China's relationship with the United States has reached a "new crossroads" and could get back on the right track following a period of "unprecedented difficulty", senior diplomat Wang Yi said in official comments published on Saturday.

Relations between the world's two biggest economies have come under increasing strain amid a series of disputes over trade, human rights and the origins of COVID-19. In its latest move, the United States blacklisted dozens of Chinese companies it said had ties to the military.

Wang, China's state councillor and foreign minister, said in a joint interview with Xinhua news agency and other state media outlets that recent U.S. policies towards China had harmed the interests of both countries and brought huge dangers to the world.

But there was now an opportunity for the two sides to "open a new window of hope" and begin a new round of dialogue, he said.

The election of Joe Biden as U.S. President has been widely expected to improve relations between Washington and Beijing after four years of escalating tensions under the administration of Donald Trump.

Last month, Wang said he hoped the election of Biden would allow U.S. China policy to "return to objectivity and rationality".

However, President-elect Biden, who will take office on Jan. 20, has continued to criticise China for its "abuses" on trade and other issues.

Wang did not mention Trump or Biden by name, but he urged the United States to "respect the social system and development path" chosen by China, adding that if Washington "learns lessons", the conflicts between the two sides could be resolved.

"We know some people in the United States are apprehensive about China's rapid development, but the most sustainable leadership is to constantly move forward yourself, rather than block the development of other countries," he said.

Politicians in the United States have accused China of covering up the outbreak of COVID-19 during its early stages, delaying its response and allowing the disease to spread much further and faster.

But Wang said China had done its utmost to combat the virus's spread, "sounding the alarm" for the rest of the world.

"We raced against time, and were the earliest to report the epidemic to the world," he said.&nbsp;

"More and more studies show that the epidemic very probably emerged in many places throughout the world."

China's relationship with the United States has reached a "new crossroads" and could get back on the right track following a period of "unprecedented difficulty", senior diplomat Wang Yi said in official comments published on Saturday.

China's relationship with the United States has reached a "new crossroads" and could get back on the right track following a period of "unprecedented difficulty", senior diplomat Wang Yi said in official comments published on Saturday. Relations between the world's two biggest economies have come under increasing strain amid a series of disputes over trade, human rights and the origins of COVID-19. In its latest move, the United States blacklisted dozens of Chinese companies it said had ties to the military. Wang, China's state councillor and foreign minister, said in a joint interview with Xinhua news agency and other state media outlets that recent U.S. policies towards China had harmed the interests of both countries and brought huge dangers to the world. But there was now an opportunity for the two sides to "open a new window of hope" and begin a new round of dialogue, he said. The election of Joe Biden as U.S. President has been widely expected to improve relations between Washington and Beijing after four years of escalating tensions under the administration of Donald Trump. Last month, Wang said he hoped the election of Biden would allow U.S. China policy to "return to objectivity and rationality". However, President-elect Biden, who will take office on Jan. 20, has continued to criticise China for its "abuses" on trade and other issues. Wang did not mention Trump or Biden by name, but he urged the United States to "respect the social system and development path" chosen by China, adding that if Washington "learns lessons", the conflicts between the two sides could be resolved. "We know some people in the United States are apprehensive about China's rapid development, but the most sustainable leadership is to constantly move forward yourself, rather than block the development of other countries," he said. Politicians in the United States have accused China of covering up the outbreak of COVID-19 during its early stages, delaying its response and allowing the disease to spread much further and faster. But Wang said China had done its utmost to combat the virus's spread, "sounding the alarm" for the rest of the world. "We raced against time, and were the earliest to report the epidemic to the world," he said. "More and more studies show that the epidemic very probably emerged in many places throughout the world."

China senior diplomat says US relations at 'new crossroads'

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

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

China's top diplomat has offered cooperation on key priorities of President-elect Joe Biden. Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday also warned that Beijing's many US critics were creating an atmosphere of "McCarthyism" and ignoring common interests.

Wang voiced hope for a return of talks and "mutual trust" between the world's two largest economic powers after Biden takes over on January 20.

"It is important that US policy toward China return to objectivity and sensibility as early as possible," Wang said in a virtual address to the New York-based Asia Society.

Wang said that China saw "space for cooperation" with Biden on three of the four issues he has identified as immediate priorities -- Covid-19, economic recovery and climate change. Biden's fourth stated priority is racial equity.

Wang said Beijing and Washington could collaborate in manufacturing coronavirus vaccines and assisting third countries.

"We hope that we will expand cooperation and manage differences through dialogue," Wang said.

The Trump administration says that decades of US engagement have failed with China, accusing Beijing of rampantly stealing intellectual property, widespread espionage and coercion of other nations through its blitz of infrastructure projects.

"We see McCarthyism resurging and jeopardizing normal international exchanges," Wang said, referring to the witch hunt for communists purported to be in the US government led by Republican senator Joe McCarthy following World War II.

Furthermore, Wang accused unnamed senior US officials of "irresponsible presumption of guilt and emotional lashing-out."

"They ignore the vast common interests and room for cooperation between the two countries and insist that China is a main threat," Wang said.

"This is like misaligning the buttons on clothing. They get things wrong at the very beginning."

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has shown no sign of tapering off its tough stance on China as it enters its final month.

On Friday, the Commerce Department said it was imposing restrictions on 77 entities that will need special clearance to receive advanced US technology.

The targetted entities include two prominent universities -- the Beijing Institute of Technology, which allegedly sought to secure US items to benefit China's military, and Tianjin University, which was accused of stealing trade secrets.

Four companies were also targetted for assisting China's drive to map citizens' DNA, a campaign that activists say is used to control minorities, especially Uighur Muslims.

Biden, who invested significant time in diplomacy with China as vice president, has broadly agreed that Beijing poses a global challenge and has called for a tougher response on human rights.

But he is expected to take a less bellicose tone than Trump, with his nominee for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, speaking of potential cooperation on climate change and the pandemic.

(with inputs from AFP)

China's top diplomat has offered cooperation on key priorities of President-elect Joe Biden. Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday also warned that Beijing's many US critics were creating an atmosphere of "McCarthyism" and ignoring common interests.

China's top diplomat has offered cooperation on key priorities of President-elect Joe Biden. Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday also warned that Beijing's many US critics were creating an atmosphere of "McCarthyism" and ignoring common interests. Wang voiced hope for a return of talks and "mutual trust" between the world's two largest economic powers after Biden takes over on January 20. "It is important that US policy toward China return to objectivity and sensibility as early as possible," Wang said in a virtual address to the New York-based Asia Society. Wang said that China saw "space for cooperation" with Biden on three of the four issues he has identified as immediate priorities -- Covid-19, economic recovery and climate change. Biden's fourth stated priority is racial equity. Wang said Beijing and Washington could collaborate in manufacturing coronavirus vaccines and assisting third countries. "We hope that we will expand cooperation and manage differences through dialogue," Wang said. The Trump administration says that decades of US engagement have failed with China, accusing Beijing of rampantly stealing intellectual property, widespread espionage and coercion of other nations through its blitz of infrastructure projects. "We see McCarthyism resurging and jeopardizing normal international exchanges," Wang said, referring to the witch hunt for communists purported to be in the US government led by Republican senator Joe McCarthy following World War II. Furthermore, Wang accused unnamed senior US officials of "irresponsible presumption of guilt and emotional lashing-out." "They ignore the vast common interests and room for cooperation between the two countries and insist that China is a main threat," Wang said. "This is like misaligning the buttons on clothing. They get things wrong at the very beginning." Meanwhile, the Trump administration has shown no sign of tapering off its tough stance on China as it enters its final month. On Friday, the Commerce Department said it was imposing restrictions on 77 entities that will need special clearance to receive advanced US technology. The targetted entities include two prominent universities -- the Beijing Institute of Technology, which allegedly sought to secure US items to benefit China's military, and Tianjin University, which was accused of stealing trade secrets. Four companies were also targetted for assisting China's drive to map citizens' DNA, a campaign that activists say is used to control minorities, especially Uighur Muslims. Biden, who invested significant time in diplomacy with China as vice president, has broadly agreed that Beijing poses a global challenge and has called for a tougher response on human rights. But he is expected to take a less bellicose tone than Trump, with his nominee for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, speaking of potential cooperation on climate change and the pandemic. (with inputs from AFP)

China offers to work with Biden, warns of new 'McCarthyism'

In one Beijing artist’s recent depiction of the world in 2098, China is a high-tech superpower and the United States is humbled. Americans have embraced communism and Manhattan, draped with the hammer-and-sickle flags of the “People’s Union of America,” has become a quaint tourist precinct.

This triumphant vision has resonated among Chinese.

The sci-fi digital illustrations by the artist, Fan Wennan, caught fire on Chinese social media in recent months, reflecting a resurgent nationalism. China’s authoritarian system, proponents say, is not just different from the West’s democracies, it is also proving itself superior. It is a long-running theme, but China’s success against the pandemic has given it a sharp boost.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-is-chinese-colonisation-a-severe-threat-for-foreign-countries-349795" hreflang="en">Why is Chinese colonisation a severe threat for foreign countries</a>

“America isn’t that heavenly kingdom depicted since decades ago,” said Fan, who is in his early 20s. “There’s nothing special about it. If you have to say there’s anything special about it now, it’s how messed up it can be at times.”

China’s Communist Party, under its leader, Xi Jinping, has promoted the idea that the country is on a trajectory to power past Western rivals.

China stamped out the coronavirus, the messaging goes, with a resolve beyond the reach of flailing Western democracies. Beijing has rolled out homegrown vaccines to more than 1 million people, despite the safety concerns of scientists. China’s economy has revived, defying fears of a deep slump from the pandemic.

“In this fight against the pandemic, there will be victorious powers and defeated ones,” Wang Xiangsui, a retired Chinese senior colonel who teaches at a university in Beijing, averred this month. “We’re a victor power, while the United States is still mired and, I think, may well become a defeated power.”

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-is-ccp-using-united-front-work-department-for-its-sinister-agendas-349790" hreflang="en">How is CCP using United Front Work Department for its sinister agendas</a>

The firm leadership of Xi and the party has earned China its recent success, say newspapers, television programs and social media.

“Time to wake up from blind faith in the Western system,” said a commentary in the state-run China Education News last week. “Vicious partisan fighting has worsened in certain Western countries, social fissures have deepened, and a severe social crisis is brewing.”

China’s current swaggering mood could add to the challenges facing Joe Biden when he takes office as president. President Donald Trump’s defeat in the election has done little to ease Chinese suspicion of the United States, said Liu Jianqiu, a businessman and online commentator, in a telephone interview.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-million-members-of-chinese-communist-party-infiltrating-worlds-biggest-companies-report-349788" hreflang="en">Two million members of Chinese Communist Party infiltrating world's biggest companies: Report</a>

“I think China has gained the psychological edge,” said Liu, in his 40s, who described the pandemic as a turning point in his attitudes. “The performance of the West was completely out of my expectations and shifted my thinking even more — the facts prove that the American system really has no superiority.”

Combative national pride surged in China in the runup to the Beijing Olympics in 2008, and after the United States bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in 1999. Now there is a sharper sense that the Western powers are in perhaps irreversible decline, and that the pandemic has confirmed China’s ascent.

“Most ordinary Chinese people previously were more admiring of the United States, but in recent years, the advantages of the Chinese system have become clearer to them,” said Jin Canrong, an international relations professor at Renmin University in Beijing who has become a popular commentator under the nickname “Commissar Jin.” “There’s greater self-confidence.”

