American delivery firm FedEx Corp likely withheld more than 100 packages of Huawei, a report said, while the Chinese tech giant also blamed US-listed Flex for seizing its goods, as <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/trade-war-like-the-one-going-on-between-us-and-china-foolish-thailand-ambassador-at-wion-world-order-238434&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiSs4rItdLjAhXc7nMBHeV6DwEQFjADegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1bWJVe7haDQEfv7LLORLbL">Sino-US tensions</a> further strain business ties.

Chinese authorities investigating FedEx suspect it illegally held back the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/huaweis-us-research-arm-slashes-jobs-as-trade-ban-bites-238136&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj___zltdLjAhWxheYKHVCHA3kQFjADegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3sBVXlXmuPglcgQ-qhcuOx">Huawei</a> packages and that it also violated other laws, state news agency Xinhua reported on Friday.

Beijing started a probe into FedEx last month after Huawei said the US&nbsp;delivery firm had diverted parcels intended for it. It came after Huawei was placed by Washington on a blacklist in mid-May that effectively blocks US firms from doing business with the Shenzhen-based telecoms equipment maker.

"The investigation showed that FedEx was suspected of holding up more than 100 Huawei packages entering China," Xinhua said. "Investigators also discovered clues to other violations of the company."

FedEx had no immediate comment on the report. Huawei declined to comment.

The report comes a day after Huawei said electronics contract manufacturer Flex "seized" its goods in China.

The developments mark the latest fallout from Washington's trade ban on Huawei, which has not only rattled the global technology supply chain tied to Huawei's $105 billion business but also is causing much confusion among companies and organisations well beyond the US borders regarding the limits of restrictions.

FedEx has apologised for multiple incidents of diversion of Huawei packages, which is attributed to "operational errors", but it later sued the US&nbsp;government for what it said was an "impossible task" to "police the contents" of export shipments.

Huawei told Reuters on Thursday that Flex had withheld some 700 million yuan ($101.81 million) worth of its goods in its China factory, confirming a report by the Chinese government-backed newspaper Global Times.

Flex kept the Huawei assets in its factory in the southern city of Zhuhai after the US blacklisting and caused losses for Huawei, according to the report.

Huawei told Reuters that it has retrieved some 400 million yuan of goods last month after negotiations and is still trying to take back the rest.

Flex said in an emailed statement to Reuters, "Flex and Huawei have had a long-standing and successful partnership which has recently been impacted by unforeseen challenges resulting from the US-China trade situation. Both parties are actively working to find a mutually agreeable way forward given these facts."

A Flex spokesman declined to say whether it still held any Huawei assets or counts Huawei as a customer, but said China remains "a very important center of production and end-market" where it employs tens of thousands of people.

Flex said on Friday in its quarterly earnings statement that it would accelerate a move to reduce its exposure to certain products in China and India after "recent geopolitical developments and uncertainties", which primarily impacted "one customer in China". It did not name the customer.

"We have seen a reduction in demand for products assembled for that customer," it said.

American delivery firm FedEx Corp likely withheld more than 100 packages of Huawei, a report said, while the Chinese tech giant also blamed US-listed Flex for seizing its goods, as Sino-US tensions further strain business ties.

American delivery firm FedEx Corp likely withheld more than 100 packages of Huawei, a report said, while the Chinese tech giant also blamed US-listed Flex for seizing its goods, as Sino-US tensions further strain business ties. Chinese authorities investigating FedEx suspect it illegally held back the Huawei packages and that it also violated other laws, state news agency Xinhua reported on Friday. Beijing started a probe into FedEx last month after Huawei said the US delivery firm had diverted parcels intended for it. It came after Huawei was placed by Washington on a blacklist in mid-May that effectively blocks US firms from doing business with the Shenzhen-based telecoms equipment maker. "The investigation showed that FedEx was suspected of holding up more than 100 Huawei packages entering China," Xinhua said. "Investigators also discovered clues to other violations of the company." FedEx had no immediate comment on the report. Huawei declined to comment. The report comes a day after Huawei said electronics contract manufacturer Flex "seized" its goods in China. The developments mark the latest fallout from Washington's trade ban on Huawei, which has not only rattled the global technology supply chain tied to Huawei's $105 billion business but also is causing much confusion among companies and organisations well beyond the US borders regarding the limits of restrictions. FedEx has apologised for multiple incidents of diversion of Huawei packages, which is attributed to "operational errors", but it later sued the US government for what it said was an "impossible task" to "police the contents" of export shipments. Huawei told Reuters on Thursday that Flex had withheld some 700 million yuan ($101.81 million) worth of its goods in its China factory, confirming a report by the Chinese government-backed newspaper Global Times. Flex kept the Huawei assets in its factory in the southern city of Zhuhai after the US blacklisting and caused losses for Huawei, according to the report. Huawei told Reuters that it has retrieved some 400 million yuan of goods last month after negotiations and is still trying to take back the rest. Flex said in an emailed statement to Reuters, "Flex and Huawei have had a long-standing and successful partnership which has recently been impacted by unforeseen challenges resulting from the US-China trade situation. Both parties are actively working to find a mutually agreeable way forward given these facts." A Flex spokesman declined to say whether it still held any Huawei assets or counts Huawei as a customer, but said China remains "a very important center of production and end-market" where it employs tens of thousands of people. Flex said on Friday in its quarterly earnings statement that it would accelerate a move to reduce its exposure to certain products in China and India after "recent geopolitical developments and uncertainties", which primarily impacted "one customer in China". It did not name the customer. "We have seen a reduction in demand for products assembled for that customer," it said.

