rewrite the Quran and the Bible in order to reflect socialist values. Christian rights activists have called this the worst crackdown on religion since the cultural revolution when under the leadership of Mao Zedong, China had vowed to eradicate religion. Practising your religion in China is a tricky affair, President Xi Jinping maintains a tight grip on the country. And his ruling communist party of China is the supreme power. But now, the party also has supremacy over all religions in China. And there are rules which govern this, running into six chapters and 41 articles. The rules were released in December 2019 by the National Religious Affairs Administration of China, and came into effect this month. "The regulations include content on the organisation, functions, supervision and management of religious groups. They stipulate that religious affairs departments of people’s governments are the administrative bodies of religious groups, and should perform their functions such as guiding and supervising the groups’ operation," said the Chinese state media. As anticipated, the unholy diktat has met with criticism. The regulations mean that all religions and related organisations should support what is called the 'sinicisation' of religions. What is sinicisation? The process by which the non-Chinese societies come under the influence of Chinese culture. This means all five religions that are practised in China are secondary to the Communist Party. And those practising Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism and Protestantism must now look up to the party for leadership. Not just that, they should also promote the party's policies. But these rules are in a way only a rubber stamp, a confirmation of what was known on the ground all along.

Explained: China's war on religion

As China struggles to tackle and contain the deadly coronavirus outbreak, criticism for its handling of the situation is only escalating.&nbsp;

China cannot deny is that the crisis is growing with the death toll mounting over 550 people and thousands suffering.

The Chinese are not just bearing the brunt of the outbreak but the rising incident of discrimination as well. Reports suggest that patients in Wuhan are being treated as outcasts.

In the rest of the world, people of Chinese origin are being ostracised.&nbsp;

The coronavirus outbreak has triggered a wave of racist attacks against the Chinese around the world. Even packages and parcels from China are not being spared.

A report from Chinese media claims that logistics activity from the country has dropped after the outbreak.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-645-indian-evacuees-from-china-tested-negative-for-coronavirus-ministry-of-home-affairs-279120">All 645 Indian evacuees from China tested negative for coronavirus - MHA</a>

A postman in Paris refused to deliver Chinese parcels. It is not just happening in France. In Seoul, South Korea, a seafood restaurant banned Chinese people from entering while a nail salon in Vietnam refused to welcome Chinese customers.

This is not the first time when the Chinese have been subjected to xenophobia.&nbsp;

Just recently, a leading Japanse seasoning and condiment manufacturer made headlines for its campaign against a controversial entry in Merriam-Webster that fans the idea that eating MSG-laden food at Chinese restaurants can make people sick.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/severe-shortages-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-china-struggles-with-need-for-more-masks-hospital-beds-medical-equipment-279082">China faces shortage of masks, hospital beds amid coronavirus outbreak</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-restaurant-syndrome-activists-fume-over-dictionary-entry-that-dates-back-to-1960s-seek-revision-274947">Chinese Restaurant Syndrome</a> - as a dictionary entry in Merriam Webster - dates back to the 60s when people began reporting having experienced some form of illnesses after eating at Chinese restaurants.&nbsp;

If you try looking up 'Chinese Restaurant Syndrome' online on Merriam Webster's website, it will throw up the following definition which first came into use in 1968.&nbsp;

"Chinese Restaurant Syndrome: a group of symptoms (such as numbness of the neck, arms, and back with headache, dizziness, and palpitations) that is held to affect susceptible persons eating food and especially Chinese food heavily seasoned with monosodium glutamate".

As China struggles to tackle and contain the deadly coronavirus outbreak, criticism for its handling of the situation is only escalating. China cannot deny is that the crisis is growing with the death toll mounting over 550 people and thousands suffering.