China’s diplomats and its state-run media have responded to criticism from Western governments with scornful disdain. Chinese supporters of a more muscular foreign policy call for hitting back against Western critics, especially in the wake of the pandemic.

Le Yucheng, a Chinese vice minister of foreign affairs, said in a speech last week that China was not spoiling for fights, but he also warned other governments not to underestimate its resolve to push back against criticism.

“Faced with this suppression and containment without scruples,” Le said, “we’ll never swallow our pride or stoop to compromise.”

Online, Chinese commentators have plumbed the depths of history to capture the current moment. Some likened the United States to the crumbling British Empire of the last century, overstretched and exhausted.

Others are reaching back further, comparing America to China’s own Ming dynasty, which crumbled in the 1600s under the weight of corruption, insurrections and invasions. In this view that spread online this year, China should take the role of the “barbarian” Manchu armies who — in the commentators’ vivid, not-always-accurate retelling — swept over the Asian steppes, breached the Great Wall, and crushed the Ming rulers.

Modern-day China must act like the Manchu forces, advocates of the analogy say, and prepare to “break through” a ring of geopolitical hostility by dominating vital seas around China.

Geremie R. Barmé, a Sinologist in New Zealand who has followed the rise of “break-through studies” — rùguānxué in Chinese — said the historical comparisons reflect anxiety “about China’s great nation status and its place in the world.”

“The underpinning is that China is morally superior — we the Chinese people under the Communist Party — because we have none of the failings of America,” he said.

China’s leader, Xi, has not commented on the recent pronouncements of American decline. But he sees China and the United States as locked in ideological rivalry. Since coming to power in 2012, he has called for Chinese schools, textbooks and websites to inoculate youth against Western values that could erode party rule and the country’s “cultural self-confidence.”

“Our schooling must never nurture wreckers or gravediggers of socialism,” Xi said in a speech in 2018 that was recently published in a book of his comments on ideology.

Some warn that China risks underestimating the strengths of the United States. In recent months, Chinese scholars have debated how Beijing should handle the post-COVID world, with a good number urging restraint as the best way to win lasting influence.

“China’s high-volume nationalism at home is making the United States feel that China is getting aggressive,” Xiao Gongqin, a historian in Shanghai wrote in an essay that was published last month, prompting wide discussion.

The United States is far from the only country feeling the lash of official and public anger from China. Australia has drawn China’s ire for criticizing Beijing, initiating laws aimed at reducing Chinese government influence-building efforts in Australia, and urging an investigation into the origin of the pandemic — a touchy subject in Beijing.

Last month, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson tweeted a Chinese artist’s fabricated image of an Australian soldier poised to slit the throat of an Afghan child. Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, demanded an apology from China over the image, which was a reference to an inquiry by the Australian military that found that its troops had unlawfully killed more than three dozen Afghan civilians.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry scoffed at Morrison’s demand, and the artist who created the image, Fu Yu, created another one mocking the Australian leader. Fu, who works under the name Wuhe Qilin, had made a reputation with his scathing images of the United States as a blood-soaked, irrational medieval realm.

“Chinese values and American values are totally at odds,” Fu said late last month on a Chinese online talk show broadcast last week. “These values are in fundamental conflict.”

In one Beijing artist’s recent depiction of the world in 2098, China is a high-tech superpower and the United States is humbled. Americans have embraced communism and Manhattan, draped with the hammer-and-sickle flags of the “People’s Union of America,” has become a quaint tourist precinct.

In one Beijing artist’s recent depiction of the world in 2098, China is a high-tech superpower and the United States is humbled. Americans have embraced communism and Manhattan, draped with the hammer-and-sickle flags of the “People’s Union of America,” has become a quaint tourist precinct. This triumphant vision has resonated among Chinese. The sci-fi digital illustrations by the artist, Fan Wennan, caught fire on Chinese social media in recent months, reflecting a resurgent nationalism. China’s authoritarian system, proponents say, is not just different from the West’s democracies, it is also proving itself superior. It is a long-running theme, but China’s success against the pandemic has given it a sharp boost. Also read| Why is Chinese colonisation a severe threat for foreign countries “America isn’t that heavenly kingdom depicted since decades ago,” said Fan, who is in his early 20s. “There’s nothing special about it. If you have to say there’s anything special about it now, it’s how messed up it can be at times.” China’s Communist Party, under its leader, Xi Jinping, has promoted the idea that the country is on a trajectory to power past Western rivals. China stamped out the coronavirus, the messaging goes, with a resolve beyond the reach of flailing Western democracies. Beijing has rolled out homegrown vaccines to more than 1 million people, despite the safety concerns of scientists. China’s economy has revived, defying fears of a deep slump from the pandemic. “In this fight against the pandemic, there will be victorious powers and defeated ones,” Wang Xiangsui, a retired Chinese senior colonel who teaches at a university in Beijing, averred this month. “We’re a victor power, while the United States is still mired and, I think, may well become a defeated power.” Also read| How is CCP using United Front Work Department for its sinister agendas The firm leadership of Xi and the party has earned China its recent success, say newspapers, television programs and social media. “Time to wake up from blind faith in the Western system,” said a commentary in the state-run China Education News last week. “Vicious partisan fighting has worsened in certain Western countries, social fissures have deepened, and a severe social crisis is brewing.” China’s current swaggering mood could add to the challenges facing Joe Biden when he takes office as president. President Donald Trump’s defeat in the election has done little to ease Chinese suspicion of the United States, said Liu Jianqiu, a businessman and online commentator, in a telephone interview. Also read| Two million members of Chinese Communist Party infiltrating world's biggest companies: Report “I think China has gained the psychological edge,” said Liu, in his 40s, who described the pandemic as a turning point in his attitudes. “The performance of the West was completely out of my expectations and shifted my thinking even more — the facts prove that the American system really has no superiority.” Combative national pride surged in China in the runup to the Beijing Olympics in 2008, and after the United States bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in 1999. Now there is a sharper sense that the Western powers are in perhaps irreversible decline, and that the pandemic has confirmed China’s ascent. “Most ordinary Chinese people previously were more admiring of the United States, but in recent years, the advantages of the Chinese system have become clearer to them,” said Jin Canrong, an international relations professor at Renmin University in Beijing who has become a popular commentator under the nickname “Commissar Jin.” “There’s greater self-confidence.” China’s diplomats and its state-run media have responded to criticism from Western governments with scornful disdain. Chinese supporters of a more muscular foreign policy call for hitting back against Western critics, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Le Yucheng, a Chinese vice minister of foreign affairs, said in a speech last week that China was not spoiling for fights, but he also warned other governments not to underestimate its resolve to push back against criticism. “Faced with this suppression and containment without scruples,” Le said, “we’ll never swallow our pride or stoop to compromise.” Online, Chinese commentators have plumbed the depths of history to capture the current moment. Some likened the United States to the crumbling British Empire of the last century, overstretched and exhausted. Others are reaching back further, comparing America to China’s own Ming dynasty, which crumbled in the 1600s under the weight of corruption, insurrections and invasions. In this view that spread online this year, China should take the role of the “barbarian” Manchu armies who — in the commentators’ vivid, not-always-accurate retelling — swept over the Asian steppes, breached the Great Wall, and crushed the Ming rulers. Modern-day China must act like the Manchu forces, advocates of the analogy say, and prepare to “break through” a ring of geopolitical hostility by dominating vital seas around China. Geremie R. Barmé, a Sinologist in New Zealand who has followed the rise of “break-through studies” — rùguānxué in Chinese — said the historical comparisons reflect anxiety “about China’s great nation status and its place in the world.” “The underpinning is that China is morally superior — we the Chinese people under the Communist Party — because we have none of the failings of America,” he said. China’s leader, Xi, has not commented on the recent pronouncements of American decline. But he sees China and the United States as locked in ideological rivalry. Since coming to power in 2012, he has called for Chinese schools, textbooks and websites to inoculate youth against Western values that could erode party rule and the country’s “cultural self-confidence.” “Our schooling must never nurture wreckers or gravediggers of socialism,” Xi said in a speech in 2018 that was recently published in a book of his comments on ideology. Some warn that China risks underestimating the strengths of the United States. In recent months, Chinese scholars have debated how Beijing should handle the post-COVID world, with a good number urging restraint as the best way to win lasting influence. “China’s high-volume nationalism at home is making the United States feel that China is getting aggressive,” Xiao Gongqin, a historian in Shanghai wrote in an essay that was published last month, prompting wide discussion. The United States is far from the only country feeling the lash of official and public anger from China. Australia has drawn China’s ire for criticizing Beijing, initiating laws aimed at reducing Chinese government influence-building efforts in Australia, and urging an investigation into the origin of the pandemic — a touchy subject in Beijing. Last month, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson tweeted a Chinese artist’s fabricated image of an Australian soldier poised to slit the throat of an Afghan child. Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, demanded an apology from China over the image, which was a reference to an inquiry by the Australian military that found that its troops had unlawfully killed more than three dozen Afghan civilians. The Chinese Foreign Ministry scoffed at Morrison’s demand, and the artist who created the image, Fu Yu, created another one mocking the Australian leader. Fu, who works under the name Wuhe Qilin, had made a reputation with his scathing images of the United States as a blood-soaked, irrational medieval realm. “Chinese values and American values are totally at odds,” Fu said late last month on a Chinese online talk show broadcast last week. “These values are in fundamental conflict.”

China’s combative nationalists see a world turning their way

A 24-year-old Chinese national has been extradited from Malaysia to the US to face charges for money laundering.

The justice department had alleged that he used a nationwide ring of individuals who smuggled at least 1,500 protected turtles out of the country valued at USD 2.5 million.

Kang Juntao of Hangzhou City in eastern China was charged in February 2019 with financing a number of individuals who smuggled at least 1,500 protected turtles out of the US valued at USD 2,250,000.

He was arrested on January 23 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on a request submitted by the US authorities for his provisional arrest with a view to extradition.

According to the indictment, from June 12, 2017, through December 3, 2018, Kang allegedly purchased turtles in the US and arranged for them to be smuggled to associates in Hong Kong. He sent money through US banks, including one in New Jersey, to pay for the turtles and their illegal shipments.

The turtles would then be sold on the Asian pet trade black market for thousands of dollars each, depending on their sex, colouring, and age.

The US, Malaysia, China and approximately 181 other countries are signatories to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

CITES is an international treaty that restricts trade in species that may be threatened with extinction.

Kang allegedly trafficked in five turtle species protected by the treaty.

The indictment further alleges that Kang sent money through PayPal to the US to purchase turtles from sellers advertising on social media or reptile trade websites.

Kang paid and instructed these intermediaries to repackage the turtles in boxes with false labels for clandestine shipment to Hong Kong.

A 24-year-old Chinese national has been extradited from Malaysia to the US to face charges for money laundering. The justice department had alleged that he used a nationwide ring of individuals who smuggled at least 1,500 protected turtles out of the country valued at USD 2.