Huawei's ties with partners FedEx, Flex fray on US-China tensions

Who Will Succeed The Dalai Lama? China refuses to follow convention on the issue of finding a successor to the Dalai Lama. Beijing wants a say, what's more? China wants the Dalai Lama must be recognised by the government and wouldn't take any interference by India. Is China using the reincarnation issue as a political tool? Palki weighs in on the story

Gravitas: Who will succeed The Dalai Lama?

A Top Chinese government official in Tibetian Autonomous region has said that China will not recognise any personal moves of 14th Dalai Lama on his successor.&nbsp;

Speaking exclusively to WION's correspondent Sidhant Sibal who is in Lhasa, Wang Neng Shang a vice minister in Tibet autonomous region of China and Director General of people's government information office also spoke on India china ties.

WION: How do you see India China ties?

Wang Neng Shang: Both India and China are ancient civilisation in the east and we are the two largest developing countries in the world. Two peoples of China and India are connected by traditional friendship and similar historic reason, which is a foreign invasion and in history, we have enjoyed friendship and supported each other. Now in the new era, we are happy to see that India has made great strides, in economic development, cultural prosperity and improving people's livelihood, in particular, high tech industry India's progress has impressed the world.&nbsp;

On part of China, we under the guidance of the Xi Jinping thought of socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the new era in building socialism with Chinese features and to realise common prosperity. Our two countries share a common interest as we are bounded by our common history and brilliant civilization and we are working towards the same goal. Leaders of our both countries have met at multiple occasion time, they are carving the future of our ties. Very happy and looking forward to closer cooperation between our two countries and people in promoting national development and overcoming challenges.

WION: Who after the current Dalai Lama, because people in Dharamshala and people in Bejing have different views?

Wang Neng Shang: On reincarnation of Dalai Lama, the position of the Chinese government is clear. It is not his personal decision to make. The process must go through a lot drawing in the golden urn, and reincarnation must be recognised by the central government as history goes. The centrality of the central government must be recognised. His personal move will not be recognised by the Chinese government and religious followers in Tibet. It was with the central government's recognition that Dalai Lama became the 14th Dalai lama otherwise he would not have this position.

WION: Are there any talk currently on between Dalai Lama and China government as it happened in 2011?

Wang Neng Shang: We do not have any information about that. If there are going to be any talks, the information will be released.

A Top Chinese government official in Tibetian Autonomous region has said that China will not recognise any personal moves of 14th Dalai Lama on his successor. Speaking exclusively to WION's correspondent Sidhant Sibal who is in Lhasa, Wang Neng Shang a vice minister in Tibet autonomous region of China and Director General of people's government information office also spoke on India china ties.

A Top Chinese government official in Tibetian Autonomous region has said that China will not recognise any personal moves of 14th Dalai Lama on his successor. Speaking exclusively to WION's correspondent Sidhant Sibal who is in Lhasa, Wang Neng Shang a vice minister in Tibet autonomous region of China and Director General of people's government information office also spoke on India china ties. WION: How do you see India China ties? Wang Neng Shang: Both India and China are ancient civilisation in the east and we are the two largest developing countries in the world. Two peoples of China and India are connected by traditional friendship and similar historic reason, which is a foreign invasion and in history, we have enjoyed friendship and supported each other. Now in the new era, we are happy to see that India has made great strides, in economic development, cultural prosperity and improving people's livelihood, in particular, high tech industry India's progress has impressed the world. On part of China, we under the guidance of the Xi Jinping thought of socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the new era in building socialism with Chinese features and to realise common prosperity. Our two countries share a common interest as we are bounded by our common history and brilliant civilization and we are working towards the same goal. Leaders of our both countries have met at multiple occasion time, they are carving the future of our ties. Very happy and looking forward to closer cooperation between our two countries and people in promoting national development and overcoming challenges. WION: Who after the current Dalai Lama, because people in Dharamshala and people in Bejing have different views? Wang Neng Shang: On reincarnation of Dalai Lama, the position of the Chinese government is clear. It is not his personal decision to make. The process must go through a lot drawing in the golden urn, and reincarnation must be recognised by the central government as history goes. The centrality of the central government must be recognised. His personal move will not be recognised by the Chinese government and religious followers in Tibet. It was with the central government's recognition that Dalai Lama became the 14th Dalai lama otherwise he would not have this position. WION: Are there any talk currently on between Dalai Lama and China government as it happened in 2011? Wang Neng Shang: We do not have any information about that. If there are going to be any talks, the information will be released.

