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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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| Switzerland |
Negotiations on institutional agreement between Switzerland, EU to close without deal (Xinhua)
2021-05-27
The Federal Council, the executive body of Switzerland, declared Wednesday that it would not sign the institutional agreement with the European Union (EU), putting the lid on seven years of negotiations. Considering that "substantial differences" remained in the draft, Swiss President Guy Parmelin informed the EU by letter that conditions were not met, thus ending any further discussions on a possible deal with the European Commission. Negotiations on the institutional agreement started in 2014 to ensure Switzerland's access to the EU single market, enabling a dispute settlement mechanism and maintaining good relations with the EU. However, discussions stalled since November 2018 as the two parties could not see eye to eye on three aspects of the agreement. Those aspects, concerning wage protection in Switzerland, state financial help to companies and the EU Citizens' Rights Directive, the right of free movement for citizens of the European Economic Area, contradicted "vital interests" of the Alpine country, the Swiss government said in a statement. Adding the Citizens' Rights Directive on the existing agreement for free movement of persons, the statement said, would "constitute a paradigm shift in Switzerland's migration policy" and further increase social security costs. The Swiss government said it was willing to keep current relations with the EU, using "proven bilateral approach." The European Commission responded on the same day that, without the institutional agreement, "this modernisation of our relationship will not be possible and our bilateral agreements will inevitably age." ^ top ^
Biden, Putin likely to hold summit in Geneva: reports (People's Daily)
2021-05-25
U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will likely hold a summit in Geneva in June, U.S. media reported on Monday. Citing sources familiar with the matter, several media outlets said that the Swiss city of Geneva is expected to be the venue for Biden's first in-person meeting with Putin as president. The reports came as National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held consultations with his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev. "The meeting was an important step in the preparation for a planned U.S.-Russia summit, the date and location of which will be announced later," the White House said in a statement on Monday. The meeting between Sullivan and Patrushev was "constructive" despite "outstanding differences," according to the statement. The two officials also discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, with a high priority given to the topic of strategic stability. "The sides agreed that a normalization of U.S.-Russian relations would be in the interest of both countries and contribute to global predictability and stability," it added. Relations between Washington and Moscow have been adversarial in recent years. The two sides have obvious differences on issues related to Ukraine, cybersecurity, human rights, and U.S. election interference. The Biden administration noted it seeks "a more predictable, stable relationship" with Russia. During their meeting in Iceland last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov expressed willingness to cooperate while admitting "serious differences" amid the two countries' tense relations. Biden said earlier this month that he expected to meet with Putin during his trip to Europe in June, when he would attend the Group of Seven Summit in Britain and then the NATO Summit in Brussels, Belgium. ^ top ^
Diplomats ready to enjoy a safe Games (China Daily)
2021-05-22
Impressed by Beijing's smooth preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics, diplomats and representatives from foreign embassies have pinned high hopes on witnessing a safe and sustainable Games next year. About nine months out from next year's Beijing Winter Olympics, interest from around the world in the preparatory progress, COVID-19 countermeasures and operational plans of the Games are surging high as evidenced by the attendance of 120 ambassadors, counselors and officials from over 70 countries at the Beijing 2022 organizing committee's first diplomatic briefing on Friday. […] "As a sport-loving nation, the Netherlands are very much looking forward to the Beijing Games in 2022 and are very impressed with the preparations the organizing committee has undertaken so far," Wim Geerts, Dutch ambassador to China, said after the briefing. Citing China's effective pandemic-containing efforts, Geerts said he feels safe to live and work in Beijing and he rests assured that Beijing 2022 organizers will "do their utmost to make sure it will be a safe Olympics for everyone". Bernardino Regazzoni, Swiss ambassador to China, echoed the sentiment, looking forward to the release of Beijing 2022's playbook on the policies regarding foreign entries and pandemic prevention, which organizers said will be unveiled after the delayed Tokyo Summer Games. "Switzerland is a winter sports nation. Of course we are happy to share our experience but you are already progressing very fast in this field," Regazzoni said of China's potential in winter sports development. "It is a global issue where we are willing to share further experiences with you." ^ top ^
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| Foreign Policy |
Closed-door trial of Yang Jun's espionage case 'a common practice,' Canberra urged not to interfere: FM (Global Times)
2021-05-28
