In a thinly-veiled attack on the US, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China is not afraid of war. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted at a possible Russia-China military alliance in the future. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Xi Jinping says China is not afraid of war

Chinese President Xi Jinping honoured the "heroes" of China's "people's war" against COVID-19 at a ceremony on Tuesday (September 8), lauding the country's resilience as well as the decisive role played in containment efforts by the ruling Communist Party.

Chinese President Xi Jinping honours COVID-19 'heroes'

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China's military is provoking its neighbours and is trying to grab territory. Xi Jinping wants to tighten control on Tibet.

But, he is ignoring the troubles that stare him in the face.

Chinese banks are bleeding and oil companies are on a slippery slope and China may be running out of food.

China's five largest banks have reported their biggest profit declines in at least a decade. All of them down by at least 10 per cent.

These five banks are:

<ol>
	<li>Industrial and Commercial Bank of China</li>
	<li>China Construction Bank</li>
	<li>Agricultural Bank of China</li>
	<li>Bank of China</li>
	<li>Bank of Communications</li>
</ol>

They all reported their results last week. All of them have lost billions of dollars in profits. The reason is quite simple. The government is plundering them.

The Chinese State has control over large banks. They all have been pressed into "national service".

These banks are being used by China to pump money into the economy...

To soften the blow --- dealt by the Wuhan virus.

Reportedly, Beijing has asked financial institutions to sacrifice 219 billion dollars. The banks will lose this money. They have been asked to lower lending rates and defer payments on loans.

This is how China plans to save its economy.

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China's banks have to deal with almost 480 billion dollars worth of non-performing loans this year. This number --- comes from China's top banking regulator.

The China Banking and insurance regulatory commission. So profits have declined and the problem of bad loans --- is becoming too big to overcome.

China's biggest oil companies are losing money too. Sinopec is Asia's biggest refiner. It has reported a loss of 3.2 billion dollars. This is Sinopec's worst-ever loss over a half year period.

Petrochina is China's biggest oil producer. It has posted an even bigger loss of 29.98 billion yuan. That is a little more than four billion dollars.

Problem number three and this affects the people directly. China is running out of food. Xi Jinping tried to make a virtue out of necessity.&nbsp;

He launched a clean your plate campaign. Tried to spin the shortage as a campaign to fight food wastage. He told people to consume less.

According to the campaign, a group of four in the restaurant should order only for 3 people. Nobody bought the special.&nbsp;

That campaign has reportedly led to panic. The fears of a potential food crisis --- are now looking real.

According to a report, many farmers in China are hoarding crops. They believe that there will be a shortage of supply in this season.

Prices will rise so it is better to hold on to the crops.

This comes after a senior agriculture ministry official issued a statement last week. He said that consumers should not be "overly anxious" or even resort to "panic buying". It seems like the assurances are not working.

Xi finds himself in quite a soup.&nbsp;

China's military is provoking its neighbours and is trying to grab territory. Xi Jinping wants to tighten control on Tibet. But, he is ignoring the troubles that stare him in the face.

China's military is provoking its neighbours and is trying to grab territory. Xi Jinping wants to tighten control on Tibet. But, he is ignoring the troubles that stare him in the face. Chinese banks are bleeding and oil companies are on a slippery slope and China may be running out of food. China's five largest banks have reported their biggest profit declines in at least a decade. All of them down by at least 10 per cent. These five banks are: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China China Construction Bank Agricultural Bank of China Bank of China Bank of Communications They all reported their results last week. All of them have lost billions of dollars in profits. The reason is quite simple. The government is plundering them. The Chinese State has control over large banks. They all have been pressed into "national service". These banks are being used by China to pump money into the economy... To soften the blow --- dealt by the Wuhan virus. Reportedly, Beijing has asked financial institutions to sacrifice 219 billion dollars. The banks will lose this money. They have been asked to lower lending rates and defer payments on loans. This is how China plans to save its economy. × China's banks have to deal with almost 480 billion dollars worth of non-performing loans this year. This number --- comes from China's top banking regulator. The China Banking and insurance regulatory commission. So profits have declined and the problem of bad loans --- is becoming too big to overcome. China's biggest oil companies are losing money too. Sinopec is Asia's biggest refiner. It has reported a loss of 3.2 billion dollars. This is Sinopec's worst-ever loss over a half year period. Petrochina is China's biggest oil producer. It has posted an even bigger loss of 29.98 billion yuan. That is a little more than four billion dollars. Problem number three and this affects the people directly. China is running out of food. Xi Jinping tried to make a virtue out of necessity. He launched a clean your plate campaign. Tried to spin the shortage as a campaign to fight food wastage. He told people to consume less. According to the campaign, a group of four in the restaurant should order only for 3 people. Nobody bought the special. That campaign has reportedly led to panic. The fears of a potential food crisis --- are now looking real. According to a report, many farmers in China are hoarding crops. They believe that there will be a shortage of supply in this season. Prices will rise so it is better to hold on to the crops. This comes after a senior agriculture ministry official issued a statement last week. He said that consumers should not be "overly anxious" or even resort to "panic buying". It seems like the assurances are not working. Xi finds himself in quite a soup.

Banks, loans, food: Xi's China faces crisis at home

There is proposed legislation in the United States and it aims to drop the title of "President" for China's Xi Jinping in all official US documents. Watch report.

Redesignating Xi Jinping: US bill to designate Xi as a party chief

China under President Xi Jinping has become more aggressive and bullish, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Tuesday, asserting that such a behavior is unlikely to last long.

Indian-American Nikki Haley, in an interview to Fox News, said the Chinese were quiet and strategic during her tenure at the UN. They moved and made sure that they were trying to get positions in certain areas, and trying to get things done behind closed doors, she said.

"Then once President Xi kind of named himself king, they got very aggressive. They got very bullish. They started to kind of point their fingers in countries'' faces saying, you''d better vote with us. They started to be very aggressive at the UN in wanting positions and wanting to have leadership roles. And they started talking down to everyone," Ms Haley alleged.

With their Belt and Road initiative, the Chinese started really trying to buy up these infrastructures or partnering with smaller countries on infrastructure projects, she said.

"But yet they go in, they wouldn't assimilate with the countries. The countries didn''t like their attitude when they were coming in. Now we look at it, it's getting more aggressive in tone," said Haley, who resigned as UN ambassador in 2018 after nearly two years in the post.

"But this can't last. You know, any country that is not letting its people be free, there will be a time when the people rebel. So right now they''re continuing to push, they''re continuing to put pressure on Hong Kong, as we''ve seen. We''re starting to see the pressure go to Taiwan, the South China Sea, in India. All of this is them playing kind of a king of the mountain scenario," Haley said.

She said the US needs to "let them know we''re on to them, we need to actually follow through on the intellectual property measures that were in that trade deal that we had and hold them accountable."

"We need to make sure we continue to let them know we''re building up our military so that they know not to mess with us. We need to make sure that our American companies understand that when you do business in China, you are required to work with the Chinese military. That is a national security threat to America. And we really need to have those conversations with those Americans," Ms Haley said in response to a question.

Supporting President Donald Trump's decision to close the Chinese consulate in Houston, Ms Haley alleged that these consulates have been "spy centres" for a long time.

"I mean there's no question that they had some illegal activity going on in those consulates. So I was thrilled to see them close down the one in Houston, which was known to be kind of the epicentre of where all of this was going on. And I think, you know, when you have Chinese officials being hidden at consulates, it goes to show you''re doing something wrong," she said.

China under President Xi Jinping has become more aggressive and bullish, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Tuesday, asserting that such a behavior is unlikely to last long.

China under President Xi Jinping has become more aggressive and bullish, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Tuesday, asserting that such a behavior is unlikely to last long. Indian-American Nikki Haley, in an interview to Fox News, said the Chinese were quiet and strategic during her tenure at the UN. They moved and made sure that they were trying to get positions in certain areas, and trying to get things done behind closed doors, she said. "Then once President Xi kind of named himself king, they got very aggressive. They got very bullish. They started to kind of point their fingers in countries'' faces saying, you''d better vote with us. They started to be very aggressive at the UN in wanting positions and wanting to have leadership roles. And they started talking down to everyone," Ms Haley alleged. With their Belt and Road initiative, the Chinese started really trying to buy up these infrastructures or partnering with smaller countries on infrastructure projects, she said. "But yet they go in, they wouldn't assimilate with the countries. The countries didn''t like their attitude when they were coming in. Now we look at it, it's getting more aggressive in tone," said Haley, who resigned as UN ambassador in 2018 after nearly two years in the post. "But this can't last. You know, any country that is not letting its people be free, there will be a time when the people rebel. So right now they''re continuing to push, they''re continuing to put pressure on Hong Kong, as we''ve seen. We''re starting to see the pressure go to Taiwan, the South China Sea, in India. All of this is them playing kind of a king of the mountain scenario," Haley said. She said the US needs to "let them know we''re on to them, we need to actually follow through on the intellectual property measures that were in that trade deal that we had and hold them accountable." "We need to make sure we continue to let them know we''re building up our military so that they know not to mess with us. We need to make sure that our American companies understand that when you do business in China, you are required to work with the Chinese military. That is a national security threat to America. And we really need to have those conversations with those Americans," Ms Haley said in response to a question. Supporting President Donald Trump's decision to close the Chinese consulate in Houston, Ms Haley alleged that these consulates have been "spy centres" for a long time. "I mean there's no question that they had some illegal activity going on in those consulates. So I was thrilled to see them close down the one in Houston, which was known to be kind of the epicentre of where all of this was going on. And I think, you know, when you have Chinese officials being hidden at consulates, it goes to show you''re doing something wrong," she said.

'China under Xi has become bullish,' says ex-US envoy Nikki Haley: Report

An influential former Chinese property executive and critic of President Xi Jinping has been ousted from China`s ruling Communist Party, a notice from the Beijing district government showed Thursday.

Ren Zhiqiang, the former chairman of state-controlled property developer Huayuan Real Estate Group, had called Xi a "clown" over a speech he made in February about government efforts to battle the coronavirus.

Ren went missing in March, three of his friends told Reuters at the time. Beijing`s municipal anti-corruption watchdog later said he was under investigation for a "serious disciplinary violation".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-a-fresh-wave-of-crackdown-in-china-wuhan-coronavirus-291423">Also watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: A fresh wave of crackdown in China</a>

In a notice on Thursday night, the watchdog said Ren had been ousted from the Chinese Communist Party because he was in "severe violation of discipline and law".

It accused Ren of "losing faith", "not being aligned with the party on important matters of principle", "vilifying the image of party and country" and being disloyal and dishonest to the party.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-us-has-deployed-its-2-billion-worth-b-2-spirit-bombers-in-south-china-sea-315392">Have a look:&nbsp;Why US has deployed its $2 billion worth B-2 Spirit bombers in South China Sea</a>

According to the notice, Ren also used official funds on golf expenses, used office and residential spaces provided for free by businessmen, and unlawfully earned huge profits.

Ren's "unlawful gains" have been confiscated and he will be charged in court, the notice said.

The notice made no mention of the article in which Ren also said a lack of free press and speech had prevented the coronavirus outbreak from being tackled sooner, causing the situation to worsen.

Ren, who gained the nickname “Cannon Ren” for previous critiques posted on social media, was put on probation from the party for a year in 2016 as part of a punishment for publicly criticizing government policy.

An influential former Chinese property executive and critic of President Xi Jinping has been ousted from China`s ruling Communist Party, a notice from the Beijing district government showed Thursday.

An influential former Chinese property executive and critic of President Xi Jinping has been ousted from China`s ruling Communist Party, a notice from the Beijing district government showed Thursday. Ren Zhiqiang, the former chairman of state-controlled property developer Huayuan Real Estate Group, had called Xi a "clown" over a speech he made in February about government efforts to battle the coronavirus. Ren went missing in March, three of his friends told Reuters at the time. Beijing`s municipal anti-corruption watchdog later said he was under investigation for a "serious disciplinary violation". Also watch: Gravitas: A fresh wave of crackdown in China In a notice on Thursday night, the watchdog said Ren had been ousted from the Chinese Communist Party because he was in "severe violation of discipline and law". It accused Ren of "losing faith", "not being aligned with the party on important matters of principle", "vilifying the image of party and country" and being disloyal and dishonest to the party. Have a look: Why US has deployed its $2 billion worth B-2 Spirit bombers in South China Sea According to the notice, Ren also used official funds on golf expenses, used office and residential spaces provided for free by businessmen, and unlawfully earned huge profits. Ren's "unlawful gains" have been confiscated and he will be charged in court, the notice said. The notice made no mention of the article in which Ren also said a lack of free press and speech had prevented the coronavirus outbreak from being tackled sooner, causing the situation to worsen. Ren, who gained the nickname “Cannon Ren” for previous critiques posted on social media, was put on probation from the party for a year in 2016 as part of a punishment for publicly criticizing government policy.

Former Chinese property executive who criticised Xi over virus ousted from ruling party

Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a personal audio message to the Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh. Watch this video to know more.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sends audio message to Mongolian PM

Berlin-based singer Liu Keqing has been blocked from Chinese social media sites. His name has been censored on the Chinese internet. Just because - he looks like Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Gravitas: Xi Jinping look-alike censored in China

For Chinese leader Xi Jinping it is a high-stakes power play. His move to impose tough national security laws on Hong Kong risks reigniting pro-democracy protests that plunged the city into chaos last year, increasing tensions in an already fraught relationship with the United States and undermining Hong Kong`s status as a global financial hub.