China to not recognise personal moves of 14th Dalai Lama on his successor: Wang Neng Shang to WION

Five people were arrested during overnight <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/violent-clashes-as-hong-kong-marks-china-handover-anniversary-232056">clashes in Hong Kong </a>between riot officers and anti-government protesters, police said Monday, as the political violence rocking the international hub shows no sign of abating.

The city has been plunged into its worst crisis in recent history following a month of huge marches as well as separate violent confrontations with police involving a minority of hardcore protesters.&nbsp;

The rallies were sparked by a now-suspended law that would have allowed extraditions to mainland <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/riot-police-baton-charge-protesters-in-hong-kong-233863">China</a>, but have since morphed into a wider movement calling for democratic reforms and a halt to sliding freedoms in the semi-autonomous territory.

Sunday night saw fresh political violence break out in the district of Mongkok as police baton-charged small groups of masked, largely young protesters who were walking along roads and refused to disperse following another massive, peaceful rally earlier in the day.

In a statement issued early Monday morning, police said the group was taking part in an "unlawful assembly" and had been warned that officers would take action.&nbsp;

"Some protesters resisted and police arrested five persons for assaulting a police officer and obstructing a police officer in the execution of duties," the statement said.

Activists hit out at the police tactics, saying the protesters in Mongkok had remained peaceful as they made their way home and that violence was started by a shield wall of riot officers that had blocked the crowd's path.&nbsp;

"HKers joined rally peacefully... against extradition, bill results in being beaten and assaulted by HK Police," democracy activist Joshua Wong wrote in a tweet accompanying pictures of at least two protesters with bleeding head wounds.&nbsp;

"Just another example of excessive force used by the police," he added in another tweet.

Public anger has soared against the city's pro-Beijing leaders and its police force after officers used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters outside parliament last month.

Since then the chaos has only escalated. Last Monday, anger peaked as hundreds of youth-led demonstrators successfully stormed and trashed the city's parliament.

Those unprecedented scenes -- and renewed huge marches -- have failed to persuade the government, whose sole concession so far has been to suspend the loathed extradition bill.&nbsp;

Protesters are demanding the bill be scrapped entirely, an independent inquiry into police use of tear gas and rubber bullets, amnesty for those arrested, and for the city's unelected leader Carrie Lam to step down.

They have also demanded authorities stop characterizing protesters as "rioters", a definition that carries much steeper jail terms.

Beijing has thrown its full support behind the embattled Lam, calling on Hong Kong police to pursue anyone involved in the parliament storming and other clashes.

Despite repeated requests, police have not released a breakdown of how many people have been detained in the last month of protests.

Five people were arrested during overnight clashes in Hong Kong between riot officers and anti-government protesters, police said Monday, as the political violence rocking the international hub shows no sign of abating.

Five people were arrested during overnight clashes in Hong Kong between riot officers and anti-government protesters, police said Monday, as the political violence rocking the international hub shows no sign of abating. The city has been plunged into its worst crisis in recent history following a month of huge marches as well as separate violent confrontations with police involving a minority of hardcore protesters. The rallies were sparked by a now-suspended law that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but have since morphed into a wider movement calling for democratic reforms and a halt to sliding freedoms in the semi-autonomous territory. Sunday night saw fresh political violence break out in the district of Mongkok as police baton-charged small groups of masked, largely young protesters who were walking along roads and refused to disperse following another massive, peaceful rally earlier in the day. In a statement issued early Monday morning, police said the group was taking part in an "unlawful assembly" and had been warned that officers would take action. "Some protesters resisted and police arrested five persons for assaulting a police officer and obstructing a police officer in the execution of duties," the statement said. Activists hit out at the police tactics, saying the protesters in Mongkok had remained peaceful as they made their way home and that violence was started by a shield wall of riot officers that had blocked the crowd's path. "HKers joined rally peacefully... against extradition, bill results in being beaten and assaulted by HK Police," democracy activist Joshua Wong wrote in a tweet accompanying pictures of at least two protesters with bleeding head wounds. "Just another example of excessive force used by the police," he added in another tweet. Public anger has soared against the city's pro-Beijing leaders and its police force after officers used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters outside parliament last month. Since then the chaos has only escalated. Last Monday, anger peaked as hundreds of youth-led demonstrators successfully stormed and trashed the city's parliament. Those unprecedented scenes -- and renewed huge marches -- have failed to persuade the government, whose sole concession so far has been to suspend the loathed extradition bill. Protesters are demanding the bill be scrapped entirely, an independent inquiry into police use of tear gas and rubber bullets, amnesty for those arrested, and for the city's unelected leader Carrie Lam to step down. They have also demanded authorities stop characterizing protesters as "rioters", a definition that carries much steeper jail terms. Beijing has thrown its full support behind the embattled Lam, calling on Hong Kong police to pursue anyone involved in the parliament storming and other clashes. Despite repeated requests, police have not released a breakdown of how many people have been detained in the last month of protests.