The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that a Beijing court on Thursday heard the case of Chinese-Australian Yang Jun, or Yang Hengjun, who is charged with espionage, and the court will give its verdict at a later date. Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of the ministry, said at a press conference on Thursday that as state secrets are involved, the trial is not heard in public or attended by spectators according to law, which is also a common practice in many countries. The Second Branch of the People's Procuratorate of the Beijing Municipality initiated the prosecution against Yang, a Chinese-born Australian writer, to the Beijing No.2 Intermediate People's Court on October 7. China is firmly opposed to Australia's gross unjustifiable interference in its handling of the case and its judicial sovereignty, Zhao stressed. He noted that China has lodged solemn representations to Australia. According to Chinese law, cases related to state secrets are not heard in public and no one is allowed to attend, as is the practice of counterparts in many countries, which is legal and reasonable, Zhao said. The relevant Chinese departments are handling the case strictly in line with laws, fully ensuring and protecting Yang's legal rights, and fully respecting and implementing the relevant Australian personnel's right to visit and receive consular notification, Zhao said. Under Chinese law, individuals convicted of espionage can be sentenced to between three years and life in prison, depending on severity of the cases. Zhao's remarks came after Graham Fletcher, Australia's Ambassador to China, said earlier Thursday that he had been denied entry to the Beijing court. Australian media outlet the Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday quoted Fletcher as saying that "Unfortunately, we have just been denied entry to the court. The reason given was because of the pandemic situation, but the [Chinese] Foreign Ministry has also told us it is because it is a national security case. Therefore, we are not permitted to attend it." "This is deeply regrettable and concerning and unsatisfactory," said Fletcher, accusing the case of "lack of transparency" and "an instance of arbitrary detention." Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne in a statement on Friday made a similar complaint. The Chinese embassy in Australia responded by calling Payne's statement "deplorable." Refuting the Australian politicians' claims, Yu Lei, chief research fellow at the research center for Pacific island countries of Liaocheng University in East China's Shandong Province, told the Global Times on Thursday that Yang's case falls within the scope of domestic law, and foreign countries have no right to interfere in the case. Their remarks violated the basic principles of international law on sovereign state relations and have interfered in China's judicial sovereignty, Yu noted. "If the Canberra really believes in procedural justice, please first give due legal process and conduct a fair trial for Australian aboriginal victims of the genocide," Yu said. China-Australia relations have been on the decline for about two years, which resulted from Australia's politicization of economic and cultural relations with China, said Yu. "This has nothing to do with Yang's case," Yu said. Amnesty International, a UK-based international non-governmental organization focused on so-called human rights, claimed on Wednesday that Yang's espionage charge is "totally baseless" and "politically motivated" as Yang had written articles critical of the Chinese government. Yu pointed out such NGOs are often influenced by their donors and they are merely serving as "public stunt" for some Western power under the guise of so-called human rights. "In terms of Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo issues, its righteous voice is hardly heard," Yu said. ^ top ^
Xi, Spanish PM Sanchez talk on bilateral, China-Europe cooperation (People's Daily)
2021-05-27
It is foreseeable that in the future, China-Europe relations will embrace new opportunities and meanwhile confront various challenges, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday. In a phone conversation with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Xi noted that the key is to firmly grasp the general direction of the comprehensive strategic partnership, properly manage differences and maintain the main tone of win-win cooperation. Xi asked Sanchez to convey his cordial greetings to King Felipe VI. Noting that China and Spain are important strategic partners and important cooperation partners, Xi said the two sides should understand and support each other. China stands ready to work with Spain to expand bilateral trade, actively promote cooperation projects in such areas as port logistics, smart cities and clean energy, strengthen third-party cooperation with Latin America and Africa, and deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, Xi said. Xi stressed that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, China-Europe practical cooperation has shown tremendous potential. He expressed his hope that the Spanish government will continue to play a constructive role in promoting the steady and long-term development of China-Europe relations. Noting that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi said the CPC maintains friendly relations with more than 560 political parties in more than 160 countries. China and Spain, he added, should strengthen exchanges between their political parties, deepen experience sharing on state governance, and contribute wisdom to both countries' pursuit of development paths in line with their respective national conditions as well as the improvement of global governance. Sanchez conveyed King Felipe VI's sincere greetings to Xi, saying that since last year, Spain and China have gone through the test of COVID-19 and maintained sound development of their ties. Bilateral economic and trade cooperation has achieved remarkable results, with a substantial increase in Spain's agricultural exports to China, Sanchez noted. In the face of the severe challenges posed by COVID-19, it is all the more important for all countries to work together and uphold multilateralism, he said. Spain is ready to work with China to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen economic and trade cooperation, deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, he said, adding that his country welcomes Chinese enterprises' investments and cooperation. Spain, he said, stands ready to continue to play a positive role in advancing the development of the strategic partnership between Europe and China. ^ top ^
Malaysia's former PM warns Quad countries not to provoke China (Xinhua)
2021-05-26
