Lunar New Year celebrations and events are happening again this year in San Francisco after two challenging years of the pandemic.

Lunar new year events returns to San Francisco

How is China preparing for the Lunar New Year

A dessert shop in Bangkok is doing a roaring trade by recreating items in a traditional feast like pig's head, roast duck and steamed chicken moulded from coconut milk jelly.

Dessert shop in Thai creates mini Lunar New Year's feast out of jelly

China has vowed to ''purge'' the internet ahead of the Lunar New Year and Winter Olympics.

The announcement has been made by the Cyberspace Administration of China, which aims to &nbsp;create a "healthy, happy, and peaceful online environment."

The move expands the crackdown on the internet sector in China, as regulators seek to strengthen data privacy and consumer rights and curtail anti-competitive practices in order to curb the outsized influence of technology companies.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-wants-to-purify-the-internet-447582/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

China's cyber regulatory body issued draft rules governing mobile apps, including a requirement for security reviews of apps whose functions could influence public opinion.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">The proposed regulations are part of its campaign run to increase oversight of the country's tech companies.</div>

The proposals will require application providers to carry out a security assessment before launching "new technologies, new applications, and new functions" capable of influencing opinion or mobilising the public.

The regulator added that mobile app providers must not conduct activities that endanger national security, or force users to share non-essential personal information.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-year-china-went-rogue-on-itself-will-crackdowns-hamper-economic-growth-439871" hreflang="en">The year China went rogue on itself: Will crackdowns hamper economic growth?</a>

The CAC said it would focus on cyberbullying and the spreading of online rumours, as well as any online behaviours that could be considered to be showing off lavish lifestyles, encouraging the worship of money or superstition.

It will also strictly prevent "illegal and immoral" celebrities from holding any online events that could help them make a comeback, it added.

The fanfare ahead of next month's Beijing's Winter Olympics is building in China but President Xi Jinping appeared to play down focus on the medals table.

"I don't care how many gold medals Chinese athletes win this time, I care more about the motivation and vitality it will inject into us in the future," Xi told visiting International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach on Tuesday.

(With inputs from agencies)

China has vowed to ''purge'' the internet ahead of the Lunar New Year and Winter Olympics. The announcement has been made by the Cyberspace Administration of China, which aims to create a "healthy, happy, and peaceful online environment.

China has vowed to ''purge'' the internet ahead of the Lunar New Year and Winter Olympics. The announcement has been made by the Cyberspace Administration of China, which aims to create a "healthy, happy, and peaceful online environment." The move expands the crackdown on the internet sector in China, as regulators seek to strengthen data privacy and consumer rights and curtail anti-competitive practices in order to curb the outsized influence of technology companies. China's cyber regulatory body issued draft rules governing mobile apps, including a requirement for security reviews of apps whose functions could influence public opinion. The proposed regulations are part of its campaign run to increase oversight of the country's tech companies. The proposals will require application providers to carry out a security assessment before launching "new technologies, new applications, and new functions" capable of influencing opinion or mobilising the public. The regulator added that mobile app providers must not conduct activities that endanger national security, or force users to share non-essential personal information. Also read | The year China went rogue on itself: Will crackdowns hamper economic growth? The CAC said it would focus on cyberbullying and the spreading of online rumours, as well as any online behaviours that could be considered to be showing off lavish lifestyles, encouraging the worship of money or superstition. It will also strictly prevent "illegal and immoral" celebrities from holding any online events that could help them make a comeback, it added. The fanfare ahead of next month's Beijing's Winter Olympics is building in China but President Xi Jinping appeared to play down focus on the medals table. "I don't care how many gold medals Chinese athletes win this time, I care more about the motivation and vitality it will inject into us in the future," Xi told visiting International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach on Tuesday. (With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of Lunar New Year and Winter Olympics, China vows to 'purge' internet

Taiwan is reporting a surge in Covid cases just ahead of the Lunar New Year. The region has reported several clusters as the Omicron variant of coronavirus is leading a new wave.

Taiwan is reporting a surge in Covid cases just ahead of the Lunar New Year. The region has reported several clusters as the Omicron variant of coronavirus is leading a new wave. Taiwan’s centre for disease control, on Saturday, reported 82 domestic cases. Out of this, 63 were found at the Taoyuan factory in the first round of testing. Health and welfare minister Chen Shih-Chung said that most of those who are sick are migrant workers. In recent weeks there have been reports of the authorities responding to clusters in Taoyuan connected to the international airport. There have also been reports of cases in the southern city of Kaohsiung. Taiwan, in early December, detected the first case of the Omicron variant. It was detected in three people who arrived from abroad. Also read | Chinese company linked to government installs security scanners across Europe: Report Taiwan ramped up its vaccination drive during last year with 62 per cent of the population fully vaccinated in a country of 23.41 million. Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) had announced citizens who had earlier taken both doses of the vaccine five months ago are now eligible for the booster dose in order to stop chances of community transmission. CECC added that vaccine immunity reduces over time amid the threat of new variants. The command centre said frontline health workers including those over 65 were at high risk and should take the booster dose. (With inputs from agencies)

Taiwan sees a surge in Covid cases ahead of Lunar New Year

Two Chinese online video producers known for poking fun at Chinese President Xi Jinping have disappeared on the eve of Lunar New Year, Asia News reported. &nbsp;

The two have reported missing by the head of the Qiang Guo Wa Ha, one of several YouTube channels specialised in Ru Bao, a Mandarin term used to describe mocking the Chinese president.&nbsp;

According to the Apple Daily newspaper and Radio Free Asia, the chairperson and a manager of the Ru Mo Xin Lian She YouTube channel disappeared on last Tuesday.&nbsp;

Online, several channels have been referring to Xi as Bao Zi, a steamed bun in Mandarin, ever since he visited a chain restaurant in Beijing and ordered buns in December 2013. Ru Bao channels also depict the Chinese leader as Winnie the Pooh, the animated bear made famous by Disney.&nbsp;

YouTube has removed several videos posted from channels mocking Xi, ostensibly for violating the copyrights of Shanghai Hode Information Technology Co Ltd.&nbsp;

The Chinese Communist Party has long been accused to suppress the idea that could undermine the sweeping authority.&nbsp;

In just the past few years, the government has attempted to muzzle critics by making them disappear without a trace, ordering people to physically barge into their houses, or locking up those close to critics as a kind of blackmail.&nbsp;

In late December, a Chinese activist, who retweeted a video of 'ink girl' Dong Yaoqiang, has been charged with 'inciting subversion of state power', an offence punishable by life imprisonment. Ou Biaofeng was detained by police on December 3 after he voiced his support on Twitter for Dong.&nbsp;

In 2018, Dong had live-streamed a video of herself splashing ink on a poster of President Xi Jinping, while accusing the Communist Party of 'thought control'.&nbsp;

Dong was forcibly admitted to a psychiatric unit twice since the 2018 incident.

Two Chinese online video producers known for poking fun at Chinese President Xi Jinping have disappeared on the eve of Lunar New Year, Asia News reported. The two have reported missing by the head of the Qiang Guo Wa Ha, one of several YouTube channels specialised in Ru Bao, a Mandarin term used to describe mocking the Chinese president.

