China has tightened its grip on the entertainment industry, ordering broadcasters to ban musicians with "incorrect political viewpoints" and effeminate tendencies from performances, citing the need to promote a "patriotic atmosphere."

In an online notice, the National Radio and Television Administration announced that it will tighten regulations on cultural programmes, pushing down on what it considers to be unhealthy material, as well as celebrity salaries and tax fraud.&nbsp;

After years of unbridled expansion, Chinese regulators have tightened their grip on a wide range of industries, from technology to education, in order to bolster control over society and critical sectors of the economy. 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/chinese-actress-zheng-shuang-hit-with-46-mn-tax-fine-as-china-targets-celebrity-culture-408733" hreflang="en">Chinese actress Zheng Shuang hit with $46 mn tax fine as China targets celebrity culture</a>

They implemented new restrictions on Monday that limit the amount of time children can spend playing electronic games.

Following a succession of celebrity scandals involving tax evasion and sexual assault, the entertainment sector became a target.

China's internet regulator announced last week that it was taking action against what it called a "chaotic" celebrity fan culture.&nbsp;

Separate notices issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the China Association of Performing Arts stated that performers, such as livestreaming celebrities, should receive periodic ethics training and that agencies should terminate contracts with those who "lack moral discipline."

Apart from criticising celebrity adoration, authorities and state media have chastised male celebrities who wear heavy make-up and well styled hair and present a feminine image, claiming that Chinese guys should grow up to be more manly.&nbsp;

According to an opinion post published in the state-run Guangming Daily on August 27 by a former officer of a military newspaper, some "effeminate" stars are unethical and can harm adolescents' values.

According to the article, when such celebrities play troops fighting in the battle against the Japanese - a common setting for Chinese films and television series - they make the "righteous" and "heroic" characters appear juvenile.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

China has tightened its grip on the entertainment industry, ordering broadcasters to ban musicians with "incorrect political viewpoints" and effeminate tendencies from performances, citing the need to promote a "patriotic atmosphere.

China has tightened its grip on the entertainment industry, ordering broadcasters to ban musicians with "incorrect political viewpoints" and effeminate tendencies from performances, citing the need to promote a "patriotic atmosphere." In an online notice, the National Radio and Television Administration announced that it will tighten regulations on cultural programmes, pushing down on what it considers to be unhealthy material, as well as celebrity salaries and tax fraud. After years of unbridled expansion, Chinese regulators have tightened their grip on a wide range of industries, from technology to education, in order to bolster control over society and critical sectors of the economy. Also read | Chinese actress Zheng Shuang hit with $46 mn tax fine as China targets celebrity culture They implemented new restrictions on Monday that limit the amount of time children can spend playing electronic games. Following a succession of celebrity scandals involving tax evasion and sexual assault, the entertainment sector became a target. China's internet regulator announced last week that it was taking action against what it called a "chaotic" celebrity fan culture. Separate notices issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the China Association of Performing Arts stated that performers, such as livestreaming celebrities, should receive periodic ethics training and that agencies should terminate contracts with those who "lack moral discipline." Apart from criticising celebrity adoration, authorities and state media have chastised male celebrities who wear heavy make-up and well styled hair and present a feminine image, claiming that Chinese guys should grow up to be more manly. According to an opinion post published in the state-run Guangming Daily on August 27 by a former officer of a military newspaper, some "effeminate" stars are unethical and can harm adolescents' values. According to the article, when such celebrities play troops fighting in the battle against the Japanese - a common setting for Chinese films and television series - they make the "righteous" and "heroic" characters appear juvenile. (With inputs from agencies)

China bans ‘effeminate styles’ and ‘incorrect politics’ from screens

In a statement, Chinese Embassy in Pakistan strongly condemned the suicide attack on the Gwadar Eastbay Expressway Project, where at least three people were killed, including two children, and two more were injured, as per reports. &nbsp;

Pakistan’s interior ministry said, an explosion targetted a convoy of vehicles carrying Chinese nationals on the Gwadar East Bay Expressway project in Balochistan on Friday evening. The wounded have been sent to a hospital in Gwadar for treatment.&nbsp;

The convoy comprised of four vehicles carrying Chinese nationals "with integral security details of Pakistan army and police contingent".&nbsp;

Extending its sincere sympathies to the injured of both countries, the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan strongly condemned the act of terrorism and expressed its deep condolences to the innocent victims in Pakistan.&nbsp;

The embassy has launched an emergency plan immediately and has demanded Pakistan to properly treat the wounded, conduct a thorough investigation on the attack and severely punish the perpetrators.&nbsp;

It also said, relevant departments at all levels in Pakistan must take practical and effective measures to accelerate to implement strengthened whole-process security measures and upgraded security cooperation mechanism to ensure that similar incidents will not happen again.&nbsp;

The embassy has also reminded the Chinese citizens in Pakistan to be vigilant, observe safety precautions, reduce unnecessary outings and take effective security protections.&nbsp;

In a statement, Chinese Embassy in Pakistan strongly condemned the suicide attack on the Gwadar Eastbay Expressway Project, where at least three people were killed, including two children, and two more were injured, as per reports.

In a statement, Chinese Embassy in Pakistan strongly condemned the suicide attack on the Gwadar Eastbay Expressway Project, where at least three people were killed, including two children, and two more were injured, as per reports. Pakistan’s interior ministry said, an explosion targetted a convoy of vehicles carrying Chinese nationals on the Gwadar East Bay Expressway project in Balochistan on Friday evening. The wounded have been sent to a hospital in Gwadar for treatment. The convoy comprised of four vehicles carrying Chinese nationals "with integral security details of Pakistan army and police contingent". Extending its sincere sympathies to the injured of both countries, the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan strongly condemned the act of terrorism and expressed its deep condolences to the innocent victims in Pakistan. The embassy has launched an emergency plan immediately and has demanded Pakistan to properly treat the wounded, conduct a thorough investigation on the attack and severely punish the perpetrators. It also said, relevant departments at all levels in Pakistan must take practical and effective measures to accelerate to implement strengthened whole-process security measures and upgraded security cooperation mechanism to ensure that similar incidents will not happen again. The embassy has also reminded the Chinese citizens in Pakistan to be vigilant, observe safety precautions, reduce unnecessary outings and take effective security protections.

Chinese Embassy in Pakistan condemns Balochistan attack, demands thorough investigation 

Four-time Olympic diving gold medallist Shi Tingmao has revealed her struggles with depression, joining US gymnastics superstar Simone Biles in openly discussing her mental health at the Tokyo Games.

China's Shi comfortably won the 3m springboard title for her second gold in Japan but cut a tearful figure in the immediate aftermath at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

The 29-year-old later said she had considered quitting diving after her form dipped last year.

"I have to really take care of my mental state and make sure I don't get into a depression," Shi told a post-competition press conference in unusually open comments for China's often-guarded athletes.

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"I have worked with a psychiatrist or psychologist who helped me quite a bit with some of the mental stresses of being a competitive diver and dealing with depression and things like that."

Hinting that she reached such a low that she might have given up the sport, she added: "I really love diving and I realized that there was no way that I could give it up.

"So to get to this point today was not easy."

Shi, who also won two golds at Rio 2016, revealed the internal conflict she has had to deal with.

"There are two of me in my mental state that actually fight with one another," she said.

"Part of me says 'you're a gold medallist, you can take a break, you can be done. Another part of me says 'you can't give this up, you love diving'."

Shi said she had not seen her family for 18 months because she had been so dedicated to her training and "we actually had very little contact".

"I'm sure my family have been worried for me but I also hope, through the screen, when we see each other, I can speak to my family and say that they have nothing to worry about, everything's fine."

Gymnast Biles came to the Tokyo Games as one of the standout stars but she has pulled out of a series of events and admitted she needed to take care of her mental wellbeing.

It comes weeks after another of the world's highest-profile athletes, Japanese star Naomi Osaka, took a break from tennis after revealing she had suffered depression. 
&nbsp;

Four-time Olympic diving gold medallist Shi Tingmao has revealed her struggles with depression, joining US gymnastics superstar Simone Biles in openly discussing her mental health at the Tokyo Games.

Four-time Olympic diving gold medallist Shi Tingmao has revealed her struggles with depression, joining US gymnastics superstar Simone Biles in openly discussing her mental health at the Tokyo Games. China's Shi comfortably won the 3m springboard title for her second gold in Japan but cut a tearful figure in the immediate aftermath at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. The 29-year-old later said she had considered quitting diving after her form dipped last year. "I have to really take care of my mental state and make sure I don't get into a depression," Shi told a post-competition press conference in unusually open comments for China's often-guarded athletes. ALSO READ: Tokyo 2020: Transgender weightlifter in Olympic debut as Games hot up "I have worked with a psychiatrist or psychologist who helped me quite a bit with some of the mental stresses of being a competitive diver and dealing with depression and things like that." Hinting that she reached such a low that she might have given up the sport, she added: "I really love diving and I realized that there was no way that I could give it up. "So to get to this point today was not easy." Shi, who also won two golds at Rio 2016, revealed the internal conflict she has had to deal with. "There are two of me in my mental state that actually fight with one another," she said. "Part of me says 'you're a gold medallist, you can take a break, you can be done. Another part of me says 'you can't give this up, you love diving'." Shi said she had not seen her family for 18 months because she had been so dedicated to her training and "we actually had very little contact". "I'm sure my family have been worried for me but I also hope, through the screen, when we see each other, I can speak to my family and say that they have nothing to worry about, everything's fine." Gymnast Biles came to the Tokyo Games as one of the standout stars but she has pulled out of a series of events and admitted she needed to take care of her mental wellbeing. It comes weeks after another of the world's highest-profile athletes, Japanese star Naomi Osaka, took a break from tennis after revealing she had suffered depression.

Tokyo 2020: Chinese Olympic diving champion Shi Tingmao tells of depression struggle

Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu won badminton women's doubles gold on Monday, breaking a Chinese stranglehold and claiming Indonesia's first title of the Tokyo Olympics.

The pair beat China's Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan 21-19, 21-15 to pick up Indonesia's first Olympic medal in women's doubles.

"Twenty years ago, when I was 13 years old, I knew that Indonesia hadn't made any history in women's doubles," said Polii.

"I knew that I was born to be a badminton player, and I had that faith when I was 13 years old that I wanted to make history for Indonesia."

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China had won every women's doubles gold but two since badminton's debut at the 1992 Games, but the Indonesians came flying out of the blocks and never let up until the final point.

Jia sent the last shot of the match wide, but a challenge from the Chinese pair put Indonesian celebrations on ice until a replay confirmed the victory.

"I'm speechless right now," said Polii.

"This is how it feels to get a gold medal. You cannot describe it in words."

Polii had been on the brink of retiring after the 2016 Rio Games, when she reached the quarter-finals with Nitya Krishinda Maheswari, but was persuaded to continue after teaming up with Rahayu -- 10 years her junior.

South Korea's Kim So-Yeong and Kong Hee-yong won the bronze, beating compatriots Lee So-hee and Shin Seung-chan 21-10, 21-17.

Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu won badminton women's doubles gold on Monday, breaking a Chinese stranglehold and claiming Indonesia's first title of the Tokyo Olympics.

Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu won badminton women's doubles gold on Monday, breaking a Chinese stranglehold and claiming Indonesia's first title of the Tokyo Olympics. The pair beat China's Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan 21-19, 21-15 to pick up Indonesia's first Olympic medal in women's doubles. "Twenty years ago, when I was 13 years old, I knew that Indonesia hadn't made any history in women's doubles," said Polii. "I knew that I was born to be a badminton player, and I had that faith when I was 13 years old that I wanted to make history for Indonesia." ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Winning for my country was important, says Indian badminton star PV Sindhu on her Olympics bronze China had won every women's doubles gold but two since badminton's debut at the 1992 Games, but the Indonesians came flying out of the blocks and never let up until the final point. Jia sent the last shot of the match wide, but a challenge from the Chinese pair put Indonesian celebrations on ice until a replay confirmed the victory. "I'm speechless right now," said Polii. "This is how it feels to get a gold medal. You cannot describe it in words." Polii had been on the brink of retiring after the 2016 Rio Games, when she reached the quarter-finals with Nitya Krishinda Maheswari, but was persuaded to continue after teaming up with Rahayu -- 10 years her junior. South Korea's Kim So-Yeong and Kong Hee-yong won the bronze, beating compatriots Lee So-hee and Shin Seung-chan 21-10, 21-17.

Tokyo Olympics: Indonesia break Chinese stranglehold in women's doubles badminton

A Chinese poet and current affairs commentator has committed suicide in Guangdong province following "unbearable" surveillance under the tenure of President Xi Jinping.

Li Huizhi, 62, was a vocal critic of Xi Jinping's policies. He breathed his last in a hospital in Guangdong's Huizhou city, Radio Free Asia reported.

His friend Li Xuewen told RFA that the poet had posted a suicide note online before taking his own life.

"After he had posted his suicide note online, he turned off his phone," Li Xuewen said. "He took the pesticide, and was taken to hospital after that."

The note suggested that Li had found the increased surveillance under the tenure of ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) general secretary Xi Jinping unbearable.

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There has been less and less room for freedom of public expression since Xi Jinping took power, the letter said.

Li himself had been made a "ministry-level" stability maintenance target during the 2019 National People's Congress (NPC) meetings in Beijing.

According to RFA, Li's phone was monitored and he had to report to the state security police if he wanted to make a trip out of town, the letter said.

Li had also suffered a stroke in March 2021, after which his mobility had been greatly affected, it said.

"He was forced to use a wheelchair after the stroke, and suffered from paralysis in his right arm," Li Xuewen told RFA. "It really did a lot of damage ... he wasn't able to write properly."

"But he learned pretty quickly how to type with his left hand and carried on writing articles."

The letter said Li had made repeated requests for the authorities to call off their surveillance teams, but to no avail.

A Chinese poet and current affairs commentator has committed suicide in Guangdong province following "unbearable" surveillance under the tenure of President Xi Jinping.

A Chinese poet and current affairs commentator has committed suicide in Guangdong province following "unbearable" surveillance under the tenure of President Xi Jinping. Li Huizhi, 62, was a vocal critic of Xi Jinping's policies. He breathed his last in a hospital in Guangdong's Huizhou city, Radio Free Asia reported. His friend Li Xuewen told RFA that the poet had posted a suicide note online before taking his own life. "After he had posted his suicide note online, he turned off his phone," Li Xuewen said. "He took the pesticide, and was taken to hospital after that." The note suggested that Li had found the increased surveillance under the tenure of ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) general secretary Xi Jinping unbearable. Also read | US concern over China nukes buildup after new silos report There has been less and less room for freedom of public expression since Xi Jinping took power, the letter said. Li himself had been made a "ministry-level" stability maintenance target during the 2019 National People's Congress (NPC) meetings in Beijing. According to RFA, Li's phone was monitored and he had to report to the state security police if he wanted to make a trip out of town, the letter said. Li had also suffered a stroke in March 2021, after which his mobility had been greatly affected, it said. "He was forced to use a wheelchair after the stroke, and suffered from paralysis in his right arm," Li Xuewen told RFA. "It really did a lot of damage ... he wasn't able to write properly." "But he learned pretty quickly how to type with his left hand and carried on writing articles." The letter said Li had made repeated requests for the authorities to call off their surveillance teams, but to no avail.

Chinese poet committed suicide under 'unbearable' surveillance by the CCP

In an attempt to hold talks on peace process and security issues, Taliban’s nine-member delegation has visited China. In the two-day visit, the delegation met the foreign minister of the country, the group's spokesperson said on Wednesday. &nbsp;

Taliban spokesperson Mohammad Naeem tweeted, “Politics, economy and issues related to the security of both countries and the current situation of Afghanistan and the peace process were discussed in the meetings." &nbsp;

Taliban has made deep inroads into western and northern regions mainly in the rural areas as US troops pull out of the region. &nbsp;&nbsp;

President Joe Biden had announced the last US troops will pull out by August 31, reports say the bulk of NATO troops have already exited from the region. &nbsp;

The militant group has seized border crossings along the Pakistan border including with Iran and Tajikistan even as peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban remain inconclusive. &nbsp;

As the Taliban continues its offensive, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said the Taliban's military momentum needs to be slowed down as it continues to gain territories even as US Marine General Kenneth McKenzie had said his forces will continue to provide further air support to Afghan troops against the Taliban. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In an attempt to hold talks on peace process and security issues, Taliban’s nine-member delegation has visited China. In the two-day visit, the delegation met the foreign minister of the country, the group's spokesperson said on Wednesday.

In an attempt to hold talks on peace process and security issues, Taliban’s nine-member delegation has visited China. In the two-day visit, the delegation met the foreign minister of the country, the group's spokesperson said on Wednesday. Taliban spokesperson Mohammad Naeem tweeted, “Politics, economy and issues related to the security of both countries and the current situation of Afghanistan and the peace process were discussed in the meetings." Taliban has made deep inroads into western and northern regions mainly in the rural areas as US troops pull out of the region. President Joe Biden had announced the last US troops will pull out by August 31, reports say the bulk of NATO troops have already exited from the region. The militant group has seized border crossings along the Pakistan border including with Iran and Tajikistan even as peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban remain inconclusive. As the Taliban continues its offensive, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said the Taliban's military momentum needs to be slowed down as it continues to gain territories even as US Marine General Kenneth McKenzie had said his forces will continue to provide further air support to Afghan troops against the Taliban. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban delegation meets Chinese foreign minister, holds talks

China's yet-to-be-announced new ambassador to the United States Qin Gang headed to Washington on Tuesday, according to people familiar with the matter, amid worsening relations between the world's two largest economies. 
 
Qin left a day after rare high-level talks in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin between US&nbsp;Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and senior Chinese diplomats ended with both sides reiterating existing positions and no specific outcomes reached. 
 
Relations between Beijing and Washington deteriorated sharply under former US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, and the Biden&nbsp;administration has maintained pressure on China in a stance that enjoys bipartisan support but threatens to deepen mistrust. 
 
Qin, 55, is replacing Cui Tiankai, who at 68 has passed the retirement age for senior Chinese ambassadors, the sources familiar with the matter said. When Cui ended his eight years at Washington last month, he was China's longest serving ambassador to the United States and is considered a seasoned and well-respected figure in Beijing and Washington. 
 
Qin, who is one of China's vice foreign minister and whose recent past portfolios have included European affairs and protocol, has no prior US-related experience, according to his biography on the foreign ministry website.

China's yet-to-be-announced new ambassador to the United States Qin Gang headed to Washington on Tuesday, according to people familiar with the matter, amid worsening relations between the world's two largest economies.

China's yet-to-be-announced new ambassador to the United States Qin Gang headed to Washington on Tuesday, according to people familiar with the matter, amid worsening relations between the world's two largest economies. Qin left a day after rare high-level talks in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin between US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and senior Chinese diplomats ended with both sides reiterating existing positions and no specific outcomes reached. Relations between Beijing and Washington deteriorated sharply under former US President Donald Trump, and the Biden administration has maintained pressure on China in a stance that enjoys bipartisan support but threatens to deepen mistrust. Qin, 55, is replacing Cui Tiankai, who at 68 has passed the retirement age for senior Chinese ambassadors, the sources familiar with the matter said. When Cui ended his eight years at Washington last month, he was China's longest serving ambassador to the United States and is considered a seasoned and well-respected figure in Beijing and Washington. Qin, who is one of China's vice foreign minister and whose recent past portfolios have included European affairs and protocol, has no prior US-related experience, according to his biography on the foreign ministry website.

New Chinese ambassador Qin Gang heads to Washington: Sources

Three&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;nationals and&nbsp;two&nbsp;Mauritanians&nbsp;were&nbsp;kidnapped&nbsp;in southwest&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;on Saturday, the country's armed forces said, in the latest attack in the war-torn Sahel state.

Armed men attacked a construction site 55 kilometres (34 miles) from the town of Kwala, making off with five pick-up trucks and the hostages,&nbsp;Mali's army said on social media.

The assailants also destroyed equipment including a crane and dump trucks belonging to&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;construction firm Covec, and Mauritanian road-building company ATTM, according to the army.

A Malian army official, who requested anonymity, said the kidnap victims were working on road construction in the region.

"The release of all the hostages is our priority," he said.

Mauritania's Al-Akhbar news agency reported that gunmen arrived on motorbikes to attack the construction site, burning equipment as well as fuel tanks before withdrawing with captives.

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AFP could not independently verify this account.

Mali&nbsp;has been struggling to contain an Islamist insurgency that first broke out in the north of the country in 2012 before spreading to the centre and neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.

Thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes, while the economic impact on one of the world's poorest countries has been devastating.

Abductions have been frequent, both of Malians and of foreigners.

French journalist Olivier Dubois was abducted in northern&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;on April 8, for example.&nbsp;

He said in a hostage video that the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), the largest jihadist alliance in the Sahel, had&nbsp;kidnapped&nbsp;him.

Three Chinese nationals and two Mauritanians were kidnapped in southwest Mali on Saturday, the country's armed forces said, in the latest attack in the war-torn Sahel state.

Three Chinese nationals and two Mauritanians were kidnapped in southwest Mali on Saturday, the country's armed forces said, in the latest attack in the war-torn Sahel state. Armed men attacked a construction site 55 kilometres (34 miles) from the town of Kwala, making off with five pick-up trucks and the hostages, Mali's army said on social media. The assailants also destroyed equipment including a crane and dump trucks belonging to Chinese construction firm Covec, and Mauritanian road-building company ATTM, according to the army. A Malian army official, who requested anonymity, said the kidnap victims were working on road construction in the region. "The release of all the hostages is our priority," he said. Mauritania's Al-Akhbar news agency reported that gunmen arrived on motorbikes to attack the construction site, burning equipment as well as fuel tanks before withdrawing with captives. Also read | 'Dreamers' programme deemed unlawful by US Federal Judge, Biden says 'deeply disappointed' AFP could not independently verify this account. Mali has been struggling to contain an Islamist insurgency that first broke out in the north of the country in 2012 before spreading to the centre and neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. Thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes, while the economic impact on one of the world's poorest countries has been devastating. Abductions have been frequent, both of Malians and of foreigners. French journalist Olivier Dubois was abducted in northern Mali on April 8, for example. He said in a hostage video that the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), the largest jihadist alliance in the Sahel, had kidnapped him.