Hong Kong police arrest five after night of clashes

Telecommunications giant Huawei is "too close" to the Chinese government, making it difficult to trust the company at the heart of an escalating trade war between Washington and Beijing, the US defence chief said Saturday.

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan's comments came amid a wave of controversy over the Chinese firm, which has been hit by allegations of espionage and faces a US ban.

"The integration of civilian businesses with the military is too close. China has national policies and laws where data is required to be shared," Shanahan told a defence and security conference in Singapore.

"When I look at that situation, it's too much risk... You can't trust those networks are going to be protected."

The US Commerce Department last month placed Huawei on an "entity list" on grounds of national security, a move that curbs its access to US-made components it needs for its equipment. A 90-day reprieve was later issued.

A number of countries have also blocked Huawei from working on their mobile networks and companies have stepped back from the firm following the US ban, citing legal requirements.

Concerns about Huawei have escalated as the company has risen to become the world leader in telecom networking equipment and one of the top smartphone manufacturers alongside Samsung and Apple.

The US has long voiced suspicions that Huawei is controlled by the Chinese government and thus a global security threat -- charges strongly denied by the firm and Beijing.&nbsp;

Founder Ren Zhengfei is a former soldier in China's People's Liberation Army. 
&nbsp;

Telecommunications giant Huawei is "too close" to the Chinese government, making it difficult to trust the company at the heart of an escalating trade war between Washington and Beijing, the US defence chief said Saturday.

Telecommunications giant Huawei is "too close" to the Chinese government, making it difficult to trust the company at the heart of an escalating trade war between Washington and Beijing, the US defence chief said Saturday. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan's comments came amid a wave of controversy over the Chinese firm, which has been hit by allegations of espionage and faces a US ban. "The integration of civilian businesses with the military is too close. China has national policies and laws where data is required to be shared," Shanahan told a defence and security conference in Singapore. "When I look at that situation, it's too much risk... You can't trust those networks are going to be protected." The US Commerce Department last month placed Huawei on an "entity list" on grounds of national security, a move that curbs its access to US-made components it needs for its equipment. A 90-day reprieve was later issued. A number of countries have also blocked Huawei from working on their mobile networks and companies have stepped back from the firm following the US ban, citing legal requirements. Concerns about Huawei have escalated as the company has risen to become the world leader in telecom networking equipment and one of the top smartphone manufacturers alongside Samsung and Apple. The US has long voiced suspicions that Huawei is controlled by the Chinese government and thus a global security threat -- charges strongly denied by the firm and Beijing. Founder Ren Zhengfei is a former soldier in China's People's Liberation Army.

Huawei 'too close' to Chinese government to be trusted: US

&nbsp;The presence of hundreds of Chinese boats near an island occupied by Manila in the disputed South China Sea is illegal and a clear violation of Philippine sovereignty, the country's foreign ministry said on Thursday.

"Such actions when not repudiated by the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/hague-court-to-pass-a-ruling-on-july-12-in-south-china-sea-case-1457&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjy5pSg9bXhAhUzguYKHaPgD_oQFggLMAI&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ZwPTLqaPedat8CSm9nQ8c">Chinese government</a> are deemed to have been adopted by it," <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/china-declines-to-say-if-it-supports-philippine-fishing-ban-at-disputed-scarborough-shoal-9193&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjoq8u99bXhAhXEgeYKHeWoCRUQFggLMAI&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Eb0WXbji6D3HtG4yhN2al">the Department of Foreign Affairs</a> said in a statement, days after the Philippines said it had lodged a diplomatic protest over the vessels.

The presence of the vessels in the vicinity of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/duterte-orders-philippine-troops-to-south-china-sea-reefs-14245&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj85uDO9bXhAhWCjeYKHRYtDZ0QFggIMAE&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0bQoZpAYj2mDAS9aeQn3WK">Thitu island</a> for sustained and recurring periods raised questions about their intent and concerns over their role "in support of coercive objectives," the ministry added.

Military data show the Philippines has monitored more than 200 Chinese boats near Thitu, or Pagasa, as it is known locally, from January to March this year.

Besides the Philippines, Brunei, China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims of sovereignty in the busy waterway, a conduit for goods in excess of $3.4 trillion every&nbsp;

are deemed to have been adopted by it," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, days after the Philippines said it had lodged a diplomatic protest over the vessels.

