China describes Xi Jinping as the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao, but that description is increasingly being contested by the outside world.

He faced a crisis in Hong Kong, millions took to the streets to protest against Beijing's meddling. On the trade front, the Chinese economy took a hit - because of tarrifs imposed by US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

In Taiwan, the people rejected pro-Beijing candidates, a pro-democracy candidate won big. Now, Xi Jinping is staring at another problem, this time - it's a global health emergency that originated in mainland China.

The Chinese President has now ruled China for over eight years, he is tipped to be President for life, he has removed term limits,&nbsp;but it won't be easy.

The anger of the people is growing, they are venting on social media. After the death of Dr Li Wenliang, there was an outpouring of criticism. He was the coronavirus whistleblower who faced police action for speaking about the virus. The people blamed the government for withholding information and downplaying the severity of the outbreak.

Had the government listened to this doctor and acted in time, the outbreak could have been contained.

This crisis led to an admission of guilt. It's unprecedented in the Chinese government to admit they did anything wrong.

But China's most powerful governing body said that there were 'shortcomings and difficulties' in its response to the outbreak.&nbsp;

Xi Jinping knows its a mess which is why he's missing in action. He doesn't want to be the face of this failing response.

Xi Jinping might hide until it's all over, but he will certainly feel the political fallout it matters get out of hand. In fact, he could already be looking at the first casualty.

A report by news agency Reuters says that China might delay the annual meeting of Parliament.&nbsp;

Club this situation with the slowdown in the Chinese economy, and the growing dissent - Xi Jinping's troubles could start to look a lot bigger.

He has spent 8 years trying to develop a highly centralised political system, so much so that he's called the chairman of all things. &nbsp;

The Wuhan virus threatens to bug his carefully designed empire. 
 
 
(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

China describes Xi Jinping as the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao, but that description is increasingly being contested by the outside world. He faced a crisis in Hong Kong, millions took to the streets to protest against Beijing's meddling.

China describes Xi Jinping as the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao, but that description is increasingly being contested by the outside world. He faced a crisis in Hong Kong, millions took to the streets to protest against Beijing's meddling. On the trade front, the Chinese economy took a hit - because of tarrifs imposed by US President Donald Trump. In Taiwan, the people rejected pro-Beijing candidates, a pro-democracy candidate won big. Now, Xi Jinping is staring at another problem, this time - it's a global health emergency that originated in mainland China. The Chinese President has now ruled China for over eight years, he is tipped to be President for life, he has removed term limits, but it won't be easy. The anger of the people is growing, they are venting on social media. After the death of Dr Li Wenliang, there was an outpouring of criticism. He was the coronavirus whistleblower who faced police action for speaking about the virus. The people blamed the government for withholding information and downplaying the severity of the outbreak. Had the government listened to this doctor and acted in time, the outbreak could have been contained. This crisis led to an admission of guilt. It's unprecedented in the Chinese government to admit they did anything wrong. But China's most powerful governing body said that there were 'shortcomings and difficulties' in its response to the outbreak. Xi Jinping knows its a mess which is why he's missing in action. He doesn't want to be the face of this failing response. Xi Jinping might hide until it's all over, but he will certainly feel the political fallout it matters get out of hand. In fact, he could already be looking at the first casualty. A report by news agency Reuters says that China might delay the annual meeting of Parliament. Club this situation with the slowdown in the Chinese economy, and the growing dissent - Xi Jinping's troubles could start to look a lot bigger. He has spent 8 years trying to develop a highly centralised political system, so much so that he's called the chairman of all things. The Wuhan virus threatens to bug his carefully designed empire. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: Wuhan crisis - Xi Jinping missing in action

The international law on biological weapons is quite clear - it says they should not exist. But, despite the progress made by international conventions - the threat is far from over.

It's rare for all countries around the world to agree to something, but the Biological Weapons Convention is perhaps one of the few things that the world can agree on. Signed in 1972, this convention banned the development, production and stockpiling of an entire category of all forms of biological weapons.

More than 180 countries in the world are party to this convention today. Biological warfare is one of the few areas where most countries agreed to not only disallow the use but to destroy their own arsenal as well.

In 1969, the then US President, Richard Nixon, decided to eliminate America's stockpiles of biological weapons, and major powers like the UK and Russia followed suit.

India ratified the biological weapons convention in 1997 when it also declared that it possessed a stockpile of sulfur mustard. Its destruction was completed in 2009. In the 20th century, most countries gave up their biological weapons programmes. &nbsp;

However, the spectre of biological weapons is&nbsp;somehow back to haunt humanity in the 21st century. On papers, no country is openly pursuing biological weapons today. But, some recent breakthroughs in science have heightened tensions. Innovations in gene editing and synthetic biology may give birth to a new age of biological weapons. Scientific breakthroughs are exposing the gaps in the Biological Weapons Convention.

It's possible that some states could be experimenting with biological weapons, even non-state actors have tried to develop them. It is believed that 6 countries, in particular, might have an ongoing bioweapons programme - Iraq, Iran, Libya, China, Russia, and North Korea.&nbsp;

The need of the hour is for a fresh global consensus to strengthen the rules against bioweapons. And India should be a part of this conversation.&nbsp;

Growing border conflicts with Pakistan and China's advanced&nbsp;gene-editing raise&nbsp;the threat levels. Considering the close relationship between Beijing and Islamabad, New Delhi must take note of the growing global concerns over bioweapons.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The international law on biological weapons is quite clear - it says they should not exist. But, despite the progress made by international conventions - the threat is far from over.