In the aftermath of the protests, Beijing appears determined to stamp out any renewed rebellion against the Communist Party's authority over the former British colony. China`s largely rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress, is preparing to circumvent the city`s lawmaking body, the Legislative Council, in drafting the new laws. The fear among many in Hong Kong is that China intends to criminalize existing freedoms, including criticism of the central government and its policies. It is the latest and biggest step in a concerted effort by Beijing to assert control over Hong Kong and its 7.4 million people.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-planned-security-agencies-for-hong-kong-a-death-knell-for-autonomy-pompeo-300521">Also read:&nbsp;China's planned security agencies for Hong Kong a 'death knell' for autonomy: Pompeo</a>

In recent weeks there had been widespread speculation here that Beijing was planning this move, described by some local commentators as the "nuclear option." Thursday's announcement by China nonetheless stunned pro-democracy lawmakers, business leaders and lawyers in the city. It was, they said, a historic turning point - the end of "one country, two systems," the formula Beijing had promised would allow Hong Kong to retain its way of life and freedom for at least 50 years after the 1997 handover to Chinese rule.

"This represents a real demolition of the one country, two systems idea and also the idea of Hong Kong's autonomy," said barrister Wilson Leung, a member of the Progressive Lawyers Group. Leung said extremely harsh sentences had been imposed on dissidents, journalists and lawyers on the mainland under vaguely expressed but draconian laws. "These same vague concepts are now being introduced to Hong Kong," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-has-betrayed-the-people-of-hong-kong-former-hk-governor-300579">Also read:&nbsp;China has betrayed the people of Hong Kong: Former HK Governor</a>

Many details of the new laws and exactly how they will be absorbed into Hong Kong`s existing statutes remain unclear. But Beijing has openly expressed its intentions in recent months. It wants to end the cycle of mass protests that have thwarted successive post-colonial administrations each time they have moved to more closely align the city with China's political and legal system.

The current Beijing-backed leader of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, was forced to drop proposed laws last year that would have allowed extraditions for trial in mainland Chinese courts after demonstrations convulsed the city. Alarmingly for Beijing, many young protesters began making calls to "free Hong Kong" and became increasingly violent as police battled to restore order.

The new laws will be annexed into Hong Kong`s mini-constitution, known as the Basic Law, outlawing secession, subversion and terrorism - and providing for the stationing of mainland national security agencies in the city, according to a draft seen by Reuters that spells out what the legislation will cover. That intention is raising fears in Hong Kong that Chinese intelligence agents and police will not only be based in the city, but have formal enforcement power for the first time.

The draft also states that Hong Kong`s "judicial organs" along with its government and legislature "must effectively prevent, stop and punish acts endangering national security."

Senior judges in the city told Reuters last month that the independence of Hong Kong`s judicial system is under assault from the Communist Party leadership, posing a grave threat to the rule of law.

The proposal for new legislation is expected to be passed on May 28 by the National People's Congress, though it remains unclear how and when exactly Hong Kong will bring it into effect.

Legal scholars are unsure whether the Basic Law`s extensive human rights protections will apply to the new imposed legislation. The Basic Law currently prevents mainland security institutions from routinely taking enforcement action inside the city.

Shiu Sin-por, a former top aide to Lam`s predecessor as city leader, told Reuters that the deployment into Hong Kong of the Ministry of State Security – China`s leading intelligence agency – could happen "right away."

"For Beijing to announce this, they most probably already have something in mind," Shiu said. "This is not difficult to set up, so this can happen anytime."

Enough is enough 
Chinese officials say the decision to pass the legislation via the National People's Congress is because they know it won't be passed by the Legislative Council in Hong Kong. "Hong Kong still has not completed legislation on national security since its return to China," said a person with direct knowledge of Beijing`s thinking. "After the endless protests, it's time for Beijing to say enough is enough."

The mainland authorities did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters.

Lam said in a statement on Friday that she "deeply" believed the new law "will seek to practically and effectively prevent and curb acts and activities that seriously undermine national security, as well as sanction those who undermine national security by advocating `Hong Kong independence` and resorting to violence."

The immediate risk for Beijing is that the move will spark a fresh, more violent round of demonstrations. Protest groups and pro-democracy lawmakers are furious and have vowed to take to the streets to protest what they describe as "evil laws."

"Beijing is attempting to silence Hong Kongers` critical voices with force and fear," pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong said on Twitter. "Deep down protesters know, we insist not because we are strong, but because we have no other choice."

It is a decisive but potentially fraught move for the Chinese leadership at a time when Beijing faces the most intense international and domestic pressure it has experienced in decades.

The COVID-19 pandemic that began late last year in the Chinese city of Wuhan is battering the global economy. The death toll now exceeds 330,000 worldwide. China`s inability to initially contain the virus - and evidence that it suppressed information about the outbreak - has damaged its international standing. A report presented early last month by the Ministry of State Security to Xi and other Chinese leaders contained a stark warning, Reuters reported: Global anti-China sentiment was at its highest since the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.

Compounding Beijing`s discomfort, Taiwan's government under President Tsai Ing-wen is basking in international acclaim for its success in containing the infection and avoiding serious economic harm. So far, Taiwan has had 441 confirmed cases of coronavirus and just seven deaths. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to assert that sovereignty.

As the pandemic spreads, Beijing has unleashed what Chinese commentators dub "wolf-warrior" diplomats - envoys who are lashing out against perceived slights or criticism with mockery and threats of trade retaliation.

China may be misreading the international mood. After Australia last month called for an independent inquiry into the origins and spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, China's ambassador said Chinese consumers could boycott Australian beef, wine and tourism. Beijing ultimately agreed to back a probe when it became clear at this month's meeting of the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization, that there was overwhelming global support for an inquiry.

'Ready to fight tonight' 
Military and economic tension with the U.S. is also on the rise. The Trump administration is sending loud signals that it will resist any Chinese move to expand its footprint in the South China Sea or seek territorial gains while the world is distracted with the public health crisis. Earlier this month, the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet took the unusual step of announcing that all its forward deployed attack submarines were at sea on patrol in the Western Pacific. The location of U.S. submarines is normally secret - unless the Pentagon wants to send a warning that it is prepared to counter a threat.

"The Pacific Fleet submarine force remains lethal, agile and ready to fight tonight," U.S. Pacific Fleet submarine commander Rear Admiral Blake Converse said in a statement.

In the South China Sea and East China Sea, U.S. warships and long-range bombers have been mounting an ongoing series of patrols and exercises off the Chinese coast.

On Hong Kong, the United States is warning that Washington could retaliate economically if the city`s freedoms are threatened. At stake is Hong Kong`s special status in its ties with the United States, which provides for a broad range of trade, economic, political, social and law enforcement cooperation. Hong Kong, for example, is treated separately from the mainland by the United States in terms of customs and immigration.

On Thursday, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a bill to impose sanctions on Chinese officials or entities who violate freedoms China pledged to preserve in Hong Kong. The bill also would place sanctions on any bank that does significant business with those officials and entities.

Chinese officials bristle at U.S. attempts to dictate to Beijing how it should handle Hong Kong, which is a Chinese city. In particular, some point to the State Department saying it would delay the release of a report on whether Hong Kong is autonomous enough to continue receiving special treatment from the world`s biggest economy.

"Beijing doesn`t bow to threats like this," said the person with direct knowledge of Beijing`s thinking. "To Beijing, Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong."

Damage to Hong Kong`s role as a financial center could compound the challenge facing Beijing in rejuvenating the Chinese economy. Business activity had been slowing even before the pandemic; Covid-19 has hammered it. Official figures recorded a 6.8% contraction in economic output in the first quarter. One measure of the country's woes: The authorities announced this week that because of the uncertainty created by the pandemic, they won`t be setting an annual growth target, a stark turnaround for a country whose statistics have shown unbroken expansion for decades in virtual lockstep with government forecasts. 
Hong Kong is a vital cog in China's economy.

While China still has extensive capital controls and often intervenes in its financial markets and banking system, Hong Kong is one of the most open economies in the world and one of the biggest markets for equity and debt financing. China uses Hong Kong`s currency, equity and debt markets to attract foreign funds, while international companies use Hong Kong as a launchpad to expand into mainland China. The bulk of foreign direct investment in China continues to be channeled through the city. And many of China's biggest firms have listed in Hong Kong, often as a springboard to global expansion.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong said in a statement that the move by China "may jeopardize future prospects for international business," including the ability to "recruit and retain top tier talent" in the city. "No one wins if the foundation for Hong Kong`s role as a prime international business and financial center is eroded," said Robert Grieves, chairman of the business group.

More direct role

The core of the problem for Xi and other top leaders is that the Communist Party and the authoritarian political system it enforces on the mainland remain deeply unpopular in free-wheeling Hong Kong. With the 23rd anniversary of the handover approaching, top Chinese leaders are rarely seen in the city. When they do appear, usually at carefully staged events, they are enveloped by security cordons designed to ensure they never face the kind of rowdy protests or public criticism that Hong Kong leaders routinely endure.

In some respects, the mainland leadership appears to be more remote from the city's people than top British officials in the final years of colonial rule. Hong Kong`s last colonial governor, Chris Patten, remains a popular figure here and a regular commentator on local political affairs.

"I think there has been a significant change in China, in Beijing, since Xi Jinping became president or dictator for life, complete with a personality cult which is extraordinary," Patten told members of the city's Foreign Correspondents` Club in an online presentation earlier this week. "I think the sad point is that Xi Jinping and his court have regarded Hong Kong and Hong Kong's freedoms as an existential problem for them because Hong Kong represents so much of what they don't like."

Mainland authorities and their proxies have worked tirelessly to win support from local people since the handover, but these efforts appear to be ineffective. Pro-democracy groups scored a dramatic victory at local elections held after the climax of last year`s protests, in what was widely seen as a referendum on the performance of the Lam administration. A poll conducted for Reuters in March found that support for the demands of pro-democracy protesters had grown even though the demonstrations had paused as a result of the pandemic.

Veteran political activists in the city anticipate that pro-democracy candidates will repeat their success in a Legislative Council poll scheduled for September.

Resistance in the Legislative Council and mass protests killed off Beijing’s first attempt in 2003 to introduce national security legislation. Last year’s proposed extradition laws met a similar fate. Imposing such laws via the National People’s Congress means Beijing won’t have to risk another such setback at the hands of elected lawmakers and their supporters on the streets.

“Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy, but Hong Kong definitely is not independent from China,” Leung Chun-ying, a former leader of the city and now an adviser to China’s government, told Reuters. “Hong Kong is part of China, and therefore, Hong Kong has an obligation to protect the national security of China.”

Even as the pandemic and social distancing regulations restricted protests in Hong Kong in the early months of this year, there were signs Beijing was preparing to play a much more direct role in running the city. Key moves included the appointment of two top officials, both with reputations for toughness and both with close ties to President Xi, to oversee Hong Kong.

Luo Huining, who Xi had earlier deployed as party secretary to take down a corruption network in Shanxi province, was appointed to run Beijing’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong. Another former provincial party secretary, Xia Baolong, took over the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing, the top government body responsible for handling the city. Xia was Xi’s deputy when the Chinese leader was Party Secretary in Zhejiang province between 2002 and 2007.

After the two leaders took up their new posts, the Liaison Office sparked a controversy when it said in a statement last month that it had the power, along with the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, to “handle Hong Kong affairs.” Pro-democracy supporters in the city condemned the move as a clear threat to Hong Kong’s autonomy.

The Liaison Office and Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office did not immediately respond to questions.

In a speech on April 15, Luo also signaled that new national security laws were in the pipeline. “For the nearly 23 years since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, the system for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong has had shortcomings and could be fatal at critical moments,” Luo said. New laws were needed “without delay,” he added.

On Thursday, five weeks after Luo spoke, Beijing made its dramatic announcement: Chinese-style national security is coming to China’s freest city.

For Chinese leader Xi Jinping it is a high-stakes power play. His move to impose tough national security laws on Hong Kong risks reigniting pro-democracy protests that plunged the city into chaos last year, increasing tensions in an already fraught relationship with the United States and undermining Hong Kong`s status as a global financial hub.