As China struggles to tackle and contain the deadly coronavirus outbreak, criticism for its handling of the situation is only escalating. China cannot deny is that the crisis is growing with the death toll mounting over 550 people and thousands suffering. The Chinese are not just bearing the brunt of the outbreak but the rising incident of discrimination as well. Reports suggest that patients in Wuhan are being treated as outcasts. In the rest of the world, people of Chinese origin are being ostracised. The coronavirus outbreak has triggered a wave of racist attacks against the Chinese around the world. Even packages and parcels from China are not being spared. A report from Chinese media claims that logistics activity from the country has dropped after the outbreak. Also read: All 645 Indian evacuees from China tested negative for coronavirus - MHA A postman in Paris refused to deliver Chinese parcels. It is not just happening in France. In Seoul, South Korea, a seafood restaurant banned Chinese people from entering while a nail salon in Vietnam refused to welcome Chinese customers. This is not the first time when the Chinese have been subjected to xenophobia. Just recently, a leading Japanse seasoning and condiment manufacturer made headlines for its campaign against a controversial entry in Merriam-Webster that fans the idea that eating MSG-laden food at Chinese restaurants can make people sick. Also read: China faces shortage of masks, hospital beds amid coronavirus outbreak Chinese Restaurant Syndrome - as a dictionary entry in Merriam Webster - dates back to the 60s when people began reporting having experienced some form of illnesses after eating at Chinese restaurants. If you try looking up 'Chinese Restaurant Syndrome' online on Merriam Webster's website, it will throw up the following definition which first came into use in 1968. "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome: a group of symptoms (such as numbness of the neck, arms, and back with headache, dizziness, and palpitations) that is held to affect susceptible persons eating food and especially Chinese food heavily seasoned with monosodium glutamate".

As China struggles to tackle coronavirus outbreak, xenophobia raises its ugly head

It's a rare admission from China. Beijing has admitted to "shortcomings and inadequacies” over its response to the coronavirus. Meanwhile, Pakistan still has no plans to evacuate its citizens from China. WION's Palki Sharma brings you a round up of latest updates.

Gravitas: Wuhan virus: A rare admission from China

Pakistan will not airlift its citizens stranded in Wuhan, the Chinese city worst hit by the Novel Coronavirus outbreak, which has killed over 300 people in the country.

Pakistan Won't Airlift Its People From Virus-Hit China

On Sunday, China’s Health Commission reported that 361 people had died from the disease — surpassing the country’s 2002 to 2003 SARS outbreak death toll of 349.

Indian Govt reviews nCoV preparedness

On Thursday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global health emergency over the outbreak of the coronavirus, which is believed to have originated at a wild animal market in Wuhan and was first detected in December 2019.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Pak students appeal to their govt for help

How is China handling the virus outbreak? Beijing has unleashed a wave of propaganda to counter criticism. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how China is trying to win the narrative war.

Gravitas: Wuhan Virus, China tries to control the narrative

International airlines from France, UK, US and India have suspended flights to China over fears of the spread of the deadly coronavirus. The virus is showing no sign of reducing, overnight the death toll climbed to 213 with more than 2000 new cases being reported across the country.

More than 2,000 new Coronavirus cases reported in China, death toll rises to 213

The new coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization, as the outbreak continues to spread outside China. "The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China but what is happening in other countries," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

WHO declares Coronavirus as global health emergency

Rumours of the deadly coronavirus are spreading faster than the Coronavirus itself. Watch this video to know some myths and facts about the coronavirus.

Myths and Facts about deadly Coronavirus

The deadly coronavirus has now claimed 170 lived in China and more than 6000 people have been infected. Overnight 38 new casualties were reported with 37 deaths in the Hubei province. Nearly 60 million people remained under lockdown in the central province. Several medical teams have been dispatched to Wuhan, the city where the virus first broke out.

Coronavirus death toll rises to 170 in China

WION is the only channel to bring you a report from ground zero in India. As for more on this our correspondent Patrick Fok has sent us this report from Beijing.

Coronavirus Outbreak: WION's Patrick Fok reporting from Ground Zero

Tracking the deadly coronavirus WION brings you latest report from inside Chinese city of Wuhan. People are helpless in the lockdown situation of Wuhan. Some people have become heroes in this time of crisis. Residents are taking every measure to tackle this deadly virus.

WION brings you stories of heroes from Wuhan under lockdown

A drug store in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../coronavirus-outbreak-global-health-scares-and- its-impact-on-world-economy-277136">Beijing</a> will be fined 3 million yuan ($434,530) for hiking the price of face masks by almost six times the online price amid the coronavirus outbreak, the Beijing municipal market regulator said on Wednesday.

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-outbreak-chinese-media-official-post-fake-image-of-newly-constructed-hospital-277077">Coronavirus outbreak: Chinese media, official post fake image of newly constructed hospital</a>

The regulator has issued a notice of administrative penalty to Beijing Jimin Kangtai Pharmacy for sharply raising the price of N95 masks, it said in a statement on its website.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/coronavirus-outbreak-china-records-1st-virus-death-in-beijing-wion-news-world-news-277124/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Jimin Kangtai raised the price of 3M brand masks to 850 yuan per box, while the price of the same type of masks sold online was 143 yuan per box, state television said.