Members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue should not provoke China lest they trigger a heavy global economic backlash, former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad told Nikkei in a recent interview. The Quad, an informal strategic dialogue between the United States, Japan, Australia and India, is "an old strategy of encirclement" and its members "would be better off engaging with Beijing individually rather than joining hands to attempt to control China's rising influence..." he said. The former leader also stressed that Quad members should hold peaceful negotiations with China to enhance stability and mutual economic benefits, and called on U.S. President Joe Biden to ease relations with China. "I think over time Biden might be able to reduce the tension and have a dialogue with China," he said. "It cannot become worse than (former U.S. President) Trump because Biden has more experience in international affairs than Trump as he served as vice president with (Barack) Obama." ^ top ^
Xi says China ready to strengthen coordination with Iran, safeguard common interests (People's Daily)
2021-05-25
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that China supports Iran's reasonable demands concerning the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear issue, and stands ready to strengthen coordination with Iran and safeguard the common interests of both sides. He made the remarks in a telephone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Xi noted that China and Iran, sticking together and helping each other, have joined hands to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and achieve positive results in bilateral practical cooperation. The two countries firmly support each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns, and have greatly consolidated their strategic mutual trust and resolutely defended international equity and justice, Xi said. Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Iran, Xi stressed that bilateral relations now stand at an important historical juncture to build on past achievements and forge ahead into the future. China attaches great importance to its relationship with Iran, and is willing to work with the Iranian side to take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation in various fields, and continuously push for solid progress in the development of their comprehensive strategic partnership, he said. China will continue to firmly support Iran in safeguarding national sovereignty and dignity, and is willing to provide as much assistance as possible for Iran's fight against the pandemic and help the Iranian people prevail over the virus, he said. Xi said China will also continue to play a constructive role in pushing for an early and just settlement of the Palestinian issue, and is ready to work with Iran to strengthen communication and cooperation on regional and international affairs, and jointly promote regional security and stability. For his part, Rouhani said that China has successfully controlled the pandemic and provided Iran and other countries with valuable support and help for their response, for which Iran is genuinely grateful. Noting that the two countries have maintained friendly cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic ties 50 years ago, he said Iran firmly adheres to the one-China policy and staunchly supports China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Iran is willing to work with China to strengthen strategic cooperation, expand mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as economy, trade and energy, and promote Belt and Road cooperation, he said. The comprehensive cooperation plan recently signed by the two countries has opened up broader prospects for their win-win cooperation in the future, Rouhani said. Iran, he added, appreciates China's just positions on such regional issues as the JCPOA and the Palestine-Israel conflict, and hopes to continue close communication and coordination with China, in a bid to oppose unilateralism and hegemonism, safeguard their own legitimate interests and maintain regional peace and security. ^ top ^
Xi eyes strategic China-Vietnam community with shared future (Xinhua)
2021-05-25
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that China stands ready to make active efforts with Vietnam to build the two countries into a community with a shared future that bears strategic significance. He made the remarks in a telephone conversation with Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and asked the latter to convey his sincere greetings to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong. China and Vietnam are linked by mountains and rivers, Xi said, pointing out that the traditional friendship of "camaraderie and brotherhood" is the common treasure of the two parties and countries and that good-neighborliness is the big picture of the development of relations between the two parties and countries. The Communist Party of China is about to celebrate its centenary, China has embarked on a new journey of fully building a modern socialist country, and Vietnam is also striving to achieve its two centenary goals, Xi noted. The two sides, he suggested, should view and grasp the relations between the two parties and countries from a strategic and long-term perspective and set the right direction for China-Vietnam relations to move forward. The Chinese party and government firmly adhere to a friendly policy towards Vietnam, and appreciate that the new leadership of Vietnam continues to give top priority to relations with China in its foreign policy, Xi said. He added that China is willing to work with Vietnam to stay true to the original aspiration of their traditional friendship, bear in mind the ideals and historical missions shared by the two sides, and continuously make their comprehensive strategic cooperation more relevant in the new era, so as to inject new impetus into the development of relations between the two parties and countries as well as their socialist causes. Xi stressed that the two sides should continue to leverage the special advantages of their inter-party exchanges to deepen experience sharing on state governance. They should give full play to the coordination role of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation, and promote high-quality synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan, he added. Xi also called for concerted efforts to continuously expand bilateral trade, speed up infrastructure connection, and fully tap the cooperation potential of new business forms and new driving forces, so as to better serve the economic and social development of