For Chinese leader Xi Jinping it is a high-stakes power play. His move to impose tough national security laws on Hong Kong risks reigniting pro-democracy protests that plunged the city into chaos last year, increasing tensions in an already fraught relationship with the United States and undermining Hong Kong`s status as a global financial hub. In the aftermath of the protests, Beijing appears determined to stamp out any renewed rebellion against the Communist Party's authority over the former British colony. China`s largely rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress, is preparing to circumvent the city`s lawmaking body, the Legislative Council, in drafting the new laws. The fear among many in Hong Kong is that China intends to criminalize existing freedoms, including criticism of the central government and its policies. It is the latest and biggest step in a concerted effort by Beijing to assert control over Hong Kong and its 7.4 million people. Also read: China's planned security agencies for Hong Kong a 'death knell' for autonomy: Pompeo In recent weeks there had been widespread speculation here that Beijing was planning this move, described by some local commentators as the "nuclear option." Thursday's announcement by China nonetheless stunned pro-democracy lawmakers, business leaders and lawyers in the city. It was, they said, a historic turning point - the end of "one country, two systems," the formula Beijing had promised would allow Hong Kong to retain its way of life and freedom for at least 50 years after the 1997 handover to Chinese rule. "This represents a real demolition of the one country, two systems idea and also the idea of Hong Kong's autonomy," said barrister Wilson Leung, a member of the Progressive Lawyers Group. Leung said extremely harsh sentences had been imposed on dissidents, journalists and lawyers on the mainland under vaguely expressed but draconian laws. "These same vague concepts are now being introduced to Hong Kong," he said. Also read: China has betrayed the people of Hong Kong: Former HK Governor Many details of the new laws and exactly how they will be absorbed into Hong Kong`s existing statutes remain unclear. But Beijing has openly expressed its intentions in recent months. It wants to end the cycle of mass protests that have thwarted successive post-colonial administrations each time they have moved to more closely align the city with China's political and legal system. The current Beijing-backed leader of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, was forced to drop proposed laws last year that would have allowed extraditions for trial in mainland Chinese courts after demonstrations convulsed the city. Alarmingly for Beijing, many young protesters began making calls to "free Hong Kong" and became increasingly violent as police battled to restore order. The new laws will be annexed into Hong Kong`s mini-constitution, known as the Basic Law, outlawing secession, subversion and terrorism - and providing for the stationing of mainland national security agencies in the city, according to a draft seen by Reuters that spells out what the legislation will cover. That intention is raising fears in Hong Kong that Chinese intelligence agents and police will not only be based in the city, but have formal enforcement power for the first time. The draft also states that Hong Kong`s "judicial organs" along with its government and legislature "must effectively prevent, stop and punish acts endangering national security." Senior judges in the city told Reuters last month that the independence of Hong Kong`s judicial system is under assault from the Communist Party leadership, posing a grave threat to the rule of law. The proposal for new legislation is expected to be passed on May 28 by the National People's Congress, though it remains unclear how and when exactly Hong Kong will bring it into effect. Legal scholars are unsure whether the Basic Law`s extensive human rights protections will apply to the new imposed legislation. The Basic Law currently prevents mainland security institutions from routinely taking enforcement action inside the city. Shiu Sin-por, a former top aide to Lam`s predecessor as city leader, told Reuters that the deployment into Hong Kong of the Ministry of State Security – China`s leading intelligence agency – could happen "right away." "For Beijing to announce this, they most probably already have something in mind," Shiu said. "This is not difficult to set up, so this can happen anytime." Enough is enough Chinese officials say the decision to pass the legislation via the National People's Congress is because they know it won't be passed by the Legislative Council in Hong Kong. "Hong Kong still has not completed legislation on national security since its return to China," said a person with direct knowledge of Beijing`s thinking. "After the endless protests, it's time for Beijing to say enough is enough." The mainland authorities did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters. Lam said in a statement on Friday that she "deeply" believed the new law "will seek to practically and effectively prevent and curb acts and activities that seriously undermine national security, as well as sanction those who undermine national security by advocating `Hong Kong independence` and resorting to violence." The immediate risk for Beijing is that the move will spark a fresh, more violent round of demonstrations. Protest groups and pro-democracy lawmakers are furious and have vowed to take to the streets to protest what they describe as "evil laws." "Beijing is attempting to silence Hong Kongers` critical voices with force and fear," pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong said on Twitter. "Deep down protesters know, we insist not because we are strong, but because we have no other choice." It is a decisive but potentially fraught move for the Chinese leadership at a time when Beijing faces the most intense international and domestic pressure it has experienced in decades. The COVID-19 pandemic that began late last year in the Chinese city of Wuhan is battering the global economy. The death toll now exceeds 330,000 worldwide. China`s inability to initially contain the virus - and evidence that it suppressed information about the outbreak - has damaged its international standing. A report presented early last month by the Ministry of State Security to Xi and other Chinese leaders contained a stark warning, Reuters reported: Global anti-China sentiment was at its highest since the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Compounding Beijing`s discomfort, Taiwan's government under President Tsai Ing-wen is basking in international acclaim for its success in containing the infection and avoiding serious economic harm. So far, Taiwan has had 441 confirmed cases of coronavirus and just seven deaths. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to assert that sovereignty. As the pandemic spreads, Beijing has unleashed what Chinese commentators dub "wolf-warrior" diplomats - envoys who are lashing out against perceived slights or criticism with mockery and threats of trade retaliation. China may be misreading the international mood. After Australia last month called for an independent inquiry into the origins and spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, China's ambassador said Chinese consumers could boycott Australian beef, wine and tourism. Beijing ultimately agreed to back a probe when it became clear at this month's meeting of the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization, that there was overwhelming global support for an inquiry. 'Ready to fight tonight' Military and economic tension with the U.S. is also on the rise. The Trump administration is sending loud signals that it will resist any Chinese move to expand its footprint in the South China Sea or seek territorial gains while the world is distracted with the public health crisis. Earlier this month, the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet took the unusual step of announcing that all its forward deployed attack submarines were at sea on patrol in the Western Pacific. The location of U.S. submarines is normally secret - unless the Pentagon wants to send a warning that it is prepared to counter a threat. "The Pacific Fleet submarine force remains lethal, agile and ready to fight tonight," U.S. Pacific Fleet submarine commander Rear Admiral Blake Converse said in a statement. In the South China Sea and East China Sea, U.S. warships and long-range bombers have been mounting an ongoing series of patrols and exercises off the Chinese coast. On Hong Kong, the United States is warning that Washington could retaliate economically if the city`s freedoms are threatened. At stake is Hong Kong`s special status in its ties with the United States, which provides for a broad range of trade, economic, political, social and law enforcement cooperation. Hong Kong, for example, is treated separately from the mainland by the United States in terms of customs and immigration. On Thursday, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a bill to impose sanctions on Chinese officials or entities who violate freedoms China pledged to preserve in Hong Kong. The bill also would place sanctions on any bank that does significant business with those officials and entities. Chinese officials bristle at U.S. attempts to dictate to Beijing how it should handle Hong Kong, which is a Chinese city. In particular, some point to the State Department saying it would delay the release of a report on whether Hong Kong is autonomous enough to continue receiving special treatment from the world`s biggest economy. "Beijing doesn`t bow to threats like this," said the person with direct knowledge of Beijing`s thinking. "To Beijing, Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong." Damage to Hong Kong`s role as a financial center could compound the challenge facing Beijing in rejuvenating the Chinese economy. Business activity had been slowing even before the pandemic; Covid-19 has hammered it. Official figures recorded a 6.8% contraction in economic output in the first quarter. One measure of the country's woes: The authorities announced this week that because of the uncertainty created by the pandemic, they won`t be setting an annual growth target, a stark turnaround for a country whose statistics have shown unbroken expansion for decades in virtual lockstep with government forecasts. Hong Kong is a vital cog in China's economy. While China still has extensive capital controls and often intervenes in its financial markets and banking system, Hong Kong is one of the most open economies in the world and one of the biggest markets for equity and debt financing. China uses Hong Kong`s currency, equity and debt markets to attract foreign funds, while international companies use Hong Kong as a launchpad to expand into mainland China. The bulk of foreign direct investment in China continues to be channeled through the city. And many of China's biggest firms have listed in Hong Kong, often as a springboard to global expansion. The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong said in a statement that the move by China "may jeopardize future prospects for international business," including the ability to "recruit and retain top tier talent" in the city. "No one wins if the foundation for Hong Kong`s role as a prime international business and financial center is eroded," said Robert Grieves, chairman of the business group. More direct role The core of the problem for Xi and other top leaders is that the Communist Party and the authoritarian political system it enforces on the mainland remain deeply unpopular in free-wheeling Hong Kong. With the 23rd anniversary of the handover approaching, top Chinese leaders are rarely seen in the city. When they do appear, usually at carefully staged events, they are enveloped by security cordons designed to ensure they never face the kind of rowdy protests or public criticism that Hong Kong leaders routinely endure. In some respects, the mainland leadership appears to be more remote from the city's people than top British officials in the final years of colonial rule. Hong Kong`s last colonial governor, Chris Patten, remains a popular figure here and a regular commentator on local political affairs. "I think there has been a significant change in China, in Beijing, since Xi Jinping became president or dictator for life, complete with a personality cult which is extraordinary," Patten told members of the city's Foreign Correspondents` Club in an online presentation earlier this week. "I think the sad point is that Xi Jinping and his court have regarded Hong Kong and Hong Kong's freedoms as an existential problem for them because Hong Kong represents so much of what they don't like." Mainland authorities and their proxies have worked tirelessly to win support from local people since the handover, but these efforts appear to be ineffective. Pro-democracy groups scored a dramatic victory at local elections held after the climax of last year`s protests, in what was widely seen as a referendum on the performance of the Lam administration. A poll conducted for Reuters in March found that support for the demands of pro-democracy protesters had grown even though the demonstrations had paused as a result of the pandemic. Veteran political activists in the city anticipate that pro-democracy candidates will repeat their success in a Legislative Council poll scheduled for September. Resistance in the Legislative Council and mass protests killed off Beijing’s first attempt in 2003 to introduce national security legislation. Last year’s proposed extradition laws met a similar fate. Imposing such laws via the National People’s Congress means Beijing won’t have to risk another such setback at the hands of elected lawmakers and their supporters on the streets. “Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy, but Hong Kong definitely is not independent from China,” Leung Chun-ying, a former leader of the city and now an adviser to China’s government, told Reuters. “Hong Kong is part of China, and therefore, Hong Kong has an obligation to protect the national security of China.” Even as the pandemic and social distancing regulations restricted protests in Hong Kong in the early months of this year, there were signs Beijing was preparing to play a much more direct role in running the city. Key moves included the appointment of two top officials, both with reputations for toughness and both with close ties to President Xi, to oversee Hong Kong. Luo Huining, who Xi had earlier deployed as party secretary to take down a corruption network in Shanxi province, was appointed to run Beijing’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong. Another former provincial party secretary, Xia Baolong, took over the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing, the top government body responsible for handling the city. Xia was Xi’s deputy when the Chinese leader was Party Secretary in Zhejiang province between 2002 and 2007. After the two leaders took up their new posts, the Liaison Office sparked a controversy when it said in a statement last month that it had the power, along with the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, to “handle Hong Kong affairs.” Pro-democracy supporters in the city condemned the move as a clear threat to Hong Kong’s autonomy. The Liaison Office and Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office did not immediately respond to questions. In a speech on April 15, Luo also signaled that new national security laws were in the pipeline. “For the nearly 23 years since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, the system for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong has had shortcomings and could be fatal at critical moments,” Luo said. New laws were needed “without delay,” he added. On Thursday, five weeks after Luo spoke, Beijing made its dramatic announcement: Chinese-style national security is coming to China’s freest city.

China President Xi Jinping makes high-stakes power play in move to subdue Hong Kong

President Xi Jinping visited the city of Wuhan, the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, sending a message that Beijing has the situation under control. His visit comes as China recorded its lowest number of infections, just 19 on Tuesday, all in Wuhan apart from two who had arrived from overseas. Watch WION Ground Report:

WION Ground Report: Xi Jinping visits Wuhan since Coronavirus outbreak

17 new cases of the SARS-like virus were reported in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../myanmar-china-ink-deals-to-accelerate-belt-and -road-as-xi-courts-an-isolated-suu-kyi-275025">China</a> today. Out of these, three remain in critical condition, causing scares across the country before the Lunar New Year, where hundreds of millions move around the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-new-cases-in-wuhan-virus-outbreak-275016">China reports new cases in Wuhan virus outbreak</a>

The virus,&nbsp;a new strain of coronavirus that humans can contract has caused alarm because of its connection to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mysterious-sars-like-virus-in-china-has-affected-hundreds-report-274962">Mysterious SARS-like virus in China has affected 'hundreds': Report</a>

Of the 17 new cases in the central city of Wuhan is&nbsp;believed to be the epicentre of the outbreak,&nbsp;three are described as "severe".

The virus has now infected 62 people in Wuhan, city authorities said, with eight in a severe condition, 19 cured and discharged from hospital, and the rest remaining in isolation receiving treatment.

Two people have died so far from the virus, including a 69-year-old man who died on Wednesday, with the disease-causing pulmonary tuberculosis and damage to multiple organ functions.

Watch:&nbsp;Indian govt issues travel advisory as China's mysterious 'Coronavirus' spreads in other countries

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-govt-issues-travel-advisory-as-chinas-mysterious-coronavirus-spreads-in-other-countries-275118/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Authorities said they had begun "optimized" testing of pneumonia cases across the city to identify those infected with the virus, and would begin "detection work... towards suspected cases in the city" as a next step.

A paper published Friday by scientists with the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../london-thousands-of-people-may-protest- outside-indias-high-commission-on-republic-day-275085">London</a> warned that the number of cases in the city was likely to be closer to 1,700 than those officially identified.

Authorities said Sunday that some of the new cases had "no history of contact" with the seafood market believed to be the centre of the outbreak.

No human-to-human transmission has been confirmed so far, but Wuhan's health commission has previously said the possibility "cannot be excluded".&nbsp;

Three cases have also been reported overseas -- two in Thailand and one in Japan.