A 24-year-old Chinese national has been extradited from Malaysia to the US to face charges for money laundering. The justice department had alleged that he used a nationwide ring of individuals who smuggled at least 1,500 protected turtles out of the country valued at USD 2.5 million. Kang Juntao of Hangzhou City in eastern China was charged in February 2019 with financing a number of individuals who smuggled at least 1,500 protected turtles out of the US valued at USD 2,250,000. He was arrested on January 23 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on a request submitted by the US authorities for his provisional arrest with a view to extradition. According to the indictment, from June 12, 2017, through December 3, 2018, Kang allegedly purchased turtles in the US and arranged for them to be smuggled to associates in Hong Kong. He sent money through US banks, including one in New Jersey, to pay for the turtles and their illegal shipments. The turtles would then be sold on the Asian pet trade black market for thousands of dollars each, depending on their sex, colouring, and age. The US, Malaysia, China and approximately 181 other countries are signatories to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). CITES is an international treaty that restricts trade in species that may be threatened with extinction. Kang allegedly trafficked in five turtle species protected by the treaty. The indictment further alleges that Kang sent money through PayPal to the US to purchase turtles from sellers advertising on social media or reptile trade websites. Kang paid and instructed these intermediaries to repackage the turtles in boxes with false labels for clandestine shipment to Hong Kong.

Chinese national extradited to US from Malaysia on money laundering charges

The United States on Wednesday slapped sanctions on Wan Kuok Koi, a leader of China`s 14K Triad organized crime group and a member of the Chinese Communist Party`s Chinese People`s Political Consultative Conference, the U.S. Treasury said.

The sanctions also apply to three entities headed by Wan, who is also known as "Broken Tooth," the agency said in a statement.

The United States also blacklisted one Liberian individual and one Kyrgyz individual under Executive Order 13818, which targets corruption and serious human rights abuse.

Under the sanctions, all property of the three individuals and companies that fall under U.S. jurisdiction is frozen.

"Corruption knows no borders," said one senior U.S. official, adding that Wednesday`s actions were part of a broader U.S. anti-corruption drive that had seen sanctions imposed on over 200 individuals between 2017 and 2020.

The official said the latest actions should curb corrupt activity since all three individuals had "sufficient touch points with the U.S. or other financial systems", but it was difficult to quantify the likely impact.

OFAC regulations generally bar Americans from dealing with designated individuals. A senior U.S. official told reporters non-U.S. actors who deal with them also risk being blacklisted.

Treasury said it targeted Wan for the 14K Triad`s involvement in drug trafficking, illegal gambling, racketeering, human trafficking and other criminal activities.

The Treasury also designated three entities owned or controlled by Wan: Cambodia-based World Hongmen History and Culture Association; Hong Kong-based Dongmei Group; and the Palau China Hung-Mun Cultural Association, based in Palau.

It said the World Hongmen group had co-opted elites in Malaysia and Cambodia, continuing a "pattern of overseas Chinese actors trying to paper over illegal criminal activities by framing their actions in terms of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)" and other major initiatives of the CCP.

Treasury also blacklisted Raimbek Matraimov, a former deputy of the Kyrgyz Customs Service, alleging his involvement in a customs scheme in which at least $700 million was laundered from the Kyrgyz Republic.

It also designated Harry Varney Gboto-Nambi Sherman, now a prominent lawyer, Liberian senator and head of the Liberian Senate Judiciary Committee, who was indicted but later acquitted for his role in a bribery scheme in Liberia.

The United States on Wednesday slapped sanctions on Wan Kuok Koi, a leader of China`s 14K Triad organized crime group and a member of the Chinese Communist Party`s Chinese People`s Political Consultative Conference, the U.

The United States on Wednesday slapped sanctions on Wan Kuok Koi, a leader of China`s 14K Triad organized crime group and a member of the Chinese Communist Party`s Chinese People`s Political Consultative Conference, the U.S. Treasury said. The sanctions also apply to three entities headed by Wan, who is also known as "Broken Tooth," the agency said in a statement. The United States also blacklisted one Liberian individual and one Kyrgyz individual under Executive Order 13818, which targets corruption and serious human rights abuse. Under the sanctions, all property of the three individuals and companies that fall under U.S. jurisdiction is frozen. "Corruption knows no borders," said one senior U.S. official, adding that Wednesday`s actions were part of a broader U.S. anti-corruption drive that had seen sanctions imposed on over 200 individuals between 2017 and 2020. The official said the latest actions should curb corrupt activity since all three individuals had "sufficient touch points with the U.S. or other financial systems", but it was difficult to quantify the likely impact. OFAC regulations generally bar Americans from dealing with designated individuals. A senior U.S. official told reporters non-U.S. actors who deal with them also risk being blacklisted. Treasury said it targeted Wan for the 14K Triad`s involvement in drug trafficking, illegal gambling, racketeering, human trafficking and other criminal activities. The Treasury also designated three entities owned or controlled by Wan: Cambodia-based World Hongmen History and Culture Association; Hong Kong-based Dongmei Group; and the Palau China Hung-Mun Cultural Association, based in Palau. It said the World Hongmen group had co-opted elites in Malaysia and Cambodia, continuing a "pattern of overseas Chinese actors trying to paper over illegal criminal activities by framing their actions in terms of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)" and other major initiatives of the CCP. Treasury also blacklisted Raimbek Matraimov, a former deputy of the Kyrgyz Customs Service, alleging his involvement in a customs scheme in which at least $700 million was laundered from the Kyrgyz Republic. It also designated Harry Varney Gboto-Nambi Sherman, now a prominent lawyer, Liberian senator and head of the Liberian Senate Judiciary Committee, who was indicted but later acquitted for his role in a bribery scheme in Liberia.

US blacklists Chinese crime boss, others in anti-corruption sanctions

A leaked list of more than 2,000 ethnic Uighur detainees in China`s Xinjiang suggests the government used an expansive data collection project to arbitrarily detain Uighurs in the region, a report says.&nbsp;

According to U.S. rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW), the list from Xinjiang`s Aksu prefecture, obtained by HRW, is of detainees flagged by a Chinese predictive policing programme, called the Integrated Joint Operations Platform (IJOP), which collects data and identifies candidates for detention.

The list from 2018 includes the names of Xinjiang Uighurs, phone numbers and reasons for detention in China`s camp system, including studying the Koran, wearing religious clothing or travelling internationally.

"The Aksu list is the first time we have seen the IJOP in action in detaining people," said HRW`s Maya Wang.

It "provides further insights into how China`s brutal repression of Xinjiang`s Turkic Muslims is being turbocharged by technology", she said.

Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

U.N. experts and advocates say at least a million ethnic Uighurs, who are mostly Muslim and speak a Turkic language, have been detained at some point in Xinjiang camps.

China maintains that the heavily guarded centres are educational and vocational institutes, and that all the people who attended have "graduated" and gone home. Access to the camps is restricted and it is not possible to independently verify whether all the camps have closed.

Human Rights Watch said it was able to confirm the identities of people on the list with Uighurs now living abroad, including the identification of 18 members of the same family.

The rights group said the list is further evidence that the government selected Xinjiang Uighurs for detention based on religion, personal relationships, contact with overseas relatives and even age.

Other reasons for detention listed include activities like repeatedly switching off a smartphone, having "unstable thoughts" or "being generally untrustworthy".

A leaked list of more than 2,000 ethnic Uighur detainees in China`s Xinjiang suggests the government used an expansive data collection project to arbitrarily detain Uighurs in the region, a report says.

A leaked list of more than 2,000 ethnic Uighur detainees in China`s Xinjiang suggests the government used an expansive data collection project to arbitrarily detain Uighurs in the region, a report says. According to U.S. rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW), the list from Xinjiang`s Aksu prefecture, obtained by HRW, is of detainees flagged by a Chinese predictive policing programme, called the Integrated Joint Operations Platform (IJOP), which collects data and identifies candidates for detention. The list from 2018 includes the names of Xinjiang Uighurs, phone numbers and reasons for detention in China`s camp system, including studying the Koran, wearing religious clothing or travelling internationally. "The Aksu list is the first time we have seen the IJOP in action in detaining people," said HRW`s Maya Wang. It "provides further insights into how China`s brutal repression of Xinjiang`s Turkic Muslims is being turbocharged by technology", she said. Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. U.N. experts and advocates say at least a million ethnic Uighurs, who are mostly Muslim and speak a Turkic language, have been detained at some point in Xinjiang camps. China maintains that the heavily guarded centres are educational and vocational institutes, and that all the people who attended have "graduated" and gone home. Access to the camps is restricted and it is not possible to independently verify whether all the camps have closed. Human Rights Watch said it was able to confirm the identities of people on the list with Uighurs now living abroad, including the identification of 18 members of the same family. The rights group said the list is further evidence that the government selected Xinjiang Uighurs for detention based on religion, personal relationships, contact with overseas relatives and even age. Other reasons for detention listed include activities like repeatedly switching off a smartphone, having "unstable thoughts" or "being generally untrustworthy".

Leaked list gives insight into detention system in China's Xinjiang, report says

Over 1,000 Chinese researchers have left the United States amid a US crackdown on alleged technology theft, top US security officials have said.

The US-China relations have deteriorated to their worst in decades during outgoing American President Donald Trump's tenure with disputes simmering over issues from trade and technology to Hong Kong and the coronavirus.

On Wednesday, John Demers, chief of the US Justice Department's National Security Division, told a discussion hosted by the Aspen Institute think tank the researchers had left the country while the department launched multiple criminal cases against Chinese operatives for industrial and technological espionage.

They were, however, a different group from those mentioned by the State Department in September, when it said the United States had revoked visas for more than 1,000 Chinese nationals under a presidential measure denying entry to students and researchers deemed security risks.

US authorities believed these researchers fled the United States after the FBI conducted interviews in more than 20 cities and the State Department closed China’s Houston consulate in July.

William Evanina, chief of the counterintelligence branch of the office of the US Director of National Intelligence, told the same event Chinese agents were already targetting personnel of the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden, as well as "people close" to Biden's team.

She added Chinese researchers in the United States who were under scrutiny of US agencies were "all coming here at the behest of the Chinese government."

China described the visa crackdown earlier this year as "naked" political persecution and racial discrimination that seriously violated human rights.

Over 1,000 Chinese researchers have left the United States amid a US crackdown on alleged technology theft, top US security officials have said. The US-China relations have deteriorated to their worst in decades during outgoing American President Donald Trump's tenure with disputes simmering over issues from trade and technology to Hong Kong and the coronavirus.

Over 1,000 Chinese researchers have left the United States amid a US crackdown on alleged technology theft, top US security officials have said. The US-China relations have deteriorated to their worst in decades during outgoing American President Donald Trump's tenure with disputes simmering over issues from trade and technology to Hong Kong and the coronavirus. On Wednesday, John Demers, chief of the US Justice Department's National Security Division, told a discussion hosted by the Aspen Institute think tank the researchers had left the country while the department launched multiple criminal cases against Chinese operatives for industrial and technological espionage. They were, however, a different group from those mentioned by the State Department in September, when it said the United States had revoked visas for more than 1,000 Chinese nationals under a presidential measure denying entry to students and researchers deemed security risks. US authorities believed these researchers fled the United States after the FBI conducted interviews in more than 20 cities and the State Department closed China’s Houston consulate in July. William Evanina, chief of the counterintelligence branch of the office of the US Director of National Intelligence, told the same event Chinese agents were already targetting personnel of the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden, as well as "people close" to Biden's team. She added Chinese researchers in the United States who were under scrutiny of US agencies were "all coming here at the behest of the Chinese government." China described the visa crackdown earlier this year as "naked" political persecution and racial discrimination that seriously violated human rights.