The presence of the vessels in the vicinity of Thitu island for sustained and recurring periods raised questions about their intent and concerns over their role "in support of coercive objectives," the ministry added.

Military data show the Philippines has monitored more than 200 Chinese boats near Thitu, or Pagasa, as it is known locally, from January to March this year.

Besides the Philippines, Brunei, China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims of sovereignty in the busy waterway, a conduit for goods in excess of $3.4 trillion every year.

The presence of hundreds of Chinese boats near an island occupied by Manila in the disputed South China Sea is illegal and a clear violation of Philippine sovereignty, the country's foreign ministry said on Thursday.

The presence of hundreds of Chinese boats near an island occupied by Manila in the disputed South China Sea is illegal and a clear violation of Philippine sovereignty, the country's foreign ministry said on Thursday. "Such actions when not repudiated by the Chinese government are deemed to have been adopted by it," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, days after the Philippines said it had lodged a diplomatic protest over the vessels. The presence of the vessels in the vicinity of Thitu island for sustained and recurring periods raised questions about their intent and concerns over their role "in support of coercive objectives," the ministry added. Military data show the Philippines has monitored more than 200 Chinese boats near Thitu, or Pagasa, as it is known locally, from January to March this year. Besides the Philippines, Brunei, China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims of sovereignty in the busy waterway, a conduit for goods in excess of $3.4 trillion every are deemed to have been adopted by it," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, days after the Philippines said it had lodged a diplomatic protest over the vessels. The presence of the vessels in the vicinity of Thitu island for sustained and recurring periods raised questions about their intent and concerns over their role "in support of coercive objectives," the ministry added. Military data show the Philippines has monitored more than 200 Chinese boats near Thitu, or Pagasa, as it is known locally, from January to March this year. Besides the Philippines, Brunei, China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims of sovereignty in the busy waterway, a conduit for goods in excess of $3.4 trillion every year.

Presence of Chinese vessels in South China Sea illegal: Philippines

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang on Thursday said Beijing opposed "gratuitous accusations" when asked about allegations that clues in a massive breach at hotel group Marriott International Inc implicated China.

Hackers behind it left clues suggesting they were working for a Chinese government intelligence-gathering operation, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Marriott said last week that a hack that began four years ago had exposed the records of up to 500 million customers in its Starwood hotels reservation system.&nbsp;

Private investigators looking into the breach have found hacking tools, techniques and procedures previously used in attacks attributed to Chinese hackers said three sources who were not authorized to discuss the company's private probe into the attack.

If investigators confirm that China was behind the attack, that could complicate already tense relations between Washington and Beijing, amid an ongoing tariff dispute and US accusations of Chinese espionage and the theft of trade secrets.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang on Thursday said Beijing opposed "gratuitous accusations" when asked about allegations that clues in a massive breach at hotel group Marriott International Inc implicated China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang on Thursday said Beijing opposed "gratuitous accusations" when asked about allegations that clues in a massive breach at hotel group Marriott International Inc implicated China. Hackers behind it left clues suggesting they were working for a Chinese government intelligence-gathering operation, according to sources familiar with the matter. Marriott said last week that a hack that began four years ago had exposed the records of up to 500 million customers in its Starwood hotels reservation system. Private investigators looking into the breach have found hacking tools, techniques and procedures previously used in attacks attributed to Chinese hackers said three sources who were not authorized to discuss the company's private probe into the attack. If investigators confirm that China was behind the attack, that could complicate already tense relations between Washington and Beijing, amid an ongoing tariff dispute and US accusations of Chinese espionage and the theft of trade secrets.

China denies role in Marriott hacking case

China appears to be &quot;winning&quot; its war on air pollution, making so much progress that life expectancy could rise by more than two years, according to a US university study.

The Chinese government has been waging a battle to clear its skies of smog that has cut life expectancy in some regions and prompted its citizens to buy masks and air purifiers to protect themselves during peak pollution days.

The University of Chicago says in its study released yesterday that while the world&#39;s biggest polluter faces a long road to reach national and international air quality standards, the results &quot;suggest the country is winning its war on pollution&quot;.

Based on daily data from more than 200 monitors across China from 2013 to 2017, the analysis found that cities have cut levels of PM 2.5 -- the tiny airborne particles considered most harmful to health -- by an average of 32 per cent in just four years.

If sustained, such reductions would increase the life expectancy of the average Chinese citizen by 2.4 years relative to 2013. PM 2.5 can play a role in heart disease, stroke, and lung ailments such as emphysema and cancer.

Another study published by the university last year had found that air pollution in northern China had cut life expectancy by three years compared with the south of the country.

&quot;We don&#39;t have a historical example of a country achieving such rapid reductions in air pollution. It&#39;s remarkable,&quot; Michael Greenstone the economist and director of the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago who conducted the studies, told AFP Tuesday.