While mainland China has not yet announced any travel restrictions, authorities in Hong Kong have stepped up detection measures, including rigorous temperature checkpoints for inbound travellers from the Chinese mainland.

The US said from Friday it would begin screening direct flights arriving from Wuhan at San Francisco airport and New York's JFK, as well as Los Angeles, where many flights connect.

Thailand said it was already screening passengers arriving in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket and would soon introduce similar controls in the beach resort of Krabi.

Wuhan is a city of 11 million inhabitants that serves as a major transport hub, including during the annual Lunar New Year holiday, when hundreds of millions of Chinese people travel across the country to visit family.

17 new cases of the SARS-like virus were reported in China today. Out of these, three remain in critical condition, causing scares across the country before the Lunar New Year, where hundreds of millions move around the country.

17 new cases of the SARS-like virus were reported in China today. Out of these, three remain in critical condition, causing scares across the country before the Lunar New Year, where hundreds of millions move around the country. Also read: China reports new cases in Wuhan virus outbreak The virus, a new strain of coronavirus that humans can contract has caused alarm because of its connection to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003. Also read: Mysterious SARS-like virus in China has affected 'hundreds': Report Of the 17 new cases in the central city of Wuhan is believed to be the epicentre of the outbreak, three are described as "severe". The virus has now infected 62 people in Wuhan, city authorities said, with eight in a severe condition, 19 cured and discharged from hospital, and the rest remaining in isolation receiving treatment. Two people have died so far from the virus, including a 69-year-old man who died on Wednesday, with the disease-causing pulmonary tuberculosis and damage to multiple organ functions. Watch: Indian govt issues travel advisory as China's mysterious 'Coronavirus' spreads in other countries Authorities said they had begun "optimized" testing of pneumonia cases across the city to identify those infected with the virus, and would begin "detection work... towards suspected cases in the city" as a next step. A paper published Friday by scientists with the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College in London warned that the number of cases in the city was likely to be closer to 1,700 than those officially identified. Authorities said Sunday that some of the new cases had "no history of contact" with the seafood market believed to be the centre of the outbreak. No human-to-human transmission has been confirmed so far, but Wuhan's health commission has previously said the possibility "cannot be excluded". Three cases have also been reported overseas -- two in Thailand and one in Japan. While mainland China has not yet announced any travel restrictions, authorities in Hong Kong have stepped up detection measures, including rigorous temperature checkpoints for inbound travellers from the Chinese mainland. The US said from Friday it would begin screening direct flights arriving from Wuhan at San Francisco airport and New York's JFK, as well as Los Angeles, where many flights connect. Thailand said it was already screening passengers arriving in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket and would soon introduce similar controls in the beach resort of Krabi. Wuhan is a city of 11 million inhabitants that serves as a major transport hub, including during the annual Lunar New Year holiday, when hundreds of millions of Chinese people travel across the country to visit family.

China reports 17 new cases of mysterious coronavirus, three critical

Chinese President Xi Jinping touched down in Athens on Sunday, for a three-day visit looking at "deeper cooperation with Greece in all sectors".

Xi is expected to meet President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the two countries are due to sign cooperation documents on education, shipping and energy.

"It is our duty to steadily upgrade our cooperation in all sectors, by delving deeply into existing fields and expanding the range of investments", the Chinese president said in an article published in "Kathimerini" newspaper on Sunday.

"Relations with Greece are a priority for China," Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias told Thema radio on Thursday.

"They came and invested in Greece when others stayed away" during the crisis, Dendias said.

Xi's visit comes on the heels of a four-day trip to Shanghai by Mitsotakis earlier this week when he led a delegation representing more than 60 businesses.

The front-page headline in pro-government newspaper "To Vima" refers to Greece's "Wedding with the Chinese Dragon" expecting a "deal signing fever in Athens".

"We have a number of important deals that open the Chinese market to Greek products," Mitsotakis told the paper in an interview published Sunday.&nbsp;

Greece has been building progressively closer trade&nbsp;relations with China for more than a decade.

The initiative started with a 2008 deal by a previous conservative government to cede container terminals at the main port of Piraeus to Chinese shipping giant Cosco.

Cosco's 600-million-euro ($660 million) investment in Piraeus deemed "the head of the Dragon" by Xi, could reach one billion euros, Mitsotakis said during his Shanghai visit.

Greece has also signed up to China’s new 'Belt and Road' project, a $1-trillion global investment programme aiming to forward Chinese goods to markets further afield.

Chinese President Xi Jinping touched down in Athens on Sunday, for a three-day visit looking at "deeper cooperation with Greece in all sectors". Xi is expected to meet President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the two countries are due to sign cooperation documents on education, shipping and energy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping touched down in Athens on Sunday, for a three-day visit looking at "deeper cooperation with Greece in all sectors". Xi is expected to meet President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the two countries are due to sign cooperation documents on education, shipping and energy. "It is our duty to steadily upgrade our cooperation in all sectors, by delving deeply into existing fields and expanding the range of investments", the Chinese president said in an article published in "Kathimerini" newspaper on Sunday. "Relations with Greece are a priority for China," Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias told Thema radio on Thursday. "They came and invested in Greece when others stayed away" during the crisis, Dendias said. Xi's visit comes on the heels of a four-day trip to Shanghai by Mitsotakis earlier this week when he led a delegation representing more than 60 businesses. The front-page headline in pro-government newspaper "To Vima" refers to Greece's "Wedding with the Chinese Dragon" expecting a "deal signing fever in Athens". "We have a number of important deals that open the Chinese market to Greek products," Mitsotakis told the paper in an interview published Sunday. Greece has been building progressively closer trade relations with China for more than a decade. The initiative started with a 2008 deal by a previous conservative government to cede container terminals at the main port of Piraeus to Chinese shipping giant Cosco. Cosco's 600-million-euro ($660 million) investment in Piraeus deemed "the head of the Dragon" by Xi, could reach one billion euros, Mitsotakis said during his Shanghai visit. Greece has also signed up to China’s new 'Belt and Road' project, a $1-trillion global investment programme aiming to forward Chinese goods to markets further afield.

China's Xi arrives in Athens to 'deepen cooperation'

As the Trump administration on Monday began the process of formally pulling out of the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/11000-scientists-caution-against-climate-emergency-warn-of-unavoidable-human-suffering-260246"> Paris climate agreement</a>, French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their strong support for the global accord.&nbsp;

"Both sides attach high importance to measures responding to climate change and protection of ecological diversity, and we agree to cooperate over next year's 15th Biodiversity Convention on Biodiversity held in Kunming to push forth the Paris Climate Accords in response to climate change," Chinese President Xi Jinping said during his meeting with President Macron in Beijing.

Xi added that the international community should "jointly protect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-climate-agreement-us-should-take-more-responsibility-says-china-260120">our homeland planet Earth</a>", adding "we are against the attempt to place national interests above the common interests of humanity".

Macron too a swipe at the US, decalaring: "I deplore the choices made by some others, but I want to see them as marginal choices, because when China, the European Union, Russia, which ratified the Paris agreements a few weeks ago, engage with firmness, the isolated choice of one or another (country) is not enough to change the course of the world, it will only lead to them being edged out."

Both leaders also issued a joint statement reaffirming their committment towards the climate agreement. In a joint statement, Xi and Macron reaffirmed "their firm support for the Paris accord which they consider as an irreversible&nbsp;process and a compass for strong action on climate".&nbsp;

Xi and Macron expressed determination to improve international cooperation to "ensure a complete and efficient implementation of the Paris accord" while pledgeing to restore almost a third of degraded land as well as eliminating fossil fuel subsidies in the medium term.

The US had presented its withdrawal letter to the United Nations on Monday which was negotiated by the Obama administration.

As the Trump administration on Monday began the process of formally pulling out of the Paris climate agreement, French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their strong support for the global accord.

As the Trump administration on Monday began the process of formally pulling out of the Paris climate agreement, French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their strong support for the global accord. "Both sides attach high importance to measures responding to climate change and protection of ecological diversity, and we agree to cooperate over next year's 15th Biodiversity Convention on Biodiversity held in Kunming to push forth the Paris Climate Accords in response to climate change," Chinese President Xi Jinping said during his meeting with President Macron in Beijing. Xi added that the international community should "jointly protect our homeland planet Earth", adding "we are against the attempt to place national interests above the common interests of humanity". Macron too a swipe at the US, decalaring: "I deplore the choices made by some others, but I want to see them as marginal choices, because when China, the European Union, Russia, which ratified the Paris agreements a few weeks ago, engage with firmness, the isolated choice of one or another (country) is not enough to change the course of the world, it will only lead to them being edged out." Both leaders also issued a joint statement reaffirming their committment towards the climate agreement. In a joint statement, Xi and Macron reaffirmed "their firm support for the Paris accord which they consider as an irreversible process and a compass for strong action on climate". Xi and Macron expressed determination to improve international cooperation to "ensure a complete and efficient implementation of the Paris accord" while pledgeing to restore almost a third of degraded land as well as eliminating fossil fuel subsidies in the medium term. The US had presented its withdrawal letter to the United Nations on Monday which was negotiated by the Obama administration.

Macron, Xi declare Paris climate accord 'irreversible process'

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/americas/donald-trump-xi-jinping-and-trade-a-high-stakes-game-of-chicken-216697">Xi Jinping</a> has warned that any attempts to split China would result in "bodies smashed and bones ground to powder", amid four months of anti-Beijing unrest in Hong Kong.

Xi issued the dire message during a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-china-ink-18-agreements-two-letters-of-understanding-255661">weekend visit to Nepal,</a> according to a foreign ministry statement released on Sunday.

"Anyone who attempts to split any region from China will perish, with their bodies smashed and bones ground to powder," Xi said, according to the ministry.

"Any external forces that support the splitting of China can only be regarded as delusional by the Chinese people," he said during a visit to Nepal.

Watch:&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/why-chinese-president-xi-jinping-suffering-a-crisis-of-confidence-254632/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

While the Chinese leader did not mention any region by name, his comments came as riot police and pro-democracy protesters clashed again in Hong Kong on Sunday and amid tensions with self-ruled Taiwan.

Rallies erupted in multiple neighbourhoods of the financial hub, with some protesters blocking roads, sabotaging train tracks, and trashing pro-China businesses.

China has accused "external forces" of fuelling unrest in the semi-autonomous city, a former British colony that enjoys rights unheard of in the mainland, such as freedom of speech.

The protests were sparked by opposition to a now-scrapped proposal to allow extraditions to mainland China, but have since morphed into a larger movement for democracy and police accountability.

There have been concerns that China could send in troops to put an end to the unrest, but Beijing has so far said it believes Hong Kong's police force is capable of handling the protests.

Few analysts believe Beijing would risk international condemnation by repeating its 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square, when it deployed tanks and troops to quash the uprising, leaving hundreds, perhaps more than 1,000, dead.

Beijing has also hardened its stance with democratic Taipei since President Tsai Ing-wen was elected in 2016, as her government refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of "one China".

Taiwan has ruled itself since the end of a civil war in 1949, but China views the island as its territory and has vowed to seize it -- by force if necessary.

Another source of tension is US criticism of Beijing's security crackdown in the northwest region of Xinjiang, where more than one million mostly Muslim minorities are believed to be held in internment camps.

China defends the camps as "vocational education centres" aimed at combating separatism and religious extremism.

President Xi Jinping has warned that any attempts to split China would result in "bodies smashed and bones ground to powder", amid four months of anti-Beijing unrest in Hong Kong.

President Xi Jinping has warned that any attempts to split China would result in "bodies smashed and bones ground to powder", amid four months of anti-Beijing unrest in Hong Kong. Xi issued the dire message during a weekend visit to Nepal, according to a foreign ministry statement released on Sunday. "Anyone who attempts to split any region from China will perish, with their bodies smashed and bones ground to powder," Xi said, according to the ministry. "Any external forces that support the splitting of China can only be regarded as delusional by the Chinese people," he said during a visit to Nepal. Watch: While the Chinese leader did not mention any region by name, his comments came as riot police and pro-democracy protesters clashed again in Hong Kong on Sunday and amid tensions with self-ruled Taiwan. Rallies erupted in multiple neighbourhoods of the financial hub, with some protesters blocking roads, sabotaging train tracks, and trashing pro-China businesses. China has accused "external forces" of fuelling unrest in the semi-autonomous city, a former British colony that enjoys rights unheard of in the mainland, such as freedom of speech. The protests were sparked by opposition to a now-scrapped proposal to allow extraditions to mainland China, but have since morphed into a larger movement for democracy and police accountability. There have been concerns that China could send in troops to put an end to the unrest, but Beijing has so far said it believes Hong Kong's police force is capable of handling the protests. Few analysts believe Beijing would risk international condemnation by repeating its 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square, when it deployed tanks and troops to quash the uprising, leaving hundreds, perhaps more than 1,000, dead. Beijing has also hardened its stance with democratic Taipei since President Tsai Ing-wen was elected in 2016, as her government refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of "one China". Taiwan has ruled itself since the end of a civil war in 1949, but China views the island as its territory and has vowed to seize it -- by force if necessary. Another source of tension is US criticism of Beijing's security crackdown in the northwest region of Xinjiang, where more than one million mostly Muslim minorities are believed to be held in internment camps. China defends the camps as "vocational education centres" aimed at combating separatism and religious extremism.