Chinese researchers leave US; agents target Biden team

The United States National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien recently assured Vietnam and the Philippines of support against China’s “aggressive” actions in the South China Sea.

Hitting out at this, the Chinese embassy in Manila accused O’Brien of “stirring up trouble in the South China Sea”, as reported by the South China Morning Post. The embassy reportedly also accused US NSA of "provoking a rift between China and the Philippines".

In another statement from the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi, Chinese officials called on the US to end its campaign against China especially in terms of the South China Sea and the Mekong River.

Also read: S<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/south-china-sea-us-vows-support-to-philippines-and-vietnam-over-row-with-china-344931" hreflang="en">outh China Sea: US vows support to Philippines and Vietnam over row with China</a>

"The US is not a party to the South China Sea dispute... but has been openly interfering in the issues under the name of safeguarding stability... and freedom of navigation," The South China Morning Post quoted Chinese embassy in Hanoi embassy as saying in a statement.

"Its purpose is never to help regional countries to resolve the dispute but to maintain its hegemony in the region," the statement claimed.

O’Brien met the Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Foreign Affairs Minister Pham Binh Minh, urging them to end end “illegal re-routing of Chinese exports.

He further told them that the US would help wither in purchasing American helicopters. Additionally, O’Brien confirmed the delivery of missiles worth $18 million, as pledged by Donald Trump in April.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/philippines-china-seek-to-jointly-develop-energy-projects-in-south-china-sea-335695" hreflang="en">Philippines, China seek to jointly develop energy projects in South China Sea</a>

During the ASEAN Summit, O`Brien claimed that China`s actions in the Mekong river basin and the South China Sea were a threat to peace, stability, and sovereignty.

In response, Chinese embassies hit out at O’Brien claiming his remarks represented “Cold War mentality”, while adding that the goal of his visit was “not to promote regional peace and stability but to create chaos in the region”.

”In recent years, to safeguard its regional and global hegemony, the US has regarded itself as patron and judge of regional countries and directly intervened in the South China Sea and other issues," a statement read.

The United States National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien recently assured Vietnam and the Philippines of support against China’s “aggressive” actions in the South China Sea.

The United States National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien recently assured Vietnam and the Philippines of support against China’s “aggressive” actions in the South China Sea. Hitting out at this, the Chinese embassy in Manila accused O’Brien of “stirring up trouble in the South China Sea”, as reported by the South China Morning Post. The embassy reportedly also accused US NSA of "provoking a rift between China and the Philippines". In another statement from the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi, Chinese officials called on the US to end its campaign against China especially in terms of the South China Sea and the Mekong River. Also read: South China Sea: US vows support to Philippines and Vietnam over row with China "The US is not a party to the South China Sea dispute... but has been openly interfering in the issues under the name of safeguarding stability... and freedom of navigation," The South China Morning Post quoted Chinese embassy in Hanoi embassy as saying in a statement. "Its purpose is never to help regional countries to resolve the dispute but to maintain its hegemony in the region," the statement claimed. O’Brien met the Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Foreign Affairs Minister Pham Binh Minh, urging them to end end “illegal re-routing of Chinese exports. He further told them that the US would help wither in purchasing American helicopters. Additionally, O’Brien confirmed the delivery of missiles worth $18 million, as pledged by Donald Trump in April. Also read: Philippines, China seek to jointly develop energy projects in South China Sea During the ASEAN Summit, O`Brien claimed that China`s actions in the Mekong river basin and the South China Sea were a threat to peace, stability, and sovereignty. In response, Chinese embassies hit out at O’Brien claiming his remarks represented “Cold War mentality”, while adding that the goal of his visit was “not to promote regional peace and stability but to create chaos in the region”. ”In recent years, to safeguard its regional and global hegemony, the US has regarded itself as patron and judge of regional countries and directly intervened in the South China Sea and other issues," a statement read.

American NSA's visit to Vietnam, Philippines represents 'Cold War mentality': Chinese embassies

US President-elect Joe Biden in phone calls with the leaders of Australia, Japan and South Korea emphasised on maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

Joe Biden's call to Asian leaders amid growing China threat

Tensions between the world's two largest economies have intensified over the past year, shaking up technology supply chains and trade relations, and stoking fears that a financial war between the two countries could be brewing.

US Election 2020: What is in store for China-U.S relation?

The Chinese media struck an optimistic tone on Joe Biden's victory in the US Presidential election. They say that, the relations between two countries could be restored to a state of greater predictability.

US Election 2020: Chinese media strikes optimistic tone on Biden's victory

China has accused the United States of "fabricating lies" and trying to take the world back to the "jungle age" after Washington blamed Beijing and UN agencies for "the murder of millions of baby girls."

Long-simmering tensions between the United States and China have hit the boiling point at the United Nations over the coronavirus pandemic, spotlighting Beijing's bid for greater multilateral influence in a challenge to Washington's traditional leadership.

To this end, US Education Secretary Betsy DeVos made the remarks at a UN General Assembly meeting on Thursday on the anniversary of a landmark 1995 women's conference.

DeVos and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who issued a statement on Thursday, both accused China of subjecting Uighurs and other minorities to forced abortion, forced sterilisation, and involuntary implantation of birth control devices.

A spokesperson for China's UN mission in New York said in a statement that the remarks were "sheer fabrication."

"Some US politicians lie and cheat as a habit," the spokesperson said.&nbsp;

"They maliciously create political confrontation and undermine multilateral cooperation. The United States, going against the trend of the times, is becoming the biggest destroyer of the existing international order and trying all means to take the world back to the 'jungle age'."

US President Donald Trump's administration cut funding in 2017 for UNFPA, saying it "supports a programme of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilisation."&nbsp;

The United Nations said that was an inaccurate perception.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Friday, in response, said it regretted the accusations by DeVos.

UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem told reporters that any coercion of women was against their practice and policy.

China has accused the United States of "fabricating lies" and trying to take the world back to the "jungle age" after Washington blamed Beijing and UN agencies for "the murder of millions of baby girls.

China has accused the United States of "fabricating lies" and trying to take the world back to the "jungle age" after Washington blamed Beijing and UN agencies for "the murder of millions of baby girls." Long-simmering tensions between the United States and China have hit the boiling point at the United Nations over the coronavirus pandemic, spotlighting Beijing's bid for greater multilateral influence in a challenge to Washington's traditional leadership. To this end, US Education Secretary Betsy DeVos made the remarks at a UN General Assembly meeting on Thursday on the anniversary of a landmark 1995 women's conference. DeVos and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who issued a statement on Thursday, both accused China of subjecting Uighurs and other minorities to forced abortion, forced sterilisation, and involuntary implantation of birth control devices. A spokesperson for China's UN mission in New York said in a statement that the remarks were "sheer fabrication." "Some US politicians lie and cheat as a habit," the spokesperson said. "They maliciously create political confrontation and undermine multilateral cooperation. The United States, going against the trend of the times, is becoming the biggest destroyer of the existing international order and trying all means to take the world back to the 'jungle age'." US President Donald Trump's administration cut funding in 2017 for UNFPA, saying it "supports a programme of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilisation." The United Nations said that was an inaccurate perception. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Friday, in response, said it regretted the accusations by DeVos. UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem told reporters that any coercion of women was against their practice and policy.

At UN, China accuses US of trying to take world back to 'jungle age'

A US judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration order that was set to bar Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google from offering short video-sharing app TikTok for download at 11:59 pm on Sunday.

Trump's administration contends that Chinese-owned TikTok poses national security concerns as personal data collected on 100 million Americans who use the app could be obtained by China's government. Any deal will also still need to be reviewed by the US government's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

US District Judge Carl Nichols in Washington issued the preliminary injunction in a brief order late on Sunday. He declined "at this time" to block restrictions set to take effect on November 12 on technical and business arrangements which are crucial for the app to function properly.

The Commerce Department said in a statement it "will comply with the injunction and has taken immediate steps to do so."

The injunction comes at a time when negotiations are underway to hammer out terms of a preliminary deal for Walmart Inc and Oracle Corp to take stakes in a new company, TikTok Global, that would oversee US operations. Trump has said he had given the deal his "blessing."

But key terms of the deal, including who will have majority ownership, are in dispute.

ByteDance has also said any deal will need to be approved by China and Beijing has revised its list of technologies subject to export bans, in a way that gives it a say over any TikTok deal.

TikTok said it was pleased with the injunction and added it would maintain its "ongoing dialogue with the government to turn our proposal, which the president gave his preliminary approval to last week, into an agreement."

Representatives for Chinese state media welcomed the ruling.

A US judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration order that was set to bar Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google from offering short video-sharing app TikTok for download at 11:59 pm on Sunday.

A US judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration order that was set to bar Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google from offering short video-sharing app TikTok for download at 11:59 pm on Sunday. Trump's administration contends that Chinese-owned TikTok poses national security concerns as personal data collected on 100 million Americans who use the app could be obtained by China's government. Any deal will also still need to be reviewed by the US government's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). US District Judge Carl Nichols in Washington issued the preliminary injunction in a brief order late on Sunday. He declined "at this time" to block restrictions set to take effect on November 12 on technical and business arrangements which are crucial for the app to function properly. The Commerce Department said in a statement it "will comply with the injunction and has taken immediate steps to do so." The injunction comes at a time when negotiations are underway to hammer out terms of a preliminary deal for Walmart Inc and Oracle Corp to take stakes in a new company, TikTok Global, that would oversee US operations. Trump has said he had given the deal his "blessing." But key terms of the deal, including who will have majority ownership, are in dispute. ByteDance has also said any deal will need to be approved by China and Beijing has revised its list of technologies subject to export bans, in a way that gives it a say over any TikTok deal. TikTok said it was pleased with the injunction and added it would maintain its "ongoing dialogue with the government to turn our proposal, which the president gave his preliminary approval to last week, into an agreement." Representatives for Chinese state media welcomed the ruling.

US judge blocks Trump administration's ban on new TikTok downloads

The United States has imposed restrictions on exports to China’s biggest chip maker SMIC after concluding there is an “unacceptable risk” equipment supplied to it could be used for military purposes.

Suppliers of certain equipment to Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation will now have to apply for individual export licenses, according to a letter from the Commerce Department dated Friday and seen by Reuters.

The latest move marks a shift in U.S. policy from earlier this year, when applicants seeking “military end user” licenses to sell to SMIC were told by the Commerce Department that the licenses weren’t necessary, according to three people familiar with the matter.

SMIC said it had not received any official notice of the restrictions and said it has no ties with the Chinese military.

“SMIC reiterates that it manufactures semiconductors and provides services solely for civilian and commercial end-users and end-uses,” SMIC said.

“The Company has no relationship with the Chinese military and does not manufacture for any military end-users or end-uses.”

SMIC is the latest leading Chinese technology company to face U.S. trade restrictions related to national security issues or U.S. foreign policy efforts. Telecoms giant Huawei Technologies had its access to high-end chips curtailed by its addition to a Commerce Department blacklist known as the entity list.

SMIC’s new designation is not as severe as being blacklisted, which makes it difficult to get any export license approved.

The Pentagon earlier this month, Reuters was first to report, said it was working with other agencies to determine whether to blacklist SMIC for its purported links to the Chinese military.

U.S. companies including Lam Research, KLA Corp and Applied Materials, which supply chipmaking equipment, may now need to get licenses to ship certain goods to SMIC.