By contrast, it took the US a dozen years and a severe recession to attain similar improvements in air quality after it enacted its 1970 Clean Air Act, he noted.

&quot;What these last four years have demonstrated quite loudly is that things can change and they can change rapidly -- it just requires political will,&quot; he said.

As public discontent mounted over the country&#39;s choking smog, China&#39;s ruling Communist Party made clean air a priority.

In 2013, it launched an ambitious air pollution action plan that sought to slash PM 2.5 levels in key regions such as the northern Beijing-Hebei-Tianjin area and the Yangtze River Delta by up to a quarter. In 2014, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang declared &quot;war&quot; on pollution.

Since then, teams of inspectors have been deployed across major cities in north China to ensure compliance with pollution standards.

Highlighting the challenge facing the country, Beijing&#39;s skies were a dismal grey on Tuesday, as PM 2.5 levels soared to 270 micrograms per cubic metre, more than 10 times the maximum recommended by the World Health Organization for a 24-hour period. But the capital and other places have made progress.

Beijing cut PM 2.5 levels by 35 per cent between 2013 and 2017, increasing lifespans of its 20 million residents by 3.3 years, the study found. Baoding, China&#39;s most polluted city as of 2015, cut pollution by 38 per cent, adding 4.5 years of life.

&quot;China&#39;s not held up as a democratic regime, and yet here we have a clear example of the public demanding something and the government delivering it,&quot; said Greenstone.

Yet the war on smog has come with social costs.

To clear the skies, authorities ordered thousands of polluting factories to leave urban centres, displacing hundreds of thousands of migrants.

They also designated &quot;no-coal zones&quot; that pushed more than three million households in the region around Beijing to abruptly switch over to gas or electric heating, often removing coal boilers before new systems were functional.

In December, schools in Hebei province made headlines after pupils suffered frostbite from attending class outside. Delays to installations of the new electric heating systems meant it was slightly warmer in the weak winter sunshine than in the frigid classrooms.

Greenstone said he hoped to see China move towards more market-based environmental regulations. He recommended measures such as setting up cap-and-trade markets for particulates and beefing up pollution taxes.

The Chinese government has been waging a battle to clear its skies of smog that has cut life expectancy in some regions and prompted its citizens to buy masks and air purifiers to protect themselves during peak pollution days

China appears to be "winning" its war on air pollution, making so much progress that life expectancy could rise by more than two years, according to a US university study. The Chinese government has been waging a battle to clear its skies of smog that has cut life expectancy in some regions and prompted its citizens to buy masks and air purifiers to protect themselves during peak pollution days. The University of Chicago says in its study released yesterday that while the world's biggest polluter faces a long road to reach national and international air quality standards, the results "suggest the country is winning its war on pollution". Based on daily data from more than 200 monitors across China from 2013 to 2017, the analysis found that cities have cut levels of PM 2.5 -- the tiny airborne particles considered most harmful to health -- by an average of 32 per cent in just four years. If sustained, such reductions would increase the life expectancy of the average Chinese citizen by 2.4 years relative to 2013. PM 2.5 can play a role in heart disease, stroke, and lung ailments such as emphysema and cancer. Another study published by the university last year had found that air pollution in northern China had cut life expectancy by three years compared with the south of the country. "We don't have a historical example of a country achieving such rapid reductions in air pollution. It's remarkable," Michael Greenstone the economist and director of the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago who conducted the studies, told AFP Tuesday. By contrast, it took the US a dozen years and a severe recession to attain similar improvements in air quality after it enacted its 1970 Clean Air Act, he noted. "What these last four years have demonstrated quite loudly is that things can change and they can change rapidly -- it just requires political will," he said. As public discontent mounted over the country's choking smog, China's ruling Communist Party made clean air a priority. In 2013, it launched an ambitious air pollution action plan that sought to slash PM 2.5 levels in key regions such as the northern Beijing-Hebei-Tianjin area and the Yangtze River Delta by up to a quarter. In 2014, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang declared "war" on pollution. Since then, teams of inspectors have been deployed across major cities in north China to ensure compliance with pollution standards. Highlighting the challenge facing the country, Beijing's skies were a dismal grey on Tuesday, as PM 2.5 levels soared to 270 micrograms per cubic metre, more than 10 times the maximum recommended by the World Health Organization for a 24-hour period. But the capital and other places have made progress. Beijing cut PM 2.5 levels by 35 per cent between 2013 and 2017, increasing lifespans of its 20 million residents by 3.3 years, the study found. Baoding, China's most polluted city as of 2015, cut pollution by 38 per cent, adding 4.5 years of life. "China's not held up as a democratic regime, and yet here we have a clear example of the public demanding something and the government delivering it," said Greenstone. Yet the war on smog has come with social costs. To clear the skies, authorities ordered thousands of polluting factories to leave urban centres, displacing hundreds of thousands of migrants. They also designated "no-coal zones" that pushed more than three million households in the region around Beijing to abruptly switch over to gas or electric heating, often removing coal boilers before new systems were functional. In December, schools in Hebei province made headlines after pupils suffered frostbite from attending class outside. Delays to installations of the new electric heating systems meant it was slightly warmer in the weak winter sunshine than in the frigid classrooms. Greenstone said he hoped to see China move towards more market-based environmental regulations. He recommended measures such as setting up cap-and-trade markets for particulates and beefing up pollution taxes.