Anyone attempting to split China will end in shattered bones: Xi Jinping in Nepal

Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to arrive in Nepal on Saturday for talks with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and is <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-china-to-sign-agreements-during-xis-upcoming-visit-254772">expected to sign a deal</a> expanding a railway link between the Himalayan nation and Tibet, officials said.

Xi will be the first Chinese president to visit Nepal in 22 years and will arrive from India, where he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-china-ink-3-agreements-during-chinese-fms-visit-248757">Nepal, China ink 3 agreements during Chinese FM's visit</a>

Landlocked Nepal, a natural buffer between India and China, has been trying to lessen its dependence on New Delhi.

The Chinese leader will meet PM Oli on Sunday and the two leaders are expected to sign a slew of deals, including the planned extension of the rail link from remote, mountainous Tibet to Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, officials said.

The link will be part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, Xi's signature project that Nepal joined in 2017.

Rajan Bhattarai, one of Oli's top aides, said a feasibility study of the plan had been conducted by Chinese experts.

"An agreement for the preparation of a detailed project report for the railway link is expected to be signed after the prime minister's meeting with President Xi on Sunday," Bhattarai told Reuters.

The report will contain cost estimates, with financing and construction models to be decided, officials said.

Nepal sees the rail link with China as an alternative to its dependence on India. New Delhi accounts for nearly two-thirds of Nepal's trade and is the sole source of its fuel supply.

A prolonged blockade of its border crossings with India in 2015 and 2016 left Nepal short of fuel and medicine for months.

Asian giants India and China have both sought to woo Nepal and have poured in aid and infrastructure investment.

Beijing has helped build or upgrade highways, airports and power plants in Nepal under the Belt and Road infrastructure drive - a string of ports, railways, roads, bridges and other investments tying China to Europe via central and southern Asia.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to arrive in Nepal on Saturday for talks with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and is expected to sign a deal expanding a railway link between the Himalayan nation and Tibet, officials said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to arrive in Nepal on Saturday for talks with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and is expected to sign a deal expanding a railway link between the Himalayan nation and Tibet, officials said. Xi will be the first Chinese president to visit Nepal in 22 years and will arrive from India, where he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Also read: Nepal, China ink 3 agreements during Chinese FM's visit Landlocked Nepal, a natural buffer between India and China, has been trying to lessen its dependence on New Delhi. The Chinese leader will meet PM Oli on Sunday and the two leaders are expected to sign a slew of deals, including the planned extension of the rail link from remote, mountainous Tibet to Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, officials said. The link will be part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, Xi's signature project that Nepal joined in 2017. Rajan Bhattarai, one of Oli's top aides, said a feasibility study of the plan had been conducted by Chinese experts. "An agreement for the preparation of a detailed project report for the railway link is expected to be signed after the prime minister's meeting with President Xi on Sunday," Bhattarai told Reuters. The report will contain cost estimates, with financing and construction models to be decided, officials said. Nepal sees the rail link with China as an alternative to its dependence on India. New Delhi accounts for nearly two-thirds of Nepal's trade and is the sole source of its fuel supply. A prolonged blockade of its border crossings with India in 2015 and 2016 left Nepal short of fuel and medicine for months. Asian giants India and China have both sought to woo Nepal and have poured in aid and infrastructure investment. Beijing has helped build or upgrade highways, airports and power plants in Nepal under the Belt and Road infrastructure drive - a string of ports, railways, roads, bridges and other investments tying China to Europe via central and southern Asia.

Nepal eyes railway deal with China during Chinese President Xi's visit

The Chinese President Xi Jinping will be on Tamil Nadu visit from October 11-12 for the second Informal Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Watch this video to know more.

WION Dispatch: PM Modi and Xi Jinping to meet in Mahabalipuram tomorrow

WION Playlist: Modi-Xi Summit on 11-12th October

US President Donald Trump will discuss the mass protests in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chief-executive-carrie-lam-apologises-for-conflicts-and-disputes-in-hong-kong-227674">Hong Kong with his Chinese counterpart Xi </a>Jinping at the upcoming G20 summit, secretary of state Mike Pompeo said on Sunday.

"I think we'll get the opportunity to see President Xi in just a couple weeks now at the G20 summit. I'm sure this will be among the issues that they discuss," Pompeo said in an interview with "Fox News Sunday."

"We see what's happening, what's unfolding in Hong Kong. We are watching the people of Hong Kong speak about the things they value," Pompeo added.

Trump said last week <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protesters-clog-streets-in-hong-kong-demand-carrie-lams-resignation-227593">he hoped the protesters</a> -- who have taken to the streets to denounce a controversial extradition law -- would "work it out" with China, while stopping short of condemning the legislation which has now been suspended.&nbsp;

Pompeo insisted "the president has always been a vigorous defender of human rights" and said Trump's imposition of widespread tariffs on Chinese goods as part of a trade dispute showed his willingness to confront Beijing.

"For an awfully long time under Republican, Democrat presidents, we allowed China to take advantage of us on trade and in other ways. President Trump has pushed back very strongly against them."

This year's G20 summit will be held in the Japanese city of Osaka from June 28-29.

US President Donald Trump will discuss the mass protests in Hong Kong with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the upcoming G20 summit, secretary of state Mike Pompeo said on Sunday.

US President Donald Trump will discuss the mass protests in Hong Kong with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the upcoming G20 summit, secretary of state Mike Pompeo said on Sunday. "I think we'll get the opportunity to see President Xi in just a couple weeks now at the G20 summit. I'm sure this will be among the issues that they discuss," Pompeo said in an interview with "Fox News Sunday." "We see what's happening, what's unfolding in Hong Kong. We are watching the people of Hong Kong speak about the things they value," Pompeo added. Trump said last week he hoped the protesters -- who have taken to the streets to denounce a controversial extradition law -- would "work it out" with China, while stopping short of condemning the legislation which has now been suspended. Pompeo insisted "the president has always been a vigorous defender of human rights" and said Trump's imposition of widespread tariffs on Chinese goods as part of a trade dispute showed his willingness to confront Beijing. "For an awfully long time under Republican, Democrat presidents, we allowed China to take advantage of us on trade and in other ways. President Trump has pushed back very strongly against them." This year's G20 summit will be held in the Japanese city of Osaka from June 28-29.

Hong Kong issue will be discussed during Trump-Xi meeting at G20: Pompeo

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-iran-written-all-over-tanker-attacks-227168">US President Trump says Iran 'written all over' tanker attacks</a>

'Iran did do it,' Trump said in an interview on "Fox and Friends," after the US military released footage it said showed an Iranian patrol boat removing an "unexploded limpet mine" from one of the tankers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-set-to-levy-higher-tariffs-on-some-us-goods-next-week-sources-227113">India set to levy higher tariffs on some US goods next week: Sources</a> 
 
India is by far the largest buyer of US almonds and second largest buyer of US apples

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-judge-sets-february-2020-for-wikileaks-founder-assanges-extradition-hearing-227139">UK judge sets February 2020 for WikiLeaks founder Assange's US extradition hearing</a> 
 
Assange, 47, is accused of violating the Espionage Act by releasing a vast trove of classified military and diplomatic files in 2010 about US bombing campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-meeting-with-imran-khan-xi-offers-support-for-improvement-of-indo-pak-ties-227159">In meeting with Imran Khan, Xi offers support for improvement of Indo-Pak ties</a> 
 
Modi did not meet Khan on the sidelines of the SCO summit, spurning Pakistan Prime Minister's suggestion for a bilateral meeting in Bishkek.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/apology-from-mamata-banerjee-among-6-demands-put-forth-by-agitating-west-bengal-doctors-227140">Apology from Mamata Banerjee among 6 demands put forth by agitating West Bengal doctors&nbsp;</a> 
 
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared an All India Protest Day Friday in the wake of violence against doctors in Kolkata.

US President Trump says Iran 'written all over' tanker attacks 'Iran did do it,' Trump said in an interview on "Fox and Friends," after the US military released footage it said showed an Iranian patrol boat removing an "unexploded limpet mine" from one of the tankers.

US President Trump says Iran 'written all over' tanker attacks 'Iran did do it,' Trump said in an interview on "Fox and Friends," after the US military released footage it said showed an Iranian patrol boat removing an "unexploded limpet mine" from one of the tankers. India set to levy higher tariffs on some US goods next week: Sources India is by far the largest buyer of US almonds and second largest buyer of US apples UK judge sets February 2020 for WikiLeaks founder Assange's US extradition hearing Assange, 47, is accused of violating the Espionage Act by releasing a vast trove of classified military and diplomatic files in 2010 about US bombing campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. In meeting with Imran Khan, Xi offers support for improvement of Indo-Pak ties Modi did not meet Khan on the sidelines of the SCO summit, spurning Pakistan Prime Minister's suggestion for a bilateral meeting in Bishkek. Apology from Mamata Banerjee among 6 demands put forth by agitating West Bengal doctors The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared an All India Protest Day Friday in the wake of violence against doctors in Kolkata.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wuhan-provided-stability-and-momentum-to-india-china-ties-pm-modi-to-xi-226895">Wuhan provided 'stability and momentum' to India-China ties: PM Modi to Xi Jinping</a> 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the relationship between the two countries has strengthened.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-delighted-to-win-first-round-of-race-for-british-prime-minister-226898">Boris Johnson 'delighted' to win first round of race for British Prime Minister</a> 
 
Boris Johnson, who has pledged to deliver Brexit on October 31, edged closer to power on Thursday when he won by far the most support from Conservative Party lawmakers in the first round of the contest to replace Prime Minister Theresa May.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/julian-assange-uk-foreign-secretary-signs-wikileaks-founders-us-extradition-papers-226823">Julian Assange: UK Foreign Secretary Javid signs WikiLeaks founder's US extradition papers&nbsp;</a> 
 
UK home secretary, Sajid Javid, on Friday said that he had signed a request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US where he faces charges of computer hacking.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-us-russia-relations-are-getting-worse-and-worse-226830">Putin says US-Russia relations are getting 'worse and worse'</a>

President Vladimir Putin said relations between Moscow and Washington were getting worse and worse, noting in an interview published on Thursday that the current US administration had imposed dozens of sanctions on Russia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-air-force-rescue-team-recovers-bodies-of-all-personnel-aboard-an-32-aircraft-226844">Indian Air Force's rescue team recovers bodies of all personnel aboard AN-32 aircraft</a> 
 
Indian Air Force's search and rescue team has recovered bodies of all 13 personnel who were aboard IAF's missing AN-32 aircraft. The black box of transport aircraft has also been recovered. Choppers would be used to carry the dead bodies from the crash site, news agency ANI reported.

Wuhan provided 'stability and momentum' to India-China ties: PM Modi to Xi Jinping Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the relationship between the two countries has strengthened.

Wuhan provided 'stability and momentum' to India-China ties: PM Modi to Xi Jinping Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the relationship between the two countries has strengthened. Boris Johnson 'delighted' to win first round of race for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has pledged to deliver Brexit on October 31, edged closer to power on Thursday when he won by far the most support from Conservative Party lawmakers in the first round of the contest to replace Prime Minister Theresa May. Julian Assange: UK Foreign Secretary Javid signs WikiLeaks founder's US extradition papers UK home secretary, Sajid Javid, on Friday said that he had signed a request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US where he faces charges of computer hacking. Putin says US-Russia relations are getting 'worse and worse' President Vladimir Putin said relations between Moscow and Washington were getting worse and worse, noting in an interview published on Thursday that the current US administration had imposed dozens of sanctions on Russia. Indian Air Force's rescue team recovers bodies of all personnel aboard AN-32 aircraft Indian Air Force's search and rescue team has recovered bodies of all 13 personnel who were aboard IAF's missing AN-32 aircraft. The black box of transport aircraft has also been recovered. Choppers would be used to carry the dead bodies from the crash site, news agency ANI reported.

The Moscow Zoo's panda pavilion opened to the public Thursday after Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin unveiled it one day ago.

Moscow Zoo's panda pavilion opens after unveiling by Xi, Putin

A highly anticipated late June meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping has some parallels with their Buenos Aires summit last December that postponed a tariff hike, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday.

Mnuchin told Reuters in an interview that the US-China trade dispute was at a similar point in December 2018, when Trump and Xi met on the sidelines of a G20 summit, with a US tariff increase about to kick in on hundreds of billions of dollars in Chinese goods.

As this year's June 28-29 G20 summit in Osaka, Japan approaches, Trump is preparing to launch 25 per cent tariffs on virtually all Chinese imports so far untouched by the two countries' tariff war, a $300 billion list of consumer goods including cell phones, computers and clothing.

"As it relates to the higher tariffs, if you just recall where we were in Buenos Aires, they were going to go up," Mnuchin said. "They were scheduled to go up, and as a result of that meeting, the president agreed not to raise them while we were negotiating," Mnuchin said.

Asked whether he thought a similar outcome would result from the meeting in Osaka - Trump agreeing to forestall the tariffs while negotiations resume - Mnuchin said, "That's the president's decision."

Trump said on Thursday in France that he will decide whether to proceed with the tariffs after the meeting with Xi.

The Buenos Aires summit paved the way for five months of talks aimed at ending a festering trade war between the world's two largest economies.

But these talks broke down in early May, and no face-to-face meetings have been held since May 10, the day that Trump sharply increased tariffs on a $200 billion list of Chinese goods to 25 per cent - the increase that he delayed after the Buenos Aires meeting.