Two Chinese online video producers known for poking fun at Chinese President Xi Jinping have disappeared on the eve of Lunar New Year, Asia News reported. The two have reported missing by the head of the Qiang Guo Wa Ha, one of several YouTube channels specialised in Ru Bao, a Mandarin term used to describe mocking the Chinese president. According to the Apple Daily newspaper and Radio Free Asia, the chairperson and a manager of the Ru Mo Xin Lian She YouTube channel disappeared on last Tuesday. Online, several channels have been referring to Xi as Bao Zi, a steamed bun in Mandarin, ever since he visited a chain restaurant in Beijing and ordered buns in December 2013. Ru Bao channels also depict the Chinese leader as Winnie the Pooh, the animated bear made famous by Disney. YouTube has removed several videos posted from channels mocking Xi, ostensibly for violating the copyrights of Shanghai Hode Information Technology Co Ltd. The Chinese Communist Party has long been accused to suppress the idea that could undermine the sweeping authority. In just the past few years, the government has attempted to muzzle critics by making them disappear without a trace, ordering people to physically barge into their houses, or locking up those close to critics as a kind of blackmail. In late December, a Chinese activist, who retweeted a video of 'ink girl' Dong Yaoqiang, has been charged with 'inciting subversion of state power', an offence punishable by life imprisonment. Ou Biaofeng was detained by police on December 3 after he voiced his support on Twitter for Dong. In 2018, Dong had live-streamed a video of herself splashing ink on a poster of President Xi Jinping, while accusing the Communist Party of 'thought control'. Dong was forcibly admitted to a psychiatric unit twice since the 2018 incident.

Two Chinese online producers disappear after mocking Xi Jinping

Sydney ushered in the Lunar New Year on Friday (February 12), with two new pink Ox lanterns which were unveiled at the entrance to the city's Chinatown.

Sydney rings in Lunar New Year with pink ox lanterns

Residents in the central Chinese city of Wuhan flocked to the streets on Wednesday (February 10) to prepare goods for the Lunar New Year, after a year marred by a deadly pandemic that killed thousands there and required the city to be locked down between the end of January and early April last year.

Wuhan residents prepare new year goods to welcome year of the ox

Sydney welcomed the Lunar New Year of the Ox a few days early on Tuesday (February 9), kicking off two weeks of festivities and celebration throughout the city.

Sydney welcomes the Lunar New Year of the Ox

China is recording its worst outbreak since March 2020 ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. Mainland China has recorded 103 new Coronavirus infections while most of the new cases are near the capital.

China's most severe outbreak ahead of the Lunar New Year

After the SARS-like coronavirus spread to multiple countries, China on Monday said it was "responding actively" and had made "strict prevention and control plans".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sars-like-virus-spreading-across-china-amid-140-new-cases-third-death-275342">Also read: SARS-like virus spreading across China amid 140 new cases, third death</a>

"China has adopted a serious, careful and professional attitude since the beginning of the epidemic. China has been responding actively, and made strict prevention and control plans. China has also done all it can to treat the patients and has well managed those who have been in close contact with the patients," China's foreign ministry Geng Shuang spokesman said.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-school-teacher-admitted-to-intensive-care-for-sars-like-virus-in-china-275445/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The foreign ministry spokesman asserted that&nbsp;China had shared information on the epidemic situation with the World Health Organization including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.&nbsp;

After the novel coronavirus infection (2019-nCoV) was detected last month in Wuhan, a third death was reported last Saturday. The virus has now spread to other Chinese cities namely&nbsp;Beijing and Shenzhen.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/tracking-chinas-sars-like-coronavirus-275537">In Pics:&nbsp;Tracking China's SARS-like coronavirus</a>

"After receiving notifications of relevant cases from relevant countries, China attached great importance to strengthening cooperation with them to tackle the epidemic and maintained close communication with all parties through bilateral and multilateral channels," the foreign ministry said.

China's President Xi Jinping speaking to state broadcaster CCTV said the new virus needed to be "resolutely contained"

"The safety of people's lives and their physical health should be given top priority", the Chinese president said.

Meanwhile, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said 136 new cases of pneumonia caused by the coronavirus strain had been found in the city.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-new-cases-in-wuhan-virus-outbreak-275016">Also read: China reports new cases in Wuhan virus outbreak</a>

The strain of pneumonia outbreak spreading in the Chinese cities of Wuhan and Shenzhen has added a new nationality to its&nbsp;list of infected individuals - a 45-year-old Indian school teacher, who is undergoing treatment for the mysterious SARS-like coronavirus.

Doctors on Monday confirmed that she was suffering from the virus and is being treated for the same. The patient - Preeti Maheshwari - is a teacher at an international school in Shenzhen.

First discovered in the central city of Wuhan, the coronavirus strain has caused alarm due to its connection to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(SARS), which had&nbsp;a kill count of around 650 people across mainland China and Hongkong in 2002-2003.

Serving as a major transport hub, Wuhan has 11 million inhabitants and sees hundreds of millions more during the Lunar New Year, when people travel across the country to visit family.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-warns-hospitals-worldwide-as-new-china-coronavirus-may-spread-further-274255">Also read: WHO warns hospitals worldwide over further spread of China's coronavirus</a> 
&nbsp; 
Following a second death due to the outbreak of the new strain, India issued an advisory on Friday to its nationals visiting China. "An infection with a novel coronavirus has been reported from China. As of 11th January 2020, 41 confirmed cases have been reported so far." it said. 
&nbsp; 
Wuhan city's medical colleges have a&nbsp;population of over 500 Indian medical students, most of whom have left for home during the Chinese New Year holidays. Authorities have stated that Wuhan will continue to expand the search area, identify suspected cases and conduct sampling tests.

After the SARS-like coronavirus spread to multiple countries, China on Monday said it was "responding actively" and had made "strict prevention and control plans".

After the SARS-like coronavirus spread to multiple countries, China on Monday said it was "responding actively" and had made "strict prevention and control plans". Also read: SARS-like virus spreading across China amid 140 new cases, third death "China has adopted a serious, careful and professional attitude since the beginning of the epidemic. China has been responding actively, and made strict prevention and control plans. China has also done all it can to treat the patients and has well managed those who have been in close contact with the patients," China's foreign ministry Geng Shuang spokesman said. Watch Video: The foreign ministry spokesman asserted that China had shared information on the epidemic situation with the World Health Organization including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. After the novel coronavirus infection (2019-nCoV) was detected last month in Wuhan, a third death was reported last Saturday. The virus has now spread to other Chinese cities namely Beijing and Shenzhen. In Pics: Tracking China's SARS-like coronavirus "After receiving notifications of relevant cases from relevant countries, China attached great importance to strengthening cooperation with them to tackle the epidemic and maintained close communication with all parties through bilateral and multilateral channels," the foreign ministry said. China's President Xi Jinping speaking to state broadcaster CCTV said the new virus needed to be "resolutely contained" "The safety of people's lives and their physical health should be given top priority", the Chinese president said. Meanwhile, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said 136 new cases of pneumonia caused by the coronavirus strain had been found in the city. Also read: China reports new cases in Wuhan virus outbreak The strain of pneumonia outbreak spreading in the Chinese cities of Wuhan and Shenzhen has added a new nationality to its list of infected individuals - a 45-year-old Indian school teacher, who is undergoing treatment for the mysterious SARS-like coronavirus. Doctors on Monday confirmed that she was suffering from the virus and is being treated for the same. The patient - Preeti Maheshwari - is a teacher at an international school in Shenzhen. First discovered in the central city of Wuhan, the coronavirus strain has caused alarm due to its connection to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(SARS), which had a kill count of around 650 people across mainland China and Hongkong in 2002-2003. Serving as a major transport hub, Wuhan has 11 million inhabitants and sees hundreds of millions more during the Lunar New Year, when people travel across the country to visit family. Also read: WHO warns hospitals worldwide over further spread of China's coronavirus Following a second death due to the outbreak of the new strain, India issued an advisory on Friday to its nationals visiting China. "An infection with a novel coronavirus has been reported from China. As of 11th January 2020, 41 confirmed cases have been reported so far." it said. Wuhan city's medical colleges have a population of over 500 Indian medical students, most of whom have left for home during the Chinese New Year holidays. Authorities have stated that Wuhan will continue to expand the search area, identify suspected cases and conduct sampling tests.