China 'winning' war on smog, helping life expectancy: Study

Ilham Tohti, an Uighur scholar who was jailed for life for his criticism of China&#39;s official ethnic policies, was awarded the Martin Ennals Award for human rights defenders on Tuesday.

The scholar from China&#39;s mostly-Muslim Uighur minority has spoken publicly against China&#39;s policies towards the Uighur minority in their home region Xinjiang in western China. Xinjiang has seen a security crackdown in recent years, prompted by clashes that have killed hundreds.

The 46-year-old was sentenced in 2014 to life in prison for &quot;separatism&quot;.

&quot;The real shame of this situation is that by eliminating the moderate voice of Ilham Tohti, the Chinese government is in fact laying the groundwork for the very extremism it says it wants to prevent,&quot;&nbsp;said Martin Ennals Foundation chairman&nbsp;Dick Oosting&nbsp;in a statement, AFP reported.

The award named after Amnesty International&#39;s first secretary general is judged by the London-based rights group, with Human Rights Watch and other leading organisations.&nbsp;The award is given to &quot;Human Rights Defenders who have shown deep commitment and face great personal risk&quot;.

&quot;Ilham Tohti has worked for two decades to foster dialogue and understanding between Uyghurs and Han Chinese. He has rejected separatism and violence, and sought reconciliation based on a respect for Uyghur culture, which has been subject to religious, cultural and political repression in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region,&quot; reads the citation for Tohti&#39;s award on Martin Ennals Award <a href="http://www.martinennalsaward.org/?p=1078" target="_blank">website</a>.

The move was condemned by Beijing, with the foreign ministry&#39;s spokesman saying &quot;there is clear evidence of IIham Tohti&#39;s wrongdoings&quot;.

&quot;Ilham Tohti used to be a university professor in China. In his class, he hailed suspects who launched terrorist attacks as &#39;heroes&#39;,&quot; Geng said in a statement.&nbsp;

Teng Biao, an exiled human rights lawyer and friend of the jailed scholar, welcomed the award.

&ldquo;It is definitely good news,&rdquo; The Guardian reported Biao as saying. &ldquo;It won&rsquo;t necessarily lead to an early release or have direct consequences but at least this kind of prize will make the international community more aware of Ilham Tohti. Every award is helpful to Chinese political prisoners and human rights defenders.&rdquo;&nbsp;

The other two finalists included&nbsp;Syrian activist Razan Zaitouneh and a collective of Ethiopian bloggers called Zone 9.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The 46-year-old was sentenced to life in prison for criticising China's official ethnic policies towards the mostly-Muslim Uighur minority

Ilham Tohti, an Uighur scholar who was jailed for life for his criticism of China's official ethnic policies, was awarded the Martin Ennals Award for human rights defenders on Tuesday. The scholar from China's mostly-Muslim Uighur minority has spoken publicly against China's policies towards the Uighur minority in their home region Xinjiang in western China. Xinjiang has seen a security crackdown in recent years, prompted by clashes that have killed hundreds. The 46-year-old was sentenced in 2014 to life in prison for "separatism". "The real shame of this situation is that by eliminating the moderate voice of Ilham Tohti, the Chinese government is in fact laying the groundwork for the very extremism it says it wants to prevent," said Martin Ennals Foundation chairman Dick Oosting in a statement, AFP reported. The award named after Amnesty International's first secretary general is judged by the London-based rights group, with Human Rights Watch and other leading organisations. The award is given to "Human Rights Defenders who have shown deep commitment and face great personal risk". "Ilham Tohti has worked for two decades to foster dialogue and understanding between Uyghurs and Han Chinese. He has rejected separatism and violence, and sought reconciliation based on a respect for Uyghur culture, which has been subject to religious, cultural and political repression in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region," reads the citation for Tohti's award on Martin Ennals Award website. The move was condemned by Beijing, with the foreign ministry's spokesman saying "there is clear evidence of IIham Tohti's wrongdoings". "Ilham Tohti used to be a university professor in China. In his class, he hailed suspects who launched terrorist attacks as 'heroes'," Geng said in a statement. Teng Biao, an exiled human rights lawyer and friend of the jailed scholar, welcomed the award. “It is definitely good news,” The Guardian reported Biao as saying. “It won’t necessarily lead to an early release or have direct consequences but at least this kind of prize will make the international community more aware of Ilham Tohti. Every award is helpful to Chinese political prisoners and human rights defenders.” The other two finalists included Syrian activist Razan Zaitouneh and a collective of Ethiopian bloggers called Zone 9. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Jailed Chinese scholar Ilham Tohti receives human rights award

Former Philippines president Fidel Ramos today named the head of a Chinese government think-tank among the experts and officials he hoped to meet on a trip to rekindle ties with China soured by a maritime dispute in the South China Sea. 
 
