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SCHWEIZER
BOTSCHAFT IN BEIJING
EMBASSY OF SWITZERLAND IN BEIJING
AMBASSADE DE SUISSE EN CHINE |
Der wöchentliche
Presserückblick der Schweizer Botschaft in der VR China
The Weekly Press Review of the Swiss Embassy in the People's Republic
of China
La revue de presse hebdomadaire de l'Ambassade de Suisse en RP
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DPRK
Mongolia
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| Foreign Policy |
Chinese Embassy in New Zealand hosts "cloud" Spring Festival Gala (Xinhua)
2021-02-10
The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand has launched a "cloud" Spring Festival Gala Wednesday to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 12. The Chinese Embassy has carefully designed and produced the online Spring Festival Gala, which will last from Feb. 10 to Feb. 14. The gala includes ambassador's video blessings, art performances, Chinese dumpling making display by embassy staff, New Zealanders' art performance and blessings, Chinese Classical Music, Peking Opera and English documentaries about the 24 Solar Terms of the traditional Chinese Calendar and so on. Chinese ambassador to New Zealand Wu Xi expressed her blessings for the Year of the Ox to all Chinese nationals in New Zealand and New Zealanders through a video. Wu acknowledged that bilateral relations between China and New Zealand moved steadily forward against all odds, while saying that the two countries helped and encouraged each other amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "The Ox is known as an explorer in Chinese culture. This spirit of exploring is well reflected in the development of China-New Zealand relations," she said. The ambassador vowed that China is committed to maintaining good momentum in the advancement of bilateral ties. "The Chinese market and the opportunities it creates will always be open to New Zealand. China is committed to working with New Zealand to enhance mutual trust through dialogue and exchanges, to expand mutually-beneficial and practical cooperation, to tap the great potential of rolling out the Belt and Road Initiative, and to deliver substantial benefits to our two peoples in line with the comprehensive strategic partnership," she added. ^ top ^
Chinese, Nigerian presidents exchange congratulations on 50th anniversary of ties (Xinhua)
2021-02-10
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday exchanged congratulatory messages with his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries' diplomatic relations. ^ top ^
WHO team says coronavirus 'most likely' spread from animal, not lab leak (SCMP)
2021-02-10
World Health Organization investigators looking into the origins of Covid-19 in China have said it was most likely that the virus spread to people via an intermediary animal and ruled out the possibility that it came from a laboratory leak. The leader of the mission, WHO food scientist Peter Ben Embarek, shared the findings of the nearly four-week mission in a closing press conference on Tuesday evening from Wuhan, where he spoke alongside senior Chinese health official Liang Wannian and Dutch virologist Marion Koopmans. "Our initial findings suggest that the introduction through an intermediary host species is the most likely pathway and one that will require more studies," Ben Embarek said, noting this was more likely than the virus directly jumping over from a bat – believed to be the animal the virus originated from – into people in Wuhan. The "laboratory introduction hypothesis" on the other hand "is extremely unlikely to explain the introduction of the virus into the human population", he said, referring to theories that the virus may have escaped from a Wuhan laboratory studying coronaviruses. The team visited local laboratories, including the Wuhan Institute of Virology, as part of their itinerary in Wuhan and discussed biosafety protocols and details of past research with staff, Ben Embarek said. He also referred to a theory, which has been backed by some Chinese scientists, that the virus could have entered into Wuhan via frozen goods, noting that this was a possibility, though less likely than an introduction via an intermediary host. The 14-person international team of virologists, doctors and animal health specialists has been in Wuhan since January 14 working with Chinese scientists to review data in the city where the virus was first detected in late 2019. While the team enhanced their understanding of what the early spread of the disease was like in Wuhan in December, according to Ben Embarek, it remained unclear how the virus first began spreading in the city and in the Huanan seafood market, which was linked to a number of the early cases. Ben Embarek also said the team found no evidence "of large outbreaks that could be related to cases of Covid-19 prior to December 2019". That finding was reached through assessment of "a very large amount" of retrospective study of mortality and disease surveillance data to identify any unusual trends, Ben Embarek said. Similarly, testing for the coronavirus in animal species throughout the country, including domestic, farmed and wild animals indicated there was no widespread circulation of the virus in any animal species now or in 2019, he said. Liang, who has been leading the Chinese side of the mission, gave a lengthier breakdown of the investigation of prior infections, which he said included evaluation of thousands of case records and blood samples from over 200 medical institutions. Tens of thousands of animal samples screened for evidence of the virus tested negative, Liang said. Little information had previously been made public on such studies in China, even as Beijing has suggested that the virus could have been spreading overseas before it was spreading in China. During the conference, Liang referred to "unpublished studies" suggesting that the virus could have been circulating overseas before it was detected in Wuhan. "This indicates the possibility of missed reported circulation in other regions," he said. Liang also raised the possibility that the virus could travel on frozen food packaging – a type of transmission that Chinese scientists have linked to recent outbreaks in the country, but which international scientists say has not been proven. Ben Embarek said more should be done to understand the role of cold chains. He also called for continued research into the kinds of animal products that were on sale in the Huanan market in December 2019, as well as exploring evidence that has arisen around the world. "It's very interesting to follow up on every one of these clues, and preliminary reports and indications [of early infections] … around the world, and connect the dots and connect the different pieces of information to try to get a better understanding of this whole picture," he said. ^ top ^
Xi calls for drawing new China-CEEC cooperation blueprint (Xinhua)
2021-02-09
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday lauded the cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC), calling on relevant countries to keep up the momentum and work together for a new chapter in China-CEEC cooperation. Xi made the remarks while delivering a keynote speech at the China-CEEC Summit via video link. China-CEEC cooperation is based on mutual respect and has no political strings attached, Xi said, adding that all countries involved, regardless of size, are equal partners in a cooperation mechanism featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. The China-CEEC cooperation mechanism came into being in 2012 against the backdrop of the European debt crisis. Xi said that China-CEEC cooperation has developed some principles that are reflective of its distinctive features and accepted by all parties: making decisions through consultation, delivering benefits to all cooperation partners, pursuing common development through openness and inclusiveness, and achieving better growth through innovation. "China stands ready for vaccine cooperation with CEE countries," Xi said. So far, Serbia has received 1 million vaccine doses from a Chinese company, and there is ongoing cooperation between Hungary and Chinese vaccine companies, he said. "China will actively consider such partnerships with other CEE countries if there is a need," Xi added. In an innovative and pioneering spirit, China and CEE countries have taken steps early to align cross-regional cooperation with Belt and Road cooperation, making Central and Eastern Europe the first region where all countries have signed agreements on Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said. ^ top ^
Xi says China ready to work with Vietnam to promote ties (People's Daily)
2021-02-09