Responding actively, made strict prevention plan: China on spread of SARS-like coronavirus

Investors disinvested $393 billion from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/chinese-stocks-crash-as-death-toll-in-coronavirus-mounts-to-over-360-278267">Chinese stock market</a> on Monday as fears about the deadly coronavirus continue to escalate.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/chinese-stocks-crash-as-death-toll-in-coronavirus-mounts-to-over-360-278267">Shanghai Composite index</a> plunged 7.7 per cent at 2,746.6 on the first day of trade in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-news-chinese-authorities-ignored-early-reports-of-mysterious-coronavirus-by-doctor-report-278301">China</a> since the Lunar New Year.

This was its biggest daily fall in more than four years.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/chinese-stocks-crash-as-death-toll-in-coronavirus-mounts-to-over-360-278267">Chinese stocks crash as death toll in coronavirus mounts to over 360</a>

The value of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-news-chinese-authorities-ignored-early-reports-of-mysterious-coronavirus-by-doctor-report-278301https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/chinese-stocks-crash-as-death-toll-in-coronavirus-mounts-to-over-360-278267">yuan</a> began onshore trade at its weakest this year and was down 1.2 per cent by the afternoon itself.

It slid past the 7 dollar mark and closed at 7.0257.

Shanghai-traded commodities from palm oil to copper hit their maximum down limits.

Copper sank to its lowest in more than three years, falling by its daily limit of 7 per cent, while aluminium, zinc and lead shed more than 4 per cent and soybeans dropped 2 per cent.

Bond prices surged, with March futures contracts for 10-year bonds jumping 1.4 per cent.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-economy-grew-at-slowest-pace-in-28-years-in-2018-191687">China economy grew at slowest pace in 28 years in 2018</a>

The wipeout came despite the assistance of the Chinese government to curb selling.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/chinese-stocks-crash-as-death-toll-in-coronavirus-mounts-to-over-360-278267">People's Bank of China</a> (PBOC) had made its biggest cash injection to the financial system since 2004.

It had injected 1.2 trillion yuan into money markets also unexpectedly cut the interest rate on those short-term funding facilities by 10 basis points.

The chances of a cut in lending rate have significantly increased, central bank adviser Ma Jun said.

China's securities regulator moved to limit short selling and urged mutual fund managers not to sell shares unless they face investor redemptions, sources told Reuters.

The total number of deaths in China from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-news-chinese-authorities-ignored-early-reports-of-mysterious-coronavirus-by-doctor-report-278301">coronavirus</a> rose to 361 by Sunday, compared with 17 on January 23, when Chinese markets last traded.

The new virus has created alarm because it is spreading quickly, much about it is unknown, and authorities' drastic response is likely to drag on economic growth. 
&nbsp;

Investors disinvested $393 billion from Chinese stock market on Monday as fears about the deadly coronavirus continue to escalate. The Shanghai Composite index plunged 7.

Investors disinvested $393 billion from Chinese stock market on Monday as fears about the deadly coronavirus continue to escalate. The Shanghai Composite index plunged 7.7 per cent at 2,746.6 on the first day of trade in China since the Lunar New Year. This was its biggest daily fall in more than four years. Also read: Chinese stocks crash as death toll in coronavirus mounts to over 360 The value of yuan began onshore trade at its weakest this year and was down 1.2 per cent by the afternoon itself. It slid past the 7 dollar mark and closed at 7.0257. Shanghai-traded commodities from palm oil to copper hit their maximum down limits. Copper sank to its lowest in more than three years, falling by its daily limit of 7 per cent, while aluminium, zinc and lead shed more than 4 per cent and soybeans dropped 2 per cent. Bond prices surged, with March futures contracts for 10-year bonds jumping 1.4 per cent. Also read: China economy grew at slowest pace in 28 years in 2018 The wipeout came despite the assistance of the Chinese government to curb selling. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) had made its biggest cash injection to the financial system since 2004. It had injected 1.2 trillion yuan into money markets also unexpectedly cut the interest rate on those short-term funding facilities by 10 basis points. The chances of a cut in lending rate have significantly increased, central bank adviser Ma Jun said. China's securities regulator moved to limit short selling and urged mutual fund managers not to sell shares unless they face investor redemptions, sources told Reuters. The total number of deaths in China from the coronavirus rose to 361 by Sunday, compared with 17 on January 23, when Chinese markets last traded. The new virus has created alarm because it is spreading quickly, much about it is unknown, and authorities' drastic response is likely to drag on economic growth.

Coronavirus outbreak: Chinese stock market suffers setback of $393 billion

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/change-of-regime-in-sri-lanka-implications-for-india-lanka-relations-263467">Sri Lanka</a> on Tuesday imposed visa restrictions on Chinese tourists visiting the island nation to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Health Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dengue-kills-120-in-sri-lanka-affects-over-87000-others-268635">Pavithra Wanniarachchi</a> said that the decision was taken following talks held last night as a temporary measure to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in Sri Lanka, Colombo Gazette reported.

This comes a day after Colombo reported its first case of coronavirus, involving a 43-year-old Chinese woman, local media reported. 
The woman, who hails from the Chinese Province of Hubei, had arrived in Sri Lanka as a tourist on January 19, Sudath Samaraweera, the Chief Epidemiologist with the Ministry of Health, said.

A special committee appointed by the President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sri-lanka-president-gotabaya-rajapaksa-arrives-in-india-265098">Gotabaya Rajapaksa</a> to prevent the new coronavirus from spreading in Sri Lanka had proposed temporarily imposing visa restrictions on Chinese tourists.

The virus originated in Wuhan city of China in December and has since then spread to various cities around the world.

China has imposed quarantine and travel restrictions, affecting the movement of 56 million people in more than a dozen cities, amid fears that the transmission rate will accelerate as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-cancels-lunar-new-year-parade-due-to-chinas-viral-outbreak-276669">Lunar New Year</a>.

The death toll from coronavirus in China rose to 106, while 4,515 confirmed cases of the disease have been reported in 30 provincial-level regions by the end of Monday.

Sri Lanka on Tuesday imposed visa restrictions on Chinese tourists visiting the island nation to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said that the decision was taken following talks held last night as a temporary measure to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in Sri Lanka, Colombo Gazette reported.

Sri Lanka on Tuesday imposed visa restrictions on Chinese tourists visiting the island nation to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said that the decision was taken following talks held last night as a temporary measure to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in Sri Lanka, Colombo Gazette reported. This comes a day after Colombo reported its first case of coronavirus, involving a 43-year-old Chinese woman, local media reported. The woman, who hails from the Chinese Province of Hubei, had arrived in Sri Lanka as a tourist on January 19, Sudath Samaraweera, the Chief Epidemiologist with the Ministry of Health, said. A special committee appointed by the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to prevent the new coronavirus from spreading in Sri Lanka had proposed temporarily imposing visa restrictions on Chinese tourists. The virus originated in Wuhan city of China in December and has since then spread to various cities around the world. China has imposed quarantine and travel restrictions, affecting the movement of 56 million people in more than a dozen cities, amid fears that the transmission rate will accelerate as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel for the Lunar New Year. The death toll from coronavirus in China rose to 106, while 4,515 confirmed cases of the disease have been reported in 30 provincial-level regions by the end of Monday.

Sri Lanka imposes visa restriction on Chinese tourists amid coronavirus outbreak

Singapore said on Monday that the coronavirus outbreak will hurt its economy this year, as it announced new measures to tackle the disease which originated in China and has spread to the city-state and several other countries.

The Southeast Asian travel and tourism hub, which recorded its lowest growth rate in a decade last year at 0.7 per cent, has reported four cases of the coronavirus that has killed 80 people in China so far.

"We certainly expect there to be an impact on our economy, business, and consumer confidence this year especially as the situation is expected to persist for some time," trade minister Chan Chun Sing said.

The government is considering support measures for hard-hit sectors like tourism which could include property tax, rebates and worker levy cuts, he added.

Chinese nationals make up the largest share of visitors to Singapore, one of the worst-hit countries outside of China in the 2003 outbreak of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sars-like-virus-spreading-across-china-amid-140-new-cases-third-death-275342">Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome</a> (SARS) which killed 800 people globally.