The Beijing municipal regulator has stepped up supervision on prices of epidemic protective equipment and punished illegal activities such as hoarding or fabricating information about price hikes. It has investigated 31 cases of price violation since January&nbsp;23, it said.

A drug store in Beijing will be fined 3 million yuan ($434,530) for hiking the price of face masks by almost six times the online price amid the coronavirus outbreak, the Beijing municipal market regulator said on Wednesday.

A drug store in Beijing will be fined 3 million yuan ($434,530) for hiking the price of face masks by almost six times the online price amid the coronavirus outbreak, the Beijing municipal market regulator said on Wednesday. Also read- Coronavirus outbreak: Chinese media, official post fake image of newly constructed hospital The regulator has issued a notice of administrative penalty to Beijing Jimin Kangtai Pharmacy for sharply raising the price of N95 masks, it said in a statement on its website. × Jimin Kangtai raised the price of 3M brand masks to 850 yuan per box, while the price of the same type of masks sold online was 143 yuan per box, state television said. The Beijing municipal regulator has stepped up supervision on prices of epidemic protective equipment and punished illegal activities such as hoarding or fabricating information about price hikes. It has investigated 31 cases of price violation since January 23, it said.

Coronavirus outbreak: Beijing drug store fined $434,530 for hiking price of masks

Qantas Airways Ltd Chief Executive Alan Joyce said on Wednesday it was too early for the airline to quantify the financial impact of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/coronavirus-outbreak-global-health-scares-and-its-impact-on-world-economy-277136">China's coronavirus epidemic</a> on its business but it was reviewing whether to end Beijing flights early.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/passengers-evacuate-qantas-plane-via-emergency-slides-at-sydney-airport-268331">Qantas </a>in November said it was axing its underperforming Sydney-Beijing route from March due to stiff competition from Chinese airlines and weak business class demand.

"We continue to review that, continue to review the loads, and whether we look to do that earlier, or keep it operating until that date," Joyce told reporters at the opening of a new pilot training school in Queensland, according to reports.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-outbreak-china-records-1st-virus-death-in-beijing-wion-news-world-news-277124">Coronavirus Outbreak: China Records 1st Virus Death In Beijing | WION News | World News</a>

He said the most similar comparison to coronavirus was the SARS epidemic in 2003, which cost the carrier $55 million in lost earnings over a six to eight-month period and led it to cut some international capacity.

UBS analysts on Tuesday estimated Qantas could take an earnings hit of $204 million to $513 million in the 2021 financial year depending on traffic declines as a result of the coronavirus.

Joyce said he did not comment on analyst reports as a rule but noted that UBS assumed a much worse financial impact than the airline had experienced from SARS.

He added that a fall in the oil price over the past month was benefiting the airline and the carrier did not expect a material financial impact from widespread bushfires in Australia that have hit the local tourism industry.

Qantas Airways Ltd Chief Executive Alan Joyce said on Wednesday it was too early for the airline to quantify the financial impact of China's coronavirus epidemic on its business but it was reviewing whether to end Beijing flights early.

Qantas Airways Ltd Chief Executive Alan Joyce said on Wednesday it was too early for the airline to quantify the financial impact of China's coronavirus epidemic on its business but it was reviewing whether to end Beijing flights early. Qantas in November said it was axing its underperforming Sydney-Beijing route from March due to stiff competition from Chinese airlines and weak business class demand. "We continue to review that, continue to review the loads, and whether we look to do that earlier, or keep it operating until that date," Joyce told reporters at the opening of a new pilot training school in Queensland, according to reports. Also Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: China Records 1st Virus Death In Beijing | WION News | World News He said the most similar comparison to coronavirus was the SARS epidemic in 2003, which cost the carrier $55 million in lost earnings over a six to eight-month period and led it to cut some international capacity. UBS analysts on Tuesday estimated Qantas could take an earnings hit of $204 million to $513 million in the 2021 financial year depending on traffic declines as a result of the coronavirus. Joyce said he did not comment on analyst reports as a rule but noted that UBS assumed a much worse financial impact than the airline had experienced from SARS. He added that a fall in the oil price over the past month was benefiting the airline and the carrier did not expect a material financial impact from widespread bushfires in Australia that have hit the local tourism industry.