Three Chinese, two Mauritanians kidnapped in Mali

A Chinese man who had lost his son 24 years ago had a happy day after so long when he was finally reunited with his child.

Guo Xinzhen, son of Guo Gangtang, was abducted by human traffickers at the age of two in 1997 from their home in Shandong.

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Since then, Gangtang had been travelling the country on his motorbike carrying two posters that had pictures of his son.

After travelling 300,000 miles for 24 years, he was finally reunited with his son. The reunion happened a few years after a movie was made on their tale in 2015. Titled, ‘Lost and Love’ and starring Hong Kong celebrity Andy Lau, the movie showed the real-life tale and urged the locals to come ahead to help the family.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-passenger-on-airlines-duct-taped-to-seat-after-she-tried-to-open-plane-door-and-bit-attendant-397832" hreflang="en">WATCH | Passenger on airlines duct-taped to seat after she tried to open plane door and bit attendant</a>

Xinzhen was reportedly abducted from outside his home when he was outdoors playing alone. He was apparently abducted by a woman and her boyfriend who further sold the two-year-old to a family in Henan province.

He was now told by the local police that his father had been looking for him for the past 24 years. The 26-year-old teacher, then, travelled to meet his father.

“Now that my boy has been found, everything can only be happy from now on,” Gangtang told local media. He has vowed to regard the family that raised his son as “relatives”.

A Chinese man who had lost his son 24 years ago had a happy day after so long when he was finally reunited with his child. Guo Xinzhen, son of Guo Gangtang, was abducted by human traffickers at the age of two in 1997 from their home in Shandong.

A Chinese man who had lost his son 24 years ago had a happy day after so long when he was finally reunited with his child. Guo Xinzhen, son of Guo Gangtang, was abducted by human traffickers at the age of two in 1997 from their home in Shandong. Also read | 'We all quit': Burger King employees quit at same time by putting a public sign Since then, Gangtang had been travelling the country on his motorbike carrying two posters that had pictures of his son. After travelling 300,000 miles for 24 years, he was finally reunited with his son. The reunion happened a few years after a movie was made on their tale in 2015. Titled, ‘Lost and Love’ and starring Hong Kong celebrity Andy Lau, the movie showed the real-life tale and urged the locals to come ahead to help the family. Also read | WATCH | Passenger on airlines duct-taped to seat after she tried to open plane door and bit attendant Xinzhen was reportedly abducted from outside his home when he was outdoors playing alone. He was apparently abducted by a woman and her boyfriend who further sold the two-year-old to a family in Henan province. He was now told by the local police that his father had been looking for him for the past 24 years. The 26-year-old teacher, then, travelled to meet his father. “Now that my boy has been found, everything can only be happy from now on,” Gangtang told local media. He has vowed to regard the family that raised his son as “relatives”.

'Everything will be good now': Chinese man reunited with his son after 24 years

China's athletes were the first ones to show up in Japan for the Tokyo Olympics and fear that poor prevention measures at their lodging will expand the danger of getting COVID-19.&nbsp;

The pandemic has projected a shadow over the games with coordinators restricting all fans from settings in Tokyo and three adjoining prefectures, in an immense blow for the event.&nbsp;

A couple of remote regions are permitted to have a limited number of local fans, while overseas fans were prohibited months prior. Coordinators have guaranteed that the event will be safe by all means.&nbsp;

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Although, after they showed up in Enoshima, an island where the sailing event will occur, China's sailing team whined of lacking precautions at their hotel.&nbsp;

"The Chinese team lives on one floor, but mixing with tourists in the hotel is certainly a hidden danger. We are consulting with the Organizing Committee on this issue," said Zhang Xiaodong, head of the Chinese Sailing Association.

The International Olympic Committee has delivered a playbook offering security rules for events yet acquits itself of any obligation in the event that they get the virus. Covid concerns had prompted calls in Japan for the Olympics to be deferred or even dropped.&nbsp;

Coordinators have said competitors will be tested each day once they show up in Tokyo. Furthermore, however, it's anything but mandatory to be vaccinated, the IOC has said up to 80 per cent of competitors would have received the vials before the games start on July 23.

China's athletes were the first ones to show up in Japan for the Tokyo Olympics and fear that poor prevention measures at their lodging will expand the danger of getting COVID-19.

China's athletes were the first ones to show up in Japan for the Tokyo Olympics and fear that poor prevention measures at their lodging will expand the danger of getting COVID-19. The pandemic has projected a shadow over the games with coordinators restricting all fans from settings in Tokyo and three adjoining prefectures, in an immense blow for the event. A couple of remote regions are permitted to have a limited number of local fans, while overseas fans were prohibited months prior. Coordinators have guaranteed that the event will be safe by all means. ALSO READ: Tokyo Olympics to be held behind closed doors under state of emergency measures Although, after they showed up in Enoshima, an island where the sailing event will occur, China's sailing team whined of lacking precautions at their hotel. "The Chinese team lives on one floor, but mixing with tourists in the hotel is certainly a hidden danger. We are consulting with the Organizing Committee on this issue," said Zhang Xiaodong, head of the Chinese Sailing Association. The International Olympic Committee has delivered a playbook offering security rules for events yet acquits itself of any obligation in the event that they get the virus. Covid concerns had prompted calls in Japan for the Olympics to be deferred or even dropped. Coordinators have said competitors will be tested each day once they show up in Tokyo. Furthermore, however, it's anything but mandatory to be vaccinated, the IOC has said up to 80 per cent of competitors would have received the vials before the games start on July 23.

Tokyo Olympics: Chinese athletes complain about lax virus precautions at hotel

Hungary’s&nbsp;Prime Minister Viktor Orbán seems to have&nbsp;given his opponents a chance to&nbsp;hurt his political fortunes in the future&nbsp;over plans for a Chinese university campus in Budapest.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There has been an outrage over the proposal, according to a CNN report.&nbsp;The&nbsp;prime minister's populist government had earlier announced a controversial plan for a Shanghai university to open its first overseas campus in 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It was slated to come up at a&nbsp;derelict plot on the banks of the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary. And&nbsp;Hungarians would be apparently paying&nbsp;for it.&nbsp;It seems to have become a perfect recipe for disaster.&nbsp;

The protests&nbsp;against this proposal have united&nbsp;Hungary's opposition&nbsp;in an attempt to topple Orbán's ruling party at next year's general election. They want to&nbsp;turn his nationalist rhetoric against him.&nbsp;

In&nbsp;Orbán’s&nbsp;11-year-rule, several demonstrations have been&nbsp;organised&nbsp;in Budapest against his assault on democratic freedoms.&nbsp;But his right-wing Fidesz party has always enjoyed landslide election wins.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Now, the situation is different all due to the&nbsp;proposed Fudan University campus issue.&nbsp;

The use of&nbsp;Hungary’s&nbsp;taxpayer money in the building of the&nbsp;university&nbsp;seems to have been warned as serving the interests of China's Communist Party.&nbsp;

The campus is due to come up on a land slated for affordable housing for around 10,000 Hungarian students.&nbsp;

Carrying placards&nbsp;emblasoned&nbsp;with the word 'treason' and slogans such as 'Hungarian money for Hungarian universities’,&nbsp;thousands of protesters took to streets in Budapest last month to oppose the plan.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán seems to have given his opponents a chance to hurt his political fortunes in the future over plans for a Chinese university campus in Budapest.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán seems to have given his opponents a chance to hurt his political fortunes in the future over plans for a Chinese university campus in Budapest. There has been an outrage over the proposal, according to a CNN report. The prime minister's populist government had earlier announced a controversial plan for a Shanghai university to open its first overseas campus in 2024. It was slated to come up at a derelict plot on the banks of the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary. And Hungarians would be apparently paying for it. It seems to have become a perfect recipe for disaster. The protests against this proposal have united Hungary's opposition in an attempt to topple Orbán's ruling party at next year's general election. They want to turn his nationalist rhetoric against him. In Orbán’s 11-year-rule, several demonstrations have been organised in Budapest against his assault on democratic freedoms. But his right-wing Fidesz party has always enjoyed landslide election wins. Now, the situation is different all due to the proposed Fudan University campus issue. The use of Hungary’s taxpayer money in the building of the university seems to have been warned as serving the interests of China's Communist Party. The campus is due to come up on a land slated for affordable housing for around 10,000 Hungarian students. Carrying placards emblasoned with the word 'treason' and slogans such as 'Hungarian money for Hungarian universities’, thousands of protesters took to streets in Budapest last month to oppose the plan.

Plans for a Chinese university spark outrage in Hungary 

According to a report of North Korea's KCNA news agency on Sunday,&nbsp;the leaders of North Korea and China have traded messages vowing to strengthen cooperation on the anniversary of their treaty of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance between the two countries.

While giving a&nbsp;message to China's President Xi Jinping,&nbsp;North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said their relationship is vital in the face of hostile foreign forces, while Jinping promised to bring cooperation 'to a new stage', KCNA said.

In the message,&nbsp;Kim said,&nbsp;"Despite the unprecedentedly complicated international situation in recent years, the comradely trust and militant friendship between the DPRK and China gets stronger day by day."

China has been North Korea's only major ally since the two signed the treaty in 1961, and international sanctions imposed over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes have made it more dependent than ever on Beijing for trade and other support. 
 
The treaty is defending socialism and peace in Asia 'now that the hostile forces become more desperate in their challenge and obstructive moves," Kim said. 
 
Xi said he plans to provide greater happiness to the two countries and their people by strengthening communication with Kim and 'by steadily leading the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries to a new stage,' KCNA said. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

According to a report of North Korea's KCNA news agency on Sunday, the leaders of North Korea and China have traded messages vowing to strengthen cooperation on the anniversary of their treaty of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance between the two countries.

According to a report of North Korea's KCNA news agency on Sunday, the leaders of North Korea and China have traded messages vowing to strengthen cooperation on the anniversary of their treaty of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance between the two countries. While giving a message to China's President Xi Jinping, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said their relationship is vital in the face of hostile foreign forces, while Jinping promised to bring cooperation 'to a new stage', KCNA said. In the message, Kim said, "Despite the unprecedentedly complicated international situation in recent years, the comradely trust and militant friendship between the DPRK and China gets stronger day by day." China has been North Korea's only major ally since the two signed the treaty in 1961, and international sanctions imposed over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes have made it more dependent than ever on Beijing for trade and other support. The treaty is defending socialism and peace in Asia 'now that the hostile forces become more desperate in their challenge and obstructive moves," Kim said. Xi said he plans to provide greater happiness to the two countries and their people by strengthening communication with Kim and 'by steadily leading the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries to a new stage,' KCNA said. (With inputs from agencies)

N Korean, Chinese leaders vow greater cooperation in face of foreign hostility: Report

For the first time, Sri Lanka's Central Bank has minted two gold and one silver commemorative coins to mark the centenary of the Communist Party of China and celebrate the 65th anniversary of bilateral relations with Beijing.

The last time a gold coin was issued by Sri Lanka was in 1998 to celebrate the country's 50th anniversary of independence from Britain.

This is for the first time ever that Sri Lanka has issued coins to honour a political party of a foreign country. "The coins have been issued at the request of the government as an accolade for long-standing friendship and mutual trust between the two countries," the bank said. The commemorative coins are of rupees 1,000 denominations.

In 2012, the Central Bank had issued a nickel-plated silver coin to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Japan.