It is unclear which suppliers received the letter, but typically once the Commerce Department comes to the conclusion that there is a risk of military use or diversion, it sends that information to the companies.

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security declined on Saturday to comment specifically on SMIC, but said it was “constantly monitoring and assessing any potential threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests”.

The administration has increasingly trained its focus on Chinese companies that bolster Beijing’s military. Last month, the United States blacklisted 24 Chinese companies and targeted people it said were part of construction and military actions in the South China Sea, its first such sanctions against Beijing over the disputed strategic waterway.

The United States has imposed restrictions on exports to China’s biggest chip maker SMIC after concluding there is an “unacceptable risk” equipment supplied to it could be used for military purposes.

The United States has imposed restrictions on exports to China’s biggest chip maker SMIC after concluding there is an “unacceptable risk” equipment supplied to it could be used for military purposes. Suppliers of certain equipment to Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation will now have to apply for individual export licenses, according to a letter from the Commerce Department dated Friday and seen by Reuters. The latest move marks a shift in U.S. policy from earlier this year, when applicants seeking “military end user” licenses to sell to SMIC were told by the Commerce Department that the licenses weren’t necessary, according to three people familiar with the matter. SMIC said it had not received any official notice of the restrictions and said it has no ties with the Chinese military. “SMIC reiterates that it manufactures semiconductors and provides services solely for civilian and commercial end-users and end-uses,” SMIC said. “The Company has no relationship with the Chinese military and does not manufacture for any military end-users or end-uses.” SMIC is the latest leading Chinese technology company to face U.S. trade restrictions related to national security issues or U.S. foreign policy efforts. Telecoms giant Huawei Technologies had its access to high-end chips curtailed by its addition to a Commerce Department blacklist known as the entity list. SMIC’s new designation is not as severe as being blacklisted, which makes it difficult to get any export license approved. The Pentagon earlier this month, Reuters was first to report, said it was working with other agencies to determine whether to blacklist SMIC for its purported links to the Chinese military. U.S. companies including Lam Research, KLA Corp and Applied Materials, which supply chipmaking equipment, may now need to get licenses to ship certain goods to SMIC. It is unclear which suppliers received the letter, but typically once the Commerce Department comes to the conclusion that there is a risk of military use or diversion, it sends that information to the companies. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security declined on Saturday to comment specifically on SMIC, but said it was “constantly monitoring and assessing any potential threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests”. The administration has increasingly trained its focus on Chinese companies that bolster Beijing’s military. Last month, the United States blacklisted 24 Chinese companies and targeted people it said were part of construction and military actions in the South China Sea, its first such sanctions against Beijing over the disputed strategic waterway.

US tightens exports to China's chipmaker SMIC, citing risk of military use

Beijing has sped up development of a blacklist that could be used to punish US technology firms, with Cisco Systems Inc among the companies seen as likely to be included in the list.

Beijing on Saturday moved to create a blacklist of foreign companies seen as threatening its national security or acting against Chinese business interests.

According to a report published by the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, few Chinese leaders are looking to pull the trigger on the Huawei Technologies Co Ltd rival as soon as they can.

However, a few are in favour of delaying the list till after the US election in November, the report said.

China first introduced its plan to create a blacklist of US entities in May 2019, quickly after the US restricted telecom big Huawei Technologies Co’s entry.

But as the Trump administration has recently intensified its attacks on Bytedance, owner of TikTok and Tencent Holdings Inc., which runs the WeChat messaging and funds app, the listing has gained urgency.

In a separate statement on Saturday, China's Ministry of Commerce condemned the Trump administration’s actions against WeChat and TikTok, saying that such “bullying” had damaged the United States’ image as a destination for foreign investment.

According to a report published in the New York Times, China’s Ministry of Commerce published rules on Saturday that outlined a similar “unreliable entities list,” though it did not name any specific companies or individuals that would be included.

Tensions between US and China have intensified in recent months. The confrontation now encompasses the two countries’ policies on trade and technology, as well as on Taiwan, Hong Kong, human rights, coronavirus pandemic and other issues.

Beijing has sped up development of a blacklist that could be used to punish US technology firms, with Cisco Systems Inc among the companies seen as likely to be included in the list.

Beijing has sped up development of a blacklist that could be used to punish US technology firms, with Cisco Systems Inc among the companies seen as likely to be included in the list. Beijing on Saturday moved to create a blacklist of foreign companies seen as threatening its national security or acting against Chinese business interests. According to a report published by the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, few Chinese leaders are looking to pull the trigger on the Huawei Technologies Co Ltd rival as soon as they can. However, a few are in favour of delaying the list till after the US election in November, the report said. China first introduced its plan to create a blacklist of US entities in May 2019, quickly after the US restricted telecom big Huawei Technologies Co’s entry. But as the Trump administration has recently intensified its attacks on Bytedance, owner of TikTok and Tencent Holdings Inc., which runs the WeChat messaging and funds app, the listing has gained urgency. In a separate statement on Saturday, China's Ministry of Commerce condemned the Trump administration’s actions against WeChat and TikTok, saying that such “bullying” had damaged the United States’ image as a destination for foreign investment. According to a report published in the New York Times, China’s Ministry of Commerce published rules on Saturday that outlined a similar “unreliable entities list,” though it did not name any specific companies or individuals that would be included. Tensions between US and China have intensified in recent months. The confrontation now encompasses the two countries’ policies on trade and technology, as well as on Taiwan, Hong Kong, human rights, coronavirus pandemic and other issues.

Chinese leaders split over releasing blacklist of US companies, report says

US authorities have charged a Tibetan man serving as a New York police officer with espionage. The officer worked at a station in the Queens section of the city.

The authorities have accused him of gathering information about the city's Tibetan community for the Chinese government. The officer was directed by members of the Chinese consulate in New York, according to the indictment released Monday.

Through his contacts with the Tibetan community, the 33-year-old man gathered information between 2018 and 2020 on the community's activities, as well as identified potential information sources.

According to the indictment, the man allowed members of the Chinese consulate to attend events organized by the New York Police Department.

The Chinese authorities allegedly paid him tens of thousands of dollars for his service.

The officer has been charged with four counts, including enlisting in the service of a foreign country on US soil, misrepresentation and obstructing the operation of a public service.

He was brought before a judge Monday and taken into custody. According to the NYPD, he is currently suspended without pay.

Born in China, the man was granted political asylum in the US, claiming he was tortured by Chinese authorities because of his Tibetan ethnicity.

The investigation revealed, however, that both of his parents were members of the Chinese Communist Party.

After allowing Tibet to function autonomously from 1912-1950, Beijing retook control of the territory in 1951. The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has lived in exile since 1959.

US authorities have charged a Tibetan man serving as a New York police officer with espionage. The officer worked at a station in the Queens section of the city.

US authorities have charged a Tibetan man serving as a New York police officer with espionage. The officer worked at a station in the Queens section of the city. The authorities have accused him of gathering information about the city's Tibetan community for the Chinese government. The officer was directed by members of the Chinese consulate in New York, according to the indictment released Monday. Through his contacts with the Tibetan community, the 33-year-old man gathered information between 2018 and 2020 on the community's activities, as well as identified potential information sources. According to the indictment, the man allowed members of the Chinese consulate to attend events organized by the New York Police Department. The Chinese authorities allegedly paid him tens of thousands of dollars for his service. The officer has been charged with four counts, including enlisting in the service of a foreign country on US soil, misrepresentation and obstructing the operation of a public service. He was brought before a judge Monday and taken into custody. According to the NYPD, he is currently suspended without pay. Born in China, the man was granted political asylum in the US, claiming he was tortured by Chinese authorities because of his Tibetan ethnicity. The investigation revealed, however, that both of his parents were members of the Chinese Communist Party. After allowing Tibet to function autonomously from 1912-1950, Beijing retook control of the territory in 1951. The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has lived in exile since 1959.

New York police officer charged with spying for China

China's air force has released a video showing nuclear-capable H-6 bombers carrying out a simulated attack on what appears to be Andersen Air Force Base on the US Pacific island of Guam. The video was&nbsp;released on Saturday on People's Liberation Army Air Force Weibo account.

The video was released as China carried out a second day of drills near Chinese-claimed Taiwan, to express Beijing's anger at the visit of a senior US State Department official to Taipei.

"We are the defenders of the motherland`s aerial security; we have the confidence and ability to always defend the security of the motherland's skies," the PLAAF wrote in a brief description for the video.

Guam is home to major US military facilities, including the air base, which would be key to responding to any conflict in the Asia Pacific region.

The Chinese air force's two minute and 15 second video -- "The god of war H-6K goes on the attack!" -- peruses dramatic music and scenes like a trailer for a Hollywood movie.

<img alt="Nuclear-capable H-6 bombers" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5e6cd530-8037-4d6c-9e18-a9f55ce3f7cf" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Nuclear-capable%20H-6%20bombers.jpg" />

Sample this -- halfway through, a pilot presses a button and looses off a missile at an unnamed seaside runway, as described by a Reuters report. The missile homes in on the runway, a satellite image of which is shown that looks exactly like the layout of Andersen, though it is not named.

The music suddenly stops as images of the ground shaking appear, following by aerial views of an explosion.

But if one observes closely, one scene from the PLA promotional video is actually a footage taken from the Hollywood blockbuster The Rock.

According to some observers, not one but several of the scenes in the new video look like they were lifted directly from the 2008 Oscar-winning The Hurt Locker and the 1996 action-thriller The Rock.

In fact, a person told the South China Morning Post that it was common practice for the PLA’s publicity department to “borrow” from Hollywood films to make their productions look more spectacular.

In 2011, China’s state broadcaster CCTV showed a film about a PLA training exercise that included “borrowed” footage from Top Gun, a 1986 Hollywood film about US fighter pilots.

Notably, the H-6 has been involved in multiple Chinese flights around and near Taiwan, according to Taiwan's air force, including those last week. The H-6K is the latest model of the bomber, which is based on the 1950s vintage Soviet Tu-16.

China's air force has released a video showing nuclear-capable H-6 bombers carrying out a simulated attack on what appears to be Andersen Air Force Base on the US Pacific island of Guam.

China's air force has released a video showing nuclear-capable H-6 bombers carrying out a simulated attack on what appears to be Andersen Air Force Base on the US Pacific island of Guam. The video was released on Saturday on People's Liberation Army Air Force Weibo account. The video was released as China carried out a second day of drills near Chinese-claimed Taiwan, to express Beijing's anger at the visit of a senior US State Department official to Taipei. "We are the defenders of the motherland`s aerial security; we have the confidence and ability to always defend the security of the motherland's skies," the PLAAF wrote in a brief description for the video. Guam is home to major US military facilities, including the air base, which would be key to responding to any conflict in the Asia Pacific region. The Chinese air force's two minute and 15 second video -- "The god of war H-6K goes on the attack!" -- peruses dramatic music and scenes like a trailer for a Hollywood movie. Sample this -- halfway through, a pilot presses a button and looses off a missile at an unnamed seaside runway, as described by a Reuters report. The missile homes in on the runway, a satellite image of which is shown that looks exactly like the layout of Andersen, though it is not named. The music suddenly stops as images of the ground shaking appear, following by aerial views of an explosion. But if one observes closely, one scene from the PLA promotional video is actually a footage taken from the Hollywood blockbuster The Rock. According to some observers, not one but several of the scenes in the new video look like they were lifted directly from the 2008 Oscar-winning The Hurt Locker and the 1996 action-thriller The Rock. In fact, a person told the South China Morning Post that it was common practice for the PLA’s publicity department to “borrow” from Hollywood films to make their productions look more spectacular. In 2011, China’s state broadcaster CCTV showed a film about a PLA training exercise that included “borrowed” footage from Top Gun, a 1986 Hollywood film about US fighter pilots. Notably, the H-6 has been involved in multiple Chinese flights around and near Taiwan, according to Taiwan's air force, including those last week. The H-6K is the latest model of the bomber, which is based on the 1950s vintage Soviet Tu-16.