Coronavirus hits demands; Qantas CEO says they may decide to axe Beijing Route

Chinese President Xi Jinping met visiting World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Beijing on January 28. Xi told Tedros that control of the outbreak of the new coronavirus was China's most important task and that the country had full confidence and the capability to win the battle.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets WHO Director-General to discuss deadly Coronavirus

The new strain of coronavirus spreading across China claimed its first victim in Beijing, officials said on Tuesday.

Coronavirus Outbreak: China Records 1st Virus Death In Beijing | WION News | World News

The Wuhan Virus is spreading around the world. China has put three cities under lockdown. Is Beijing unable to control the outbreak?

Gravitas: Wuhan Virus: A global health emergency?

According to the World Health Organisation, the number of new coronavirus cases is likely to be on the rise in China.&nbsp;

A WHO spokesman added that it is still too soon to evaluate the severity of the virus.&nbsp;

"It's still too early to draw conclusions on how severe the virus is," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told a Geneva news briefing as reported by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

"The focus is not so much on the (case) numbers, which we know will go up," he added. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/who-present-latest-report-on-chinas-coronavirus-276383/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

China, so far, had officially reported <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-26-dead-and-millions-on-lockdown-china-to-build-new-hospital-within-10-days-276334">830 confirmed cases and 25 deaths</a> with officials scurrying to assemble another emergency clinic in just 10 days to treat patients at the focal point of the fatal virus outbreak.&nbsp;

In Wuhan, where more of the cases have been detected, shopping centres and streets are eerily quiet after authorities told residents not to leave the city.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Wuhan's local government, suspended most transport, including outgoing flights to contain the virus.&nbsp;There is no vaccine for this virus so far and fever, difficulty in breathing and coughing are some of its symptoms.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

According to the World Health Organisation, the number of new coronavirus cases is likely to be on the rise in China. A WHO spokesman added that it is still too soon to evaluate the severity of the virus.

According to the World Health Organisation, the number of new coronavirus cases is likely to be on the rise in China. A WHO spokesman added that it is still too soon to evaluate the severity of the virus. "It's still too early to draw conclusions on how severe the virus is," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told a Geneva news briefing as reported by news agency Reuters. "The focus is not so much on the (case) numbers, which we know will go up," he added. × China, so far, had officially reported 830 confirmed cases and 25 deaths with officials scurrying to assemble another emergency clinic in just 10 days to treat patients at the focal point of the fatal virus outbreak. In Wuhan, where more of the cases have been detected, shopping centres and streets are eerily quiet after authorities told residents not to leave the city. On Thursday, Wuhan's local government, suspended most transport, including outgoing flights to contain the virus. There is no vaccine for this virus so far and fever, difficulty in breathing and coughing are some of its symptoms. (With inputs from Reuters)

Coronavirus cases likely to rise in China: World Health Organisation 

Tracking China's SARS-like coronavirus

Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a two-day visit to Myanmar. China and Myanmar are marking 70 years of their ties. 33 new agreements have been signed in the visit.

China, Myanmar sign 33 agreements

Hundreds of protesters in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinas-birth-rate-is-at-its-lowest-in-70-years-275226">China</a>-ruled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-airlines-apologies-for-the-unconvinced-caused-to-the-women-274863">Hong Kong</a> gathered in a central park on Sunday to call for democratic reforms and denounce communism, as police stopped and searched people on nearby streets and in metro stations.

The "Universal Siege Against Communism" demonstration was the latest in a relentless series of protests against the government since June when Hong Kongers took to the streets to voice their anger over a now-withdrawn extradition bill.

<img alt="Hong Kong protests" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="30c49d91-6041-4705-a283-3c5fb1b9a526" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-01-19T150623.841.jpg" />

The protests, which have since broadened to include demands for universal suffrage and an independent investigation into police handling of the demonstrations, have lost some of their intensity in recent weeks.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-work-with-new-chinese-envoy-to-get-back-on-right-path-hong-kongs-carrie-lam-272610">Will work with new Chinese envoy to get back on 'right path': Hong Kong's Carrie Lam</a>

In an apparent new tactic, police have been showing up ahead of time in riot gear, with officers conducting "stop and search" operations near expected demonstrations. A water cannon truck and armoured jeeps were also visible on central streets on Sunday.