both countries. The two sides, Xi added, should strengthen people-to-people exchanges, accelerate the implementation of China-aided projects for public well-being in Vietnam, and bring more results of their win-win cooperation to people in both countries. They should also carry on the good tradition of unity and mutual support, join hands to effectively handle and control the COVID-19 pandemic, and substantively protect the people's lives and health, Xi said. China, he said, stands ready to continue to provide as much assistance as its capacity allows for Vietnam's fight against the pandemic. For his part, Phuc conveyed Trong's cordial greetings to Xi, and warmly congratulated the CPC on its upcoming centenary. He said that under the strong leadership of the CPC with Xi at the core, China has overcome the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, and achieved victory in the three major battles of fighting the pandemic, restoring the economy and reducing poverty, and that the life of the Chinese people has never been as happy as it is today. The Vietnamese side sincerely congratulates China on its successful great transformation from standing up to growing rich, and to becoming stronger, he said, adding that his country believes and wishes that China will accomplish even greater achievements on its journey towards the second centenary goal. Noting that Vietnam and China are brothers and close neighbors, he said the Vietnamese side always supports the socialist China in growing stronger, firmly pursues an independent foreign policy, and will continue to staunchly promote its friendship with China. Vietnam, he added, is ready to earnestly implement the high-level consensuses between the two countries, intensify political exchanges, strengthen solidarity and mutual trust, and deepen win-win cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, epidemic control, and youth and people-to-people exchanges, as well as at local levels. That will help lift the relations between the two parties and countries to new heights, and contribute to regional peace and the development of the socialist cause, he said. ^ top ^
Lithuania's decision to quit China-CEEC 17+1 won't change fundamentals of platform (Global Times)
2021-05-24
Other European countries are unlikely to follow suit after Lithuania announced over the weekend that it has withdrawn from the 17+1 cooperation mechanism between China and Central and Eastern Europe Countries (China-CEECs), as the country in the Baltic region, pressured by the US on security and ideology issues, has played an insignificant role in the China-CEEC mechanism, Chinese experts said on Sunday. Some experts also described Lithuania's decision to withdraw the mechanism as a chance of "reducing negative assets" in the cooperation mechanism, enabling the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism to become much sustainable in the long term. Lithuania has dropped out of the 17+1 cooperation mechanism for "practical purposes", and it also urged other EU countries to abandon the initiative, Politico reported on Friday, citing the country's foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis. The official further elaborated that unity of the EU bloc is key to success, the media report said. The latest move is partially driven by China's latest countermeasures over EU accusations against China's Xinjiang policy. A member of parliament of Lithuanian was put on Beijing's sanction list, Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Sunday. As the relations between China and the EU experienced hiccups over the latest freezing of the China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI), Lithuania, which is a relatively small market in the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism, took this occasion to stand up against China, Cui said. "On the political and security issues, Lithuania has certain level of fear toward former Soviet Union and today's Russia. So when China and Russia are getting closer strategically, out of that fear, Lithuania has to keep certain distance from China," he said. It's clear that Lithuania is challenging China not only on trade and business but also on the questions concerning Beijing's core interests. For instance, Lithuania's parliament passed a resolution on Thursday to describe China's treatment of Uygur as "genocide" and "crimes against humanity." The Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the move, calling it a gross interference in China's internal affairs. In March, Lithuania announced that it would open a trade representative office on the island to promote its relations with Taiwan, a region which China regards as an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. This also ignited the firm objection from China, which urged the Baltic nation to stay true to the one-China principle. Despite Lithuania's seemingly high-profile announcement of the withdrawal decision, Chinese experts said the withdrawal of the country from the mechanism won't have any significant impact on the China-CEEC cooperation. In fact, Lithuania's withdrawal will have no impact on the 17+1 cooperation, Liu Zuokui, a research fellow on European studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, told the Global Times on Sunday. "To the contrary, the withdrawal can help reduce 'some negative assets' from the mechanism," the expert said. China and the Central and Eastern European countries first held their summit in Poland in 2012, launching the 16+1 platform for boosting cooperation and trade. When Greece joined the platform in 2019, it was renamed 17+1 and became an important supplement to China's ties with the EU, according to media reports. However, Lithuania represents only a small fraction of China's trade with Central and Eastern European countries. According to China's Ministry of Commerce, China's trade with Lithuania was recorded at just $1.35 billion in 2019. As of the end of 2019, China is in the 22nd place as its export market, and 10th as its source of imports. By contrast, the trade between China and the Central and Eastern European countries has been booming in recent years. In 2020, China's trade with the 17 countries in Central and Eastern Europe in overall increased by 8.4 percent, reaching $100 billion for the first time. Quitting a certain cooperation platform or an international organization is a normal practice. While Lithuania has not contributed a lot to the 17+1, it has been damaging the mechanism by ganging up with other countries in the Baltic region to stir trouble, Liu said. The withdrawal of countries like Lithuania could also be the opportunity to improve China-CEEC cooperation mechanism, according to Chinese experts. The key part of the mechanism remains intact as the trade relationship with Visegrád Group, which accounts for half of the total in the platform, goes well, Liu noted. ^ top ^