China's ruling Communist Party celebrated its 100th anniversary on Thursday at Tiananmen Square, with thousands of party workers and school children singing songs praising the party and the country.

Addressing the centenary celebrations, President Xi Jinping called for building a strong military to defend the country and warned that the Chinese people will never allow any foreign force to 'bully, oppress, or subjugate them'.

Founded by Mao Zedong on July 1, 1921, the CPC formally completed 100 years of existence on Thursday. It also remained in power since the People's Republic of China (PRC) was formed in 1949.

For the first time, Sri Lanka's Central Bank has minted two gold and one silver commemorative coins to mark the centenary of the Communist Party of China and celebrate the 65th anniversary of bilateral relations with Beijing.

For the first time, Sri Lanka's Central Bank has minted two gold and one silver commemorative coins to mark the centenary of the Communist Party of China and celebrate the 65th anniversary of bilateral relations with Beijing. The last time a gold coin was issued by Sri Lanka was in 1998 to celebrate the country's 50th anniversary of independence from Britain. This is for the first time ever that Sri Lanka has issued coins to honour a political party of a foreign country. "The coins have been issued at the request of the government as an accolade for long-standing friendship and mutual trust between the two countries," the bank said. The commemorative coins are of rupees 1,000 denominations. In 2012, the Central Bank had issued a nickel-plated silver coin to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Japan. China's ruling Communist Party celebrated its 100th anniversary on Thursday at Tiananmen Square, with thousands of party workers and school children singing songs praising the party and the country. Addressing the centenary celebrations, President Xi Jinping called for building a strong military to defend the country and warned that the Chinese people will never allow any foreign force to 'bully, oppress, or subjugate them'. Founded by Mao Zedong on July 1, 1921, the CPC formally completed 100 years of existence on Thursday. It also remained in power since the People's Republic of China (PRC) was formed in 1949.

Sri Lanka marks Chinese Communist Party's centenary with commemorative coins

China’s cybersecurity watchdog suggested Didi Global Inc delay its initial public offering and urged it to review its network security, weeks before the Chinese ride-hailing giant went public, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. 
 
It isn’t known whether Didi carried out its own review, according to the WSJ report. But a person close to the company told the newspaper, the company ultimately decided to go ahead with the IPO as it faced increasing investor pressure for a big payout. 
 
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) launched the investigation into Didi on Friday, just two days after the company began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. 
 
On Sunday, the agency ordered a suspension of app downloads for Didi after it found the company illegally collected personal user data. 
 
Didi said in a statement on Monday, it had no knowledge before its $4.4 billion listing that CAC would start to investigate the company and order its app to be taken down. 
 
Officials in Beijing, especially those at CAC, were wary of the ride-hailing giant’s troves of data potentially falling into foreign hands as a result of the greater public disclosure associated with a US&nbsp;listing, according to the WSJ report. 
 
Chinese internet regulators have tightened rules for the country's tech giants in recent years, asking companies to collect, store and handle key data properly. 
 
Didi, which offers services in China and more than 15 other markets, gathers vast amounts of real-time mobility data every day. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

China’s cybersecurity watchdog suggested Didi Global Inc delay its initial public offering and urged it to review its network security, weeks before the Chinese ride-hailing giant went public, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

China’s cybersecurity watchdog suggested Didi Global Inc delay its initial public offering and urged it to review its network security, weeks before the Chinese ride-hailing giant went public, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. It isn’t known whether Didi carried out its own review, according to the WSJ report. But a person close to the company told the newspaper, the company ultimately decided to go ahead with the IPO as it faced increasing investor pressure for a big payout. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) launched the investigation into Didi on Friday, just two days after the company began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. On Sunday, the agency ordered a suspension of app downloads for Didi after it found the company illegally collected personal user data. Didi said in a statement on Monday, it had no knowledge before its $4.4 billion listing that CAC would start to investigate the company and order its app to be taken down. Officials in Beijing, especially those at CAC, were wary of the ride-hailing giant’s troves of data potentially falling into foreign hands as a result of the greater public disclosure associated with a US listing, according to the WSJ report. Chinese internet regulators have tightened rules for the country's tech giants in recent years, asking companies to collect, store and handle key data properly. Didi, which offers services in China and more than 15 other markets, gathers vast amounts of real-time mobility data every day. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese regulators suggested ride-hailing giant Didi delay its US IPO: Report

In Pics | Chinese astronauts conduct first spacewalk

Bitcoin regained some ground on Tuesday, a day after touching a two-week low after China's central bank reaffirmed a crackdown on cryptocurrencies and restricted trading channels for Chinese residents. 
 
The world's largest crypto currency was last up 4.58% at $33,000, having dropped more than 10% on Monday. Ether, the second-biggest crypto currency, was up 5.05% at $1,983 after hitting a five-week low the day before. 
 
Monday's sell-off was sparked by an announcement from the Peoples Bank of China saying it had summoned China's largest banks and payment firms urging them to crack down harder on cryptocurrency trading. 
 
"It basically says now OTC transactions are not legitimate... we are not allowed by the banks to transfer money for cryptocurrency purchases and sales," said Bobby Lee, founder and CEO of Ballet, a cryptocurrency wallet app, and formerly CEO of BTC China, China's first bitcoin exchange. 
 
Crypto exchanges were effectively pushed out of China by a 2017 rule change, but over the counter (OTC) platforms based-overseas sprung up to act as middlemen, receiving payment from people based in China and buying cryptocurrencies on their behalf. 
 
"Essentially this puts all the OTC platforms out of business," Lee said. 
 
However, Tuesday's price moves suggested Asian traders thought markets overnight had overreacted to the news. 
 
"A Chinese ban on cryptocurrencies isn't something new. The one that came out yesterday was almost a copy of a previous announcement, earlier this year," said Justin d'Anethan, head of exchange sales at crypto exchange operator EQONEX. 
 
"As always, leverage, large participants and fundamental events mean crypto can move dramatically," he said. Last month, three industry associations issued a ban on crypto-related financial services, but these bodies have much less clout than the PBOC.&nbsp;

Market participants said at the time that the earlier ban would be hard to enforce as banks and payment firms would struggle to identify crypto-related payments. However, following Monday's PBOC statement, banks including Agricultural Bank of China and Alipay, the ubiquitous payment platform owned by fintech giant Ant Group, said they would step up monitoring to root out crypto transactions. 
 
China's crackdown has also had a dramatic effect on bitcoin mining. The hashrate, which measures the processing power of the bitcoin network and shows how much mining is taking place, on Monday hit its lowest level since late 2020. 
 
Cryptomining is a big business in China, which accounts for over half of global bitcoin production. However, since the State Council's statement, bans on cryptomining have been issued in major bitcoin mining hubs, including Sichuan, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia.

Bitcoin regained some ground on Tuesday, a day after touching a two-week low after China's central bank reaffirmed a crackdown on cryptocurrencies and restricted trading channels for Chinese residents.

Bitcoin regained some ground on Tuesday, a day after touching a two-week low after China's central bank reaffirmed a crackdown on cryptocurrencies and restricted trading channels for Chinese residents. The world's largest crypto currency was last up 4.58% at $33,000, having dropped more than 10% on Monday. Ether, the second-biggest crypto currency, was up 5.05% at $1,983 after hitting a five-week low the day before. Monday's sell-off was sparked by an announcement from the Peoples Bank of China saying it had summoned China's largest banks and payment firms urging them to crack down harder on cryptocurrency trading. "It basically says now OTC transactions are not legitimate... we are not allowed by the banks to transfer money for cryptocurrency purchases and sales," said Bobby Lee, founder and CEO of Ballet, a cryptocurrency wallet app, and formerly CEO of BTC China, China's first bitcoin exchange. Crypto exchanges were effectively pushed out of China by a 2017 rule change, but over the counter (OTC) platforms based-overseas sprung up to act as middlemen, receiving payment from people based in China and buying cryptocurrencies on their behalf. "Essentially this puts all the OTC platforms out of business," Lee said. However, Tuesday's price moves suggested Asian traders thought markets overnight had overreacted to the news. "A Chinese ban on cryptocurrencies isn't something new. The one that came out yesterday was almost a copy of a previous announcement, earlier this year," said Justin d'Anethan, head of exchange sales at crypto exchange operator EQONEX. "As always, leverage, large participants and fundamental events mean crypto can move dramatically," he said. Last month, three industry associations issued a ban on crypto-related financial services, but these bodies have much less clout than the PBOC. Market participants said at the time that the earlier ban would be hard to enforce as banks and payment firms would struggle to identify crypto-related payments. However, following Monday's PBOC statement, banks including Agricultural Bank of China and Alipay, the ubiquitous payment platform owned by fintech giant Ant Group, said they would step up monitoring to root out crypto transactions. China's crackdown has also had a dramatic effect on bitcoin mining. The hashrate, which measures the processing power of the bitcoin network and shows how much mining is taking place, on Monday hit its lowest level since late 2020. Cryptomining is a big business in China, which accounts for over half of global bitcoin production. However, since the State Council's statement, bans on cryptomining have been issued in major bitcoin mining hubs, including Sichuan, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia.

Bitcoin recoups some losses in Asia after plunging on Chinese crackdown

A top&nbsp;official&nbsp;from the&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;county that hosted a&nbsp;fatal&nbsp;ultramarathon&nbsp;last month has been&nbsp;found&nbsp;dead, authorities said Friday, as 27 people face punishment over the incident.

In May, extreme weather at an&nbsp;ultramarathon&nbsp;in northwestern Gansu province killed 21 runners when freezing rain, high winds, and hail hit competitors.

The deadly incident sparked calls for more regulation and raised questions over why organizers had apparently ignored the incoming weather.

On Friday, provincial authorities told a press conference that the Communist Party secretary of Jingtai county -- which hosted the event -- had been&nbsp;found&nbsp;dead.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-official-says-real-enemies-want-hong-kong-to-be-pawn-in-geopolitics-390985">Also Read |&nbsp;Beijing official says 'real enemies' want Hong Kong to be 'pawn in geopolitics'</a>

Li Zuobi was confirmed to have died after falling from the building where he lived. Police received the incident report on Wednesday, and have since ruled out homicide.

27 people, including municipal government officials, face criminal charges or disciplinary actions over the deadly&nbsp;ultramarathon.

Among those punished include the party secretary and mayor of Baiyin city -- which holds jurisdiction over Jingtai -- as well as the magistrate of the county, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Last month's incident also led to a suspension of sports competitions that lacked national safety standards, including events such as mountain trail running and ultra-long distance running.

A top official from the Chinese county that hosted a fatal ultramarathon last month has been found dead, authorities said Friday, as 27 people face punishment over the incident.

A top official from the Chinese county that hosted a fatal ultramarathon last month has been found dead, authorities said Friday, as 27 people face punishment over the incident. In May, extreme weather at an ultramarathon in northwestern Gansu province killed 21 runners when freezing rain, high winds, and hail hit competitors. The deadly incident sparked calls for more regulation and raised questions over why organizers had apparently ignored the incoming weather. On Friday, provincial authorities told a press conference that the Communist Party secretary of Jingtai county -- which hosted the event -- had been found dead. Also Read | Beijing official says 'real enemies' want Hong Kong to be 'pawn in geopolitics' Li Zuobi was confirmed to have died after falling from the building where he lived. Police received the incident report on Wednesday, and have since ruled out homicide. 27 people, including municipal government officials, face criminal charges or disciplinary actions over the deadly ultramarathon. Among those punished include the party secretary and mayor of Baiyin city -- which holds jurisdiction over Jingtai -- as well as the magistrate of the county, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Last month's incident also led to a suspension of sports competitions that lacked national safety standards, including events such as mountain trail running and ultra-long distance running.