Since then, acrimonious rhetoric and trade threats between Beijing and Washington have steadily increased, especially after the United States imposed severe sanctions against Huawei Technologies Co, China's premier telecommunications equipment firm.

Mnuchin told Reuters that the Huawei sanctions were "completely separate" from the US-China trade dispute.

China central banker meeting

Earlier, Mnuchin said at a news briefing that the Osaka meeting, yet to be confirmed by the Chinese side, was where the "main progress" could be made towards reviving talks to end the US-China trade conflict.

Mnuchin downplayed expectations for a meeting expected on Sunday with People's Bank of China Governor Yi Gang on the sidelines of a G20 finance leaders meeting in Fukuoka, Japan.

The US Treasury chief said that while he would discuss trade issues with Yi, "this is not a negotiating meeting."

The Trump administration was comfortable with any outcome from the negotiations, Mnuchin said, adding that more tariffs would encourage companies to move their operations out of China.

"If we can get the right agreement, that's great. If we can't get the right agreement, we will proceed with tariffs," Mnuchin said.

Mnuchin said the United States and China were about 90 per cent of the way toward reaching "an historic agreement" before China backtracked on certain commitments. He said that if China wants to resume the negotiations on the basis of the texts prior to an early May breakdown of talks, the US side is ready to engage.

Mnuchin said that the United States wants free, fair and balanced trade with China, in part to close a gaping US trade deficit with China.

"If we can't have that, the end result will be that my expectation is that many companies will move their production out of China to other locations," due to tariffs, Mnuchin said.

Mnuchin also said that the Treasury was watching China's currency markets closely for signs of intervention, saying that the markets may have become accustomed to central bank support for the yuan.

If that support is suddenly withdrawn, "the market could view that as a desire to have the currency weaken," he said, declining to comment when asked whether he thought China was deliberately trying to weaken its currency.

A highly anticipated late June meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping has some parallels with their Buenos Aires summit last December that postponed a tariff hike, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday.

A highly anticipated late June meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping has some parallels with their Buenos Aires summit last December that postponed a tariff hike, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday. Mnuchin told Reuters in an interview that the US-China trade dispute was at a similar point in December 2018, when Trump and Xi met on the sidelines of a G20 summit, with a US tariff increase about to kick in on hundreds of billions of dollars in Chinese goods. As this year's June 28-29 G20 summit in Osaka, Japan approaches, Trump is preparing to launch 25 per cent tariffs on virtually all Chinese imports so far untouched by the two countries' tariff war, a $300 billion list of consumer goods including cell phones, computers and clothing. "As it relates to the higher tariffs, if you just recall where we were in Buenos Aires, they were going to go up," Mnuchin said. "They were scheduled to go up, and as a result of that meeting, the president agreed not to raise them while we were negotiating," Mnuchin said. Asked whether he thought a similar outcome would result from the meeting in Osaka - Trump agreeing to forestall the tariffs while negotiations resume - Mnuchin said, "That's the president's decision." Trump said on Thursday in France that he will decide whether to proceed with the tariffs after the meeting with Xi. The Buenos Aires summit paved the way for five months of talks aimed at ending a festering trade war between the world's two largest economies. But these talks broke down in early May, and no face-to-face meetings have been held since May 10, the day that Trump sharply increased tariffs on a $200 billion list of Chinese goods to 25 per cent - the increase that he delayed after the Buenos Aires meeting. Since then, acrimonious rhetoric and trade threats between Beijing and Washington have steadily increased, especially after the United States imposed severe sanctions against Huawei Technologies Co, China's premier telecommunications equipment firm. Mnuchin told Reuters that the Huawei sanctions were "completely separate" from the US-China trade dispute. China central banker meeting Earlier, Mnuchin said at a news briefing that the Osaka meeting, yet to be confirmed by the Chinese side, was where the "main progress" could be made towards reviving talks to end the US-China trade conflict. Mnuchin downplayed expectations for a meeting expected on Sunday with People's Bank of China Governor Yi Gang on the sidelines of a G20 finance leaders meeting in Fukuoka, Japan. The US Treasury chief said that while he would discuss trade issues with Yi, "this is not a negotiating meeting." The Trump administration was comfortable with any outcome from the negotiations, Mnuchin said, adding that more tariffs would encourage companies to move their operations out of China. "If we can get the right agreement, that's great. If we can't get the right agreement, we will proceed with tariffs," Mnuchin said. Mnuchin said the United States and China were about 90 per cent of the way toward reaching "an historic agreement" before China backtracked on certain commitments. He said that if China wants to resume the negotiations on the basis of the texts prior to an early May breakdown of talks, the US side is ready to engage. Mnuchin said that the United States wants free, fair and balanced trade with China, in part to close a gaping US trade deficit with China. "If we can't have that, the end result will be that my expectation is that many companies will move their production out of China to other locations," due to tariffs, Mnuchin said. Mnuchin also said that the Treasury was watching China's currency markets closely for signs of intervention, saying that the markets may have become accustomed to central bank support for the yuan. If that support is suddenly withdrawn, "the market could view that as a desire to have the currency weaken," he said, declining to comment when asked whether he thought China was deliberately trying to weaken its currency.

US Treasury's Mnuchin says Trump-Xi meeting has parallels to Buenos Aires summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for Kremlin talks that reflected increasingly close ties between the two countries that were communist rivals during the Cold War.

Putin and Xi meet pandas and visit Bolshoi

Chinese President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-china-is-giving-xi-jinping-unprecedented-power-34422">Xi Jinping</a> dropped in on surprised diners at a small Beijing restaurant and chatted with deliverymen on Friday on an apparently unscripted visit ahead of next week's Lunar New Year holiday.

Such relaxed interactions between senior politicians and the public are uncommon in a country where even leaders' birthdays or family backgrounds are often closely held secrets.

Leaders generally use the time around the festival to make carefully choreographed, well pre-arranged inspection trips around the country where they flag important policy initiatives or areas of concern for the year ahead.

Xi last year visited villagers in a poor southwestern part of China, to press home his campaign against poverty.

On Friday, state television showed Xi walking into the restaurant in a southern district of Beijing known for its traditional alleyways and courtyards, asking how much the food was and how long the owners had been in the city.

As diners stood up to take pictures, Xi told them not to stop eating on his account.

"I'm just passing through," he said.

As he chatted at a separate location with deliverymen, who speed around Beijing delivering packages on motor-bikes, passersby could be seen in the background walking right behind him, or in one case cycling by.

"Are you not able to go home for the Spring Festival?" he asked one of the deliverymen.

Still, Xi was almost certainly accompanied by his security detail throughout, even if they were not directly shown in the television footage.

In another much more obviously scripted part of the day, he visited policemen and made dumplings with residents in a courtyard dwelling.

While Xi has cultivated a man-of-the-people image and is genuinely popular with many Chinese for his war on corruption, he has only rarely had such relaxed interactions since assuming office six years ago.

In 2014, Xi shocked Beijing residents by visiting courtyard homes and chatting with passersby near a shopping street during one of the city's notorious smoggy days, drawing praise from social media users for his unusual public diplomacy.

The week-long holiday, starting on the eve of the new year, on Monday, is the most important in the Chinese calendar, when millions of people travel home, many for the only time in the year.

Chinese President Xi Jinping dropped in on surprised diners at a small Beijing restaurant and chatted with deliverymen on Friday on an apparently unscripted visit ahead of next week's Lunar New Year holiday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping dropped in on surprised diners at a small Beijing restaurant and chatted with deliverymen on Friday on an apparently unscripted visit ahead of next week's Lunar New Year holiday. Such relaxed interactions between senior politicians and the public are uncommon in a country where even leaders' birthdays or family backgrounds are often closely held secrets. Leaders generally use the time around the festival to make carefully choreographed, well pre-arranged inspection trips around the country where they flag important policy initiatives or areas of concern for the year ahead. Xi last year visited villagers in a poor southwestern part of China, to press home his campaign against poverty. On Friday, state television showed Xi walking into the restaurant in a southern district of Beijing known for its traditional alleyways and courtyards, asking how much the food was and how long the owners had been in the city. As diners stood up to take pictures, Xi told them not to stop eating on his account. "I'm just passing through," he said. As he chatted at a separate location with deliverymen, who speed around Beijing delivering packages on motor-bikes, passersby could be seen in the background walking right behind him, or in one case cycling by. "Are you not able to go home for the Spring Festival?" he asked one of the deliverymen. Still, Xi was almost certainly accompanied by his security detail throughout, even if they were not directly shown in the television footage. In another much more obviously scripted part of the day, he visited policemen and made dumplings with residents in a courtyard dwelling. While Xi has cultivated a man-of-the-people image and is genuinely popular with many Chinese for his war on corruption, he has only rarely had such relaxed interactions since assuming office six years ago. In 2014, Xi shocked Beijing residents by visiting courtyard homes and chatting with passersby near a shopping street during one of the city's notorious smoggy days, drawing praise from social media users for his unusual public diplomacy. The week-long holiday, starting on the eve of the new year, on Monday, is the most important in the Chinese calendar, when millions of people travel home, many for the only time in the year.

Xi Jinping drops in on diners at Beijing restaurant, chats with deliverymen

In his first comments on China, Maldives new president President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih "underscored the contributions made by China to the development of Maldives over the years." According to a release&nbsp;issued by the Maldivian President's office, Solih noted that "the Maldives values the historical and brotherly relations with China."

This came after his meeting with the special envoy of the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Minister of Culture and Tourism Luo Shugang who paid a courtesy call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the President’s Office. He represented Bejing during Solih's swearing-in ceremony Saturday.&nbsp;

The Maldivian President "further expressed his confidence for continued cooperation between the two countries in the future,"&nbsp;the release said.

At the meeting, the special envoy of the Chinese President assured President Solih of China’s "commitment to further strengthening the close bilateral relations."

Under former President Yameen, Maldivian ties with China had enhanced but at the same time, Yameen had junked India first policy. The number of Chinese infrastructure projects in the Indian ocean island country had increased and Yameen had signed a free-trade agreement or FTA with China.&nbsp;

The Chinese government has also constructed China Maldives friendship dam that connects the islands of Male and Hulhule and was the 1st inter-island bridge in the country. &nbsp;Built at an estimated cost of $210 million, $126 million was given by the Chinese government as a grant in aid.&nbsp;

But it is being feared that the Maldives might be saddled with debt during the China-led infrastructure development. During Modi-Solih meet on Saturday after swearing in ceremony, President Solih had briefed Prime Minister Modi on the dire economic situation in his country as he takes office. The two leaders discussed ways in which India can continue development partnership, particularly to help the new government in meeting its pledges to the people of the Maldives. 
&nbsp;

In his first comments on China, Maldives new president President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih "underscored the contributions made by China to the development of Maldives over the years.

In his first comments on China, Maldives new president President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih "underscored the contributions made by China to the development of Maldives over the years." According to a release issued by the Maldivian President's office, Solih noted that "the Maldives values the historical and brotherly relations with China." This came after his meeting with the special envoy of the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Minister of Culture and Tourism Luo Shugang who paid a courtesy call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the President’s Office. He represented Bejing during Solih's swearing-in ceremony Saturday. The Maldivian President "further expressed his confidence for continued cooperation between the two countries in the future," the release said. At the meeting, the special envoy of the Chinese President assured President Solih of China’s "commitment to further strengthening the close bilateral relations." Under former President Yameen, Maldivian ties with China had enhanced but at the same time, Yameen had junked India first policy. The number of Chinese infrastructure projects in the Indian ocean island country had increased and Yameen had signed a free-trade agreement or FTA with China. The Chinese government has also constructed China Maldives friendship dam that connects the islands of Male and Hulhule and was the 1st inter-island bridge in the country. Built at an estimated cost of $210 million, $126 million was given by the Chinese government as a grant in aid. But it is being feared that the Maldives might be saddled with debt during the China-led infrastructure development. During Modi-Solih meet on Saturday after swearing in ceremony, President Solih had briefed Prime Minister Modi on the dire economic situation in his country as he takes office. The two leaders discussed ways in which India can continue development partnership, particularly to help the new government in meeting its pledges to the people of the Maldives.

Solih meets Xi's special envoy; underscores contributions made by China to development of Maldives

President Xi Jinping on Monday pledged to widen access to China's economy, while delivering a veiled rebuke to Trumpism, as he kicked off an import fair amid growing foreign accusations his government was backtracking on grand reform promises.

Xi said China would "step up" efforts to stimulate imports, lower tariffs, ease customs clearance procedures, and implement harsh punishments for intellectual property infringements.

"It is our sincere commitment to open the Chinese market," Xi said in an address opening the event in Shanghai.

He added that China would endeavour to "foster a world-class business environment" and that China's doors will open "ever wider".

But he also pushed back at foreign pressure in comments clearly aimed at Donald Trump, who has started a trade war between the world's two largest economies.

"They should not just point fingers at others to gloss over their own problems," Xi said, decrying "protectionism", "isolationism" and confrontation.

"They should not hold a flashlight in hand, doing nothing but highlighting the weaknesses of others and not their own."

Beijing frames the first annual China International Import Expo as a sign of its commitment to open markets despite mounting criticism to the contrary and the worsening trade war with Washington, which has seen both sides impose punitive tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods.