China's top diplomat heads to Russia on security talks mission (SCMP)
2021-05-23
China's top diplomat will visit Russia next week for strategic talks as the two countries try to strengthen ties in the face of tensions with the United States. Yang Jiechi, a member of China's Communist Party Politburo, will co-chair the 16th China-Russia strategic security consultation with Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russia's Security Council, China's foreign ministry said on Sunday. Yang, who is regarded as President Xi Jinping 's most trusted foreign policy aide, will also visit Slovenia and Croatia in the four-day trip, which starts on Monday. The talks come as China and Russia's relations with the United States languish. Both Beijing and Moscow have accused Washington of "forming small circles to seek bloc confrontation" by forging closer ties through alliances such as the "Quad". The two countries have vowed to work together to resist any attempt to create a "geopolitical turbulence belt". China and Russia have sought to play up their relationship since the start of this year. Just last week at an online ceremony to launch the construction of four new reactors in China, Xi said the two countries had "firmly supported each other and cooperated closely and effectively" in the face of the coronavirus epidemic and "changes unseen in a century". Xi also said that energy had always been the most important and wide-ranging area for cooperation between the two countries, with nuclear power a "strategic priority". Russian President Vladimir Putin also hailed relations between the two countries as having "reached their highest level in history". Moscow and Beijing have taken similar stands on recent conflicts around the world, including hailing the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip on Friday. In March, the two countries set up a "regional security dialogue platform", although there were few details of the plan. Zhang Xin, associate professor of international relations at East China Normal University, said one of the items at next week's talks was likely to be US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. China would also be keen to discuss development of the Arctic and space cooperation, including a joint effort to set up a lunar station, Zhang said. "China and Russia have developed very regular and institutionalised talks in these areas, and it is not necessary to understand these topics as focusing on the US," Zhang said. "However, there will be messages that are indirectly responding to the US, or even the G7 powers, which would totally be a reasonable move [considering the geopolitical situation]." Earlier this month, foreign ministers from the Group of 7 described Moscow as malicious and Beijing as a bully. The ministers also expressed support for Taiwan and Ukraine. Zhang said China and Russia might use the talks as a chance to announce new strategic and safety cooperation, but the relationship would not become an official alliance. "There is no evidence now that suggests that this approach has changed despite security ties continuing to strengthen. This is a new form of bilateral relationship that China is trying to establish- an extremely strong security relationship without declaring each other as allies," he said. Temur Umarov, an expert on China and Central Asia at the Carnegie Moscow Centre, said he did not expect any groundbreaking cooperation from the meeting but the two countries would aim to develop stronger trust between the political elites. "China and Russia have been focusing on changing the international environment as they deem the current global order we live in as wrong as it was settled by Western governments," Umarov said. "Their stronger ties have made them feel they need to change the global order and it is very likely we will hear their ideas on this topic as an outcome of the talks." But no matter how strong the relations may appear, the two powers would always have limitations in certain key security issues, he said. "For example, Russia would not like to be dragged into the South China Sea conflicts China has with Southeast Asian countries... and China does not want to comment on Russia's conflicts with Ukraine," he said. Danil Bochkov, a China-Russia relations specialist at the Russian International Affairs Council, said the two countries did not want to be seen by the West as forming a united front. "It may be explained by the unwillingness of Moscow and Beijing to further damage already tense relations with the West by demonstration of support for each other," Bochkov said. He said Moscow and Beijing had expanded cooperation to nearly all domains of strategic and political collaboration without a military alliance framework. "So, if intensive cooperation can be developed outside of any legally set obligations and boundaries – why [would] China and Russia need to complicate the relations with any legally binding formats?" ^ top ^
China to play positive role in promoting Africa's peaceful development (People's Daily)
2021-05-23