Also watch:&nbsp;Hong Kong riot police detain protesters

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-riot-police-detain-protesters-271719/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Everyone understands that there’s a risk of stop-and-search or mass arrests. I appreciate Hong Kong people still come out courageously, despite the risk,” said organiser <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protesters-fete-landslide-election-win-for-taiwans-tsai-ing-wen-273784">Ventus Lau</a>.

Lau initially applied for a permit for a march, but the police only gave a green light for a static rally instead, saying previous marches have turned violent.

On January 1, a march of tens of thousands of people ended with police firing tear gas to disperse crowds.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-defuse-pipe-bomb-arrest-four-for-manufacturing-explosives-274330">Hong Kong police defuse pipe bomb, arrest four for manufacturing explosives</a>

At Sunday's rally, more than one thousand people gathered in a park surrounded by some of Hong Kong's tallest skyscrapers, chanting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-defuse-pipe-bomb-arrest-four-for-manufacturing-explosives-274330">pro-democracy</a> slogans as they listened to speeches by activists.

Youngsters, dressed in black and covering their faces, mixed with older people and families with children and the atmosphere was relaxed.

In one corner, a group of volunteers set up a stand where people could leave messages on red cards for the lunar new year to be sent to those who have been arrested. One read: “Hong Kongers won’t give up. The future belongs to the youth”.

Authorities in Hong Kong have arrested more than 7,000 people, many on charges of rioting that can carry jail terms of up to 10 years. It is unclear how many are still in custody.

<img alt="Police arrest protesters" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9ed14692-02de-47ca-935a-750cb6eae30e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-01-19T150805.360.jpg" /> 
&nbsp;

Anger has grown over the months due to perceptions that Beijing was tightening its grip over the city, which was handed over to China by Britain in 1997 in a deal that ensured it enjoyed liberties unavailable in the mainland.

Beijing denies meddling and blames the West for fomenting unrest.

Hundreds of protesters in China-ruled Hong Kong gathered in a central park on Sunday to call for democratic reforms and denounce communism, as police stopped and searched people on nearby streets and in metro stations.

Hundreds of protesters in China-ruled Hong Kong gathered in a central park on Sunday to call for democratic reforms and denounce communism, as police stopped and searched people on nearby streets and in metro stations. The "Universal Siege Against Communism" demonstration was the latest in a relentless series of protests against the government since June when Hong Kongers took to the streets to voice their anger over a now-withdrawn extradition bill. The protests, which have since broadened to include demands for universal suffrage and an independent investigation into police handling of the demonstrations, have lost some of their intensity in recent weeks. Also read: Will work with new Chinese envoy to get back on 'right path': Hong Kong's Carrie Lam In an apparent new tactic, police have been showing up ahead of time in riot gear, with officers conducting "stop and search" operations near expected demonstrations. A water cannon truck and armoured jeeps were also visible on central streets on Sunday. Also watch: Hong Kong riot police detain protesters "Everyone understands that there’s a risk of stop-and-search or mass arrests. I appreciate Hong Kong people still come out courageously, despite the risk,” said organiser Ventus Lau. Lau initially applied for a permit for a march, but the police only gave a green light for a static rally instead, saying previous marches have turned violent. On January 1, a march of tens of thousands of people ended with police firing tear gas to disperse crowds. Also read: Hong Kong police defuse pipe bomb, arrest four for manufacturing explosives At Sunday's rally, more than one thousand people gathered in a park surrounded by some of Hong Kong's tallest skyscrapers, chanting pro-democracy slogans as they listened to speeches by activists. Youngsters, dressed in black and covering their faces, mixed with older people and families with children and the atmosphere was relaxed. In one corner, a group of volunteers set up a stand where people could leave messages on red cards for the lunar new year to be sent to those who have been arrested. One read: “Hong Kongers won’t give up. The future belongs to the youth”. Authorities in Hong Kong have arrested more than 7,000 people, many on charges of rioting that can carry jail terms of up to 10 years. It is unclear how many are still in custody. Anger has grown over the months due to perceptions that Beijing was tightening its grip over the city, which was handed over to China by Britain in 1997 in a deal that ensured it enjoyed liberties unavailable in the mainland. Beijing denies meddling and blames the West for fomenting unrest.

Over 1,000 gather in central Hong Kong park to call for democracy

China is making major investments in Myanmar - and surrounding India from all sides. Beijing is building more infrastructure investments in the Indian subcontinent.

Why China wants a foothold in Myanmar

beijing

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