China's PLA video showing attack on US airbase uses footage from Hollywood films

Washington's crackdown on WeChat will disrupt communications between millions of people in the United States and their friends, families and business partners in China.

But the app had not managed to reproduce in the US its success in China as the dominant smartphone-based payments platform.

The US Commerce Department announced partial bans on Friday on WeChat as well as video app TikTok.

The order will slow down WeChat to make it unuseable in the United States for videochats with family and friends.

"They are slowing the speed to technically make it virtually impossible to use audio, video, or send images," said Wu Ziyi, a Chinese graduate student in political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

- Universal app -

In China, WeChat took the country toward cashless commerce in just a few years, and it is used by hundreds of millions for everyday payments.

It is a kind of universal app, a digital bank account and identification card, for ordering food or a car, sending gifts, managing medical issues, and interfacing government services.

Owned by technology giant TenCent, WeChat in the United States has around 19 million active daily users, said Adam Blacker of Apptopia, a mobile apps consultant.

"It's mostly used by Chinese visiting or working here or by Chinese-Americans staying in touch with their relatives," said William Reinsch of the Center for Strategic and international Studies in Washington.

That includes several hundred thousand Chinese students in the US, who use it for "at least 90 percent" of their daily online conversations, according to Wu.

He said that it can be used to exchange small amounts of money.

But it cannot be connected to a US bank account or credit or debit card, and because it only works in Chinese yuan.

US businesses also use WeChat for communications with Chinese suppliers, and can possibly use it for payments, though other services -- like the Alipay function of TenCent rival Alibaba -- are better built to handle large sums and foreign exchange.

If US businesses do use its payments function, said Reinsch, "I haven't heard of anybody complaining that they might be stopped from doing that."

Now, under the Commerce Department order, WeChat cannot be used for transferring money inside the United States.

Reinsch said US businesses were mainly concerned that the long-flagged crackdown would apply to use of WeChat outside the United States, which would hamstring their China businesses.

That usage appears to still be allowed.

- Tough competition in US -

WeChat did once try to break into the US payments market, but made few inroads due to resistance by banks and merchants, regulations that favor credit and debit cards over digital wallets, and stiff competition.

In 2018 the company declared its WeChat Pay app was poised to take off, especially in brand-name shops where Chinese tourists abound, hoping to leverage that for a broader expansion.

The gambling and tourism conglomerate Caesars Entertainment began taking WeChat payments at restaurants, shops and entertainment venues in Las Vegas, aiming to help Chinese tourists spend their money.

But with US-based rivals like Zelle, Venmo and Apple Pay contesting the market, WeChat barely registered, and Caesars appears to have given it up.

The company did not respond to a query on WeChat.

Wu said Chinese in the United States might still find ways to use the app, through VPN networks or by other means, but most are already moving to other chat apps for communications with families back home.

"My family is very traditional, so we will probably just go back to the phone call," he sighed.

Washington's crackdown on WeChat will disrupt communications between millions of people in the United States and their friends, families and business partners in China.

Washington's crackdown on WeChat will disrupt communications between millions of people in the United States and their friends, families and business partners in China. But the app had not managed to reproduce in the US its success in China as the dominant smartphone-based payments platform. The US Commerce Department announced partial bans on Friday on WeChat as well as video app TikTok. The order will slow down WeChat to make it unuseable in the United States for videochats with family and friends. "They are slowing the speed to technically make it virtually impossible to use audio, video, or send images," said Wu Ziyi, a Chinese graduate student in political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. - Universal app - In China, WeChat took the country toward cashless commerce in just a few years, and it is used by hundreds of millions for everyday payments. It is a kind of universal app, a digital bank account and identification card, for ordering food or a car, sending gifts, managing medical issues, and interfacing government services. Owned by technology giant TenCent, WeChat in the United States has around 19 million active daily users, said Adam Blacker of Apptopia, a mobile apps consultant. "It's mostly used by Chinese visiting or working here or by Chinese-Americans staying in touch with their relatives," said William Reinsch of the Center for Strategic and international Studies in Washington. That includes several hundred thousand Chinese students in the US, who use it for "at least 90 percent" of their daily online conversations, according to Wu. He said that it can be used to exchange small amounts of money. But it cannot be connected to a US bank account or credit or debit card, and because it only works in Chinese yuan. US businesses also use WeChat for communications with Chinese suppliers, and can possibly use it for payments, though other services -- like the Alipay function of TenCent rival Alibaba -- are better built to handle large sums and foreign exchange. If US businesses do use its payments function, said Reinsch, "I haven't heard of anybody complaining that they might be stopped from doing that." Now, under the Commerce Department order, WeChat cannot be used for transferring money inside the United States. Reinsch said US businesses were mainly concerned that the long-flagged crackdown would apply to use of WeChat outside the United States, which would hamstring their China businesses. That usage appears to still be allowed. - Tough competition in US - WeChat did once try to break into the US payments market, but made few inroads due to resistance by banks and merchants, regulations that favor credit and debit cards over digital wallets, and stiff competition. In 2018 the company declared its WeChat Pay app was poised to take off, especially in brand-name shops where Chinese tourists abound, hoping to leverage that for a broader expansion. The gambling and tourism conglomerate Caesars Entertainment began taking WeChat payments at restaurants, shops and entertainment venues in Las Vegas, aiming to help Chinese tourists spend their money. But with US-based rivals like Zelle, Venmo and Apple Pay contesting the market, WeChat barely registered, and Caesars appears to have given it up. The company did not respond to a query on WeChat. Wu said Chinese in the United States might still find ways to use the app, through VPN networks or by other means, but most are already moving to other chat apps for communications with families back home. "My family is very traditional, so we will probably just go back to the phone call," he sighed.

Millions of US users to be hit by WeChat ban

China's Defence Ministry has said the US poses the biggest threat to the international order and world peace, while also blasting a critical US report on the country's military ambitions.

The statement follows the September 2 release of the annual Defence Department report to Congress on Chinese military developments and goals that it said would have "serious implications for US national interests and the security of the international rules-based order".

This year's report came as relations between Beijing and Washington hit the lowest in decades amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Wu Qian called the report a “wanton distortion” of China's aims and the relationship between the People's Liberation Army and China's 1.4 billion people.

“Many years of evidence shows that it is the US that is the fomenter of regional unrest, the violator of the international order and the destroyer of world peace,” he said, adding US actions in Iraq, Syria, Libya and other countries over the past two decades have resulted in the deaths of more than 800,000 people and displacement of millions.

“Rather than reflecting on itself, the US issued a so-called report that made false comments about China's normal defense and military construction," he said in the statement.

“We call on the US to view China''s national defence and military construction objectively and rationally, cease making false statements and related reports, and take concrete actions to safeguard the healthy development of bilateral military relations."

Consisting of more than 150 pages, the report analysed China''s strategy toward Taiwan, a US ally which China considers a part of its territory to be annexed by force if necessary.&nbsp;

It also looked at areas where the 2 million-member PLA, the world''s largest standing military, has overtaken the US, including in the size of its navy, now the world''s largest with approximately 350 ships and submarines compared to around 293 for the US.

China has also built a considerable arsenal of land-based ballistic and cruise missiles and has one of the world''s largest forces of advanced long-range surface-to-air systems, the report said.

China's Defence Ministry has said the US poses the biggest threat to the international order and world peace, while also blasting a critical US report on the country's military ambitions.

China's Defence Ministry has said the US poses the biggest threat to the international order and world peace, while also blasting a critical US report on the country's military ambitions. The statement follows the September 2 release of the annual Defence Department report to Congress on Chinese military developments and goals that it said would have "serious implications for US national interests and the security of the international rules-based order". This year's report came as relations between Beijing and Washington hit the lowest in decades amid the coronavirus pandemic. Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Wu Qian called the report a “wanton distortion” of China's aims and the relationship between the People's Liberation Army and China's 1.4 billion people. “Many years of evidence shows that it is the US that is the fomenter of regional unrest, the violator of the international order and the destroyer of world peace,” he said, adding US actions in Iraq, Syria, Libya and other countries over the past two decades have resulted in the deaths of more than 800,000 people and displacement of millions. “Rather than reflecting on itself, the US issued a so-called report that made false comments about China's normal defense and military construction," he said in the statement. “We call on the US to view China''s national defence and military construction objectively and rationally, cease making false statements and related reports, and take concrete actions to safeguard the healthy development of bilateral military relations." Consisting of more than 150 pages, the report analysed China''s strategy toward Taiwan, a US ally which China considers a part of its territory to be annexed by force if necessary. It also looked at areas where the 2 million-member PLA, the world''s largest standing military, has overtaken the US, including in the size of its navy, now the world''s largest with approximately 350 ships and submarines compared to around 293 for the US. China has also built a considerable arsenal of land-based ballistic and cruise missiles and has one of the world''s largest forces of advanced long-range surface-to-air systems, the report said.

Chinese military calls US biggest threat to world peace

A Chinese national has been arrested and charged with destroying a computer hard drive during an FBI investigation into the possible transfer of sensitive software to China.

The US Justice Department said on Friday that Guan Lei, a researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles, was arrested after he was seen throwing a damaged hard drive into a dumpster outside his apartment in July.

"Guan is being investigated for possibly transferring sensitive US software or technical data to China’s National University of Defense Technology" and falsely denying his association with the Chinese military on his visa application and in interviews with federal agents.

Guan made an initial court appearance on Friday and an arraignment was scheduled for September 17.

The felony offense of destruction of evidence carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

A Chinese national has been arrested and charged with destroying a computer hard drive during an FBI investigation into the possible transfer of sensitive software to China.

A Chinese national has been arrested and charged with destroying a computer hard drive during an FBI investigation into the possible transfer of sensitive software to China. The US Justice Department said on Friday that Guan Lei, a researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles, was arrested after he was seen throwing a damaged hard drive into a dumpster outside his apartment in July. "Guan is being investigated for possibly transferring sensitive US software or technical data to China’s National University of Defense Technology" and falsely denying his association with the Chinese military on his visa application and in interviews with federal agents. Guan made an initial court appearance on Friday and an arraignment was scheduled for September 17. The felony offense of destruction of evidence carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Chinese national arrested in US probe of possible transfer of software to Beijing

An American warship sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, the US Navy has said.

The US regularly conducts "freedom of navigation operations" in the area to challenge Chinese territorial claims.

The Thursday operation challenges Beijing's claims on the resource-rich waterway and prompting a warning from the Chinese military. This came a day after China fired ballistic missiles into the sea as part of ongoing live-fire exercises, inflaming already high tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The US Navy's Pacific Fleet said in a statement that the USS Mustin, a guided-missile destroyer, sailed Thursday "in the vicinity of the Paracel Islands to ensure critical shipping lanes in the area remain free and open".