On May 19, at the initiative of China, which holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) this month, the Security Council held an Open Debate on "Peace and Security in Africa: Addressing Root Causes of Conflict in Post-Pandemic Recovery in Africa" via video link. A presidential statement of the UN Security Council drafted by China was unanimously approved at the meeting. The presidential statement stressed, the UNSC is seriously concerned about the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Africa's economic, political, security and humanitarian spheres, and its exacerbation of conflict in Africa. A multi-pronged approach and concerted efforts are required to promote the realization of sustainable economic growth and development, poverty reduction and other goals, and to cement the foundation of peace. The meeting would build consensus and synergy, and inject new impetus to Africa's lasting peace and sustainable development. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, African countries have suffered severe impacts, facing huge missions and challenges in fighting the virus, stabilizing economy and ensuring livelihood. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the pandemic is feeding many of the drivers of conflict and instability in Africa, and many communities and countries on the African continent already face a complex peace and security environment. How to help Africa build a line of defense against the pandemic and advance common development on the continent is a test for international equity and justice, as well as human conscience. China and Africa are good brothers, good friends and good partners. On the meeting, China proposed to help Africa bridge the "pandemic divide," solve the "peace deficit," narrow the "development gap," and refine "unfair governance," receiving high appraisal from each party concerned. Facts once again proved that China is always firmly standing together with Africa on achieving peaceful development for the continent. China has always been a firm supporter of Africa's fight against the pandemic. The country is actively implementing the measures announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 73rd World Health Assembly and the outcomes of the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity Against COVID-19, supporting Africa in its fight against the virus, and working with Africa to build a China-Africa community of health for all. Forty-six Chinese medical teams based in Africa stood up to the challenge instantly to support local response efforts; China has sent 15 ad hoc medical expert teams to Africa and swiftly set up a cooperation mechanism for Chinese hospitals to pair up with 43 African hospitals. China has been, and is, providing vaccines to over 30 African countries on the basis of their urgent need. China's timely assistance has won sincere compliment from African countries. China has always been an active participant in Africa's development and revitalization. After the outburst of the pandemic, China has fully implemented the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative, signed or reached agreement with 16 African countries on debt service suspension, and canceled the debts of 15 African countries in the form of interest-free government loans that were due to mature by the end of 2020 within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Despite the pandemic, over 1,100 cooperation projects have kept going and nearly 100,000 Chinese technicians and engineers worked dutifully under the limitations caused by COVID-control. China has always been a strong upholder of Africa's peace and stability. At present, there are 2,043 Chinese peacekeepers in Africa, safeguarding peace on the continent. With major changes and a global pandemic unseen in a century, and facing the rising unilateralism, protectionism and power politics, China will keep speaking up for Africa in the UN, urge parties concerned to respect the sovereignty of the continent, respect African countries' choices for their development paths, and respect their rights to equally participate in international affairs. China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future. There sincere friendship becomes even more solid in hardships. China will firmly safeguard and practice multilateralism, and work with the international society to play a positive role in promoting peaceful development in Africa, which is also a contribution to global peace and development. ^ top ^
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China Unveils Top Task Force for Carbon Goals (Caixin)
2021-05-28
Chinese Vice Premier Han Zhen reaffirmed China's commitment to reaching the country's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals to fight climate change, state broadcaster CCTV reported Thursday. Han presided over the first plenary meeting of the new Leading Group on Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality, a top body designated for emission reduction efforts. Carbon dioxide from combustion of fossil fuels is a major contributor to global warming. Han called for solid steps to advance China's goals of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. "Through strengthened international exchanges and cooperation, China should seek the greatest common ground on global climate governance and work with the international community to protect the planet," Han said. The meeting unveiled China's first leading group designated for carbon peaking and neutrality, indicating the governance of how the goals will be achieved, said Zhang Jianyu, chief representative of Environmental Defense Fund's China Program, in an interview with Caixin. Vice Premier Liu He, State Councilor Wang Yong, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and He Lifeng, Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, also addressed the meeting, CCTV reported, without giving more details on the body. China has set up a number of leading groups under the top leadership to carry out a wide range of policies such as deepening restructuring, ensuring financial stability and overhauling state-owned enterprises. ^ top ^
China's Ministry of Education issues list of new schools targeting bottleneck in key technologies (Global Times)
2021-05-27
China's Ministry of Education (MOE) issued a list of 12 new technology schools in the country's top universities as part of the effort to cultivate leading talents on innovation of cutting-edge technologies in the next decade. This came in line with the urgent need to develop local skills for innovation in key technologies against the backdrop of the intense technology war between the world's two largest economies. The MOE said in the statement on Wednesday that the new schools will play the key role in promoting the transformation and upgrading, from "made in China," to "created in China." The national top universities, including Peking University and Tsinghua University, are included in the list. The 12 schools will establish a student growth database and continuously improve the training program for future talents. Meanwhile, all kinds of resources should be coordinated to provide policy and financial support to the construction of the schools, the statement noted. The cultivation of cutting-edge research talents in educational institutions has been increasingly getting more attention on the agenda. Last year, the MOE approved the establishment of cutting-edge science centers in 14 universities on quantum science, brain science, synthetic biology, aerospace engineering and next-generation mobile communication technology, among other fields, according to media reports. In April, Tsinghua University, one of China's top universities, established the School of Integrated Circuits, the nation's first, to target research and training of technicians in semiconductors. ^ top ^