Singapore is currently forecasting growth in a wide range of 0.5-2.5 per cent&nbsp;this year.

Chan is part of a government task force set up to tackle the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-declares-coronavirus-emergency-halts-official-visits-to-mainland-china-276488">coronavirus</a> spread in Singapore.

The task force also announced a raft of new measures on Monday to halt the spread of the virus, including urging all school students and staff with a recent travel history to China to stay at home for a fortnight. Families in Singapore, many of which are ethnically Chinese and have relatives in mainland China, are currently traveling for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-cancels-lunar-new-year-parade-due-to-chinas-viral-outbreak-276669">Lunar New Year</a> holidays.

It also issued a new advisory for travelers to defer all non-essential travel to mainland China and said it will start temperature screening all inbound flights to Singapore.

The death toll in China from the coronavirus grew to 80 on Monday as residents of the Hubei province, where the disease originated, were banned from entering Hong Kong amid global efforts to halt the rapid spread of the outbreak.

The virus has so far spread to more than 10 countries including the United States, Japan, and France.

Singapore said on Monday that the coronavirus outbreak will hurt its economy this year, as it announced new measures to tackle the disease which originated in China and has spread to the city-state and several other countries.

Singapore said on Monday that the coronavirus outbreak will hurt its economy this year, as it announced new measures to tackle the disease which originated in China and has spread to the city-state and several other countries. The Southeast Asian travel and tourism hub, which recorded its lowest growth rate in a decade last year at 0.7 per cent, has reported four cases of the coronavirus that has killed 80 people in China so far. "We certainly expect there to be an impact on our economy, business, and consumer confidence this year especially as the situation is expected to persist for some time," trade minister Chan Chun Sing said. The government is considering support measures for hard-hit sectors like tourism which could include property tax, rebates and worker levy cuts, he added. Chinese nationals make up the largest share of visitors to Singapore, one of the worst-hit countries outside of China in the 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which killed 800 people globally. Singapore is currently forecasting growth in a wide range of 0.5-2.5 per cent this year. Chan is part of a government task force set up to tackle the coronavirus spread in Singapore. The task force also announced a raft of new measures on Monday to halt the spread of the virus, including urging all school students and staff with a recent travel history to China to stay at home for a fortnight. Families in Singapore, many of which are ethnically Chinese and have relatives in mainland China, are currently traveling for the Lunar New Year holidays. It also issued a new advisory for travelers to defer all non-essential travel to mainland China and said it will start temperature screening all inbound flights to Singapore. The death toll in China from the coronavirus grew to 80 on Monday as residents of the Hubei province, where the disease originated, were banned from entering Hong Kong amid global efforts to halt the rapid spread of the outbreak. The virus has so far spread to more than 10 countries including the United States, Japan, and France.

Singapore says China virus outbreak will hit its economy this year

Paris, home to two of the three French people taken ill in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wuhan-coronavirus-dos-and-donts-symptoms-276479">China's coronavirus outbreak</a>, cancelled a Lunar New Year parade on Sunday as a "precaution", the capital's mayor Anne Hidalgo said. "Yesterday, I met members of the Chinese community in Paris who themselves wished to cancel the procession" scheduled for Republique square, the mayor told reporters. "The principle of precaution takes precedence," she added.

On Friday, France's health ministry said three people who had recently travelled to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-virus-death-toll-rises-to-56-total-cases-near-2000-276577">China </a>were confirmed to have contracted the virus - the first cases in Europe. One was a patient at a hospital in the southwestern city of Bordeaux and the other two in the capital. All three were "very well", according to France's director-general of health Jerome Salomon. Health officials were tracking other people the three had been in contact with.

The Lunar New Year, sometimes called Chinese New Year, marks the beginning of the new year on the traditional Chinese calendar.&nbsp;This year, the start to the Year of the Rat fell on Saturday, but celebrations in China were dramatically scaled down amid a coronavirus outbreak that has killed 56 and infected nearly 2,000.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-outbreak-3-cases-in-france-1-in-australia-us-expecting-more-cases-276474">Coronavirus Outbreak: 3 cases in France, 1 in Australia, US expecting more cases</a>

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[ Nations the world over have been taking extreme measures to protect their citizens - Representative Image (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Hidalgo did not specify whether other New Year's celebrations planned for the coming days would also be called off, including the main, yearly procession in Paris' so-called Asian quarter, set for next Sunday. "We were informed of the cancellation of the festivities last night," said Pierre Ducerf, a representative of the Franco-Chinese Association. Celebrations planned for Bordeaux on Sunday were also cancelled.

The outbreak emerged in late December in Wuhan, an industrial and transport hub of 11 million people in China's centre, spreading to several other countries including the United States.

A precautionary lockdown of Wuhan city has since been expanded too much of the rest of Hubei province. France on Sunday put in place a medical team of several dozen experts at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport to take charge of any arrivals with possible symptoms of infection with the contagious virus.

French carmaker PSA on Saturday said it would repatriate ex-pat staff and their families - 38 people in total - from Wuhan. They would be quarantined in the city of Changsha, 300 kilometres (180 miles) from Wuhan where the virus originated, before being allowed to return "to their countries of origin", the company said in a statement.

The virus has caused global concern because of its similarity to the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) pathogen, which killed hundreds across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Paris, home to two of the three French people taken ill in China's coronavirus outbreak, cancelled a Lunar New Year parade on Sunday as a "precaution", the capital's mayor Anne Hidalgo said.

Paris, home to two of the three French people taken ill in China's coronavirus outbreak, cancelled a Lunar New Year parade on Sunday as a "precaution", the capital's mayor Anne Hidalgo said. "Yesterday, I met members of the Chinese community in Paris who themselves wished to cancel the procession" scheduled for Republique square, the mayor told reporters. "The principle of precaution takes precedence," she added. On Friday, France's health ministry said three people who had recently travelled to China were confirmed to have contracted the virus - the first cases in Europe. One was a patient at a hospital in the southwestern city of Bordeaux and the other two in the capital. All three were "very well", according to France's director-general of health Jerome Salomon. Health officials were tracking other people the three had been in contact with. The Lunar New Year, sometimes called Chinese New Year, marks the beginning of the new year on the traditional Chinese calendar. This year, the start to the Year of the Rat fell on Saturday, but celebrations in China were dramatically scaled down amid a coronavirus outbreak that has killed 56 and infected nearly 2,000. Also Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: 3 cases in France, 1 in Australia, US expecting more cases [ Nations the world over have been taking extreme measures to protect their citizens - Representative Image (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Hidalgo did not specify whether other New Year's celebrations planned for the coming days would also be called off, including the main, yearly procession in Paris' so-called Asian quarter, set for next Sunday. "We were informed of the cancellation of the festivities last night," said Pierre Ducerf, a representative of the Franco-Chinese Association. Celebrations planned for Bordeaux on Sunday were also cancelled. The outbreak emerged in late December in Wuhan, an industrial and transport hub of 11 million people in China's centre, spreading to several other countries including the United States. A precautionary lockdown of Wuhan city has since been expanded too much of the rest of Hubei province. France on Sunday put in place a medical team of several dozen experts at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport to take charge of any arrivals with possible symptoms of infection with the contagious virus. French carmaker PSA on Saturday said it would repatriate ex-pat staff and their families - 38 people in total - from Wuhan. They would be quarantined in the city of Changsha, 300 kilometres (180 miles) from Wuhan where the virus originated, before being allowed to return "to their countries of origin", the company said in a statement. The virus has caused global concern because of its similarity to the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) pathogen, which killed hundreds across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.