To this end, the Chinese military on Friday accused the US ship of entering "China's territorial waters" near the islands "without authorisation".

Chinese forces tracked the warship and then warned it to leave, said military spokesman Li Huamin.

In recent years, China has aggressively pursued its territorial claims in the South China Sea, building small shoals and reefs into military bases with airstrips and port facilities.

Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan also have competing claims in the South China Sea, through which international trade worth trillions of dollars passes a year.

Tensions have risen this week in the area near the Paracel Islands -- called Xisha by Beijing -- where the Chinese military has been conducting exercises.

Beijing on Tuesday accused Washington of flying a U-2 spy plane into a no-fly zone to disrupt the drills -- which included the ballistic missile launches. The Pentagon then accused China of destabilising the region and using the military for "unlawful maritime claims" in a statement criticising the exercises and the use of ballistic missiles in the drills.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-missile-tests-further-destabilizes-situation-in-south-china-sea-pentagon-323547">Also read |&nbsp;China's missile tests further destabilises situation in South China Sea: Pentagon</a>

The Chinese military on Friday said the US had "repeatedly provoked trouble in the South China Sea", urging it to "immediately stop such provocative actions".

An American warship sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, the US Navy has said. The US regularly conducts "freedom of navigation operations" in the area to challenge Chinese territorial claims.

An American warship sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, the US Navy has said. The US regularly conducts "freedom of navigation operations" in the area to challenge Chinese territorial claims. The Thursday operation challenges Beijing's claims on the resource-rich waterway and prompting a warning from the Chinese military. This came a day after China fired ballistic missiles into the sea as part of ongoing live-fire exercises, inflaming already high tensions between Washington and Beijing. The US Navy's Pacific Fleet said in a statement that the USS Mustin, a guided-missile destroyer, sailed Thursday "in the vicinity of the Paracel Islands to ensure critical shipping lanes in the area remain free and open". To this end, the Chinese military on Friday accused the US ship of entering "China's territorial waters" near the islands "without authorisation". Chinese forces tracked the warship and then warned it to leave, said military spokesman Li Huamin. In recent years, China has aggressively pursued its territorial claims in the South China Sea, building small shoals and reefs into military bases with airstrips and port facilities. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan also have competing claims in the South China Sea, through which international trade worth trillions of dollars passes a year. Tensions have risen this week in the area near the Paracel Islands -- called Xisha by Beijing -- where the Chinese military has been conducting exercises. Beijing on Tuesday accused Washington of flying a U-2 spy plane into a no-fly zone to disrupt the drills -- which included the ballistic missile launches. The Pentagon then accused China of destabilising the region and using the military for "unlawful maritime claims" in a statement criticising the exercises and the use of ballistic missiles in the drills. Also read | China's missile tests further destabilises situation in South China Sea: Pentagon The Chinese military on Friday said the US had "repeatedly provoked trouble in the South China Sea", urging it to "immediately stop such provocative actions".

US warship sails near disputed islands in South China Sea

Top Chinese and US negotiators spoke on the phone Tuesday and agreed to "push forward" their phase one economic deal amid intense bilateral trade war since years. The proposal seems optimistic as both nations confirms holding a 'Constructive Dialogue'.

US-China trade talks back on track; Agree to push forward phase-1 deal

TikTok is set to mount a legal challenge to US President Donald Trump's executive order prohibiting transactions with the popular short video app and its Chinese parent ByteDance.

TikTok's legal challenge pertains to an executive order, which Trump issued on August 6. The said order directed the Secretary of Commerce to come up with a list of transactions involving ByteDance and its holdings that should be banned after 45 days.

TikTok plans to argue that the August 6 executive order's reliance on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act deprives it of due process. TikTok will also contest its classification by the White House as a national security threat, the sources added.

US officials have expressed concerns that information on users could be passed on to China's communist governmen from TikTok.

The Trump administration has stepped up its efforts to purge what it deems "untrusted" Chinese apps from US digital networks. Beyond TikTok, Trump has also issued an order that would prohibit transactions with Tencent Holding Ltd's WeChat.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-removes-380000-videos-in-us-for-hate-content-322028">Also read |&nbsp;TikTok removes 380,000 videos in US for hate content</a>

Trump has said he would support an effort by Microsoft to buy TikTok's American operations if the US government got a "substantial portion" of the proceeds, but has also said there are other interested potential buyers such as Oracle.

Trump also issued an executive order on August 14 that gave ByteDance 90 days to divest the US operations of TikTok.&nbsp;

To this end, ByteDance has been making progress in talks with potential acquirers, including Microsoft Corp and Oracle. Some of ByteDance's US investors could also join the winning bid.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-claims-to-possess-evidence-against-bytedance-orders-to-divest-interest-in-tiktok-within-90-days-320621">Also read |&nbsp;Trump claims to possess evidence against ByteDance; orders to divest interest in TikTok within 90 days</a>

TikTok is set to mount a legal challenge to US President Donald Trump's executive order prohibiting transactions with the popular short video app and its Chinese parent ByteDance.

TikTok is set to mount a legal challenge to US President Donald Trump's executive order prohibiting transactions with the popular short video app and its Chinese parent ByteDance. TikTok's legal challenge pertains to an executive order, which Trump issued on August 6. The said order directed the Secretary of Commerce to come up with a list of transactions involving ByteDance and its holdings that should be banned after 45 days. TikTok plans to argue that the August 6 executive order's reliance on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act deprives it of due process. TikTok will also contest its classification by the White House as a national security threat, the sources added. US officials have expressed concerns that information on users could be passed on to China's communist governmen from TikTok. The Trump administration has stepped up its efforts to purge what it deems "untrusted" Chinese apps from US digital networks. Beyond TikTok, Trump has also issued an order that would prohibit transactions with Tencent Holding Ltd's WeChat. Also read | TikTok removes 380,000 videos in US for hate content Trump has said he would support an effort by Microsoft to buy TikTok's American operations if the US government got a "substantial portion" of the proceeds, but has also said there are other interested potential buyers such as Oracle. Trump also issued an executive order on August 14 that gave ByteDance 90 days to divest the US operations of TikTok. To this end, ByteDance has been making progress in talks with potential acquirers, including Microsoft Corp and Oracle. Some of ByteDance's US investors could also join the winning bid. Also read | Trump claims to possess evidence against ByteDance; orders to divest interest in TikTok within 90 days

TikTok may challenge US order banning transactions with its Chinese parent ByteDance

China and the United States have agreed to hold trade talks "in the coming days" to evaluate the progress of their Phase 1 trade deal six months after it took effect in February.&nbsp;

The Chinese commerce ministry's Thursday announcement followed Tuesday's remarks by White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows that no new high-level trade talks were scheduled, though both sides were in touch about implementing the Phase 1 deal.

Ministry spokesman Gao Feng made the comments at a weekly briefing held online, but did not elaborate.

The deal, reached on January 15, and seen as a major breakthrough after a two-year long trade dispute between the world's two largest economies, set ambitious targets for China to sharply boost purchases of US farm and manufactured goods.

But ties quickly soured in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic and China's imposition of a new national security law in Hong Kong.

Both sides traded threats and sanctions on individuals and businesses, such as Chinese video platform TikTok.

Official data also suggests China's imports of US farm and manufactured goods, energy and services are well behind the pace needed to meet a first-year target increase of $77 billion over 2017 purchases.

China and the United States have agreed to hold trade talks "in the coming days" to evaluate the progress of their Phase 1 trade deal six months after it took effect in February.

China and the United States have agreed to hold trade talks "in the coming days" to evaluate the progress of their Phase 1 trade deal six months after it took effect in February. The Chinese commerce ministry's Thursday announcement followed Tuesday's remarks by White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows that no new high-level trade talks were scheduled, though both sides were in touch about implementing the Phase 1 deal. Ministry spokesman Gao Feng made the comments at a weekly briefing held online, but did not elaborate. The deal, reached on January 15, and seen as a major breakthrough after a two-year long trade dispute between the world's two largest economies, set ambitious targets for China to sharply boost purchases of US farm and manufactured goods. But ties quickly soured in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic and China's imposition of a new national security law in Hong Kong. Both sides traded threats and sanctions on individuals and businesses, such as Chinese video platform TikTok. Official data also suggests China's imports of US farm and manufactured goods, energy and services are well behind the pace needed to meet a first-year target increase of $77 billion over 2017 purchases.

China, United States to hold trade talks 'in the coming days'

The US crackdown on Confucius Institutes demonises and stigmatises the normal functioning of the programme, China's foreign ministry said on Friday.

The institutes have been observing local laws, and China deplores the move, ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a news briefing.

The United States said on Thursday it was requiring the centre that manages the Chinese government-funded institutes in the US to register as a foreign mission.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a statement, labelled the Confucius Institute US Centre in Washington “an entity advancing Beijing’s global propaganda and malign influence campaign on US campuses and K-12 classrooms.”

Zhao Lijian added the institutes were open and transparent, adding that China reserved the right to take further action.

Pompeo said the goal of the move was to ensure American schools “can make informed choices about whether these CCP (Chinese Communist Party)-backed programs should be allowed to continue, and if so, in what fashion.”

Pompeo said the Trump administration had made it a priority to seek fair and reciprocal treatment from China and Beijing had enjoyed free and open access to US society while denying that same access to Americans and other foreigners in China.

Last year, the US State and Education Departments promised stricter monitoring of the institutes, which have been criticized in Congress and elsewhere as de facto propaganda arms of China’s Communist government.

In June, the State Department announced it would start treating four major Chinese media outlets as foreign embassies, calling them mouthpieces for Beijing.

US-China relations are at their lowest ebb in decades, with President Donald Trump taking a tough line on Beijing ahead of his November 3 re-election bid.

The world’s top two economies are at loggerheads on issues ranging from the handling of the coronavirus pandemic to China’s crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong and what US officials say is rampant espionage activity to steal US business and military secrets.

According to the US non-profit organisation, the National Association of Scholars, there were 75 Confucius Institutes in the United States as of June, including 66 at colleges and universities.

The association contends that the institutes compromise academic freedom, defy Western norms of transparency, and are inappropriate on campuses. China rejects that criticism, calling it politicised and baseless.&nbsp;

The US crackdown on Confucius Institutes demonises and stigmatises the normal functioning of the programme, China's foreign ministry said on Friday. The institutes have been observing local laws, and China deplores the move, ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a news briefing.

The US crackdown on Confucius Institutes demonises and stigmatises the normal functioning of the programme, China's foreign ministry said on Friday. The institutes have been observing local laws, and China deplores the move, ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a news briefing. The United States said on Thursday it was requiring the centre that manages the Chinese government-funded institutes in the US to register as a foreign mission. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a statement, labelled the Confucius Institute US Centre in Washington “an entity advancing Beijing’s global propaganda and malign influence campaign on US campuses and K-12 classrooms.” Zhao Lijian added the institutes were open and transparent, adding that China reserved the right to take further action. Pompeo said the goal of the move was to ensure American schools “can make informed choices about whether these CCP (Chinese Communist Party)-backed programs should be allowed to continue, and if so, in what fashion.” Pompeo said the Trump administration had made it a priority to seek fair and reciprocal treatment from China and Beijing had enjoyed free and open access to US society while denying that same access to Americans and other foreigners in China. Last year, the US State and Education Departments promised stricter monitoring of the institutes, which have been criticized in Congress and elsewhere as de facto propaganda arms of China’s Communist government. In June, the State Department announced it would start treating four major Chinese media outlets as foreign embassies, calling them mouthpieces for Beijing. US-China relations are at their lowest ebb in decades, with President Donald Trump taking a tough line on Beijing ahead of his November 3 re-election bid. The world’s top two economies are at loggerheads on issues ranging from the handling of the coronavirus pandemic to China’s crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong and what US officials say is rampant espionage activity to steal US business and military secrets. According to the US non-profit organisation, the National Association of Scholars, there were 75 Confucius Institutes in the United States as of June, including 66 at colleges and universities. The association contends that the institutes compromise academic freedom, defy Western norms of transparency, and are inappropriate on campuses. China rejects that criticism, calling it politicised and baseless.