China punishes 9,942 officials for violating frugality rules in April (China Daily)
2021-05-27
China punished 9,942 officials in April for violating the country's eight-point code on improving Party and government conduct, China's top anti-graft body announced on its website on Wednesday. The officials were involved in 6,926 cases, according to the monthly statement by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission. Among the punished officials, 6,410 received disciplinary or administrative penalties for engaging in bureaucratism, formalities for formalities' sake, and hedonism or extravagant practices, according to the statement. In late 2012, the CPC released its eight-point rules on frugality to combat undesirable work practices. ^ top ^
Xi highlights integrity, hardworking spirit through stories from CPC history (People's Daily)
2021-05-26
As the Communist Party of China (CPC) marks its centenary in 2021, the Party is looking back on its history and recounting past glory. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has on multiple occasions shared stories from the history of the CPC that shine a light on the integrity and hardworking spirit of outstanding Party members. Lankao, a county in central China's Henan Province that was once stricken by poverty, is known throughout the nation, largely because of Jiao Yulu, an official who worked there in the 1960s and died of illness on duty at the age of 42. The late Lankao Party chief devoted his life to promoting local development by leading people to combat sandstorms, saline-alkali land and floods, known as the "three disasters" that plagued the county at the time. Jiao has inspired generations of Chinese with his hard work, plain living and moral integrity. Xi visited Lankao in March and May 2014. Addressing local officials, Xi urged them to strive to become outstanding Party members and officials by following Jiao as a role model of integrity. Jiao lived a frugal life, repeatedly mending his clothes, hats, shoes, and socks to prolong their use, and "was always the first to bear hardships and the last to enjoy comforts," Xi said. "He strictly abode by Party discipline and rules and never used his power to seek benefits for himself or his relatives," Xi highlighted. Fushun, a city in northeast China's Liaoning Province, is where Lei Feng -- the late Chinese icon of altruism, served and was buried. Lei joined the People's Liberation Army in 1960 and was known for devoting almost all of his spare time and money to selflessly helping others. "If you were a water drop, would you like to provide any moisture for the fields; If you were a ray of sunshine, would you like to light up a portion of the dark; If you were a grain of rice, would you like to feed a life?" read a diary of Lei's. In 1962, Lei died in an accident when he helped a fellow soldier direct a truck. He was only 22. A year later, Chairman Mao Zedong called on the entire nation to follow Lei's example. Lei's legacy lives on. In 2018, during an inspection to Fushun, Xi visited Lei's memorial and laid a flower basket before his tomb. Commemorating this Chinese icon of altruism, Xi stressed the need to pass on the Lei Feng spirit from generation to generation. "We will be invincible" if each and every Chinese person, CPC member and CPC organization can practice the Lei Feng spirit and become "a shining cog which never rusts" in their own roles, Xi said. The past 100 years since the CPC's founding has seen a great number of outstanding CPC members. While some of them are household names like Jiao and Lei, there are also many others who are lesser known or even nameless but whose stories have been faithfully retold and remembered over the years. Integrity and self-discipline have always been essential requirements for CPC members, especially those holding public office. Xi once cited a story that took place during the Central Red Army's epic Long March in the 1930s. While scaling a snowy mountain, a soldier was found frozen to death, clad in thin worn clothes. The commander sent for the officer in charge of supplies, demanding to know why cotton-padded coats had failed to reach the soldier. People told the commander through tears that the late soldier was none other than the quartermaster himself. He who had all the quilts and uniforms at his disposal chose to die of cold rather than warm himself first. "What a noble state of mind!" Xi said. "It is the devotion of thousands upon thousands of Chinese progressives with similar political consciousness that has helped the CPC win one arduous battle after another," Xi added. ^ top ^
Chinese entertainers promote CPC's revolutionary spirits to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC (Global Times)
2021-05-25
The Chinese entertainment industry has leap into action to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Over the weekend, hundreds of Chinese stars, including young actor Jackson Yee and actress Dilraba from Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, posted video messages to promote and introduce revolutionary spirits of the Party to Chinese netizens. Combining their own experiences and understanding of the Party, these entertainers promoted a single spirit born in different times during the growth of the CPC in short videos uploaded to Sina Weibo, inspiring millions of young people, many of whom are their fans, to join in the celebrations. The hashtag about the promotion event has earned more than 220 million views as of Monday afternoon. Dilraba, an actress from the Uygur ethnic minority who has more than 70 million followers on Sina Weibo, posted her short video on Sunday. In the video, she introduced the spirit of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), a unique state-owned