Paris cancels Lunar New Year parade due to China's viral outbreak

The Lunar New Year holiday is the most important on the Chinese calendar and falls on Saturday this year

New Year Celebrations In Hong Kong

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-gains-on-us-crude-stocks-fall-opec-comments-on-slower-us-shale-growth-262061">Oil</a> slipped towards $62 a barrel on Friday and was heading for a weekly decline as concern that a virus in China may spread, curbing travel and oil demand, overshadowed supply cuts.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-virus-us-confirms-first-case-of-coronavirus-death-toll-reaches-nine-275853">virus</a> has prompted the suspension of public transport in 10 Chinese cities. Health authorities fear the infection rate could accelerate over the Lunar New Year holiday this weekend when millions of Chinese travel to their homes and abroad.

Global benchmark Brent fell 2 cents to $62.02 by 0951 GMT. Brent was down about 4 per cent&nbsp;this week, its third consecutive weekly drop. US&nbsp;crude rose 6 cents to $55.65 but was also on course for a weekly decline.

"One should be prepared for negative surprises when it comes to Chinese demand," said Eugen Weinberg, analyst at Commerzbank.

"The impact of this is all the greater because the restrictions are being imposed during the busiest travel season for the Chinese."

China is the world's second-largest oil consumer so any slowdown in travel would show up on demand forecasts.

Offering some support for prices was the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-fall-on-weak-demand-growth-rise-in-us-crude-stocks-226381">US&nbsp;Energy Information Administration</a>'s latest weekly supply report, which on Thursday showed that crude inventories fell 405,000 barrels in the week to January&nbsp;&nbsp;17.

Nonetheless, the upside for prices was limited. Oil inventories in the wider industrialised world are above the five-year average according to OPEC figures, which analysts say is limiting the impact on prices of supply losses.

"Such is the bearish pressure that a raft of ongoing crude supply outages are not gaining much traction," said analysts at JBC Energy in a report.

Such outages include the shutdown this week of the bulk of oil supply in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/opecs-share-of-indian-oil-imports-fell-down-43-lowest-since-2011-263065">OPEC</a> producer Libya.

The prospect of further steps by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-slips-as-opec-gears-up-to-confirm-supply-cut-266600">OPEC+</a>, could still offer support. OPEC+ has been mostly limiting supply since 2017 and on January&nbsp;&nbsp;1 deepened a cut in output.

Saudi Arabia's energy minister said all options are open at the next OPEC+ meeting, which is scheduled for March, including further cuts, Al Arabiya television reported.

The current OPEC+ deal expires at the end of March. Russia's No. 2 oil producer Lukoil expects it to be extended, Interfax news agency cited its chief executive as saying on Thursday.

Oil slipped towards $62 a barrel on Friday and was heading for a weekly decline as concern that a virus in China may spread, curbing travel and oil demand, overshadowed supply cuts.

Oil slipped towards $62 a barrel on Friday and was heading for a weekly decline as concern that a virus in China may spread, curbing travel and oil demand, overshadowed supply cuts. The virus has prompted the suspension of public transport in 10 Chinese cities. Health authorities fear the infection rate could accelerate over the Lunar New Year holiday this weekend when millions of Chinese travel to their homes and abroad. Global benchmark Brent fell 2 cents to $62.02 by 0951 GMT. Brent was down about 4 per cent this week, its third consecutive weekly drop. US crude rose 6 cents to $55.65 but was also on course for a weekly decline. "One should be prepared for negative surprises when it comes to Chinese demand," said Eugen Weinberg, analyst at Commerzbank. "The impact of this is all the greater because the restrictions are being imposed during the busiest travel season for the Chinese." China is the world's second-largest oil consumer so any slowdown in travel would show up on demand forecasts. Offering some support for prices was the US Energy Information Administration's latest weekly supply report, which on Thursday showed that crude inventories fell 405,000 barrels in the week to January 17. Nonetheless, the upside for prices was limited. Oil inventories in the wider industrialised world are above the five-year average according to OPEC figures, which analysts say is limiting the impact on prices of supply losses. "Such is the bearish pressure that a raft of ongoing crude supply outages are not gaining much traction," said analysts at JBC Energy in a report. Such outages include the shutdown this week of the bulk of oil supply in OPEC producer Libya. The prospect of further steps by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known as OPEC+, could still offer support. OPEC+ has been mostly limiting supply since 2017 and on January 1 deepened a cut in output. Saudi Arabia's energy minister said all options are open at the next OPEC+ meeting, which is scheduled for March, including further cuts, Al Arabiya television reported. The current OPEC+ deal expires at the end of March. Russia's No. 2 oil producer Lukoil expects it to be extended, Interfax news agency cited its chief executive as saying on Thursday.

Oil prices slip over China virus fears

The Chinese official investigating a pneumonia outbreak stemming from a new coronavirus said the disease can spread from person to person but can be halted with increased vigilance, as authorities on Tuesday confirmed the fourth death.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sars-like-virus-spreading-across-china-amid-140-new-cases-third-death-275342">Also read: SARS-like virus spreading across China amid 140 new cases, third death</a>

Zhong Nanshan said there was no danger of a repeat of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic that killed nearly 800 people globally during a 2002-2003 outbreak, which started in China, as long as precautions were taken. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-school-teacher-first-foreign-national-in-china-to-contracts-sars-like-virus-275467">Also read: Responding actively, made strict prevention plan — China on spread of SARS-like coronavirus</a> 
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"It took only two weeks to identify the novel coronavirus," state news agency Xinhua quoted Zhong as saying late on Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/tracking-chinas-sars-like-coronavirus-275537">In Pics:&nbsp;Tracking China's SARS-like coronavirus</a>

The outbreak was still in its early stages and China had good surveillance and quarantine systems to help control it, he added.

The outbreak has spread from the central city of Wuhan to cities including Beijing and Shanghai, with more than 200 cases reported so far. Four cases have been reported outside China - in South Korea, Thailand and Japan.

Australia on Tuesday said it would screen passengers on flights from Wuhan amid rising concerns that the virus will spread globally as Chinese travellers take flights abroad for the Lunar New Year holiday starting this week.

Authorities around the globe, including in the United States and many Asian countries, have stepped up screening of travellers from Wuhan.

Chinese authorities confirmed a total of 217 cases of the virus in China as of 6 pm&nbsp;(1000 GMT) on Monday, state television reported 198 of which were in Wuhan.

A fourth person died on Jan. 19, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said. The 89-year-old man, who had underlying health diseases including coronary heart disease, developed symptoms on Jan. 13 and was admitted to hospital five days later, it added.

Zhong, who is renowned in China for his work fighting SARS in 2003, confirmed that the virus can pass from person-to-person.

Fifteen medical workers in Wuhan had been diagnosed with pneumonia, with one other suspected case, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said. Of the infected staff, one was in critical condition.

In Shanghai, officials on Tuesday confirmed a second case involving a 35-year-man who had visited Wuhan in early January and said they were monitoring four other suspected cases.

The virus causes a type of pneumonia and belongs to the same family of coronaviruses as SARS. Symptoms include fever and difficulty in breathing, which is similar to many other respiratory diseases and poses complications for screening efforts.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday an animal source appeared most likely to be the primary origin of the outbreak and that some "limited human-to-human transmission" occurred between close contacts.

The Geneva-based UN agency convened an emergency committee for Wednesday to assess whether the outbreak constitutes an international health emergency and what measures should be taken to manage it.

So far, the WHO has not recommended trade or travel restrictions, but a panel of independent experts could do so or make other recommendations to limit spread.

The Chinese official investigating a pneumonia outbreak stemming from a new coronavirus said the disease can spread from person to person but can be halted with increased vigilance, as authorities on Tuesday confirmed the fourth death.