US crackdown on Confucius Institutes demonises the programme, says China

US federal agents&nbsp;entered the Chinese consulate compound in Houston on Friday following the order to close the diplomatic facility.

The US officials had alleged the Houston consulate was a hub of a spying network run by the Chinese, and was part of a larger&nbsp;espionage effort using diplomatic facilities around the country.

To this end, a group of men accompanied by a US State Department official were seen forcing open a door at the Chinese consulate in Houston on Friday, shortly after a US government closure order for the mission took effect.

The group included a man who appeared to be a State Department top official. After the men pried open a rear door and went inside, two uniformed members of the US State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security arrived to guard the door.

According to CNN, a series of black SUVs, trucks, two white vans and a locksmith's van entered the property on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;staff at the US consulate in the Chinese city of Chengdu were busy packing belongings and removing the American insignia from the building on Saturday, a day after Beijing ordered its closure in a tit-for-tat diplomatic battle with Washington.

At least ten sacks were removed from the building in the early hours of the morning.

A worker on a small crane removed a circular US insignia from the front of the consulate, leaving just an American flag flying on the now unmarked site.

Other staff were seen moving trolleys around inside, one carrying a large empty metal bin, while some wheeled suitcases.

US officials said the consulate had been implicated in a fraud investigation at a Texas research institution and that Chinese consulate officials "were directly involved in communications with researchers and guided them on what information to collect."

The US had given China roughly 72 hours to "cease all operations and events" at the Houston facility on Tuesday, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which called the move an "unprecedented escalation" amid ongoing tension between the two countries.

RTensions have soared between the two powers on a range of fronts, including&nbsp;an ongoing trade war, the coronavirus pandemic, and US criticism of China's human rights abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

Washington's demand for the Houston consulate to close also triggered a Chinese demand earlier Friday that the US close its consulate in Chengdu.&nbsp;Beijing says closing the Chengdu consulate was a "legitimate and necessary response to the unreasonable measures by the United States", and has alleged that staff at the diplomatic mission endangered China's security and interests.

(with inputs from agencies)

US federal agents entered the Chinese consulate compound in Houston on Friday following the order to close the diplomatic facility. The US officials had alleged the Houston consulate was a hub of a spying network run by the Chinese, and was part of a larger espionage effort using diplomatic facilities around the country.

US federal agents entered the Chinese consulate compound in Houston on Friday following the order to close the diplomatic facility. The US officials had alleged the Houston consulate was a hub of a spying network run by the Chinese, and was part of a larger espionage effort using diplomatic facilities around the country. To this end, a group of men accompanied by a US State Department official were seen forcing open a door at the Chinese consulate in Houston on Friday, shortly after a US government closure order for the mission took effect. The group included a man who appeared to be a State Department top official. After the men pried open a rear door and went inside, two uniformed members of the US State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security arrived to guard the door. According to CNN, a series of black SUVs, trucks, two white vans and a locksmith's van entered the property on Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, staff at the US consulate in the Chinese city of Chengdu were busy packing belongings and removing the American insignia from the building on Saturday, a day after Beijing ordered its closure in a tit-for-tat diplomatic battle with Washington. At least ten sacks were removed from the building in the early hours of the morning. A worker on a small crane removed a circular US insignia from the front of the consulate, leaving just an American flag flying on the now unmarked site. Other staff were seen moving trolleys around inside, one carrying a large empty metal bin, while some wheeled suitcases. US officials said the consulate had been implicated in a fraud investigation at a Texas research institution and that Chinese consulate officials "were directly involved in communications with researchers and guided them on what information to collect." The US had given China roughly 72 hours to "cease all operations and events" at the Houston facility on Tuesday, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which called the move an "unprecedented escalation" amid ongoing tension between the two countries. RTensions have soared between the two powers on a range of fronts, including an ongoing trade war, the coronavirus pandemic, and US criticism of China's human rights abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Washington's demand for the Houston consulate to close also triggered a Chinese demand earlier Friday that the US close its consulate in Chengdu. Beijing says closing the Chengdu consulate was a "legitimate and necessary response to the unreasonable measures by the United States", and has alleged that staff at the diplomatic mission endangered China's security and interests. (with inputs from agencies)

Consulates in Houston, Chengdu being readied for closure as US, China clash

The US has accused four Chinese citizens of visa fraud for lying about membership of China's armed forces.

4 Chinese nationals arrested by US for visa fraud

A small brief on the recent consular spat between US & China. Watch this video to get through this.

A small brief on the recent consular spat between US & China

The US does not rule out the possibility of closing more Chinese diplomatic missions in the country, President Donald Trump has said, hours after Washington ordered the closure of Beijing's consulate in Houston.

The US said it had shut down the consulate to "protect American intellectual property and private information".

The US move came after the Justice Department said that hackers working with the Chinese government targeted firms developing vaccines for the coronavirus and stole hundreds of millions of dollars worth of intellectual property and trade secrets from companies across the world.

The consulate in Houston, Texas, is one of five Chinese diplomatic missions in the US, not counting the embassy in Washington DC.

The US move came amid a growing number of disputes between the two countries ranging from the coronavirus outbreak, the new security law imposed on Hong Kong and the Uighur Muslims.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-state-media-blasts-houston-consulate-shutdown-as-trump-election-gambit-315289">Also read |&nbsp;Chinese state media blasts Houston consulate shutdown as Trump election gambit</a>

"As far as closing additional embassies, it's always possible," Trump told reporters on Wednesday during a daily press briefing at the White House when asked if he is looking at closing more Chinese diplomatic missions in the US.

The US State Department in a brief statement on Wednesday said it has "directed the closure of PRC (People's Republic of China) Consulate General Houston, in order to protect American intellectual property and American's private information".

State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said the US would not tolerate the PRC's violations of its sovereignty and intimidation of its people, just as it has not tolerated the PRC's unfair trade practices, theft of American jobs, and other egregious behaviour. 
She said Trump "insists on fairness and reciprocity in US-China relations."

During the press conference, Trump referred to the news reports of fire in the Chinese Consulate in Houston apparently due to burning of documents in its courtyard.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-houston-consulate-closed-to-protect-american-intellectual-property-us-315168">Also read |&nbsp;China's Houston consulate closed to 'protect American intellectual property': US</a>

The move to shutdown the Chinese consulate in Houston was welcomed by top American lawmakers.

Apart from the Chinese embassy in Washington, Beijing has an office at the United Nations and consulates in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago.

The US does not rule out the possibility of closing more Chinese diplomatic missions in the country, President Donald Trump has said, hours after Washington ordered the closure of Beijing's consulate in Houston.

The US does not rule out the possibility of closing more Chinese diplomatic missions in the country, President Donald Trump has said, hours after Washington ordered the closure of Beijing's consulate in Houston. The US said it had shut down the consulate to "protect American intellectual property and private information". The US move came after the Justice Department said that hackers working with the Chinese government targeted firms developing vaccines for the coronavirus and stole hundreds of millions of dollars worth of intellectual property and trade secrets from companies across the world. The consulate in Houston, Texas, is one of five Chinese diplomatic missions in the US, not counting the embassy in Washington DC. The US move came amid a growing number of disputes between the two countries ranging from the coronavirus outbreak, the new security law imposed on Hong Kong and the Uighur Muslims. Also read | Chinese state media blasts Houston consulate shutdown as Trump election gambit "As far as closing additional embassies, it's always possible," Trump told reporters on Wednesday during a daily press briefing at the White House when asked if he is looking at closing more Chinese diplomatic missions in the US. The US State Department in a brief statement on Wednesday said it has "directed the closure of PRC (People's Republic of China) Consulate General Houston, in order to protect American intellectual property and American's private information". State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said the US would not tolerate the PRC's violations of its sovereignty and intimidation of its people, just as it has not tolerated the PRC's unfair trade practices, theft of American jobs, and other egregious behaviour. She said Trump "insists on fairness and reciprocity in US-China relations." During the press conference, Trump referred to the news reports of fire in the Chinese Consulate in Houston apparently due to burning of documents in its courtyard. Also read | China's Houston consulate closed to 'protect American intellectual property': US The move to shutdown the Chinese consulate in Houston was welcomed by top American lawmakers. Apart from the Chinese embassy in Washington, Beijing has an office at the United Nations and consulates in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago.

Closure of more Chinese embassies 'possible', says Trump as US shuts down consulate in Houston

The US State Department has said the recent closing of China's consulate in Houston was to ordered to protect Americans' intellectual property and private information.

Spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said that under the Vienna Convention states "have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs" of the receiving country.

Earlier in the day, Beijing said the United States had ordered China to close its Houston consulate, terming it a "political provocation" that would further harm diplomatic relations.

The Chinese Consulate in Houston, opened in 1979, covers eight southern US states -- including Texas and Florida -- and has nearly one million people in the area registered at the consulate.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-us-ordered-closure-of-houston-consulate-315137">Also read | China says US ordered closure of Houston consulate</a>

Furthermore, Ortagus said the US would not tolerate Chinese violations of their "sovereignty and intimidation of our people, just as we have not tolerated the PRC's unfair trade practices, theft of American jobs, and other egregious behavior."

"We have directed the closure of PRC Consulate General Houston, in order to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information," she said, without giving any more details.

The move comes as tensions soar between the world's two biggest economies on a number of fronts.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump's administration has ramped up pressure on China on a wide range of issues, imposing sanctions on Chinese officials over policies in Tibet and Xinjiang.

(with inputs from agencies)

The US State Department has said the recent closing of China's consulate in Houston was to ordered to protect Americans' intellectual property and private information.

The US State Department has said the recent closing of China's consulate in Houston was to ordered to protect Americans' intellectual property and private information. Spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said that under the Vienna Convention states "have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs" of the receiving country. Earlier in the day, Beijing said the United States had ordered China to close its Houston consulate, terming it a "political provocation" that would further harm diplomatic relations. The Chinese Consulate in Houston, opened in 1979, covers eight southern US states -- including Texas and Florida -- and has nearly one million people in the area registered at the consulate. Also read | China says US ordered closure of Houston consulate Furthermore, Ortagus said the US would not tolerate Chinese violations of their "sovereignty and intimidation of our people, just as we have not tolerated the PRC's unfair trade practices, theft of American jobs, and other egregious behavior." "We have directed the closure of PRC Consulate General Houston, in order to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information," she said, without giving any more details. The move comes as tensions soar between the world's two biggest economies on a number of fronts. US President Donald Trump's administration has ramped up pressure on China on a wide range of issues, imposing sanctions on Chinese officials over policies in Tibet and Xinjiang. (with inputs from agencies)

China's Houston consulate closed to 'protect American intellectual property': US