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that China-Vietnam relations are standing at a new historical starting point and China is willing to work with Vietnam to push for steady and enduring development of bilateral ties. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a phone conversation with his counterpart, Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Vietnamese president. China, Xi added, stands ready to join forces with Vietnam to strengthen strategic communication, increase political mutual trust, and maintain the political guidance role of and close communication between the leaderships of the two parties. Xi congratulated Trong again on his election as the general secretary of the CPV Central Committee, noting that the successful convention of the 13th National Congress of the CPV, which has set development goals for the new stage, bears great significance. He expressed the belief that under the leadership of the new CPV Central Committee headed by Trong, the CPV and the Vietnamese people would implement in an all-around way the decisions and deployments of the 13th National Congress of the CPV to strive to achieve the development goals of the CPV and the country. China and Vietnam are a community with a shared future which bears strategic significance, Xi stressed, adding that the continuously sound and stable development of bilateral relations conforms to the fundamental interests of the two parties, countries and peoples, and is conducive to the vigorous development of their socialist causes and to safeguarding regional and world peace and stability to promote development and prosperity. In the face of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and the challenge of complicated external environment, pragmatic cooperation between the two countries in various fields has been enhanced against the headwinds, which reflected the remarkable advantages of the leadership of the communist parties and socialist systems, and demonstrated the great vitality of the relations between the two parties and countries, Xi said. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the beginning of China's 14th Five-Year Plan, Xi said, noting that it is also the first year for Vietnam to implement the spirit of the 13th National Congress of the CPV. China, Xi added, is willing to work with Vietnam to accelerate the synergy of the Belt and Road Initiative with the "Two Corridors, One Economic Belt," promote the construction of cross-border economic cooperation zones between the two countries, and explore exchanges and cooperation in such fields as healthcare, digital economy and humanities. The two sides should strengthen coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues, firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, oppose protectionism and unilateralism, and support a fast entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, Xi noted. China and Vietnam, he said, should properly manage the maritime differences and stand against the instigation of external forces to promote the development of regional peace and stability. Trong thanked Xi for the good wishes on his re-election as the general secretary of the CPV Central Committee, noting that the 13th National Congress of the CPV has set the direction and tasks for the country's economic and social development in the next five years and the development visions to 2030 and 2045. Developing and strengthening the traditional friendly relations between Vietnam and China have always been the top priority of the CPV and his country, Trong said, adding that the Vietnamese side speaks highly of China's achievements in pandemic prevention and control as well as the recovery of economic development, and congratulated China on its achieving the first centenary goal. Against the background of complex changes in the current international situation, Trong said, it is of vital importance to consolidate and develop the friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties, countries and peoples. He noted that Vietnam is willing to work with China to deepen political mutual trust, strengthen inter-party exchanges, accelerate the implementation of bilateral pragmatic cooperation agreements, steer the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership along the path of sustained, healthy and stable development, and make contributions to promoting regional and global peace, stability, cooperation and development. The Vietnamese side congratulated the Communist Party of China on its 100th anniversary and expressed the firm belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, China will make new and greater achievements in its new journey to build a modern socialist country in an all-round way, he said. ^ top ^
Beijing 2022: China 'will seriously sanction' any country that boycotts Winter Olympics (SCMP)
2021-02-08
China will respond to Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic boycotts with serious sanctions towards any countries that pull out, according to the editor-in-chief of the state-backed nationalist tabloid Global Times. "Boycotting 2022 Beijing Winter Games, an unpopular idea, won't receive wide support," Hu Xijin wrote on Twitter on Sunday morning. "IOC and athletes will both oppose it, and China will seriously sanction any country that follows such a call." His words accompanied a screenshot of an article on The Guardian website that was headlined "MPs urge British Olympians to boycott 2022 Beijing Winter Games". Boycotting 2022 Beijing Winter Games, an unpopular idea, won't receive wide support. IOC and athletes will both oppose it, and China will seriously sanction any country that follows such a call. Hu Xijin 胡锡进 February 7, 2021: There have been growing calls for boycotting the Winter Olympics, which celebrated their one-year countdown last Thursday. Several Canadian MPs signed an open letter calling for a boycott last week and asking for the Games to be relocated from the Chinese capital. A coalition of 180 rights groups called for a boycott ahead of the one-year countdown in an open letter published last Wednesday. The Chinese foreign ministry dismissed the letter. Much of the focus has been on the treatment of Uygur Muslims in the far Western Xinjiang region. Several US Republican senators led a resolution to move the Beijing Winter Games last week, following the United States' designation that China's actions in the region was "genocide" in the last days of the Donald Trump presidency. The US has said it had no intention of telling its athletes not to go. Beijing 2022, which will be the largest Winter Games yet with 109 medals on offer, is set to begin on February 4 next year. This will be China's first time hosting the Winter Olympics, after holding the Summer Games in Beijing in 2008. The city will be the first to host both Summer and Winter Games. ^ top ^
Joe Biden foresees 'extreme competition' with China, not 'conflict' (SCMP)
2021-02-08
US President Joe Biden anticipates the US rivalry with China will take the form of "extreme competition" rather than conflict between the two world powers. Biden said in an excerpt of a CBS interview broadcast on Sunday that he has not spoken with China's President Xi Jinping since he became US leader. "Well, we haven't had occasion to talk to one another yet," Biden said. "There's no reason not to call him." Biden appears to be concentrating his initial telephone diplomacy on US allies. He so far has spoken with the leaders of Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Australia and the Nato secretary-general. He also worked in a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the interview, Biden described Xi as "very bright" and "very tough" but without "a democratic, small D, bone in his body". "I've said to him all along, that we need not have a conflict. But there's going to be extreme competition," Biden said. "I'm not going to do it the way [Donald] Trump did. We're going to focus on international rules of the road." Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi on Friday on a range of subjects, the highest level of communications between the world's largest economies since the Biden administration began. China is considered in Washington as the United States' number one strategic adversary, and the primary challenge on the world stage. Trump had chosen open confrontation and verbal attacks, without serious tangible results for the enormous US trade deficit with China. Biden has systematically dismantled many of the more controversial measures of the Trump era, while at the same time signalling that the United States will closely look out for its own interests. ^ top ^
Bulgaria's Deputy PM commends China's efforts in fighting pandemic (China Daily)
2021-02-07
Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Mariyana Nikolova on Saturday evening commended the solidarity and resilience of the Chinese people and State in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that global challenges can only be overcome together. Nikolova, who is responsible for economic and demographic policy, made the remarks during the online celebration of the Chinese New Year, which was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria. The past year has been marked by an unprecedented global health crisis that put the preservation of human life first, Nikolova said at the event, which was held under the theme "Fighting the epidemic together and welcoming the Chinese New Year". "The solidarity and resilience of the Chinese people and State teach us that global challenges can only be overcome through joint efforts, unity and cooperation," Nikolova said. Meanwhile, she emphasized the excellent bilateral relations in all areas, which the two countries have been enjoying since the establishment of diplomatic relations. "I strongly believe that new and mutually beneficial policies and initiatives will contribute to the deepening of our cooperation and understanding, thus strengthening the traditionally friendly relations between our peoples," Nikolova said. Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dong Xiaojun said at the event that the Chinese people are proud of their achievements over the past year. Under the strong leadership of the Party and the government, people from all over the country united and achieved great results in the prevention and control of the epidemic, as well as in economic and social development, the ambassador said. Faced with the pandemic, China and Bulgaria have helped each other and demonstrated with actions the enduring strength of traditional friendship and the rich meaning of the strategic partnership between the two countries, Dong said. Dimitar Boychev, chairman of the friendship group Bulgaria-China in the Bulgarian Parliament, said he was sure the two countries would have more new and significant projects in the fields of economy, technology, education and culture. "I believe that we have a better year ahead of us," he noted. ^ top ^