The Chinese official investigating a pneumonia outbreak stemming from a new coronavirus said the disease can spread from person to person but can be halted with increased vigilance, as authorities on Tuesday confirmed the fourth death. Also read: SARS-like virus spreading across China amid 140 new cases, third death Zhong Nanshan said there was no danger of a repeat of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic that killed nearly 800 people globally during a 2002-2003 outbreak, which started in China, as long as precautions were taken. Also read: Responding actively, made strict prevention plan — China on spread of SARS-like coronavirus "It took only two weeks to identify the novel coronavirus," state news agency Xinhua quoted Zhong as saying late on Monday. In Pics: Tracking China's SARS-like coronavirus The outbreak was still in its early stages and China had good surveillance and quarantine systems to help control it, he added. The outbreak has spread from the central city of Wuhan to cities including Beijing and Shanghai, with more than 200 cases reported so far. Four cases have been reported outside China - in South Korea, Thailand and Japan. Australia on Tuesday said it would screen passengers on flights from Wuhan amid rising concerns that the virus will spread globally as Chinese travellers take flights abroad for the Lunar New Year holiday starting this week. Authorities around the globe, including in the United States and many Asian countries, have stepped up screening of travellers from Wuhan. Chinese authorities confirmed a total of 217 cases of the virus in China as of 6 pm (1000 GMT) on Monday, state television reported 198 of which were in Wuhan. A fourth person died on Jan. 19, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said. The 89-year-old man, who had underlying health diseases including coronary heart disease, developed symptoms on Jan. 13 and was admitted to hospital five days later, it added. Zhong, who is renowned in China for his work fighting SARS in 2003, confirmed that the virus can pass from person-to-person. Fifteen medical workers in Wuhan had been diagnosed with pneumonia, with one other suspected case, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said. Of the infected staff, one was in critical condition. In Shanghai, officials on Tuesday confirmed a second case involving a 35-year-man who had visited Wuhan in early January and said they were monitoring four other suspected cases. The virus causes a type of pneumonia and belongs to the same family of coronaviruses as SARS. Symptoms include fever and difficulty in breathing, which is similar to many other respiratory diseases and poses complications for screening efforts. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday an animal source appeared most likely to be the primary origin of the outbreak and that some "limited human-to-human transmission" occurred between close contacts. The Geneva-based UN agency convened an emergency committee for Wednesday to assess whether the outbreak constitutes an international health emergency and what measures should be taken to manage it. So far, the WHO has not recommended trade or travel restrictions, but a panel of independent experts could do so or make other recommendations to limit spread.

China confirms person-to-person spread of the new virus as fourth death reported

A mysterious SARS-like virus has spread around China — including to Beijing — authorities said Monday, fuelling fears of a major outbreak as millions begin travelling for the Lunar New Year in humanity's biggest migration.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-we-know-about-new-coronavirus-outbreak-in-chinese-city-of-wuhan-275295">In pictures: What we know about new coronavirus outbreak in Chinese city of Wuhan</a> 
 
The new coronavirus strain, first discovered in the central city of Wuhan, has caused alarm because of its connection to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-new-cases-in-wuhan-virus-outbreak-275016">Also read: China reports new cases in Wuhan virus outbreak</a>

Wuhan has 11 million inhabitants and serves as a major transport hub, including during the annual Lunar New Year holiday which begins later this week and sees hundreds of millions of Chinese people travel across the country to visit family.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-warns-hospitals-worldwide-as-new-china-coronavirus-may-spread-further-274255">Also read: WHO warns hospitals worldwide over further spread of China's coronavirus</a> 
 
No human-to-human transmission has been confirmed so far, but authorities have previously said the possibility "cannot be excluded".

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A third person was confirmed to have died, and in Wuhan, 136 new cases were found over the weekend, the local health commission said.

Three cases have been reported overseas -- two in Thailand and one in Japan.

Health authorities in Beijing's Daxing district said two people who had travelled to Wuhan were treated for pneumonia linked to the virus and are in stable condition.

In Guangdong, a 66-year-old Shenzhen man was quarantined on January 11 after contracting a fever and showing other symptoms following a trip to visit relatives in Wuhan, the provincial health commission said in a statement. He is also in stable condition.

"Experts believe that the current epidemic situation is still preventable and controllable," the Guangdong health commission said.

A total of 201 people have now been diagnosed with the virus in China.

Detection measures

A seafood market is believed to be the centre of the outbreak in the city, but health officials have reported that some patients had no history of contact with the facility.

Scientists with the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College in London warned in a paper published Friday that the number of cases in the city was likely to be closer to 1,700, much higher than the number officially identified.

Wuhan deputy mayor Chen Xiexin said on state broadcaster CCTV at the weekend that infrared thermometers had been installed at airports, railway stations and coach stations across the city.

Chen said passengers with fevers were being registered, given masks and taken to medical institutions. Nearly 300,000 body temperature tests had been carried out, according to CCTV.

Authorities in Hong Kong have stepped up detection measures, including rigorous temperature checkpoints for inbound travellers from the Chinese mainland.

The United States said from Friday it would begin screening direct flights arriving from Wuhan at San Francisco airport and New York's JFK, as well as Los Angeles, where many flights connect.

Thailand said it was already screening passengers arriving in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, and would soon introduce similar controls in the beach resort of Krabi.

In Wuhan, 170 people are still being treated at the hospital, including nine in critical condition, the city health commission said. The new patients are between 25 and 89 years old and their symptoms included fever, coughing and chest pain.

Guangdong's health authority said it was taking measures including intensifying its triage of fever at clinics and banning illegal wildlife sales.

A mysterious SARS-like virus has spread around China — including to Beijing — authorities said Monday, fuelling fears of a major outbreak as millions begin travelling for the Lunar New Year in humanity's biggest migration.

A mysterious SARS-like virus has spread around China — including to Beijing — authorities said Monday, fuelling fears of a major outbreak as millions begin travelling for the Lunar New Year in humanity's biggest migration. In pictures: What we know about new coronavirus outbreak in Chinese city of Wuhan The new coronavirus strain, first discovered in the central city of Wuhan, has caused alarm because of its connection to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003. Also read: China reports new cases in Wuhan virus outbreak Wuhan has 11 million inhabitants and serves as a major transport hub, including during the annual Lunar New Year holiday which begins later this week and sees hundreds of millions of Chinese people travel across the country to visit family. Also read: WHO warns hospitals worldwide over further spread of China's coronavirus No human-to-human transmission has been confirmed so far, but authorities have previously said the possibility "cannot be excluded". A third person was confirmed to have died, and in Wuhan, 136 new cases were found over the weekend, the local health commission said. Three cases have been reported overseas -- two in Thailand and one in Japan. Health authorities in Beijing's Daxing district said two people who had travelled to Wuhan were treated for pneumonia linked to the virus and are in stable condition. In Guangdong, a 66-year-old Shenzhen man was quarantined on January 11 after contracting a fever and showing other symptoms following a trip to visit relatives in Wuhan, the provincial health commission said in a statement. He is also in stable condition. "Experts believe that the current epidemic situation is still preventable and controllable," the Guangdong health commission said. A total of 201 people have now been diagnosed with the virus in China. Detection measures A seafood market is believed to be the centre of the outbreak in the city, but health officials have reported that some patients had no history of contact with the facility. Scientists with the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College in London warned in a paper published Friday that the number of cases in the city was likely to be closer to 1,700, much higher than the number officially identified. Wuhan deputy mayor Chen Xiexin said on state broadcaster CCTV at the weekend that infrared thermometers had been installed at airports, railway stations and coach stations across the city. Chen said passengers with fevers were being registered, given masks and taken to medical institutions. Nearly 300,000 body temperature tests had been carried out, according to CCTV. Authorities in Hong Kong have stepped up detection measures, including rigorous temperature checkpoints for inbound travellers from the Chinese mainland. The United States said from Friday it would begin screening direct flights arriving from Wuhan at San Francisco airport and New York's JFK, as well as Los Angeles, where many flights connect. Thailand said it was already screening passengers arriving in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, and would soon introduce similar controls in the beach resort of Krabi. In Wuhan, 170 people are still being treated at the hospital, including nine in critical condition, the city health commission said. The new patients are between 25 and 89 years old and their symptoms included fever, coughing and chest pain. Guangdong's health authority said it was taking measures including intensifying its triage of fever at clinics and banning illegal wildlife sales.