Organisers say more than 3,000 foreign companies from 130 countries including the United States and Europe will put their products on display for potential Chinese buyers at the expo, including General Motors, Ford, Microsoft, Samsung, Walmart and Tesla.

Promise fatigue&nbsp;

Xi's latest commitment to abide by world trade practices was light on specifics, however, and it remained to be seen whether it will satisfy an increasingly impatient foreign business community.

In a speech at Davos nearly two years ago, Xi presented China as a beacon of globalisation in a counterpoint to Trump.

But trading partners and foreign enterprises say he is yet to put his money where his mouth is, and they are tired of empty promises.

Foreign businesses complain about a range of policies that benefit local firms, requirements that foreign companies form joint ventures with Chinese partners, forced technology transfers, rampant intellectual property violations and restrictive red tape.

Foreign business surveys indicate that the playing field in China is actually worsening as Xi champions a strong-China message not unlike Trump's "America First" platform.

The EU Chamber of Commerce last week urged Xi to "move past the rhetoric" on trade and put in place real and significant opening measures.

The event is being attended by several foreign heads of government including Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Pakistani premier Imran Khan.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta voiced the foreign impatience when he told the opening ceremony that his country's growing trade with China was "heavily skewed" in Beijing's favour.

"It is important for us therefore to correct the existing trade imbalance to enable a fair share of the benefits of trade," he said.

US snub&nbsp;

China ranks 59th out of the 62 countries evaluated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in terms of openness to foreign direct investment.

Xi has said the expo proves China is willing to reduce its huge trade surpluses with other countries.

But US officials say that amounts to China trying to buy its way out of criticism with a short-term import bump rather than real reform.

Washington has snubbed the gathering by not sending high-level representation.

But the lure of China's market remains strong and the US contingent includes even tech giants such as Facebook, which is blocked in China, and Google, which pulled out years ago over censorship and cyber-attacks.

Both are seen as eyeing new ways into China.

Experts say the week-long expo is also a message by Beijing that, as it pivots from an export-based economy toward one relying more on the buying power of its 1.4 billion people, other countries will need to work with China if they want a piece of that action.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates will join a business forum, but the touchy optics of attending a China import expo at a time of trade tensions means few big-name American CEOs are confirmed.

President Xi Jinping on Monday pledged to widen access to China's economy, while delivering a veiled rebuke to Trumpism, as he kicked off an import fair amid growing foreign accusations his government was backtracking on grand reform promises.

President Xi Jinping on Monday pledged to widen access to China's economy, while delivering a veiled rebuke to Trumpism, as he kicked off an import fair amid growing foreign accusations his government was backtracking on grand reform promises. Xi said China would "step up" efforts to stimulate imports, lower tariffs, ease customs clearance procedures, and implement harsh punishments for intellectual property infringements. "It is our sincere commitment to open the Chinese market," Xi said in an address opening the event in Shanghai. He added that China would endeavour to "foster a world-class business environment" and that China's doors will open "ever wider". But he also pushed back at foreign pressure in comments clearly aimed at Donald Trump, who has started a trade war between the world's two largest economies. "They should not just point fingers at others to gloss over their own problems," Xi said, decrying "protectionism", "isolationism" and confrontation. "They should not hold a flashlight in hand, doing nothing but highlighting the weaknesses of others and not their own." Beijing frames the first annual China International Import Expo as a sign of its commitment to open markets despite mounting criticism to the contrary and the worsening trade war with Washington, which has seen both sides impose punitive tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods. Organisers say more than 3,000 foreign companies from 130 countries including the United States and Europe will put their products on display for potential Chinese buyers at the expo, including General Motors, Ford, Microsoft, Samsung, Walmart and Tesla. Promise fatigue Xi's latest commitment to abide by world trade practices was light on specifics, however, and it remained to be seen whether it will satisfy an increasingly impatient foreign business community. In a speech at Davos nearly two years ago, Xi presented China as a beacon of globalisation in a counterpoint to Trump. But trading partners and foreign enterprises say he is yet to put his money where his mouth is, and they are tired of empty promises. Foreign businesses complain about a range of policies that benefit local firms, requirements that foreign companies form joint ventures with Chinese partners, forced technology transfers, rampant intellectual property violations and restrictive red tape. Foreign business surveys indicate that the playing field in China is actually worsening as Xi champions a strong-China message not unlike Trump's "America First" platform. The EU Chamber of Commerce last week urged Xi to "move past the rhetoric" on trade and put in place real and significant opening measures. The event is being attended by several foreign heads of government including Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Pakistani premier Imran Khan. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta voiced the foreign impatience when he told the opening ceremony that his country's growing trade with China was "heavily skewed" in Beijing's favour. "It is important for us therefore to correct the existing trade imbalance to enable a fair share of the benefits of trade," he said. US snub China ranks 59th out of the 62 countries evaluated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in terms of openness to foreign direct investment. Xi has said the expo proves China is willing to reduce its huge trade surpluses with other countries. But US officials say that amounts to China trying to buy its way out of criticism with a short-term import bump rather than real reform. Washington has snubbed the gathering by not sending high-level representation. But the lure of China's market remains strong and the US contingent includes even tech giants such as Facebook, which is blocked in China, and Google, which pulled out years ago over censorship and cyber-attacks. Both are seen as eyeing new ways into China. Experts say the week-long expo is also a message by Beijing that, as it pivots from an export-based economy toward one relying more on the buying power of its 1.4 billion people, other countries will need to work with China if they want a piece of that action. Microsoft founder Bill Gates will join a business forum, but the touchy optics of attending a China import expo at a time of trade tensions means few big-name American CEOs are confirmed.

Xi says China to 'step up' market opening, raise imports

Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for the Iran nuclear deal to be "earnestly" implemented as he met the country's president following the US withdrawal from the pact, state media said Monday.

Xi met one-on-one with Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on Sunday following a two-day regional security summit in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao that also included Russia and former Soviet republics.

President Donald Trump announced last month the US was withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal and re-imposing sanctions that would hit international businesses working in the Islamic republic.

The other parties to the deal -- Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia -- have vowed to stay in the accord but their companies risk huge penalties if they keep doing business in Iran.

In his meeting with Rouhani, Xi described the deal as "an important outcome of multilateralism", according to the official Xinhua news service.

Xi said the deal is "conducive to safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East and the international non-proliferation regime, and should continue to be implemented earnestly," according to Xinhua.

Rouhani said Iran expects the international community, including China, "to play a positive role in properly dealing with relevant issues", the agency reported.

During the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin told the assembled leaders, including Rouhani, that the US withdrawal could "destabilise the situation" but Moscow still supports the "unconditional implementation" of the deal.

Rouhani also had a bilateral meeting with Putin in Qingdao on Saturday and said more talks were needed between their two countries following Washington's "illegal" withdrawal, according to the Kremlin.

Xi met one-on-one with Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on Sunday following a two-day regional security summit in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao that also included Russia and former Soviet republics

Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for the Iran nuclear deal to be "earnestly" implemented as he met the country's president following the US withdrawal from the pact, state media said Monday. Xi met one-on-one with Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on Sunday following a two-day regional security summit in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao that also included Russia and former Soviet republics. President Donald Trump announced last month the US was withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal and re-imposing sanctions that would hit international businesses working in the Islamic republic. The other parties to the deal -- Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia -- have vowed to stay in the accord but their companies risk huge penalties if they keep doing business in Iran. In his meeting with Rouhani, Xi described the deal as "an important outcome of multilateralism", according to the official Xinhua news service. Xi said the deal is "conducive to safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East and the international non-proliferation regime, and should continue to be implemented earnestly," according to Xinhua. Rouhani said Iran expects the international community, including China, "to play a positive role in properly dealing with relevant issues", the agency reported. During the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin told the assembled leaders, including Rouhani, that the US withdrawal could "destabilise the situation" but Moscow still supports the "unconditional implementation" of the deal. Rouhani also had a bilateral meeting with Putin in Qingdao on Saturday and said more talks were needed between their two countries following Washington's "illegal" withdrawal, according to the Kremlin.

China's Xi backs nuclear deal in talks with Iran leader

In a veiled attack on the US, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday said China rejects "self-centred" and "closed-door" policies and called for a non-discriminatory and rules-based multilateral trading regime.

His comments at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit are seen as directed towards the US with which China is engaged in a fierce trade dispute.

The US, the world's largest economy, has a trade deficit of almost $500 billion with the world's second-largest economy China.

Xi said protectionism in trade should be opposed as he urged the SCO to work for upholding the authority and efficacy of the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and contribute in strengthening an open, inclusive and transparent trading regime.

"We should promote open and inclusive cooperation for win-win outcomes. We should reject self-centred, short-sighted and closed-door policies. We should uphold WTO rules and support the multilateral trading system so as to build an open world economy," The Chinese president said.

He also announced that China would set up a 30 billion yuan ($4.7 billion) equivalent special lending facility within the framework of the SCO Inter-bank Consortium.

He said that all parties should uphold the authority and efficacy of WTO rules, strengthen an open, inclusive, transparent, non-discriminatory and rules-based multilateral trading regime, and oppose trade protectionism of any form.

China is locked in a dispute with the Trump administration over trade tariff.

"We should pursue common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. We should reject the Cold War mentality and confrontation between blocs and oppose the practices of seeking absolute security of oneself at the expense of others, so as to achieve security of all," Xi said.

The summit was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and several other leaders of the eight-member grouping.

The SCO, which currently has eight members, represents around 42 per cent of the world's population and 20 per cent of the global GDP.

In his address, Xi also mentioned China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative.

"All parties will continue to work in line with the principle of mutual benefit to improve regional economic cooperation arrangements, enhance the Belt and Road cooperation and complementarity of our respective development strategies, deepen cooperation in business, investment, finance, connectivity and agriculture, advance trade and investment facilitation," he said.

Xi said SCO members should respect each other's choice of development paths and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns.

"We should enhance mutual understanding by putting ourselves in others' positions and boost harmony and unity by seeking common ground and setting aside differences," Xi said.

The Chinese President also underlined the need to strengthen the foundation for shared peace and security.

"We need to actively implement the 2019-2021 programme of cooperation for combating 'three evil forces' of terrorism, separatism and extremism," he said.&nbsp

He further said the SCO will have to play a major role in Afghanistan to facilitate peace and reconstruction of the country.

"China offers to train 2,000 law enforcement officers for all parties in the next three years through China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation and other platforms to enhance law enforcement capacity building," Xi added.&nbsp

The US has threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on up to $150 billion in Chinese goods while China has targeted $50 billion in American exports.

The two countries have not yet implemented their tariff increases to reach a negotiated settlement.&nbsp

The US, the world's largest economy, has a trade deficit of almost $500 billion with the world's second largest economy China.

In a veiled attack on the US, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday said China rejects "self-centred" and "closed-door" policies and called for a non-discriminatory and rules-based multilateral trading regime. His comments at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit are seen as directed towards the US with which China is engaged in a fierce trade dispute. The US, the world's largest economy, has a trade deficit of almost $500 billion with the world's second-largest economy China. Xi said protectionism in trade should be opposed as he urged the SCO to work for upholding the authority and efficacy of the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and contribute in strengthening an open, inclusive and transparent trading regime. "We should promote open and inclusive cooperation for win-win outcomes. We should reject self-centred, short-sighted and closed-door policies. We should uphold WTO rules and support the multilateral trading system so as to build an open world economy," The Chinese president said. He also announced that China would set up a 30 billion yuan ($4.7 billion) equivalent special lending facility within the framework of the SCO Inter-bank Consortium. He said that all parties should uphold the authority and efficacy of WTO rules, strengthen an open, inclusive, transparent, non-discriminatory and rules-based multilateral trading regime, and oppose trade protectionism of any form. China is locked in a dispute with the Trump administration over trade tariff. "We should pursue common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. We should reject the Cold War mentality and confrontation between blocs and oppose the practices of seeking absolute security of oneself at the expense of others, so as to achieve security of all," Xi said. The summit was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and several other leaders of the eight-member grouping. The SCO, which currently has eight members, represents around 42 per cent of the world's population and 20 per cent of the global GDP. In his address, Xi also mentioned China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. "All parties will continue to work in line with the principle of mutual benefit to improve regional economic cooperation arrangements, enhance the Belt and Road cooperation and complementarity of our respective development strategies, deepen cooperation in business, investment, finance, connectivity and agriculture, advance trade and investment facilitation," he said. Xi said SCO members should respect each other's choice of development paths and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns. "We should enhance mutual understanding by putting ourselves in others' positions and boost harmony and unity by seeking common ground and setting aside differences," Xi said. The Chinese President also underlined the need to strengthen the foundation for shared peace and security. "We need to actively implement the 2019-2021 programme of cooperation for combating 'three evil forces' of terrorism, separatism and extremism," he said. He further said the SCO will have to play a major role in Afghanistan to facilitate peace and reconstruction of the country. "China offers to train 2,000 law enforcement officers for all parties in the next three years through China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation and other platforms to enhance law enforcement capacity building," Xi added. The US has threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on up to $150 billion in Chinese goods while China has targeted $50 billion in American exports. The two countries have not yet implemented their tariff increases to reach a negotiated settlement.