Cambodian PM welcomes 1st batch of Chinese COVID-19 vaccines (Xinhua)
2021-02-07
A special plane carrying the first batch of China-donated Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Cambodia on Sunday, which was welcomed by Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen at the capital's airport. Hun Sen has expressed his profound gratitude to China for the provision of the Sinopharm vaccines to Cambodia, saying that the donation truly reflected China's generosity and it would contribute further to the Sino-Cambodian ties. The event was live broadcast on the prime minister's official Facebook page, the state-run National Television of Cambodia (TVK), Fresh News, the kingdom's online news provider, and several other TV channels. "These vaccines have been used broadly in China and other countries so far, so millions of people have already received the Chinese vaccines," he said in a public speech earlier this week. He said a vaccination drive against COVID-19 will be launched on Feb. 10 and the prioritized groups for the vaccines will be doctors and nurses, armed forces, teachers, tuk-tuk and taxi drivers, and garbage collectors, among others. Cambodia on Thursday authorized the emergency use of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, saying that "the vaccine is used safely in China and other countries." The Southeast Asian nation has done well to contain the spread of COVID-19. The kingdom has so far registered a total of 474 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with zero deaths and 454 recoveries, according to the Ministry of Health. ^ top ^
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China's self-developed third-gen nuclear reactor put into commercial operation (People's Daily)
2021-02-10
China's first nuclear power unit using Hualong One, a domestically designed third-generation nuclear reactor, has entered commercial operation on Jan. 30. The No. 5 unit of Fujian Fuqing Nuclear Plant, marks that China has made it into the world's top rank of the third-generation nuclear technology, becoming another country that masters the technology after the U.S., France and Russia. In nearly 20 years of research and development, the research team of Hualong One conducted a total of 54 research projects, and the reactor holds independent intellectual property rights in multiple fields. Core technologies have been tackled in reactor core design, active and passive safety, fuel, and computational analysis software. The independent technological innovation propelled the upgrading of high-end equipment manufacturing. Hualong One has over 5,300 suppliers across the country for its more than 60,000 equipments. All core equipments, as well as 88 percent of all equipments were built by China. Through the demonstration project of Hualong One, China has completely grasped the core technologies and experiences of building third-generation nuclear power plants. The country is now able to manufacture major equipment for 8 to 10 third-generation nuclear power plants. According to Zhao Hao, general manager of Fujian Fuqing Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), the commercial operation of Hualong One will likely generate nearly 10 billion kWh of electricity each year, potentially reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 8.16 million tonnes and standard coal consumption by 3.12 million tonnes in annual terms. It is also an equivalent to plantation of over 70 million trees annually. The reactor has a profound significance for China to improve its energy structure, peak carbon dioxide emissions, and achieve carbon neutrality. From being commenced in Fuqing on May 7, 2015, to the commercial operation on Jan. 30 this year, the No. 5 unit saves 20 to 30 percent of cost compared with similar projects abroad. This makes Hualong One one of the most popular third-generation reactors in the world. Two Hualong One projects are currently under construction in Karachi, Pakistan, and Chile and the UK also expressed their interest in introducing the reactor, Zhao noted. Based on current market situations, each Hualong One unit is able to create an output of over 200 billion yuan ($31.01 billion) and create more than 150,000 jobs in China during its designed life. Besides, each exported unit will also generate revenue of nearly 20 billion yuan in the mechanical and material industries Hualong One is a signboard of China's equipment manufacturing, just like high-speed trains, said Xu Ligen, chairman of board of the Fujian Fuqing Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. The most central part of a nuclear power plant is the reactor core in which a minor fault could trigger gigantic problems. "Hualong One is the world's most advanced third-generation nuclear technology, and safety is its major highlight," Zhao told People's Daily. "We placed three super large tanks above the reactor core, each holding a thousand tonnes of water. Once the active system fails, the water will go down automatically and cool down the reactor," Zhao said. The combination of passive and active safety system has largely lowered the risk of meltdown and release of radioactive materials, he added. Besides, the nuclear power plant is covered by a two-layer concrete "shell" with a total thickness of over 3 meters. The shell can not only lock radioactive materials inside, but also resist the impacts from large aircraft and earthquakes of 9 magnitude. ^ top ^
Xi Jinping sends message on growth through innovation, big data in Guizhou (SCMP)
2021-02-09
President Xi Jinping has called on cadres to push for "deep integration" of big data and the real economy during a tour of Guizhou province in China's south. State media reports said Xi urged officials to seek growth based on innovation when he visited the province last week. He said this was "an inevitable choice" as the country sought to set the stage for a new development path, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Friday. "[We should] focus on this new development path, and push for deep integration between big data and the real economy," Xi was quoted as saying. "[We must] nurture and strengthen [our] strategic and emerging businesses, and accelerate the modernisation of our industries." Despite its relatively backward economy, the landlocked, mountainous province of Guizhou has been designated by Beijing to pioneer the country's big data drive. According to a new study by Fudan University in Shanghai, the province is also leading the way on sharing government data online. Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou, was ranked No 1 among its peers for consistently doing so over the past four years. But many other cities were lagging far behind. The study found that more than 60 per cent of provincial and prefecture-level governments had yet to share any data online. Of those that had set up data-sharing websites, more than half had not updated them for eight months. And less than 25 per cent of government-run platforms updated their content every quarter, according to the study. Zheng Lei, a professor with Fudan's Lab for Digital and Mobile Governance, which led the study, said sharing government data was "a marathon" effort. "It's about whether local governments can consistently share quality data with the public and push for its development and use," Zheng was quoted as saying in the official Oriental Outlook Weekly on Thursday. But Huang Huang, deputy dean of the School of Government at Peking University, said although there was social and economic value in releasing official data, it was costly for local governments. "There are processing costs before such data can be released, and with limited resources, [local governments] have to prioritise," Huang said. "[China does not have a] dedicated agency to help audit open data and the original owners have to take responsibility for the data's security and accuracy, so that can be a disincentive." Another issue was the areas for which data was being provided, according to the Fudan study. Just 14 per cent of platforms covered all the common categories of government data. Beijing was the only one to include the full range of key data – from social security and commerce to education and housing. And Zhejiang, Shenzhen and Guiyang were the only three cities to share essential data on transport, business registrations, weather and epidemic information. The study recommended that regulations be introduced on how local authorities share, maintain and use their public data. But it did find that the total number of data sets released by local governments had increased – from about 8,400 when the first survey was done in 2017 to more than 98,500 last year. Data-sharing platforms had also gone up – from 20 to 142 in the same period. ^ top ^
CPC gives feedback on latest round of disciplinary inspection (China Daily)
2021-02-09