SARS-like virus spreading across China amid 140 new cases, third death

What we know about new coronavirus outbreak in Chinese city of Wuhan

In Vietnam's "incense village", workers are busy preparing the fragrant sticks ahead of the early arrival of the busy lunar new year holiday. #WION #Vietnam #Lunaryear

Vietnam's 'incense village' prepares for lunar new year

China's consumer inflation climbed to nearly eight-year peaks in November as pork prices doubled, but factory-gate prices remained in the red, adding to uncertainty over whether the manufacturing sector is bottoming out as trade risks persist.

Beijing is under pressure to unleash more stimulus to boost industrial activity, but high inflation ahead of the Lunar New Year may be a headache for policymakers trying to shore up growth that has slipped to the lowest in nearly 30 years.

Consumer prices in November rose 4.5&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;on year, the fastest pace seen since January 2012, driven mostly by a surge in pork prices as African Swine Fever ravaged the country's hog herds, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-factory-prices-fall-faster-as-weak-demand-hits-economy-248722">National Bureau of Statistics </a>(NBS) data showed on Tuesday. That topped analysts' expectations of 4.2&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;and October's 3.8 per cent&nbsp;rise.

However, core inflation - which excludes food and energy prices stayed largely subdued.

"The high CPI would surely have an impact on&nbsp;China's monetary policy, but overall we don't see risks of inflation spike across the board, so current monetary policy with a loosening bias will not be significantly affected," said Liu Xuezhi, an analyst with Bank of Communications.

In contrast, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-consumer-price-index-at-lowest-level-in-a-year-202191">producer price index </a>(PPI), seen as a key indicator of corporate profitability, fell 1.4 per cent&nbsp;on year, falling for the fifth month in a row. That compared with a 1.5&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;drop forecast in a Reuters poll and 1.6 per cent&nbsp;fall in October.

Price declines for manufactured goods suggest demand remains weak, despite hints of improvement in recent factory surveys.

"There are few signs of a pick-up in demand-side price pressures," said Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior&nbsp;China&nbsp;economist at Capital Economics. "Higher prices of consumer goods in the PPI basket, one component of which is food, were more than offset by more pronounced declines in the prices of industrial goods."

Weak prices were mainly seen in oil and gas extraction and chemical fiber manufacturing sectors.

Beijing and Washington are negotiating a first phase trade deal aimed at de-escalating their trade dispute but they continue to wrangle over key details. But even if a deal is struck, economic growth is expected to continue slowing in the current and coming quarters, however. Government advisers said&nbsp;China&nbsp;should lower its growth target to around 6&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;in 2020 as the trade dispute remains unresolved.

China&nbsp;has rolled out a series of measures to support growth, including reductions in market interest rates, but the government has insisted it will not resort to "flood-like" stimulus, however.

Consumer inflation was driven largely by a continued surge in pork prices and other meats after the African Swine Fever killed a large portion of&nbsp;China's pigs.

Wholesale pork prices have seen a slight reprieve in November but remain elevated from a year earlier. The statistics bureau said pork prices more than doubled year-on-year in November.

Analysts expect pork will remain in high demand as&nbsp;China&nbsp;prepares to celebrate the Lunar New Year, the peak consumption period for the meat. Retail pork prices hovered at around 55 yuan ($7.81) per kg in November, according to agriculture ministry data.

Climbing consumer prices are adding to the headaches of policymakers who are racing to meet Beijing's annual growth target as the world's second-largest economy slows to the lower end of a 6 per cent-6.5&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;range for 2019.

However, core CPI for November remained benign at 1.4 per cent, down from 1.5 per cent&nbsp;in the previous month. For the full year of 2019,&nbsp;China&nbsp;is aiming for a CPI target of around 3 per cent. It rose 2.8&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;in the January-November period.

Many&nbsp;China&nbsp;watchers also predict that pork price inflation may be close to a peak as recent policies to stabilise production and support the recovery of the pig herd have begun to show results.

"The month-on-month CPI saw a big drop in November and food price inflation might be 'a spent bullet'. Overall consumer inflation will likely trend down from Q2 next year," said Wang Jun, chief economist at Zhongyuan Bank in Beijing.

Despite inflation risks,&nbsp;China's central bank has slowly picked up its tempo of policy easing since late last month by cutting key Chinese rates, suggesting Beijing is keen to push ahead with lowering financing costs across the curve.

China's central bank governor Yi Gang said this month that Beijing would maintain "normal" monetary policy as long as possible since economic growth is still within a reasonable range and inflation is mild overall.

China's consumer inflation climbed to nearly eight-year peaks in November as pork prices doubled, but factory-gate prices remained in the red, adding to uncertainty over whether the manufacturing sector is bottoming out as trade risks persist.

China's consumer inflation climbed to nearly eight-year peaks in November as pork prices doubled, but factory-gate prices remained in the red, adding to uncertainty over whether the manufacturing sector is bottoming out as trade risks persist. Beijing is under pressure to unleash more stimulus to boost industrial activity, but high inflation ahead of the Lunar New Year may be a headache for policymakers trying to shore up growth that has slipped to the lowest in nearly 30 years. Consumer prices in November rose 4.5 per cent on year, the fastest pace seen since January 2012, driven mostly by a surge in pork prices as African Swine Fever ravaged the country's hog herds, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data showed on Tuesday. That topped analysts' expectations of 4.2 per cent and October's 3.8 per cent rise. However, core inflation - which excludes food and energy prices stayed largely subdued. "The high CPI would surely have an impact on China's monetary policy, but overall we don't see risks of inflation spike across the board, so current monetary policy with a loosening bias will not be significantly affected," said Liu Xuezhi, an analyst with Bank of Communications. In contrast, the producer price index (PPI), seen as a key indicator of corporate profitability, fell 1.4 per cent on year, falling for the fifth month in a row. That compared with a 1.5 per cent drop forecast in a Reuters poll and 1.6 per cent fall in October. Price declines for manufactured goods suggest demand remains weak, despite hints of improvement in recent factory surveys. "There are few signs of a pick-up in demand-side price pressures," said Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior China economist at Capital Economics. "Higher prices of consumer goods in the PPI basket, one component of which is food, were more than offset by more pronounced declines in the prices of industrial goods." Weak prices were mainly seen in oil and gas extraction and chemical fiber manufacturing sectors. Beijing and Washington are negotiating a first phase trade deal aimed at de-escalating their trade dispute but they continue to wrangle over key details. But even if a deal is struck, economic growth is expected to continue slowing in the current and coming quarters, however. Government advisers said China should lower its growth target to around 6 per cent in 2020 as the trade dispute remains unresolved. China has rolled out a series of measures to support growth, including reductions in market interest rates, but the government has insisted it will not resort to "flood-like" stimulus, however. Consumer inflation was driven largely by a continued surge in pork prices and other meats after the African Swine Fever killed a large portion of China's pigs. Wholesale pork prices have seen a slight reprieve in November but remain elevated from a year earlier. The statistics bureau said pork prices more than doubled year-on-year in November. Analysts expect pork will remain in high demand as China prepares to celebrate the Lunar New Year, the peak consumption period for the meat. Retail pork prices hovered at around 55 yuan ($7.81) per kg in November, according to agriculture ministry data. Climbing consumer prices are adding to the headaches of policymakers who are racing to meet Beijing's annual growth target as the world's second-largest economy slows to the lower end of a 6 per cent-6.5 per cent range for 2019. However, core CPI for November remained benign at 1.4 per cent, down from 1.5 per cent in the previous month. For the full year of 2019, China is aiming for a CPI target of around 3 per cent. It rose 2.8 per cent in the January-November period. Many China watchers also predict that pork price inflation may be close to a peak as recent policies to stabilise production and support the recovery of the pig herd have begun to show results. "The month-on-month CPI saw a big drop in November and food price inflation might be 'a spent bullet'. Overall consumer inflation will likely trend down from Q2 next year," said Wang Jun, chief economist at Zhongyuan Bank in Beijing. Despite inflation risks, China's central bank has slowly picked up its tempo of policy easing since late last month by cutting key Chinese rates, suggesting Beijing is keen to push ahead with lowering financing costs across the curve. China's central bank governor Yi Gang said this month that Beijing would maintain "normal" monetary policy as long as possible since economic growth is still within a reasonable range and inflation is mild overall.