Chinese official found dead amid probe into fatal ultramarathon

Nvidia Corp has submitted an application to Chinese competition regulators to review a $40 billion takeover of UK chip designer Arm, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. 
 
The application was made in recent weeks and sets in motion a period of scrutiny that could take up to 18 months, according to Chinese antitrust lawyers, the report added. 
 
Nvidia said last month it expects to close the Arm acquisition by March 2022, after having struck a deal with Japan's SoftBank Group in September 2020. 
 
In February, Bloomberg News reported that the US&nbsp;Federal Trade Commission had opened an in-depth probe into Nvidia's agreement to buy Arm.

Nvidia Corp has submitted an application to Chinese competition regulators to review a $40 billion takeover of UK chip designer Arm, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Nvidia Corp has submitted an application to Chinese competition regulators to review a $40 billion takeover of UK chip designer Arm, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The application was made in recent weeks and sets in motion a period of scrutiny that could take up to 18 months, according to Chinese antitrust lawyers, the report added. Nvidia said last month it expects to close the Arm acquisition by March 2022, after having struck a deal with Japan's SoftBank Group in September 2020. In February, Bloomberg News reported that the US Federal Trade Commission had opened an in-depth probe into Nvidia's agreement to buy Arm.

Nvidia seeks Chinese regulators' nod for $40bn deal to aquire chip firm Arm: Report

The US government blocked imports of seafood on Friday from the entire fleet of a Chinese company that authorities say forced crew members to work in slave-like conditions that led to the deaths of several Indonesian fishermen last year.&nbsp;

Customs and Border Protection said it will place an immediate hold on any imports linked to the more than 30 vessels operated by Dalian Ocean Fishing, under a US law that bars goods suspected to have been produced with forced labour.&nbsp;

Imports from Dalian, which primarily fishes for tuna, have exceeded USD 20 million as recently as 2018. Shipments linked to the company have dropped over the past year to about USD 200,000, officials said.&nbsp;

"We will not tolerate any amount derived from forced labour," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters as he announced the measure.&nbsp;

CBP issued what is known as a withhold release order that halts shipments that have suspected links to forced labour, under a law that has been on the books for decades, ostensibly to protect US producers from unfair competition.&nbsp;

The law has been used with increased frequency in recent years, given the growing awareness of the prevalence of what is essentially modern-day slavery in a range of industries, with workers forced to work long hours for low pay, or none at all, and subjected to violence.&nbsp;

CBP found that Dalian's operations, across the fleet, met all 11 criteria for forced labour laid out by the International Labour Organisation, including the holding back of wages, inhumane conditions and physical intimidation, said John Leonard, the acting executive assistant commissioner of the agency's Office of Trade.&nbsp;

"This was a rather egregious example," Leonard said.&nbsp;

Both the State Department and Labour Department have also documented abusive conditions in the Chinese fishing industry, where mostly foreign crews often work 18 to 22 hours per day under abysmal conditions.&nbsp;

US authorities have used the Tariff Act of 1930 to halt imports from specific companies, individual fishing vessels and all cotton and tomato products from the Xinjiang region of China, where the Chinese government is waging a brutal assimilation campaign against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups.&nbsp;

The announcement on Friday marks the first time that the US has sought to block imports from a company's entire fishing fleet, a sign that the CBP's investigation found evidence of widespread abuse on Dalian vessels around the world.&nbsp;

Indonesia's government in May 2020 accused the company of 'inhuman' treatment of fishermen from that country, with dozens of men forced to work 18 hours a day for no pay or less than agreed upon. It said the conditions led to illnesses that killed at least three fishermen, whose bodies were cast overboard into the Pacific Ocean.&nbsp;

Dalian did not immediately respond to a request for comment made through its website.&nbsp;

The company has had recent financial troubles, but Leonard said it appears to be reorganising and planning to resume operations. "We need to be vigilant," he said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The US government blocked imports of seafood on Friday from the entire fleet of a Chinese company that authorities say forced crew members to work in slave-like conditions that led to the deaths of several Indonesian fishermen last year.

The US government blocked imports of seafood on Friday from the entire fleet of a Chinese company that authorities say forced crew members to work in slave-like conditions that led to the deaths of several Indonesian fishermen last year. Customs and Border Protection said it will place an immediate hold on any imports linked to the more than 30 vessels operated by Dalian Ocean Fishing, under a US law that bars goods suspected to have been produced with forced labour. Imports from Dalian, which primarily fishes for tuna, have exceeded USD 20 million as recently as 2018. Shipments linked to the company have dropped over the past year to about USD 200,000, officials said. "We will not tolerate any amount derived from forced labour," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters as he announced the measure. CBP issued what is known as a withhold release order that halts shipments that have suspected links to forced labour, under a law that has been on the books for decades, ostensibly to protect US producers from unfair competition. The law has been used with increased frequency in recent years, given the growing awareness of the prevalence of what is essentially modern-day slavery in a range of industries, with workers forced to work long hours for low pay, or none at all, and subjected to violence. CBP found that Dalian's operations, across the fleet, met all 11 criteria for forced labour laid out by the International Labour Organisation, including the holding back of wages, inhumane conditions and physical intimidation, said John Leonard, the acting executive assistant commissioner of the agency's Office of Trade. "This was a rather egregious example," Leonard said. Both the State Department and Labour Department have also documented abusive conditions in the Chinese fishing industry, where mostly foreign crews often work 18 to 22 hours per day under abysmal conditions. US authorities have used the Tariff Act of 1930 to halt imports from specific companies, individual fishing vessels and all cotton and tomato products from the Xinjiang region of China, where the Chinese government is waging a brutal assimilation campaign against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups. The announcement on Friday marks the first time that the US has sought to block imports from a company's entire fishing fleet, a sign that the CBP's investigation found evidence of widespread abuse on Dalian vessels around the world. Indonesia's government in May 2020 accused the company of 'inhuman' treatment of fishermen from that country, with dozens of men forced to work 18 hours a day for no pay or less than agreed upon. It said the conditions led to illnesses that killed at least three fishermen, whose bodies were cast overboard into the Pacific Ocean. Dalian did not immediately respond to a request for comment made through its website. The company has had recent financial troubles, but Leonard said it appears to be reorganising and planning to resume operations. "We need to be vigilant," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

US blocks seafood from Chinese fleet over crew mistreatment 

Two powerful tornadoes walloped the Chinese cities of Wuhan and Suzhou, killing at least seven people and injuring 239 others, state-media reported on Saturday.&nbsp;

Six people were killed and 218 others injured after a tornado, packing winds of 23.9 meters per second, ripped through the Caidian District of Wuhan at 8:39 pm on Friday, toppling some construction site sheds and snapping a large number of trees, the Xinhua news agency reported.&nbsp;

According to an initial investigation by local authorities on Saturday morning, 27 houses collapsed. Two tower cranes and 8,000 square meters of construction site sheds also were damaged.&nbsp;

Another tornado hit Shengze Town, under the city of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province in which one person was killed and 21 others injured.&nbsp;

The tornado around 7 pm on Friday also damaged electricity facilities and toppled several factory buildings, the Xinhua report said.&nbsp;

The tornadoes came as a surprise to the locals as it is quite rare in the region. &nbsp;

Two powerful tornadoes walloped the Chinese cities of Wuhan and Suzhou, killing at least seven people and injuring 239 others, state-media reported on Saturday. Six people were killed and 218 others injured after a tornado, packing winds of 23.

Two powerful tornadoes walloped the Chinese cities of Wuhan and Suzhou, killing at least seven people and injuring 239 others, state-media reported on Saturday. Six people were killed and 218 others injured after a tornado, packing winds of 23.9 meters per second, ripped through the Caidian District of Wuhan at 8:39 pm on Friday, toppling some construction site sheds and snapping a large number of trees, the Xinhua news agency reported. According to an initial investigation by local authorities on Saturday morning, 27 houses collapsed. Two tower cranes and 8,000 square meters of construction site sheds also were damaged. Another tornado hit Shengze Town, under the city of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province in which one person was killed and 21 others injured. The tornado around 7 pm on Friday also damaged electricity facilities and toppled several factory buildings, the Xinhua report said. The tornadoes came as a surprise to the locals as it is quite rare in the region.

Seven killed, over 230 injured after two tornadoes strike Chinese cities 

The US embassy in Beijing had good news to share: Student visa applications for Chinese nationals were resuming after a yearlong hiatus.

“Spring has come and the flowers are in bloom,” the embassy wrote in a Chinese-language social media post on Wednesday that included a video of a dog trying to jump over a fence. “Are you like this doggy who can’t wait to go out and play?”

It backfired, big time.

The post on Weibo, a Twitter-like platform in China, could be read as a ham-handed attempt to be cute. But at a moment of heightened nationalism on the Chinese internet, it set off criticism — and accusations of racism — that were amplified by the ruling Communist Party’s formidable propaganda machine.

The embassy quickly removed the post and apologized, but the damage was done. The spat is the latest thorn in a diplomatic relationship that is prickly at the best of times and has lately been at its most delicate point in decades.

Some Weibo users wrote that the US&nbsp;State Department had deliberately tried to insult Chinese students by likening them to dogs. The Global Times, an English-language Chinese tabloid, piled on, aggregating criticism of the post and criticizing former President Donald Trump’s visa policies.

Fang Kecheng, a professor of journalism and communication at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said the response was a typical example of how nationalistic news outlets and social media users in China wage “public opinion warfare.”

“They pay close attention to what the US&nbsp;government and media say, and amplify any inappropriate expressions to discredit them,” he said.

Fang said that such campaigns sometimes drew attention to statements that he said deserved to be criticized, such as Trump’s use of the term “China virus” to describe the coronavirus. That phrase has been widely criticized in the United States and beyond as racist and anti-Chinese.

“In this case, it’s amplifying a misstep,” he added, referring to the embassy’s social media post.

Early last year, Trump imposed restrictions on travelers from China, including students, prompting criticism from Beijing. The Weibo post on Wednesday by the US&nbsp;Embassy’s consular section announced that student applications had resumed under President Joe Biden’s administration.

Not everyone who criticized the embassy’s post in China expressed full-throated outrage. Some Weibo users said that they were more disappointed than angry, adding that the post was tone deaf rather than deliberately malicious.

“There was no need for the Weibo post to include that line about the dog,” said Susan Chen, a student from the southern Chinese province of Guangdong who returned to China last year after starting a master’s program in Connecticut. “It could have simply said ‘Spring has come and the flowers are in bloom, come get the visa.’”

A spokesperson for the embassy said on Thursday that the United States had the utmost respect for all Chinese people and that the social media post was meant to be “lighthearted and humorous.” The spokesperson, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under embassy rules, said staff members took down the post as soon as it became clear that many Chinese people saw the message differently.

The episode further illustrates how frayed US-China relations have become over tariffs, human rights violations in the Xinjiang region of China and a technology Cold War, among other issues. Travel between the two countries has largely been frozen by strict visa controls, a result of both COVID-19 protocols and souring relations. Even attempts to restore diplomatic normalcy have been fraught.