The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has completed the feedback part of its latest round of disciplinary inspection, a regular governance mechanism to ensure top-down policy transmission and a forceful bite into corruption and misconduct. Inspectors have delivered their overall findings to inspected Party organizations in 32 provincial-level authorities and central government agencies, according to a news release on the website of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. In particular, leaders of the Party branches have been briefed on the major problems identified in the process. Inspected CPC organizations have been urged to develop a full understanding of the new development stage, act on the new development philosophy and pivot to a new development paradigm, said the news release. They need to take their due responsibilities in the process, it added. In terms of Party self-discipline, inspected CPC organizations have been asked to carry out a sincere overhaul to the extent that its vast members do not dare, are not able and have no desire to be corrupt. The inspection, the sixth round commissioned by the 19th CPC Central Committee, targeted Party organizations in 17 provincial-level regions, 14 central government agencies and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. A total of 15 inspection teams were deployed in October. The inspection lasted two and half months. ^ top ^
Senior CPC Official meets Panchen Lama (Xinhua)
2021-02-08
Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official You Quan met with the 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu in Beijing on Monday. You Quan, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, extended Spring Festival and Tibetan new year greetings to the Panchen Lama and people in the Tibetan Buddhism circle. He also extended congratulations to the Panchen Lama on the progress he made in various aspects and encouraged him to further his research on Buddhism. You expressed hope that the Panchen Lama would actively safeguard national and ethnic unity. The Panchen Lama said he would enhance his research on Buddhism, serve the believers and contribute to the ethnic unity, religious harmony, and people's well-being in Tibet. ^ top ^
Four key takeaways from Xi's southwestern tour ahead of Year of the Ox (People's Daily)
2021-02-08
About a week ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, President Xi Jinping made a three-day inspection trip to southwest China's Guizhou Province. During the trip, he visited villagers and community residents, checked the water quality of a river and talked to scientists of China's signature single-dish radio telescope. Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, wished happiness and good fortune for the people and prosperity for the nation in the Year of the Ox, which begins on Feb. 12. The Year of the Ox marks a historic juncture for China as it embarks on a new quest to fully build itself into a modern socialist country. Here are some key takeaways from Xi's trip that may provide some insights into China's development trajectory. The Party's fundamental purpose is to serve the people wholeheartedly. Xi has always required all CPC members to put people's interests first. As the Party's top leader, Xi himself visited ordinary people, the disadvantaged groups in particular, in his pre-Chinese New Year inspections for nine years in a row. On Wednesday, Xi went to a once poor village in an ethnic Miao township and made a house call on villager Zhao Yuxue. He checked the family's living conditions and joined them to make a traditional snack for festivals. The next day, Xi went to a supermarket in the provincial capital Guiyang, checking the supply of goods for the Spring Festival holiday and their prices. "The president encouraged us to make concrete efforts in our jobs and offer goods to people at more affordable prices," said Guan Mei, a manager of the supermarket. At the supermarket, Xi particularly demanded strengthened anti-epidemic measures and food safety supervision to ensure the people have a happy holiday. "He is the one who cares most about the common people," Zhao, the ethnic Miao villager, said of Xi. Over the past eight years, China lifted nearly 100 million rural poor out of poverty, securing a decisive victory in ending absolute poverty. For the way forward, Xi's Guizhou trip signals that the focus of the country's work concerning agriculture, rural areas and farmers has shifted from poverty eradication to promoting rural vitalization. By choosing Guizhou, home to the last nine counties removed from the country's poverty list, Xi wanted to see in person the living conditions of those who had shaken off poverty, and promote steady progress in rural vitalization, a strategy stressed by the Party at its 19th national congress in 2017 to revamp the countryside. Good and stable local jobs that enable farmers to stay in the countryside are an important part of it. During his visit to an ethnic Miao embroidery workshop, Xi hailed its role in promoting rural vitalization. "Thanks to the good policies, we villagers can now be employed at our doorsteps," said Peng Yi, an artisan at a local embroidery company. The environment has been a constant concern for Xi over the past years. He has visited rivers, mountains and natural reserves across the country as part of his inspection itineraries. On Wednesday, Xi visited a section of the Wujiang River, one of the biggest tributaries of the upper Yangtze River. Checking the ecological environment and water quality of the river, Xi emphasized blazing a new path that prioritizes ecological conservation and green development. A key component of the new development philosophy, green development has been underscored for China's development blueprint in the next five years and through to 2035, at a key Party plenum last year. During the trip, Xi told provincial officials that an excellent ecological environment is Guizhou's biggest development strength and competitive edge, reiterating the role of ecological conservation and green development. When it comes to science and technology, there is no limit for the country's scientists to pursue excellence. During the trip, Xi met with the project leaders and core scientists of China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), the world's largest single-dish radio telescope, and called on scientists to scale the heights of global science. He called the scientists to make new and greater contributions to developing China's scientific and technological strength at a faster pace and realizing the country's self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology. Innovation is expected to play a central role in driving China's modernization. The country has lately performed an array of feats thanks to its science and technology development strategy. It launched the Mars probe Tianwen-1 on July 23, 2020, kicking off the country's independent planetary exploration mission. The China National Space Administration on Friday released the first image of Mars captured by the Mars probe. FAST, which is tasked with the ultimate goal of revealing more about the universe, is scheduled to be available for scientists across the world from April 1, 2021. In the first year of the telescope's opening to the global scientific community, about 10 percent of the observation time will be allocated to foreign scientists. "We will keep making efforts to ensure that all our astronomical facilities are of top-level globally," said Jiang Peng, chief engineer of FAST and researcher at the National Astronomical Observatories of China. ^ top ^
Top political advisor extends festival greetings to religious personages, believers (China Daily)
2021-02-08
China's top political advisor Wang Yang extended Spring Festival greetings to religious personages and believers nationwide Sunday on behalf of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, extended the greetings at a symposium with leaders of national religious groups ahead of the Lunar New Year. Praising the work of religious groups in 2020, Wang stressed deepened understanding of the guiding principles of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee and called on them to do their work in accordance with the overall development of undertakings of the Party and the nation. Speaking of religious events during the Spring Festival, Wang called for strict implementation of COVID-19 control measures and advised a minimized number of gatherings and activities. ^ top ^
Xi calls for enhanced combat readiness from Chinese military during holidays (Global Times)
2021-02-07