Xi slams ' self-centred', 'closed door' trade policies

North Korea leader's surprise second meeting with China President Xi Jinping underscores how China will play a part in the denuclearisation front and till what extent till the negotiations go.&nbsp

China's Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that concerned parties should seize the opportunity to promote denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, the official Xinhua news agency said.

Xinhua said Li made the remarks during a trilateral meeting in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

As per reports, the negotiations could result in a "permanent, solid peace" on the Korean peninsula.

The negotiations could result in a 'permanent, solid peace' on the Korean peninsula

North Korea leader's surprise second meeting with China President Xi Jinping underscores how China will play a part in the denuclearisation front and till what extent till the negotiations go. China's Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that concerned parties should seize the opportunity to promote denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, the official Xinhua news agency said. Xinhua said Li made the remarks during a trilateral meeting in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. As per reports, the negotiations could result in a "permanent, solid peace" on the Korean peninsula.

China Premier says parties should seize chance to denuclearise Korean Peninsula

Big differences remain between China and the United States although the two sides managed to reach certain deals on some of their trade issues during the two-day bilateral trade talks in Beijing on Thursday and Friday.

No specific results of the talks have been disclosed, but Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended the talks with the US&nbsp;delegation led by President Donald Trump's Special Envoy and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, on economic and trade issues of common concern.

It's still unknown what deals have been reached, but both Chinese and US&nbsp;officials have agreed to remain in contact.

A report from Chinese news agency Xinhua on Friday said that "both sides recognized that given that considerable differences still exist on some issues, continued hard work is required for more progress."

As the US&nbsp;team heads back to Washington, US&nbsp;President Donald Trump sounded optimistic, saying: "I have great respect for President Xi. That's why we're being so nice. And we have a great relationship. But we have to bring fairness into trade between the US&nbsp;and China and we will do it."

The White House issued a statement, saying the talks were constructive, though the two sides remained far apart.

The US&nbsp;delegation affirmed that fair trade will lead to faster growth for the Chinese, United States, and world economies.

During the talks, Chinese negotiators brought up the recent case of telecommunication tech company ZTE. The US&nbsp;Commerce Department banned ZTE from buying American-made parts for seven years - a ruling that could destroy the company. US&nbsp;negotiators said they would report China's stance to Trump. Cases like ZTE and others are seen as tests of whether Washington is willing to make concessions as well as demands, according to some observers.

Both sides recognized that given that considerable differences still exist on some issues, continued hard work is required for more progress: Chinese media

Big differences remain between China and the United States although the two sides managed to reach certain deals on some of their trade issues during the two-day bilateral trade talks in Beijing on Thursday and Friday. No specific results of the talks have been disclosed, but Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended the talks with the US delegation led by President Donald Trump's Special Envoy and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, on economic and trade issues of common concern. It's still unknown what deals have been reached, but both Chinese and US officials have agreed to remain in contact. A report from Chinese news agency Xinhua on Friday said that "both sides recognized that given that considerable differences still exist on some issues, continued hard work is required for more progress." As the US team heads back to Washington, US President Donald Trump sounded optimistic, saying: "I have great respect for President Xi. That's why we're being so nice. And we have a great relationship. But we have to bring fairness into trade between the US and China and we will do it." The White House issued a statement, saying the talks were constructive, though the two sides remained far apart. The US delegation affirmed that fair trade will lead to faster growth for the Chinese, United States, and world economies. During the talks, Chinese negotiators brought up the recent case of telecommunication tech company ZTE. The US Commerce Department banned ZTE from buying American-made parts for seven years - a ruling that could destroy the company. US negotiators said they would report China's stance to Trump. Cases like ZTE and others are seen as tests of whether Washington is willing to make concessions as well as demands, according to some observers.

Big differences remain, but certain deals reached in China-US trade talks

The Trump administration has drawn a hard line in trade talks with China, demanding a $200 billion cut in the Chinese trade surplus with the United States, sharply lower tariffs and advanced technology subsidies, people familiar with the talks said on Friday.

The lengthy list of demands was presented to Beijing before the start of talks Thursday and Friday between top-level Trump administration officials and their Chinese counterparts to try to avert a damaging trade war between the world's two largest economies.

A White House statement did not mention specific demands, but said the US&nbsp;delegation "held frank discussions with Chinese officials on rebalancing the United States–China bilateral economic relationship, improving China’s protection of intellectual property, and identifying policies that unfairly enforce technology transfers."

The statement gave no indication that US&nbsp;President Donald Trump would back off on his threat to impose tariffs on up to $150 billion in Chinese goods over allegations of intellectual property theft.

The delegation was returning to Washington to brief Trump and "seek his decision on next steps," the White House said, adding that the administration had "consensus" for "immediate attention" to change the US-China trade and investment relationship.

Trump said he would meet with the delegation on Saturday. "We will be meeting tomorrow to determine the results, but it is hard for China in that they have become very spoiled with US&nbsp;trade wins!" he said in a Twitter post late on Friday.

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Our high level delegation is on the way back from China where they had long meetings with Chinese leaders and business representatives. We will be meeting tomorrow to determine the results, but it is hard for China in that they have become very spoiled with U.S. trade wins!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/992562394051293186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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China's state-run Xinhua news agency described the talks as "constructive, candid and efficient" but with disagreements that remain "relatively big."

Tariff threats have roiled stock markets in recent weeks, but the inconclusive outcome of the Beijing talks did little to stop a rally in US&nbsp;shares prompted by jobs data that eased fears of faster Federal Reserve rate hikes. Stocks in Shanghai ended 0.5 percent lower while they fell 1.3 percent in Hong Kong.

Trump told reporters in Washington that he was determined to bring fairness to US-China trade.

"We will be doing something one way or the other with respect to what's happening in China," Trump said. He added that he had "great respect" for China's President Xi Jinping. "That's why we’re being so nice, because we have a great relationship."

China during the meetings asked that the United States ease crushing sanctions on Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE Corp, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Washington's demand for a $200 billion cut from China's US&nbsp;goods trade surplus doubles Trump's previous request for a $100 billion cut. China had a record US&nbsp;goods trade surplus of $375 billion in 2017.

Trump has also demanded "reciprocity" between US&nbsp;and Chinese tariffs, frequently complaining about China's 25 percent car tariff while the US&nbsp;equivalent is 2.5 percent.

The US&nbsp;team, led by US&nbsp;Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, demanded that China lower tariffs to levels no higher than those imposed by the United States, two people familiar with the demands said. The delegation also asked China to halt subsidies for advanced technology linked to its "Made in China 2025," the sources said.

At the heart of the dispute are US&nbsp;allegations that Chinese joint venture requirements and other policies force American companies to turn over their intellectual property, costing them billions of dollars annually and giving China's state enterprises an edge in the race to develop new industries crucial to future growth.

China denies such coercion. Its 2025 industrial plan seeks to upgrade China's manufacturing sector to more advanced products, including information technology, semiconductors and aircraft.

"I think the US&nbsp;is asking for the impossible. Reducing the deficit by $200 billion by 2020 is quite an unrealistic demand, but it may also be a negotiation tactic to start high first," said Tommy Xie, economist at OCBC Bank in Singapore.

Beijing offers

China offered to increase US&nbsp;imports and lower tariffs on some goods, including cars, according to the sources. But Beijing asked the United States to treat Chinese investment equally under national security reviews, refrain from new restrictions on investments and halt a proposal to impose 25 percent tariffs under its "Section 301" intellectual property probe.

China also offered to reconsider anti-dumping duties on US&nbsp;sorghum, according to a proposal it submitted.

Xinhua said there had been exchanges of opinion on intellectual property protections, expanding US&nbsp;exports and bilateral services trade. It gave no indication of what actions might be taken but said the two sides committed to resolve their trade disputes through dialogue.

US&nbsp;negotiators agreed to bring up the ZTE sanctions with Trump after new representations from the Chinese side, Xinhua said. ZTE was hit last month with a seven-year ban on American companies' selling components and software to it after the US&nbsp;Commerce Department found ZTE failed to comply with an agreement to settle breached US&nbsp;sanctions on Iran.

"My impression was that (the talks) didn't go well given the rhetoric," said Kevin Lai, senior economist at Daiwa Capital markets in Hong Kong. "I think the divide is still very big."

In an editorial on its website, widely read Chinese state-run tabloid Global Times cited people close to the talks as saying the Chinese "hit back hard" at US&nbsp;criticism, letting them know that China would not give in.

The United States has proposed tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese goods under its "Section 301" probe. Those could go into effect in June following the completion of a 60-day consultation period, but activation plans have been kept vague.

China has said its own retaliatory tariffs on US&nbsp;goods, including soybeans and aircraft, will go into effect if the US&nbsp;duties are imposed.

The lengthy list of demands was presented to Beijing before the start of talks Thursday and Friday between top-level Trump administration officials and their Chinese counterparts

The Trump administration has drawn a hard line in trade talks with China, demanding a $200 billion cut in the Chinese trade surplus with the United States, sharply lower tariffs and advanced technology subsidies, people familiar with the talks said on Friday. The lengthy list of demands was presented to Beijing before the start of talks Thursday and Friday between top-level Trump administration officials and their Chinese counterparts to try to avert a damaging trade war between the world's two largest economies. A White House statement did not mention specific demands, but said the US delegation "held frank discussions with Chinese officials on rebalancing the United States–China bilateral economic relationship, improving China’s protection of intellectual property, and identifying policies that unfairly enforce technology transfers." The statement gave no indication that US President Donald Trump would back off on his threat to impose tariffs on up to $150 billion in Chinese goods over allegations of intellectual property theft. The delegation was returning to Washington to brief Trump and "seek his decision on next steps," the White House said, adding that the administration had "consensus" for "immediate attention" to change the US-China trade and investment relationship. Trump said he would meet with the delegation on Saturday. "We will be meeting tomorrow to determine the results, but it is hard for China in that they have become very spoiled with US trade wins!" he said in a Twitter post late on Friday. Our high level delegation is on the way back from China where they had long meetings with Chinese leaders and business representatives. We will be meeting tomorrow to determine the results, but it is hard for China in that they have become very spoiled with U.S. trade wins! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2018 × China's state-run Xinhua news agency described the talks as "constructive, candid and efficient" but with disagreements that remain "relatively big." Tariff threats have roiled stock markets in recent weeks, but the inconclusive outcome of the Beijing talks did little to stop a rally in US shares prompted by jobs data that eased fears of faster Federal Reserve rate hikes. Stocks in Shanghai ended 0.5 percent lower while they fell 1.3 percent in Hong Kong. Trump told reporters in Washington that he was determined to bring fairness to US-China trade. "We will be doing something one way or the other with respect to what's happening in China," Trump said. He added that he had "great respect" for China's President Xi Jinping. "That's why we’re being so nice, because we have a great relationship." China during the meetings asked that the United States ease crushing sanctions on Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE Corp, people with knowledge of the matter said. Washington's demand for a $200 billion cut from China's US goods trade surplus doubles Trump's previous request for a $100 billion cut. China had a record US goods trade surplus of $375 billion in 2017. Trump has also demanded "reciprocity" between US and Chinese tariffs, frequently complaining about China's 25 percent car tariff while the US equivalent is 2.5 percent. The US team, led by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, demanded that China lower tariffs to levels no higher than those imposed by the United States, two people familiar with the demands said. The delegation also asked China to halt subsidies for advanced technology linked to its "Made in China 2025," the sources said. At the heart of the dispute are US allegations that Chinese joint venture requirements and other policies force American companies to turn over their intellectual property, costing them billions of dollars annually and giving China's state enterprises an edge in the race to develop new industries crucial to future growth. China denies such coercion. Its 2025 industrial plan seeks to upgrade China's manufacturing sector to more advanced products, including information technology, semiconductors and aircraft. "I think the US is asking for the impossible. Reducing the deficit by $200 billion by 2020 is quite an unrealistic demand, but it may also be a negotiation tactic to start high first," said Tommy Xie, economist at OCBC Bank in Singapore. Beijing offers China offered to increase US imports and lower tariffs on some goods, including cars, according to the sources. But Beijing asked the United States to treat Chinese investment equally under national security reviews, refrain from new restrictions on investments and halt a proposal to impose 25 percent tariffs under its "Section 301" intellectual property probe. China also offered to reconsider anti-dumping duties on US sorghum, according to a proposal it submitted. Xinhua said there had been exchanges of opinion on intellectual property protections, expanding US exports and bilateral services trade. It gave no indication of what actions might be taken but said the two sides committed to resolve their trade disputes through dialogue. US negotiators agreed to bring up the ZTE sanctions with Trump after new representations from the Chinese side, Xinhua said. ZTE was hit last month with a seven-year ban on American companies' selling components and software to it after the US Commerce Department found ZTE failed to comply with an agreement to settle breached US sanctions on Iran. "My impression was that (the talks) didn't go well given the rhetoric," said Kevin Lai, senior economist at Daiwa Capital markets in Hong Kong. "I think the divide is still very big." In an editorial on its website, widely read Chinese state-run tabloid Global Times cited people close to the talks as saying the Chinese "hit back hard" at US criticism, letting them know that China would not give in. The United States has proposed tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese goods under its "Section 301" probe. Those could go into effect in June following the completion of a 60-day consultation period, but activation plans have been kept vague. China has said its own retaliatory tariffs on US goods, including soybeans and aircraft, will go into effect if the US duties are imposed.

Trump team demands China slash US trade surplus, cut tariffs

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