There are potential financial implications for the US&nbsp;education sector, too.

About 1 million international students enroll in American universities every year. More than a third were from China in the 2019-2020 academic year, according to data compiled by the Institute of International Education.

But experts say that universities in the United States and other English-speaking countries could lose billions of dollars in the coming years because of travel restrictions and anger among Chinese students and parents about what they see as a permissive attitude toward public health during the pandemic.

Last year, the Trump administration abandoned a plan to strip international college students of their visas if they did not attend at least some classes in person. Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and attorneys general of 20 states had sued over the proposed policy, saying it was reckless, cruel and senseless.

The US embassy in Beijing had good news to share: Student visa applications for Chinese nationals were resuming after a yearlong hiatus. “Spring has come and the flowers are in bloom,” the embassy wrote in a Chinese-language social media post on Wednesday that included a video of a dog trying to jump over a fence.

The US embassy in Beijing had good news to share: Student visa applications for Chinese nationals were resuming after a yearlong hiatus. “Spring has come and the flowers are in bloom,” the embassy wrote in a Chinese-language social media post on Wednesday that included a video of a dog trying to jump over a fence. “Are you like this doggy who can’t wait to go out and play?” It backfired, big time. The post on Weibo, a Twitter-like platform in China, could be read as a ham-handed attempt to be cute. But at a moment of heightened nationalism on the Chinese internet, it set off criticism — and accusations of racism — that were amplified by the ruling Communist Party’s formidable propaganda machine. The embassy quickly removed the post and apologized, but the damage was done. The spat is the latest thorn in a diplomatic relationship that is prickly at the best of times and has lately been at its most delicate point in decades. Some Weibo users wrote that the US State Department had deliberately tried to insult Chinese students by likening them to dogs. The Global Times, an English-language Chinese tabloid, piled on, aggregating criticism of the post and criticizing former President Donald Trump’s visa policies. Fang Kecheng, a professor of journalism and communication at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said the response was a typical example of how nationalistic news outlets and social media users in China wage “public opinion warfare.” “They pay close attention to what the US government and media say, and amplify any inappropriate expressions to discredit them,” he said. Fang said that such campaigns sometimes drew attention to statements that he said deserved to be criticized, such as Trump’s use of the term “China virus” to describe the coronavirus. That phrase has been widely criticized in the United States and beyond as racist and anti-Chinese. “In this case, it’s amplifying a misstep,” he added, referring to the embassy’s social media post. Early last year, Trump imposed restrictions on travelers from China, including students, prompting criticism from Beijing. The Weibo post on Wednesday by the US Embassy’s consular section announced that student applications had resumed under President Joe Biden’s administration. Not everyone who criticized the embassy’s post in China expressed full-throated outrage. Some Weibo users said that they were more disappointed than angry, adding that the post was tone deaf rather than deliberately malicious. “There was no need for the Weibo post to include that line about the dog,” said Susan Chen, a student from the southern Chinese province of Guangdong who returned to China last year after starting a master’s program in Connecticut. “It could have simply said ‘Spring has come and the flowers are in bloom, come get the visa.’” A spokesperson for the embassy said on Thursday that the United States had the utmost respect for all Chinese people and that the social media post was meant to be “lighthearted and humorous.” The spokesperson, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under embassy rules, said staff members took down the post as soon as it became clear that many Chinese people saw the message differently. The episode further illustrates how frayed US-China relations have become over tariffs, human rights violations in the Xinjiang region of China and a technology Cold War, among other issues. Travel between the two countries has largely been frozen by strict visa controls, a result of both COVID-19 protocols and souring relations. Even attempts to restore diplomatic normalcy have been fraught. There are potential financial implications for the US education sector, too. About 1 million international students enroll in American universities every year. More than a third were from China in the 2019-2020 academic year, according to data compiled by the Institute of International Education. But experts say that universities in the United States and other English-speaking countries could lose billions of dollars in the coming years because of travel restrictions and anger among Chinese students and parents about what they see as a permissive attitude toward public health during the pandemic. Last year, the Trump administration abandoned a plan to strip international college students of their visas if they did not attend at least some classes in person. Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and attorneys general of 20 states had sued over the proposed policy, saying it was reckless, cruel and senseless.

‘Are you like this doggy?’ US embassy asked Chinese students. It backfired.

The Pentagon is fully aware of and is tracking the uncontrolled entry of the Chinese rocket into the atmosphere this weekend, a spokesman has announced.

On Thursday, China launched the first of the three elements for its space station, the CSS. This was powered by the Long March 5B rocket, which is now being tracked by the Pentagon.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is "aware and he knows the space command is tracking, literally tracking this rocket debris".

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The rocket is supposed to enter back into the atmosphere around Saturday with an almost intact body while coming down.

Experts have revealed that after the rocket was separated from the space station module, the rocket began to orbit the Earth in an uncharted and irregular trajectory and it slowly lost its altitude. This made it almost impossible to make any predictions about where, when, and how will it re-enter the atmosphere or where will it hit the ground.

There is also a possibility that the rocket might break apart upon its re-entry into the atmosphere. In such a case, only small debris of the broken rocket might land on the Earth. However, another possibility is also that the rocket, if it does not break, makes a splash in an ocean.

"We're tracking it. We're following it as closely as we can," Kirby said. "It's just a little too soon right now to know where it's going to go or what, if anything, can be done about that."

The Pentagon is fully aware of and is tracking the uncontrolled entry of the Chinese rocket into the atmosphere this weekend, a spokesman has announced. On Thursday, China launched the first of the three elements for its space station, the CSS.

The Pentagon is fully aware of and is tracking the uncontrolled entry of the Chinese rocket into the atmosphere this weekend, a spokesman has announced. On Thursday, China launched the first of the three elements for its space station, the CSS. This was powered by the Long March 5B rocket, which is now being tracked by the Pentagon. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is "aware and he knows the space command is tracking, literally tracking this rocket debris". Also read | International Space Station astronauts splashdown off Florida on SpaceX craft The rocket is supposed to enter back into the atmosphere around Saturday with an almost intact body while coming down. Experts have revealed that after the rocket was separated from the space station module, the rocket began to orbit the Earth in an uncharted and irregular trajectory and it slowly lost its altitude. This made it almost impossible to make any predictions about where, when, and how will it re-enter the atmosphere or where will it hit the ground. There is also a possibility that the rocket might break apart upon its re-entry into the atmosphere. In such a case, only small debris of the broken rocket might land on the Earth. However, another possibility is also that the rocket, if it does not break, makes a splash in an ocean. "We're tracking it. We're following it as closely as we can," Kirby said. "It's just a little too soon right now to know where it's going to go or what, if anything, can be done about that."

US closely tracking uncontrolled Chinese rocket re-entering atmosphere: Pentagon

Brazil's healthcare system has collapsed due to coronavirus. This Sunday, Brazil recorded more than 1800 deaths. The total death toll so far is more than 353,000. And the Brazilian variant is targetting the youth as well. There are more young people in ICUs of hospitals than old. The number of people under 40 surpassed the number of old.

Brazil was banking on Chinese vaccine Sinovac. However, a local study has found that this shot has an efficacy of just 50.7 per cent. The efficacy is barely over the threshold needed for regulatory approval by the WHO.

China, just for a short while, also admitted that its vaccines aren't good enough. The top disease control official of China Gao Fu, said current Chinese vaccines offer lower protection.

But on Monday, he walked back from this statement. And the state media went into overdrive to defend the Chinese shots. Reports say China is now considering mixing two different vaccines to boost their power.

The idea is not new. There are others who are exploring this possibility. The UK is conducting a trial to check, if one person can get two doses of different vaccines.

In France, the health regulator has already allowed mixing of vaccine shots. Those under the age of 55, who received the AstraZeneca vaccine first can take either the Pfizer or Moderna jab for their second dose.

Germany is following a similar policy. Health experts generally agree that mixing vaccines shouldn't be a problem. It's an approach that has been tried before with Influenza and ebola shots.

But scientists need more data to be sure if different Wuhan virus vaccines can indeed work together.

Brazil's healthcare system has collapsed due to coronavirus. This Sunday, Brazil recorded more than 1800 deaths. The total death toll so far is more than 353,000.

Brazil's healthcare system has collapsed due to coronavirus. This Sunday, Brazil recorded more than 1800 deaths. The total death toll so far is more than 353,000. And the Brazilian variant is targetting the youth as well. There are more young people in ICUs of hospitals than old. The number of people under 40 surpassed the number of old. Brazil was banking on Chinese vaccine Sinovac. However, a local study has found that this shot has an efficacy of just 50.7 per cent. The efficacy is barely over the threshold needed for regulatory approval by the WHO. China, just for a short while, also admitted that its vaccines aren't good enough. The top disease control official of China Gao Fu, said current Chinese vaccines offer lower protection. But on Monday, he walked back from this statement. And the state media went into overdrive to defend the Chinese shots. Reports say China is now considering mixing two different vaccines to boost their power. The idea is not new. There are others who are exploring this possibility. The UK is conducting a trial to check, if one person can get two doses of different vaccines. In France, the health regulator has already allowed mixing of vaccine shots. Those under the age of 55, who received the AstraZeneca vaccine first can take either the Pfizer or Moderna jab for their second dose. Germany is following a similar policy. Health experts generally agree that mixing vaccines shouldn't be a problem. It's an approach that has been tried before with Influenza and ebola shots. But scientists need more data to be sure if different Wuhan virus vaccines can indeed work together.

Brazil: Was it a mistake to rely on Chinese vaccines?

The president of the Pacific island nation of Palau was visiting Taiwan on Tuesday along with the US Ambassador to his country, a show of solidarity as China increases diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Taiwan.&nbsp;

Palau President Surangel Whipps said during a meeting with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen that he and his delegation 'feel like home when we are here'.&nbsp;

In her welcoming statement, Tsai noted Whipps was the first foreign leader to visit Taiwan since the beginning of the pandemic and said a travel bubble established between the two sides would be a model for safe two-way travel that has been closely watched not just by our own people but also by the entire world.&nbsp;

China has banned its citizens from visiting Palau, but Taiwan has responded by introducing a travel bubble between the two that will allow visitors to avoid being quarantined.&nbsp;

The presence on the trip of the US Ambassador to Palau, John Hennessey-Niland, was a further sign of Washington's support for Taiwan, despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations between the two.&nbsp;

China claims Taiwan as its own territory to be brought under Beijing's control by force if deemed necessary and it has worked to internationally isolate the island.&nbsp;

Taiwan has just 15 formal diplomatic allies but operates a network of trade offices around the world that act as de-facto embassies, including in the United States, Japan and most other major nations.&nbsp;

China has blocked Taiwan's participation in international organisations including the United Nations and sought to scupper the island's relationships with other countries by threatening to withdraw its own diplomatic presence and economic support.&nbsp;

In Beijing on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying repeated China's opposition to formal exchanges between Taiwan and the US.&nbsp;

"We hope the US will pay great attention to China's concerns and act prudently on the issue of Taiwan so as to avoid further damage to China-US Relations," Hua told reporters at a daily briefing.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The president of the Pacific island nation of Palau was visiting Taiwan on Tuesday along with the US Ambassador to his country, a show of solidarity as China increases diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Taiwan.