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for the Chinese military to enhance its combat readiness during the upcoming Spring Festival holidays when he recently inspected an aviation division of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force. Experts said other militaries should not have the illusion that they can make provocative moves during the holidays without meeting PLA's countermeasures. PLA warplanes continued their consecutive exercises near the island of Taiwan prior to the Spring Festival, and the high-altitude border defense troops of the Xinjiang Military Command received several new weapons and equipment including advanced howitzers and assault vehicles as "holiday gifts," media reports said. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Thursday inspected an aviation division of the PLA Air Force being stationed in Southwest China's Guizhou Province ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Saturday. He said that PLA troops should enhance their combat readiness during the Spring Festival holidays and safeguard national security as well as the happiness and peace of the people. This year's Spring Festival falls on Friday, and there is a seven-day national holiday from Thursday to February 17. It is usual practice for the Chinese military to enhance its combat readiness in major holidays, Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Sunday. "History tells us that many wars broke out on holidays or at night when troops let their guard down. That is why we need to stay on high alert particularly when there are holidays, so we can stop any potentially dangerous moves or hostile reconnaissance," Fu said. While China has witnessed peace for a long time, provocative moves by other militaries had occurred during holidays in the past. For instance, on January 25, 2020, the Spring Festival of last year, the US Navy sent the USS Montgomery littoral combat ship near the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea, and was tracked, identified and warned away by naval and aerial forces of the PLA Southern Theater Command, the command's spokesperson said at that time. During his inspection at the PLA Air Force aviation division, Xi inspected a special aircraft designed for information warfare. Special mission aircraft developed on the basis of Y-8 and Y-9, including reconnaissance aircraft, electronic countermeasures aircraft and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, can enable the PLA to gain informational advantage in future warfare, a military expert who asked not to be identified told the Global Times on Sunday. The expert noted that these types of aircraft have been frequent visitors near the Taiwan Straits since the start of PLA military exercises in the region in September 2020, which have become routine. PLA warplanes entered Taiwan's self-proclaimed southwestern air defense identification zone for seven consecutive days since the start of February, Taipei-based newspaper Liberty Times reported on Sunday. The media outlet also noted that the intensive PLA operations come only days before the Spring Festival. As the Spring Festival edges near, PLA border defense troops are also receiving unique "holiday gifts," including 155mm-caliber vehicle-mounted howitzers, armored assault vehicles and light tanks, according to China Central Television (CCTV) reports. An artillery regiment attached to the PLA Xinjiang Military Command based in the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains recently received delivery of a batch of the 155mm-caliber vehicle-mounted howitzers, CCTV reported on Saturday. The howitzer, designated as the PCL-181, is China's most advanced of its kind with longest range, and characterized by its high mobility, fast reaction time, high accuracy and capability to shoot at 360 degrees, even when operating in plateaus and harsh cold, analysts said. Another Xinjiang Military Command unit, a combined arms regiment, commissioned a batch of third-generation Dongfeng Mengshi armored assault vehicles that are equipped with radio stations, the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers, CCTV said. Last week, CCTV reported that the Xinjiang Military Command also received delivery of and commissioned its first batch of China's newly developed Type 15 light tanks in January. These weapons and equipment are particularly effective in plateau operations and will serve as a solid boost to the Chinese border defense troops' combat capabilities during and after the Spring Festival festivals, analysts said. ^ top ^
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| Beijing |
Former Beijing Deputy Mayor Sentenced to 15 Years for Taking $20 Million in Bribes (Caixin)
2021-02-06
A former Beijing deputy mayor has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by a court in the Southern city of Nanjing, a year after admitting to accepting 129 million yuan ($20 million) in bribes, state media said Friday. Chen Gang, 54, who spearheaded urban development in the capital city for over a decade, was also fined 5 million yuan after being found guilty of corruption, according to the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party. He will be required to hand over all of his ill-gotten gains to the central government, the ruling said. The court gave Chen a relatively lenient punishment after he turned himself in and pleaded guilty to his crimes in November 2019. During his time as deputy mayor, Chen used his position to help companies win construction projects in exchange for money and gifts worth more than 128.9 million yuan between 2003 and 2018. His high rank and the relatively large size of the bribes led the authorities to label him the "first tiger to fall in 2019" when his arrest was first announced. The probe into Chen began shortly after Li Shixiang, another Beijing deputy mayor between 2012 and 2017, was investigated by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) – the country's highest disciplinary body overseeing party members, for embezzlement and corruption. Li was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2019. In addition to deputy mayor, Chen's other previous posts in the Beijing city government included head of the urban planning committee, where he directed and oversaw giant, citywide construction projects in preparation for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. More than half of the bribes were received in 2018, the same year Chen was named head of the China Association for Science and Technology's secretariat, Caixin previously reported. Fearing his political career might end with his transfer to the academic body, Chen stepped up efforts to accumulate wealth through accepting bribes, several sources told Caixin. Among other things, Chen instructed the boss of a private company to build him a luxurious private garden, Caixin previously reported. He was personally involved in the garden's design and construction, and used it to entertain family, friends and businessmen. Chen was also found guilty of engaging in superstitious beliefs and practices, including two instances when he sought advice from fortune tellers, knowledgeable sources previously told Caixin. Anti-graft authorities started to investigate Chen in 2016 after being tipped off to his illegal activities. He admitted to some bribery allegations in late 2018, then arranged for his mistress to flee the country the next day. He also colluded with some of businessmen involved in his crimes to coordinate statements regarding their illicit activities, the sources said. ^ top ^
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| Guangdong |
Merger Approval Marks End of Shenzhen's Sleepy Main Stock Board (Caixin)
2021-02-08
China's securities watchdog has approved the merger of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange's main board and its SME Board, in a move to unify rules and better serve companies' financing needs. The combination, which was revealed by Caixin in October, is "a key measure to comprehensively deepen the capital market reform" and can better fulfill the financing needs of companies at different stages of development, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said in a Friday statement. The Shenzhen bourse hosts three markets — the main board, the SME board and the ChiNext board. The main board, which dates back to the exchange's founding in 1990, is home to mainly big blue-chip stocks but hasn't had an IPO since 2000. The SME board chiefly serves small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) with growth potential, while the ChiNext, which models itself on the Nasdaq exchange in the U.S., focuses on high-growth, high-tech startups. The Shenzhen exchange unified the guidelines for listed companies' operations on the main board and the SME board last year, paving the way for their unification. The merger will be carried out under the principle of "two unifies and four remains" (两个统一、四个不变), the CSRC said. The principle involves unifying the rules of the two boards and unifying regulatory systems, and leaving unchanged IPO criteria, investor requirements, transaction mechanisms, and stock codes and abbreviations. Pi Liuyi, a deputy director of one of the CSRC's market departments, said at a Friday briefing that the merger will not weaken the ability of the capital market to serve SMEs. The Shenzhen Stock Exchange will form a structure with the main board and the ChiNext board to provide services for SMEs at different stages of development. At the same time, it will optimize and improve services and increase efforts to support SMEs. A source with knowledge of the matter told Caixin that there's no longer any need to distinguish the main board from the SME board because their listing and regulatory requirements are more or less the same. "After the merger, there's no need to differentiate the size of a company as long as it meets the criteria to list on the main board," the source said. At the end of January, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange had 1,468 companies listed on the main board and the SME board, accounting for 35% of total A-share listed companies, according to the CSRC statement. Their combined market value was 23.39 trillion yuan ($3.6 trillion), about 29% of the total A-share market capitalization, the CSRC said. ^ top ^
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| Xinjiang |
Adrian Zenz, man behind the lies about Muslim oppression in Xinjiang (People's Daily)
2021-02-07