On July 12, an arbitration court in the Hague ruled that China had no historic title over the busy waterway and had breached the Philippines&#39; sovereign rights there, infuriating China, which had dismissed the case. 
 
&quot;I&#39;ve always been a very optimistic person, always looking for the best results,&quot; Ramos told reporters in Hong Kong. &quot;But of course that also depends on the attitude of the Chinese officials.&quot; 
 
No details of itinerary&nbsp; 
 
Ramos gave no details of his itinerary or of those he planned to meet, except for Wu Shicun, who heads the National Institute for South China Sea Studies think-tank, based on China&#39;s southern island of Hainan. 
 
Asked about others, such as China&#39;s former deputy minister for Foreign Affairs Fu Ying, Ramos said he did not know yet. 
 
&quot;They all have links with Beijing, because some of them are already retired but elevated to the parliament as chairman of this and that committee.&quot; 
 
Ramos said he sought to improve economic and tourism links, such as by allowing &quot;more fishing in the common fishing ground&quot; of the Scarborough shoal in the Philippines&#39; exclusive economic zone. 
 
&quot;The idea is to use the South China Sea as a place to save lives, but not to kill people or to destroy lives,&quot; he added. 
 
China&#39;s 2012 seizure of the Scarborough Shoal, denying Philippine fishermen access, was among the factors that prompted Manila to seek arbitration. 
 
But China has ignored the court&#39;s ruling that none of its reefs and holdings in the Spratly Islands entitled it to a 200-mile exclusive economic zone. 
 
&#39;First concrete step&#39; 
 
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the sea, believed to be rich in energy deposits. 
 
Ramos, 88, who described his role as an &quot;icebreaker&quot;, is known for an impromptu duet of Elvis Presley&#39;s &#39;Love Me Tender&#39; with former Chinese president Jiang Zemin at a 1996 banquet. 
 
His trip represents &quot;the first concrete step&quot; in engagement for both sides and &quot;could open a new chapter in settling disputes&quot;, China&#39;s state news agency, Xinhua, said in a commentary. 
 
Ramos was Philippines president from 1992 to 1998, when China occupied the submerged Mischief Reef. 
 
(Reuters)

After the Hague ruling, the former president's visit is being viewed as an opportunity to open a new chapter in settling disputes with China

Former Philippines president Fidel Ramos today named the head of a Chinese government think-tank among the experts and officials he hoped to meet on a trip to rekindle ties with China soured by a maritime dispute in the South China Sea. On July 12, an arbitration court in the Hague ruled that China had no historic title over the busy waterway and had breached the Philippines' sovereign rights there, infuriating China, which had dismissed the case. "I've always been a very optimistic person, always looking for the best results," Ramos told reporters in Hong Kong. "But of course that also depends on the attitude of the Chinese officials." No details of itinerary Ramos gave no details of his itinerary or of those he planned to meet, except for Wu Shicun, who heads the National Institute for South China Sea Studies think-tank, based on China's southern island of Hainan. Asked about others, such as China's former deputy minister for Foreign Affairs Fu Ying, Ramos said he did not know yet. "They all have links with Beijing, because some of them are already retired but elevated to the parliament as chairman of this and that committee." Ramos said he sought to improve economic and tourism links, such as by allowing "more fishing in the common fishing ground" of the Scarborough shoal in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. "The idea is to use the South China Sea as a place to save lives, but not to kill people or to destroy lives," he added. China's 2012 seizure of the Scarborough Shoal, denying Philippine fishermen access, was among the factors that prompted Manila to seek arbitration. But China has ignored the court's ruling that none of its reefs and holdings in the Spratly Islands entitled it to a 200-mile exclusive economic zone. 'First concrete step' China claims almost the entire South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the sea, believed to be rich in energy deposits. Ramos, 88, who described his role as an "icebreaker", is known for an impromptu duet of Elvis Presley's 'Love Me Tender' with former Chinese president Jiang Zemin at a 1996 banquet. His trip represents "the first concrete step" in engagement for both sides and "could open a new chapter in settling disputes", China's state news agency, Xinhua, said in a commentary. Ramos was Philippines president from 1992 to 1998, when China occupied the submerged Mischief Reef. (Reuters)

Philippines envoy Fidel Ramos "optimistic" about ice breaking China trip