The international law on biological weapons is quite clear - it says they should not exist. But, despite the progress made by international conventions - the threat is far from over. It's rare for all countries around the world to agree to something, but the Biological Weapons Convention is perhaps one of the few things that the world can agree on. Signed in 1972, this convention banned the development, production and stockpiling of an entire category of all forms of biological weapons. More than 180 countries in the world are party to this convention today. Biological warfare is one of the few areas where most countries agreed to not only disallow the use but to destroy their own arsenal as well. In 1969, the then US President, Richard Nixon, decided to eliminate America's stockpiles of biological weapons, and major powers like the UK and Russia followed suit. India ratified the biological weapons convention in 1997 when it also declared that it possessed a stockpile of sulfur mustard. Its destruction was completed in 2009. In the 20th century, most countries gave up their biological weapons programmes. However, the spectre of biological weapons is somehow back to haunt humanity in the 21st century. On papers, no country is openly pursuing biological weapons today. But, some recent breakthroughs in science have heightened tensions. Innovations in gene editing and synthetic biology may give birth to a new age of biological weapons. Scientific breakthroughs are exposing the gaps in the Biological Weapons Convention. It's possible that some states could be experimenting with biological weapons, even non-state actors have tried to develop them. It is believed that 6 countries, in particular, might have an ongoing bioweapons programme - Iraq, Iran, Libya, China, Russia, and North Korea. The need of the hour is for a fresh global consensus to strengthen the rules against bioweapons. And India should be a part of this conversation. Growing border conflicts with Pakistan and China's advanced gene-editing raise the threat levels. Considering the close relationship between Beijing and Islamabad, New Delhi must take note of the growing global concerns over bioweapons.

Explained: Why the threat of biological warfare still looms large

While the world is focusing on how China plans to contain the Wuhan Virus outbreak - it is worth considering what would happen if the epidemic continues to spread. Is the world prepared to handle a major global outbreak?

Gravitas: Wuhan Virus: The global picture of the outbreak

Air India special flight departing from Delhi on Friday will evacuate around 400 Indians trapped in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-fears-grip-chinas-borders-families-of-uk-citizens-barred-from-departing-as-they-hold-chinese-passports-277484">coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan</a>, the national carrier's Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani said.

Lohani said that the Boeing 747 Jumbo aircraft will take off at 12 pm from Delhi today and will return by 2 am on Saturday. "We are sending a Boeing 747 Jumbo aircraft. Around 400 Indians will be evacuated today from Wuhan in China by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-disinvestment-begins-modi-govt-invites-bids-for-100-stake-sale-276796">Air India</a> flight. It will take off at 12 pm today and will return by 2 am tomorrow," he added.

<img alt="CMD Ashwani Lohani" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="40457b0e-386f-4ade-b624-2a28836753a4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2824%29_4.jpg" /> 
[ Ashwani Lohani, Chairman, Managing Director, Air India (Courtesy: ANI) ]

The flight will include all <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-has-to-be-privatised-no-other-option-hardeep-puri-271260">necessary </a>resources like masks, medical equipment, packed food, prescribed medicines, along with a team of five doctors from the Health Ministry, and paramedical personnel from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/government-puts-100-of-air-india-on-sale-277092">Air India</a>. Twenty crew members, including 15 cabin crew and five cockpit crew will be on board. Lohani said that the team of doctors and crew will be led by Air India's Director of Operations Captain Amitabh Singh.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/coronavirus-outbreak-indigo-air-india-suspend-most-china-bound-flights-no-case-in-india-yet-277405">Coronavirus outbreak: IndiGo, Air India suspend most China-bound flights; no case in India yet</a>

Lohani said that further arrangements for the passengers upon their return to India will be done by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Health Ministry. China has imposed a lockdown in Wuhan following the outbreak of the virus.

Coronavirus has claimed the lives of as many as 213 people in China alone, while cases have been reported in several countries across the world. Health authorities around the world are taking action to prevent a global pandemic as the virus continues to spread, with cases reported in Australia, France, the US, and several Asian countries besides China

Air India special flight departing from Delhi on Friday will evacuate around 400 Indians trapped in the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan, the national carrier's Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani said.

Air India special flight departing from Delhi on Friday will evacuate around 400 Indians trapped in the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan, the national carrier's Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani said. Lohani said that the Boeing 747 Jumbo aircraft will take off at 12 pm from Delhi today and will return by 2 am on Saturday. "We are sending a Boeing 747 Jumbo aircraft. Around 400 Indians will be evacuated today from Wuhan in China by Air India flight. It will take off at 12 pm today and will return by 2 am tomorrow," he added. [ Ashwani Lohani, Chairman, Managing Director, Air India (Courtesy: ANI) ] The flight will include all necessary resources like masks, medical equipment, packed food, prescribed medicines, along with a team of five doctors from the Health Ministry, and paramedical personnel from Air India. Twenty crew members, including 15 cabin crew and five cockpit crew will be on board. Lohani said that the team of doctors and crew will be led by Air India's Director of Operations Captain Amitabh Singh. Also Read: Coronavirus outbreak: IndiGo, Air India suspend most China-bound flights; no case in India yet Lohani said that further arrangements for the passengers upon their return to India will be done by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Health Ministry. China has imposed a lockdown in Wuhan following the outbreak of the virus. Coronavirus has claimed the lives of as many as 213 people in China alone, while cases have been reported in several countries across the world. Health authorities around the world are taking action to prevent a global pandemic as the virus continues to spread, with cases reported in Australia, France, the US, and several Asian countries besides China

Air India CMD says around 400 Indians to be evacuated from Wuhan