The world knows that the US invaded Iraq based on a lie that former President Saddam Hussein had possessed the Weapons of Mass Destructions (WMD), but the US finally failed to trace the weapons even after destroying and occupying the entire country. The world would later learn that there was a man behind the lies about the WMD. He was Rafid Ahmed Alwan al-Janabi, better known by his cryptonym "Curveball" given by his US and German intelligence services. He defected from Iraq in 1999 as an arrest warrant was issued against him for embezzling money of Iraqi government, and was later granted asylum by the German government after arriving in Germany. Curveball claimed that he had worked as a chemical engineer at a plant that manufactured biological weapons as part of an Iraqi weapons of mass destruction program. His lies were presented as "facts and conclusions based on solid intelligence" by Colin Powell at the UN Security Council in 2003. Many other dignitaries of the then Bush administration also used the lies to make the case for invading Iraq. The media outlets also joined hands in spreading his statements as truth. It eventually came to light how the US employed Curveball to justify the invasion. Likewise, there is a man behind the lies about the so-called Muslim oppression in Xinjiang, China, named Adrian Zenz. An anthropologist, Zenz is coincidentally also a German citizen like Curveball. He is a senior fellow in China studies at the "Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation" in Washington, D.C. Beyond all of his identities, Zenz has risen to prominence for his studies of so-called Muslim oppression in Xinjiang. His research outcomes are the main and favorite sources of false and fictitious reports about Xinjiang run by Western media. Though he has never been to Xinjiang, his studies on the region have long been enjoying uncritical coverage from the media. If we scrutinize his studies, we can realize how authentic and factual they are. For example, in 2019, Zenz published a study mentioning that some 1 million Uygurs were detained in Xinjiang at any time since late 2016. He claimed to have estimated the number based on extrapolations from food allowance subsidy figures of the Chinese government. Newsweek Japan divulged the secret of his studies by reporting that Zenz's estimates were sourced by Istiqlal TV, a Uygur exile operated media organization based in Turkey. The Japanese media report made it crystal clear that Zenz is spreading the statements of Uygur separatists in the name of independent studies. In the same vein, Zenz published another study drawing a conclusion that the Chinese government is running a forced birth control surgery program in Xinjiang. Several public health experts found many flaws in the study. They questioned the correctness of his research methodology and the authenticity of its outcomes, because Zenz interviewed only eight women who too are living in the US. The experts also questioned if it's rational to jump to conclusions about an entire ethnic group based on the interviews of only eight people who live abroad. Western media doesn't bother to take those questions into account, but are indifferently disseminating the flawed studies of the German researcher. It's very natural to question why Zenz would try to establish the fake statements and baseless claims of Uygur separatists as research findings. If we look back at his identities, as I mentioned before, we can easily get the answer to this question. First, he is a senior fellow in China studies at the notorious Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, an organization that was established in 1993 by an Act of Congress signed by Bill Clinton. The foundation blames the Chinese government for the outbreak of COVID-19. Given the information, it's not difficult to understand the foundation is an anti-China entity. As its senior fellow, Zenz has been smearing China by spreading lies about Xinjiang in the name of research as part of his job. Secondly, Zenz disseminates the lies about Xinjiang, because he thinks it's his religious duty. The German researcher is a "born-again" far-right fundamentalist Christian, who often states that he has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Zenz has also stated that he feels "led by God" in his research on Chinese ethnic minority groups. Based on the aforesaid discussions, I have no option other than to conclude that the anti-China forces have employed Zenz to establish the lies about Muslim oppression in Xinjiang as academic findings. Zenz is spreading the lies as part of his job being imbued by his religious beliefs. Thus, the anti-China forces have been using his research as the salient source of their propaganda about Xinjiang to slander China. ^ top ^
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| Hongkong |
Hong Kong gov't says it does not recognise dual nationality, UK warns (HKFP)
2021-02-08
The British government has updated its travel advice to warn its citizens that Hong Kong does not recognise dual nationality. "The British Consulate-General has been informed that Hong Kong, like other parts of China, does not recognise dual nationality," an update to the foreign travel advice for the city said on Monday. "If you have both British and Chinese nationality you may be treated as a Chinese citizen by local authorities, even if you enter Hong Kong on your British passport." The consulate may not be able to offer dual nationals assistance, the advisory added. It comes days after Hong Kong and China said it would no longer recognise British National (Overseas) passports after London extended visa rights to Hongkongers. "From Jan 31, China will no longer recognise the so-called BNO passport as a travel document and ID document, and reserves the right to take further actions," China's foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at the time. Also last month, Canadian media reported that one of its dual citizens who was jailed in Hong Kong was told to choose which nationality he was. Canada, Britain and the US expressed alarm over the move. Dual nationality is not legally recognised in Hong Kong under Chinese law, but the rules have never been enforced, diplomats said. Hong Kong is home to 300,000 Canadian, 100,000 Australian and 85,000 American passport holders – many of them dual nationals. ^ top ^
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| Macau |
Macao starts vaccination of mainland-made COVID-19 vaccines, chief executive goes first (China Daily)
2021-02-09
China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Tuesday started vaccination using mainland-made COVID-19 vaccines at a major local public hospital, with Macao SAR Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng being the first one to be vaccinated. Several leading officials of the SAR government were also vaccinated, together with representatives of prioritized groups including front-line workers in anti-epidemic efforts and groups that are at high risk in terms of occupational exposure, including police, staff of customs, hotels and airports as well as medical workers. These people will take the second dose of the vaccine after three to four weeks. Officials of the SAR government took the lead in vaccination in an effort to convey their confidence in the vaccines, said Ao Ieong U, secretary for social affairs and culture of Macao, at the launch ceremony, calling for residents in Macao to be vaccinated. The first batch of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccines made in the Chinese mainland were delivered to the Macao SAR on Saturday thanks to the support of the central authorities, she added. Ho said after vaccination that he did not feel anything peculiar after taking the first dose, calling on residents in Macao to be vaccinated on a voluntary basis. Ku Weng Hong, a pilot of Air Macau, told Xinhua that he voluntarily registered for the vaccination out of the need for work. "Vaccination benefits us in many different ways," he said. "It can build up immunity in communities." On Monday, Macao opened the reservation system for the vaccination to the public. Prioritized groups for the vaccination could start making reservations online on Monday and begin vaccination on Tuesday, according to the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Center of Macao. Other Macao ID holders can start making reservations from Tuesday noon and begin vaccination after Feb 22, the center said. Whether non-Macao ID holders staying in the SAR can be covered in the vaccination scheme depends on the vaccination rollout at the first two stages and the number of vaccines left available, said the center. It announced in January that the SAR would offer vaccination free of charge to Macao ID holders, employees from elsewhere who work in the SAR and non-local students studying in Macao. As of Monday, no locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases had been reported in Macao for over 10 months. A total of 48 confirmed cases had been reported in the SAR. ^ top ^
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| Taiwan |
Island leader 'distorting facts, confusing public' (China Daily)
2021-02-10
A speech by Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen on Tuesday spread the "two states" theory that defines cross-Straits ties as a state-to-state relationship, which was "deceiving people on the island by distorting facts and confusing the public", said Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. Her speech exposed that the nature of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan is seeking independence and that it relies on foreign countries to do so, Ma said on Tuesday. Tsai said in a pre-Spring Festival speech that Taiwan's relations with the United States have remained solid despite the change in US administrations last month and her team will be working with the new administration to enhance exchanges. Tsai said the key to maintaining peace across the Taiwan Straits lies in the hands of the Chinese mainland, referring to the mainland's deployment of military aircraft in the Straits. From 2008 to 2016, under Tsai's predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou, better relations between the mainland and Taiwan were achieved as the two sides adhered to the 1992 Consensus that embodies the one-China principle, creating peaceful development across the Straits. During the period, compatriots on both sides shared a peaceful and stable environment, as well as the achievements of cooperative development, the spokesman said. The current grim situation of cross-Straits relations has been entirely caused by the DPP authorities, who came to power in 2016 and refuse to recognize the 1992 Consensus reached by the two sides, he said. They have been obstructing cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation and colluding with foreign forces to seek "independence", which created tension and confrontation across the Straits and seriously damaged the vital interests of compatriots on both sides, he added. The spokesman urged DPP authorities to give up their position on "Taiwan independence", stop their activities for "independence "and return to the common political foundation of the 1992 Consensus. ^ top ^