China's consumer inflation at eight-year high, but PPI stuck in the red

Hong Kong holds fireworks show to celebrate Lunar New Year

Taiwan and Hong Kong gear up for Year of the Pig

At least one person was killed in an explosion in a high-rise building in northeast China's Jilin province on Friday, local officials said.

The blast happened about 3:20 pm (0720 GMT) on the 30th floor of the Wanda Plaza Apartment Building in Changchun, city authorities said in a statement posted on social media, adding that the incident was under investigation.

A car was also exploded in the building's underground garage minutes before the blast, an official said.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing over 20 explosions and people had been evacuated from buildings surrounding the Wanda Plaza Apartment, the state-run Beijing Youth Daily newspaper reported.

Social media footage showed a busy road shrouded in smoke as devices exploded on the ground while people fled. Another video showed a blast on the upper floors of a high-rise building.&nbsp;

AFP could not independently verify the authenticity of the videos.&nbsp;

This incident comes just over a week before the Lunar New Year holiday, which the Chinese usually welcome with firecrackers and fireworks, sometimes resulting in accidents.

Last February, a fireworks explosion killed four and injured five in southwestern Yunan province.

In January 2006, 36 people were killed as they celebrated the Lunar New Year at a temple festival in central China's Henan province when fireworks exploded in an illegal factory storeroom nearby.

But bomb explosions have also occurred in China in recent years.

In June 2017, a bomb exploded outside a kindergarten in east Jiangsu province, killing eight people and injuring dozens. The explosion was blamed on a 22-year-old introvert with health problems who died in the blast.

Ethnic Uighurs have been tied to mass stabbings and bombings that left dozens dead in recent years across the country.

At least one person was killed in an explosion in a high-rise building in northeast China's Jilin province on Friday, local officials said. The blast happened about 3:20 pm (0720 GMT) on the 30th floor of the Wanda Plaza Apartment Building in Changchun, city authorities said in a statement posted on social media, adding that the incident was under investigation.

At least one person was killed in an explosion in a high-rise building in northeast China's Jilin province on Friday, local officials said. The blast happened about 3:20 pm (0720 GMT) on the 30th floor of the Wanda Plaza Apartment Building in Changchun, city authorities said in a statement posted on social media, adding that the incident was under investigation. A car was also exploded in the building's underground garage minutes before the blast, an official said. Eyewitnesses reported hearing over 20 explosions and people had been evacuated from buildings surrounding the Wanda Plaza Apartment, the state-run Beijing Youth Daily newspaper reported. Social media footage showed a busy road shrouded in smoke as devices exploded on the ground while people fled. Another video showed a blast on the upper floors of a high-rise building. AFP could not independently verify the authenticity of the videos. This incident comes just over a week before the Lunar New Year holiday, which the Chinese usually welcome with firecrackers and fireworks, sometimes resulting in accidents. Last February, a fireworks explosion killed four and injured five in southwestern Yunan province. In January 2006, 36 people were killed as they celebrated the Lunar New Year at a temple festival in central China's Henan province when fireworks exploded in an illegal factory storeroom nearby. But bomb explosions have also occurred in China in recent years. In June 2017, a bomb exploded outside a kindergarten in east Jiangsu province, killing eight people and injuring dozens. The explosion was blamed on a 22-year-old introvert with health problems who died in the blast. Ethnic Uighurs have been tied to mass stabbings and bombings that left dozens dead in recent years across the country.

One killed in high-rise building explosion in China

A rapper in Muslim-majority Malaysia is under police investigation for allegedly insulting Islam with a Lunar New Year video that features dancers wearing dog masks and performing suggestive moves, reports said Monday.

The video features controversial rapper Wee Meng Chee, known by his stage name Namewee, sitting on a chair in front of a domed building and mimicking barks of canines from around the world.

Several black-clad dancers wearing masks of dogs -- an animal considered unclean in Islam -- gyrate around him, with two of them mimicking a &quot;doggy-style&quot; sex move.

The video, which marks the start of the Year of the Dog currently being celebrated across Asia, generated accusations that it was filmed in front of a mosque in the administrative capital Putrajaya.

National police chief Mohamad Fuzi Harun reportedly said a probe had been launched into the artist -- who is from the country&#39;s ethnic Chinese minority -- for hurting religious feelings and &quot;transmitting offensive communications&quot;.

Namewee, who is reported to be abroad, faces up to a year in jail if found guilty.

In a YouTube video, the rapper denied having insulted Islam and said that the domed building visible in the background was the prime minister&#39;s office, not a mosque.

&quot;The reports saying I insulted Islam are not true,&quot; he said. &quot;We did not film the music video at any place of worship. It was done in an open area.&quot;

The probe was launched after complaints from Muslim groups and public criticism from the deputy prime minister over the video, which has more than 700,000 views on YouTube since being released on February 10.

Lunar New Year is a major celebration in Malaysia, where a quarter of the population are from the Chinese diaspora, but the Year of the Dog has proved sensitive.&nbsp;

Some shops have avoided displaying canine imagery in their decorations for fear of causing offence.

Namewee has repeatedly been at the centre of controversy. In 2016, he was detained for several days for allegedly insulting Islam over a video partly filmed inside a mosque.

Malaysia generally practises a moderate form of Islam but religious tensions have escalated in recent years, with concerns growing over a rise in conservative Islamic attitudes.

The video features controversial rapper Wee Meng Chee, known by his stage name Namewee, sitting on a chair in front of a domed building and mimicking barks of canines from around the world

A rapper in Muslim-majority Malaysia is under police investigation for allegedly insulting Islam with a Lunar New Year video that features dancers wearing dog masks and performing suggestive moves, reports said Monday. The video features controversial rapper Wee Meng Chee, known by his stage name Namewee, sitting on a chair in front of a domed building and mimicking barks of canines from around the world. Several black-clad dancers wearing masks of dogs -- an animal considered unclean in Islam -- gyrate around him, with two of them mimicking a "doggy-style" sex move. The video, which marks the start of the Year of the Dog currently being celebrated across Asia, generated accusations that it was filmed in front of a mosque in the administrative capital Putrajaya. National police chief Mohamad Fuzi Harun reportedly said a probe had been launched into the artist -- who is from the country's ethnic Chinese minority -- for hurting religious feelings and "transmitting offensive communications". Namewee, who is reported to be abroad, faces up to a year in jail if found guilty. In a YouTube video, the rapper denied having insulted Islam and said that the domed building visible in the background was the prime minister's office, not a mosque. "The reports saying I insulted Islam are not true," he said. "We did not film the music video at any place of worship. It was done in an open area." The probe was launched after complaints from Muslim groups and public criticism from the deputy prime minister over the video, which has more than 700,000 views on YouTube since being released on February 10. Lunar New Year is a major celebration in Malaysia, where a quarter of the population are from the Chinese diaspora, but the Year of the Dog has proved sensitive. Some shops have avoided displaying canine imagery in their decorations for fear of causing offence. Namewee has repeatedly been at the centre of controversy. In 2016, he was detained for several days for allegedly insulting Islam over a video partly filmed inside a mosque. Malaysia generally practises a moderate form of Islam but religious tensions have escalated in recent years, with concerns growing over a rise in conservative Islamic attitudes.

Malaysian rapper probed over Lunar New Year dog video

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