The president of the Pacific island nation of Palau was visiting Taiwan on Tuesday along with the US Ambassador to his country, a show of solidarity as China increases diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Taiwan. Palau President Surangel Whipps said during a meeting with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen that he and his delegation 'feel like home when we are here'. In her welcoming statement, Tsai noted Whipps was the first foreign leader to visit Taiwan since the beginning of the pandemic and said a travel bubble established between the two sides would be a model for safe two-way travel that has been closely watched not just by our own people but also by the entire world. China has banned its citizens from visiting Palau, but Taiwan has responded by introducing a travel bubble between the two that will allow visitors to avoid being quarantined. The presence on the trip of the US Ambassador to Palau, John Hennessey-Niland, was a further sign of Washington's support for Taiwan, despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations between the two. China claims Taiwan as its own territory to be brought under Beijing's control by force if deemed necessary and it has worked to internationally isolate the island. Taiwan has just 15 formal diplomatic allies but operates a network of trade offices around the world that act as de-facto embassies, including in the United States, Japan and most other major nations. China has blocked Taiwan's participation in international organisations including the United Nations and sought to scupper the island's relationships with other countries by threatening to withdraw its own diplomatic presence and economic support. In Beijing on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying repeated China's opposition to formal exchanges between Taiwan and the US. "We hope the US will pay great attention to China's concerns and act prudently on the issue of Taiwan so as to avoid further damage to China-US Relations," Hua told reporters at a daily briefing. (With inputs from agencies)

Palau president visits Taiwan despite Chinese pressure 

In yet another case of illegal intrusion by Beijing, two Chinese government vessels entered Japan's territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on Monday morning.&nbsp;

Japan Coast Guard officials said that the vessels intruded into Japan's waters off Minamikojima Island around 4 am on Monday, NHK World reported, adding that Japanese officials are warning the ships to leave the waters.&nbsp;

As many as three Chinese government vessels were earlier seen navigating in the contiguous zone, just outside Japan's territorial waters, officials said.&nbsp;

The Japanese broadcaster reported that this is the 11th time this year that official Chinese vessels have entered Japan's territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands.&nbsp;

Japan controls the Senkaku Islands, however, China and Taiwan continue to claim them. Tokyo maintains the islands are an inherent part of its territory as per history and international law. &nbsp;

Earlier, USA's Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, during his first conversation with Japanese counterpart, had renewed USA's commitment to defend Senkaku Islands against Chinese expansionism. Japan and China have a dispute over islands in East China Sea that are called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.&nbsp;

Austin and Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi confirmed that Article 5 of the US-Japan security treaty, which stipulates US defence obligations to Japan, covers the Senkaku Islands, said Jiji news agency.&nbsp;

The defence ministers also reaffirmed their opposition to any unilateral act that would undermine Japan's right to administer the islands.&nbsp;

Japan has become increasingly concerned about Chinese expansionist manoeuvres in East China Sea including incursions in waters around disputed islands.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In yet another case of illegal intrusion by Beijing, two Chinese government vessels entered Japan's territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on Monday morning.

In yet another case of illegal intrusion by Beijing, two Chinese government vessels entered Japan's territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on Monday morning. Japan Coast Guard officials said that the vessels intruded into Japan's waters off Minamikojima Island around 4 am on Monday, NHK World reported, adding that Japanese officials are warning the ships to leave the waters. As many as three Chinese government vessels were earlier seen navigating in the contiguous zone, just outside Japan's territorial waters, officials said. The Japanese broadcaster reported that this is the 11th time this year that official Chinese vessels have entered Japan's territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands. Japan controls the Senkaku Islands, however, China and Taiwan continue to claim them. Tokyo maintains the islands are an inherent part of its territory as per history and international law. Earlier, USA's Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, during his first conversation with Japanese counterpart, had renewed USA's commitment to defend Senkaku Islands against Chinese expansionism. Japan and China have a dispute over islands in East China Sea that are called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. Austin and Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi confirmed that Article 5 of the US-Japan security treaty, which stipulates US defence obligations to Japan, covers the Senkaku Islands, said Jiji news agency. The defence ministers also reaffirmed their opposition to any unilateral act that would undermine Japan's right to administer the islands. Japan has become increasingly concerned about Chinese expansionist manoeuvres in East China Sea including incursions in waters around disputed islands. (With inputs from agencies)

Two Chinese ships enter Japan's territorial waters off Senkaku Islands 

Pakistan will receive its first purchase of over&nbsp;one&nbsp;million doses of Chinese Sinopharm and&nbsp;CanSino&nbsp;Covid-19 vaccines by the end of March, the minister in charge of pandemic operations&nbsp;said&nbsp;on Tuesday.&nbsp;

This will be the first consignment of Covid-19 vaccines the Pakistani government has purchased from any manufacturer for its 220 million people. Pakistan has previously relied on donations and on allocations from the World Health&nbsp;Organisation-backed COVAX scheme for poorer nations.&nbsp;

"We have purchased one million and 60,000 doses of Sinopharm and&nbsp;CanSino&nbsp;vaccines," Asad Umar said. "We will be receiving the consignment before the end of March."&nbsp;

He said the government was in talks with the same companies to purchase a further seven million doses of the vaccines.&nbsp;

"We want them to deliver that seven million by the end of April, but they have not confirmed this yet. They might have some supply issues," Umar added.&nbsp;

Pakistan is currently vaccinating frontline healthcare workers and citizens over the age of 60 free of charge using Sinopharm doses donated by China.&nbsp;

The South Asian country has recently experienced a sharp rise in Covid-19 infections.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pakistan will receive its first purchase of over one million doses of Chinese Sinopharm and CanSino Covid-19 vaccines by the end of March, the minister in charge of pandemic operations said on Tuesday.

Pakistan will receive its first purchase of over one million doses of Chinese Sinopharm and CanSino Covid-19 vaccines by the end of March, the minister in charge of pandemic operations said on Tuesday. This will be the first consignment of Covid-19 vaccines the Pakistani government has purchased from any manufacturer for its 220 million people. Pakistan has previously relied on donations and on allocations from the World Health Organisation-backed COVAX scheme for poorer nations. "We have purchased one million and 60,000 doses of Sinopharm and CanSino vaccines," Asad Umar said. "We will be receiving the consignment before the end of March." He said the government was in talks with the same companies to purchase a further seven million doses of the vaccines. "We want them to deliver that seven million by the end of April, but they have not confirmed this yet. They might have some supply issues," Umar added. Pakistan is currently vaccinating frontline healthcare workers and citizens over the age of 60 free of charge using Sinopharm doses donated by China. The South Asian country has recently experienced a sharp rise in Covid-19 infections. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan to receive first purchase of over 1 mn doses of Chinese vaccines

Tensions are flaring up once again in the South China Sea. Hundreds of fishing vessels have been spotted at a disputed reef. The Philippines says these are Chinese vessels manned by militias. Manila has shot off a warning. It has termed the presence of Chinese vessels an incursion. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The Philippines has demanded withdrawal from China. So, has China opened up another front in the tense South China Sea? Is Beijing militarising a disputed region?&nbsp;

The South China Sea is one of the most hotly contested regions in the world. China stakes claim to 90 per cent of the South China Sea. Vietnam, The Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei, they all have competing, sometimes overlapping claims. Any flare up could lead to a serious military conflict. &nbsp;

The Philippines has spotted more than 200 Chinese vessels at a reef that it calls its own. They say the boats do not appear to be fishing and that they are manned by China's maritime militia.&nbsp;

The Philippines says these vessels are violating its maritime rights in the Whitsun reef, which looks like a boomerang. The Philippines calls it the Julian Felipe. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Manila says this reef lies within the country's exclusive economic zone. Manila has released some photographs of those ships. They are positioned side by side. The Philippines is concerned by the sheer number of ships. &nbsp;

They say, these ships could engage in possible overfishing, destruction of the marine environment as well as pose risks to safety of navigation but a national task force in Philippines says the Chinese vessels aren't really fishing and the ships keep their lights on during night time. &nbsp;

The defence secretary of Philippines has shot off a statement. It says the presence of Chinese ships is a matter of grave concern. He called it 'a clear provocative action of militarising the area'. &nbsp;

What is Beijing's response? China's ministry of foreign affairs said that the presence of these ships is 'very normal'.&nbsp;

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, said, "What I want to tell you is that Whitsun Reef is a part of the Spratly islands, and China's fishing vessels have always been fishing in the waters of Whitsun reef for a very long time. Recently, because of the maritime situation, China's fishing vessels have been staying near Whitsun reef to shelter themselves from strong winds. This is very normal, and we hope all parties can view this reasonably."&nbsp;

For the Philippines, all this is far from normal. Back in 2016, Philippines had won a case against China's territorial claims. &nbsp;

Five years ago, an international court had dismissed Beijing's claims to virtually all of the South China Sea but China refused to recognise this decision. It continues to push its claims on the South China Sea. It is believed that Beijing uses fishing fleets across the region to assert its claims.&nbsp;

A report from 2019 says, "A significant number of fishing vessels in the area forgo fishing full time to serve as a direct arm of the state through maritime militia". The bigger challenge is how China is transforming some of the islands. Reportedly, China has turned several reefs in the Spratly islands chain into man-made islands, where missiles, runways and weapons systems have been deployed.&nbsp;

The Spratly islands are a group of more than 100 small islands or reefs. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds. China claims the entire Spratly islands while the rest of the parties have competing claims. &nbsp;

Tensions are flaring up once again in the South China Sea. Hundreds of fishing vessels have been spotted at a disputed reef. The Philippines says these are Chinese vessels manned by militias.

Tensions are flaring up once again in the South China Sea. Hundreds of fishing vessels have been spotted at a disputed reef. The Philippines says these are Chinese vessels manned by militias. Manila has shot off a warning. It has termed the presence of Chinese vessels an incursion. The Philippines has demanded withdrawal from China. So, has China opened up another front in the tense South China Sea? Is Beijing militarising a disputed region? The South China Sea is one of the most hotly contested regions in the world. China stakes claim to 90 per cent of the South China Sea. Vietnam, The Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei, they all have competing, sometimes overlapping claims. Any flare up could lead to a serious military conflict. The Philippines has spotted more than 200 Chinese vessels at a reef that it calls its own. They say the boats do not appear to be fishing and that they are manned by China's maritime militia. The Philippines says these vessels are violating its maritime rights in the Whitsun reef, which looks like a boomerang. The Philippines calls it the Julian Felipe. Manila says this reef lies within the country's exclusive economic zone. Manila has released some photographs of those ships. They are positioned side by side. The Philippines is concerned by the sheer number of ships. They say, these ships could engage in possible overfishing, destruction of the marine environment as well as pose risks to safety of navigation but a national task force in Philippines says the Chinese vessels aren't really fishing and the ships keep their lights on during night time. The defence secretary of Philippines has shot off a statement. It says the presence of Chinese ships is a matter of grave concern. He called it 'a clear provocative action of militarising the area'. What is Beijing's response? China's ministry of foreign affairs said that the presence of these ships is 'very normal'. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, said, "What I want to tell you is that Whitsun Reef is a part of the Spratly islands, and China's fishing vessels have always been fishing in the waters of Whitsun reef for a very long time. Recently, because of the maritime situation, China's fishing vessels have been staying near Whitsun reef to shelter themselves from strong winds. This is very normal, and we hope all parties can view this reasonably." For the Philippines, all this is far from normal. Back in 2016, Philippines had won a case against China's territorial claims. Five years ago, an international court had dismissed Beijing's claims to virtually all of the South China Sea but China refused to recognise this decision. It continues to push its claims on the South China Sea. It is believed that Beijing uses fishing fleets across the region to assert its claims. A report from 2019 says, "A significant number of fishing vessels in the area forgo fishing full time to serve as a direct arm of the state through maritime militia". The bigger challenge is how China is transforming some of the islands. Reportedly, China has turned several reefs in the Spratly islands chain into man-made islands, where missiles, runways and weapons systems have been deployed. The Spratly islands are a group of more than 100 small islands or reefs. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds. China claims the entire Spratly islands while the rest of the parties have competing claims.