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| Economy |
Central Bank's New Venture May Signal Ambitions to Boost Digital Yuan's International Role (Caixin)
2021-02-09
The People's Bank of China (PBOC) has set up a joint venture with SWIFT, the global network that processes transactions between financial institutions in different countries, public business record show, although the central bank hasn't made any official statement about the linkup. SWIFT, which stands for the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, set up the venture, Finance Gateway Information Services Co. Ltd. (金融网关信息服务有限公司), with several institutions under the PBOC on Jan. 16, according to information (link in Chinese) available on the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System. With registered capital of 10 million euros ($12 million), the joint venture will primarily be involved in information systems integration, data processing and technology consultancy, according to the publicity system. Sources with knowledge of the matter told Caixin that the venture was set up to fulfill regulatory requirements regarding cross-border data security, ensure that information about transactions is stored domestically, and further facilitate cross-border transactions. "This is a compliance update in China … that allows us to continue and strengthen our services to support our customers' business goals in China," SWIFT told Caixin in a statement. The joint venture "will be able to obtain necessary licenses for local network management activities. It is majority owned and controlled by SWIFT and its services will be limited in scope and entirely focused on maintaining compliance with applicable regulations in China." Finance Gateway was set up by SWIFT's Hong Kong unit and four institutions under the PBOC which are involved in the payments market either as participants or infrastructure providers. SWIFT owns a 55% stake while the China National Clearing Center holds 34%, the central bank's digital currency research institute (DCRI) has 3%, the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System Co. Ltd. (CIPS) has 5%, and the Payment and Clearing Association of China (PCAC) owns 3%. SWIFT has three seats on the board while the Chinese side has two –– the chairman, Cheng Shigang, a deputy general secretary of the PCAC, and Mu Changchun, head of the DCRI. The DCRI's participation and Mu's inclusion as a director suggest some of the venture's work will be focused on the digital yuan, and may be a sign that the central bank wants to speed up the cross-border payment application of the central bank's digital currency (数字货币) known as DCEP (数字货币和电子支付工具). The establishment of Beijing-registered Finance Gateway could also help China expand the influence of its own cross-border clearing house and payments system, CIPS, which was set up in 2015 to help promote the internationalization of the yuan, especially among countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. CIPS would still need to use the SWIFT infrastructure though, so the joint venture could mark a further step forward in integrating CIPS into the Belgium-based institution's financial infrastructure. A source close to CIPS told Caixin that information related to China's cross-border transactions will first go through Finance Gateway before connecting to SWIFT. The collaboration between CIPS and the joint venture will be "mutually beneficial," the source said. "We have been part of China's financial markets for more than 30 years, connecting it to the global financial system by facilitating payments and securities flows across borders, and, as we do everywhere we operate, we make adjustments as necessary to remain compliant with regulatory requirements," SWIFT said. This isn't SWIFT's first foray into China. In January 2019 it announced it was setting up a wholly owned subsidiary in Beijing to offer localized services in China and accept the yuan as a settlement currency. SWIFT also signed a letter of intent with CIPS to deepen cooperation in cross-border payment services that year. The DCRI has been working with SWIFT for some time. In July 2019, the two sides held a trade financing seminar which discussed how to jointly build a digital technology ecosystem using the PBOC's technology and SWIFT's platform and network. ^ top ^
China issues final version of anti-monopoly guidelines as Beijing moves to rein in Big Tech (SCMP)
2021-02-08
China's market regulator has issued the final version of the country's new antitrust guidelines targeting internet platforms, showing Beijing's resolve to crack down on monopolistic practices such as forcing merchants to choose only one online channel or charging different prices for clients. The rules, which came into effect on Sunday, are based on a draft issued in November and come six weeks after the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the country's antitrust regulator, announced an antitrust investigation into e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding for alleged monopolistic conduct. Alibaba, owner of the South China Morning Post, and the regulator have not provided any updates on the progress of the probe. SAMR said the new guidelines aim to "prevent and stop the monopolistic behaviour of internet platforms and protect fair competition in the market". The guidelines issued by the State Council Antitrust Committee, which are expected to serve as a manual for China's antitrust regulators when looking at internet companies, prohibit platforms from forcing merchants to pick one platform as their exclusive distribution channel, and from using price discrimination based on big data analysis, according to a statement published by SAMR on Sunday. The "picking one from two" practise constitutes an abuse of market dominance by restricting transactions, according to the guidelines, and could include tactics such as blocking or limiting traffic to merchants, as well as subsidising users with discounts and other incentives. The new rules will also ban platforms from exchanging user information or using data and algorithms to fix prices, and from creating barriers for others to make transactions. Internet platforms, which SAMR defines as businesses that use technology to enable interaction between bilateral or multilateral parties under specific rules, are "more concealed" in their monopolistic practices compared to traditional industries, the antitrust regulator said in a statement. "The use of data, algorithms and platform rules are making it more difficult to discover and determine monopolistic behaviours, as [the methods] may help the operators exchange sensitive information quickly and frequently," SAMR said. The final version of the guidelines include a few key changes from the draft issued in November. "The most striking change is the removal of the controversial provision about potentially skipping the step to define the market in cases involving agreements and abuse of dominance," said Angela Zhang, director of the Centre for Chinese Law at the University of Hong Kong. "The original draft provision received much criticism from practitioners who were concerned that such a short cut could give the agency excessive discretion." Beijing is using antitrust as a tool to rein in the unchecked growth of Big Tech, which has been largely untouched by monopoly regulations since the country's first antitrust law was enacted in 2008. The People's Bank of China (PBOC), the country's central bank, has also issued draft rules to define monopoly in the third-party payment service market, a move that could affect major players such as Alipay, owned by Alibaba affiliate Ant Group, and WeChat Pay, operated by Tencent Holdings. However, implementation details are left to the regulators to decide, as China's antitrust law provides only a legal framework with few specific details. Until recently, antitrust regulators mainly targeted players in traditional industries such as utilities and pharmaceuticals, according to a recent Post review of more than 100 Chinese antitrust cases over the last 12 years. Chinese courts have not yet made any antitrust rulings against Big Tech. In 2017 JD.com sued Alibaba for monopoly practices, claiming it harmed competition in e-commerce, but the Beijing court handling the case has not issued a ruling. Separately, China's market regulator said on Monday that it will impose a 3 million yuan (US$463,843) fine on e-commerce platform Vipshop for unfair competition. ^ top ^
China Attacks 'Shadow Shareholders' in New IPO Guidelines (Caixin)
2021-02-08
Companies seeking to raise funds by selling shares in China will have to fully disclose and terminate "shadow shareholder" arrangements under guidelines issued Friday by China's top securities regulatory commission. As part of intensified scrutiny of initial public offerings (IPOs) in the wake of the suspension of Ant Group. Co. Ltd.'s mega flotation in November, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) issued new guidelines on how IPO companies are to divulge shareholder information. The new rules include more-detailed requirements on disclosure of multi-layered indirect shareholders and lock-up periods in a move to combat illegal shareholding and improper transfer of benefits. Some investors hide behind registered shareholders of pre-IPO companies through shareholding entrustments and multi-layered shareholding structures, Wu Nianwen, deputy director of the CSRC's issuance department, said at a press conference. Such shadow shareholders might have obtained pre-listing shares at a low price through bribery and the transmission of benefits, Wu said. Authorities have intensified their focus on IPOs since the CSRC accused Shanghai's tech board of too quickly carrying out its review of Ant Group's application. Sponsors of new listings on Shanghai's tech board will face tough onsite supervision and inspection when regulators question the viability of candidates or the quality of their information disclosure, according to a notice issued Wednesday. During a meeting of the listing committee of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange Feb. 2, a review of Shanghai Canxing Culture & Media Co. Ltd.'s IPO application was terminated as the exchange demanded that the issuer explain a multi-layered limited partnership shareholding structure. Under the new guidelines, IPO issuers will be required to disclose shareholder information truthfully, accurately, and completely. Issuers must terminate past shareholding entrustments before submitting an IPO application. And in the prospectus, issuers must disclose any potential disputes over shareholding entrustment agreements as well as how the agreements started, evolved and terminated, the CSRC said. In IPO applications, issuers have to disclose whether direct and indirect shareholders include individuals who are prohibited by laws or regulations from holding shares and whether IPO intermediaries or senior executives are direct or indirect shareholders, the commission said. If an individual shareholder's share purchase price was abnormal, an IPO intermediary must verify basic shareholder information and the background of the share purchase. If a shareholder is a limited partnership or doesn't have any actual business and has two or more layers of shareholding structure, the final beneficiary of the shareholding should be disclosed, according to the guidelines. The CSRC and the stock exchange may work with supervision departments on anti-money laundering management and anti-corruption to address illegal shareholding problems. The guidelines also require a 36-month lockup period for shares purchased by new shareholders within 12 months before an IPO application. The lockup requirement doesn't apply to companies whose IPO applications were reviewed before Feb. 5. The guidelines also require intermediaries like sponsor agencies and securities service agencies to verify shareholder information. The agencies should carefully look into shareholder agreements, transactions, sources of funds and payment methods, the CSRC said. ^ top ^
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| DPRK |
DPRK holds plenary meeting of WPK Central Committee to implement strategic tasks (Xinhua)
2021-02-09
The ruling party of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) held a plenary meeting on Monday to further carry out plans for the policies adopted at the eighth party congress last month, the Korean Central News Agency reported Tuesday. Top leader Kim Jong Un attended the second plenary meeting of the eighth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) to implement the "strategic tasks" set forth during the eighth party congress, the news agency said in a report. Kim said the WPK Central Committee should powerfully lead the masses to implement the decisions made at last month's party congress, stressing the need to provide party organizations and their members with practical means for innovation which would help bring about practical change and substantial progress from the first year of the five-year plan, according to the report. He sharply "criticized the passive and self-protecting tendencies revealed by the state economic guidance organs in the course of setting this year's goals, and stressed the principled matters for overcoming the tendencies and organizing the economic work in an innovative and meticulous way," the news agency quoted Kim as saying. As the decisions made at the party congress are mid- and long-term tasks to be fulfilled during the coming five years, it is necessary to examine this year's plans down to details at the plenary meeting, Kim said. He also indicated important goals to be achieved this year by key industrial fields including electric power and coal industries, and by the fields of railway transport, construction and building materials, light industry and commerce, as well as practical ways to attain them, according to the report. At the eighth WPK Congress last month, the DPRK unveiled a new five-year economic development plan with focus on self-reliance to face the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and international sanctions. ^ top ^
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| Mongolia |
China to donate COVID-19 vaccine to Mongolia (Montsame)
2021-02-09
At the beginning of the meeting, the Ambassador underlined that cooperation in health sector is a big part of Comprehensive Partnership relations between the two countries and cooperation between the two Ministries of Health has been running successfully in recent years. Especially, no infection case of COVID-19 has been transmitted between the two countries as a result of providing mutual support and working closely by exchanging information, the Ambassador pointed out. Citing that at his address to the World Health Assembly 2020 President of China Xi Jinping noted that China would develop COVID-19 vaccine and provide it to countries, the Ambassador said the statement came into action as the country made a decision to supply 10 million doses of vaccine to COVAX program. "Concurrently with it, China will provide vaccine aid to 53 developing countries and Mongolia is in the list of countries that will receive the vaccine in priority." Expressing his sincere gratitude to the Government of China on rendering non-refundable aid of necessary medical equipment and personal protective equipment to Mongolia and sharing knowledge and experience, the Health Minister briefed about some measures being taken in regard with the increase of community infection clusters in the capital city and preparation works for vaccination. The Minister also voiced to make efforts for keeping success of zero infection transmission between the two countries further alongside developing bilateral cooperation in health sector in many other directions once the pandemic subsides. ^ top ^
Proposal for calling extraordinary parliament session submitted (Montsame)
2021-02-06
President of Mongolia Khaltmaagiin Battulga has submitted an official letter proposing to call an extraordinary session of the State Great Khural to Speaker G.Zandanshatar. The official letter reads: "For the purposes of supporting the businesses in the times of difficulties due to the global pandemic through promoting households, I had submitted a draft parliamentary resolution on Special measures for overcoming the impoverishment and social and economic difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic, on January 8th, 2021. However, the State Great Khural overlooked the draft resolution and closed its autumn session without reading the submitted document. Moreover, after several submissions of draft amendments to the Law on Currency Regulation, the majority voted for reading the draft amendments, finally on October 19th, 2018. Nevertheless, the Parliament has not taken any action towards adopting the amendments for two years and three months. Immediate actions and readings of the necessary bills are expected from the Parliament in these times of difficulties caused by the COVID-19 response measures, which are taking their toll on people's already worsening living conditions and the social and economic situations. Thus, I put forward a proposal to immediately call an extraordinary session of the State Great Khural, in reference to Section 1, Article 1 of the Law on President of Mongolia, and Section 2, Article 19 of the Law on the State Great Khural of Mongolia, and to execute readings of the draft amendments to the Law on Currency Regulation and the draft resolution on Special measures for overcoming the impoverishment and social and economic difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic." ^ top ^
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Embassy of Switzerland
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The Press review is a random selection
of political and social related news gathered from various media
and news services located in the PRC, edited or translated by
the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing and distributed among Swiss
Government Offices. The Embassy does not accept responsibility
for accuracy of quotes or truthfulness of content. Additionally
the contents of the selected news mustn't correspond to the opinion
of the Embassy.
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