Tensions flare up as Philippines spots Chinese vessels at Whitsun reef 

China is set to construct the "Polar Silk Road" and is actively participating in the development of polar regions. In the country's new 2021-2025 "five-year plan'' published on Friday, China is pushing for influence in Arctic and Antarctic regions.

According to the plan, China intends to "participate in pragmatic cooperation in the North Pole", in a bid to “raise its ability to participate in the protection and utilisation of the South Pole”, Reuters reported.

As temperatures rise and the danger of depleting natural resources hangs at bay, China has been eyeing potential mineral resource in the Arctic regions.&nbsp;

The melting of ice caps in the region may cause minerals to become closer to human reach.

In 2018, China had released a White Paper highlighting plans to create new freight routes linking Asia and Europe via the Northeast, Northwest, and Central Passages of the Arctic.&nbsp;

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In addition - in 2020, China announced plans to launch a new satellite that would track shipping routes alongside monitoring changes in the Arctic region's sea ice. The satellite is set to be launched in 2022.

The much-debated Transpolar Sea Route (TSR) is the Arctic shipping route that runs through the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and is also called the Trans-Arctic Route. With the melting icecaps, it is increasingly being viewed as the next big shipping route over the next decade.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/chinas-moves-against-hong-kong-direct-attack-on-autonomy-us-368357" hreflang="en">China's moves against Hong Kong 'direct attack' on autonomy: US</a>

In the White Paper, China had claimed the&nbsp;Arctic is the "Polar Silk Road" connecting Asia and Europe with the expansion of China's ambitious Belt and Road initiative(BRI).

"China is an important stakeholder in Arctic affairs. Geographically, China is a Near-Arctic State, one of the continental States that are closest to the Arctic Circle," the White Paper had said.

China is set to construct the "Polar Silk Road" and is actively participating in the development of polar regions. In the country's new 2021-2025 "five-year plan'' published on Friday, China is pushing for influence in Arctic and Antarctic regions.

China is set to construct the "Polar Silk Road" and is actively participating in the development of polar regions. In the country's new 2021-2025 "five-year plan'' published on Friday, China is pushing for influence in Arctic and Antarctic regions. According to the plan, China intends to "participate in pragmatic cooperation in the North Pole", in a bid to “raise its ability to participate in the protection and utilisation of the South Pole”, Reuters reported. As temperatures rise and the danger of depleting natural resources hangs at bay, China has been eyeing potential mineral resource in the Arctic regions. The melting of ice caps in the region may cause minerals to become closer to human reach. In 2018, China had released a White Paper highlighting plans to create new freight routes linking Asia and Europe via the Northeast, Northwest, and Central Passages of the Arctic. Also read: Over 20,000 US organisations affected by China's Microsoft hack: Reports In addition - in 2020, China announced plans to launch a new satellite that would track shipping routes alongside monitoring changes in the Arctic region's sea ice. The satellite is set to be launched in 2022. The much-debated Transpolar Sea Route (TSR) is the Arctic shipping route that runs through the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and is also called the Trans-Arctic Route. With the melting icecaps, it is increasingly being viewed as the next big shipping route over the next decade. Also read: China's moves against Hong Kong 'direct attack' on autonomy: US In the White Paper, China had claimed the Arctic is the "Polar Silk Road" connecting Asia and Europe with the expansion of China's ambitious Belt and Road initiative(BRI). "China is an important stakeholder in Arctic affairs. Geographically, China is a Near-Arctic State, one of the continental States that are closest to the Arctic Circle," the White Paper had said.

China pledges to build 'Polar Silk Road' by 2025 to tap natural resources

In the past year the United Kingdom expelled three Chinese spies who were in the country on journalism visas, according to a report by The Telegraph newspaper on Thursday.

The report, which has not been independently verified by Reuters and cites a UK government source, says that three intelligence officers for China's Ministry of State Security purported to work for three different Chinese media agencies.

"Their true identities were uncovered by MI5 and they have since been forced to return to China," said the report, referring to the UK's domestic security services.

Also on Thursday, Britain's media regulator revoked a Chinese TV licence after it concluded that the Chinese Communist Party had ultimate editorial responsibility for the channel.

In the past year the United Kingdom expelled three Chinese spies who were in the country on journalism visas, according to a report by The Telegraph newspaper on Thursday.

In the past year the United Kingdom expelled three Chinese spies who were in the country on journalism visas, according to a report by The Telegraph newspaper on Thursday. The report, which has not been independently verified by Reuters and cites a UK government source, says that three intelligence officers for China's Ministry of State Security purported to work for three different Chinese media agencies. "Their true identities were uncovered by MI5 and they have since been forced to return to China," said the report, referring to the UK's domestic security services. Also on Thursday, Britain's media regulator revoked a Chinese TV licence after it concluded that the Chinese Communist Party had ultimate editorial responsibility for the channel.

UK expelled three Chinese spies posing as journalists - Report

Ant Group Co has agreed a restructuring plan with Chinese regulators under which the fintech giant will become a financial holding company, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said, potentially easing founder Jack Ma`s regulatory woes. 
 
The plan calls for putting all of Ant`s businesses into the holding company, including its payment processing and technology offerings in areas like blockchain and food delivery, the person said, declining to be named due to confidentiality constraints. 
 
Bloomberg News first reported Ant had reached an agreement with Chinese regulators about the proposed restructuring. 
 
An announcement about the restructuring, which will result in the company being subject to capital requirements similar to those for banks, could come before the start of China`s Lunar New Year holiday on Feb. 11, the Bloomberg report said. 
 
An agreement on the restructuring of Ant, an affiliate of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, would ease investor concerns about a regulatory crackdown on billionaire Ma`s business empire. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/chinese-state-media-omits-jack-mas-name-from-list-of-entrepreneurial-leaders-360782" hreflang="en">Chinese state media omits Jack Ma's name from list of entrepreneurial leaders</a> 
 
The catalyst for Ma`s current woes was an Oct. 24 speech in which he blasted China`s regulatory system, leading to the suspension of Ant`s $37 billion initial public offering just days before its dual-listing in Hong Kong and Shanghai. 
 
Regulators have since launched an anti-trust probe into the tech sector with Alibaba taking much of the heat, besides pushing Ant to revamp its business structure to bring it under tighter regulatory supervision. 
 
Ma, who is not known for shying away from the limelight, subsequently disappeared from the public eye for about three months, triggering frenzied speculation about his whereabouts. He re-emerged last month with a 50-second video appearance. 
 
Despite the agreement with the regulator on revamping Ant, whose businesses include consumer lending and insurance products distribution, the anti-trust probe into Alibaba would continue to cloud the outlook for Ma`s empire.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/alibabas-jack-ma-makes-first-public-appearance-after-months-via-video-link-357945" hreflang="en">Alibaba's Jack Ma makes first public appearance after months via video link</a> 
 
Bloomberg`s report said that Ant was still exploring opportunities to revive its stock market listing, citing one person familiar with the matter. It said it was unclear how long authorities would need to sign off on a listing. 
 
Ant`s financial holding structure is expected to weigh on its valuation, as the fintech firm was valued as a technology firm in its previous fundraising rounds. Typically, valuations are much higher on technology firms than on financial companies. 
 
Ant, which earlier on Wednesday declined to comment on the Bloomberg report, also declined to comment when contacted by Reuters. China`s central bank did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment. 
 
Alibaba`s Hong Kong-listed shares closed 0.4% higher on Wednesday. They had tumbled early in the session after the company reported third-quarter results and warned it faced a near-term challenge from changing regulations. 
 
It also warned that Ant`s business prospects and IPO plans "are subject to substantial uncertainties". 
 
"Currently, we are unable to make a complete and fair assessment of the impact that these changes and uncertainties will have on Alibaba Group," it said.

Ant Group Co has agreed a restructuring plan with Chinese regulators under which the fintech giant will become a financial holding company, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said, potentially easing founder Jack Ma`s regulatory woes.

Ant Group Co has agreed a restructuring plan with Chinese regulators under which the fintech giant will become a financial holding company, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said, potentially easing founder Jack Ma`s regulatory woes. The plan calls for putting all of Ant`s businesses into the holding company, including its payment processing and technology offerings in areas like blockchain and food delivery, the person said, declining to be named due to confidentiality constraints. Bloomberg News first reported Ant had reached an agreement with Chinese regulators about the proposed restructuring. An announcement about the restructuring, which will result in the company being subject to capital requirements similar to those for banks, could come before the start of China`s Lunar New Year holiday on Feb. 11, the Bloomberg report said. An agreement on the restructuring of Ant, an affiliate of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, would ease investor concerns about a regulatory crackdown on billionaire Ma`s business empire. Also read: Chinese state media omits Jack Ma's name from list of entrepreneurial leaders The catalyst for Ma`s current woes was an Oct. 24 speech in which he blasted China`s regulatory system, leading to the suspension of Ant`s $37 billion initial public offering just days before its dual-listing in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Regulators have since launched an anti-trust probe into the tech sector with Alibaba taking much of the heat, besides pushing Ant to revamp its business structure to bring it under tighter regulatory supervision. Ma, who is not known for shying away from the limelight, subsequently disappeared from the public eye for about three months, triggering frenzied speculation about his whereabouts. He re-emerged last month with a 50-second video appearance. Despite the agreement with the regulator on revamping Ant, whose businesses include consumer lending and insurance products distribution, the anti-trust probe into Alibaba would continue to cloud the outlook for Ma`s empire. Also read: Alibaba's Jack Ma makes first public appearance after months via video link Bloomberg`s report said that Ant was still exploring opportunities to revive its stock market listing, citing one person familiar with the matter. It said it was unclear how long authorities would need to sign off on a listing. Ant`s financial holding structure is expected to weigh on its valuation, as the fintech firm was valued as a technology firm in its previous fundraising rounds. Typically, valuations are much higher on technology firms than on financial companies. Ant, which earlier on Wednesday declined to comment on the Bloomberg report, also declined to comment when contacted by Reuters. China`s central bank did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment. Alibaba`s Hong Kong-listed shares closed 0.4% higher on Wednesday. They had tumbled early in the session after the company reported third-quarter results and warned it faced a near-term challenge from changing regulations. It also warned that Ant`s business prospects and IPO plans "are subject to substantial uncertainties". "Currently, we are unable to make a complete and fair assessment of the impact that these changes and uncertainties will have on Alibaba Group," it said.

Ant Group reportedly reaches deal with China regulators on restructuring

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