economic and paramilitary organization. "In my beautiful home, Xinjiang, there is a group of people. They have opened up large areas of oasis and built many factories in the Gobi Desert. They loyally fulfill their duties and devoted their youth to create the spirit of the XPCC," the actress said in the video. The XPCC has administrative authority as well as settlements and farms in Xinjiang. It has its own administrative structure, fulfilling governmental functions such as managing healthcare, education and the judiciary. Following her introduction, she performed a song and poetry recital about the corps' contribution to Xinjiang and the country. The post has been commented on and liked more than 2 million times as of Monday afternoon. Young Chinese actor Jackson Yee, who starred in the Academy Award nominated-movie Better Days, also joined in the event to introduce the spirit of Hongyan, named after a local village. Yee introduced that the spirit was born in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality during the War of Liberation (1946-49). Many CPC martyrs were arrested during the war and imprisoned in Chongqing but did not betray the Party or the people even though they were seriously tortured. Their spirit became known as the Hongyan spirit. "I will study this spirit together with you," one netizen commented under Yee's post, representing the voice of many posters. Other major spirits like the Spirit of the Long March were introduced by a variety of actors and actresses across generations such as Gong Jun, who was born in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, an important station along the Long March. A Yee fan surnamed Zhang, 27, told the Global Times that she could feel the influence and appeal of stars through this event. "Celebrities with a large amount of fans should take part in these types of events more often as they can correctly guide fans and be a positive influence on them," Zhang said. Several related dramas and movies have been completed and launched such as Faith Makes Great, which brings together more than 30 famous Chinese stars. ^ top ^
China's top political advisor stresses cementing poverty relief achievements (Xinhua)
2021-05-24
China's top political advisor Wang Yang on Monday called for consolidating and extending the achievements of poverty alleviation, and fully implementing the rural vitalization strategy. Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, made the remarks while attending a special consultative conference in Beijing. He called for efforts to constantly narrow the gap between urban and rural areas, firmly hold the bottom line of preventing the return to poverty on a large scale and ensure that all people share benefits of reform and development. More than 100 political advisors attended the conference, and lots of political advisors expressed their opinions on the matter through video links or via mobile platforms. They offered suggestions including making industrial development plans in rural areas, developing advantageous industries and improving the infrastructure in central towns and major villages. Vice Premier Hu Chunhua, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also attended the conference. He pointed out that the country should set up and improve the long-term mechanism of consolidating and expanding poverty alleviation outcomes, and advance the shift of policy focus from poverty alleviation to comprehensively promoting rural vitalization. ^ top ^
Xi's condolences conveyed to family of "father of hybrid rice" (People's Daily)
2021-05-24
Chinese President Xi Jinping has extended condolences to the family of scientist Yuan Longping, known as "father of hybrid rice," who died on Saturday at the age of 91. The condolences of Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, were conveyed by the secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee Xu Dazhe, according to Hunan Daily. Xu visited Yuan's family on Sunday and conveyed Xi's mourning for Yuan's passing. Born in 1930, Yuan succeeded in cultivating the world's first high-yield hybrid rice strain in 1973, which was later grown on a large scale in China and other countries to substantially raise output. Over the next four decades, he continued to research and upgrade hybrid rice, which has now reached its third generation. In the message, Xi highly affirmed Yuan's contribution to China's food security, innovation in agricultural technology, and world grain development. Xi urged Party members, cadres, and science and technology professionals to learn from Yuan, particularly his love for the Party, the motherland and the people, dedication to the needs of the motherland and the people, and other noble qualities. Yuan's family members expressed their gratitude and said they would carry forward Yuan's legacy to make new contributions to society. ^ top ^
Freezing Weather Kills 21 Runners in 100-km Race (Caixin)
2021-05-24
Twenty-one people were killed during a 100-kilometer foot race in northwestern China's Gansu province as hail, freezing rain, gales and a sharp plunge in temperature suddenly struck. Most of the victims died of hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. The race took place in the rugged Jingtai Yellow River Stone Forest scenic area, known for its sheer cliffs, stone columns, canyons and dramatically twisting river course. One of China's top long-distance runners, Liang Jing, was among the dead, Caixin learned. Huang Guanjun, the 2019 marathon champion in the 2019 National Paralympic Games hearing impaired section, was also killed, news site The Cover reported, citing a friend of Huang's. The disaster spurred charges that the organizers weren't prepared for potential weather risks. Several participants and rescue professionals told Caixin that there were organizational flaws in the event as wind shells and jackets were removed from the list of compulsory gear for runners, leaving them vulnerable to abrupt weather changes. "The provincial government has set up an investigation task force to follow up," said Mayor Zhang Xuchen of Baiyin, the city hosting the event. He called the tragedy "a public safety incident" and bowed in apology to victims' families at a Sunday briefing. The remaining 151 competitors were rescued, of whom eight were lightly injured and hospitalized, according to the Baiyin government. Started in 2018, the event was organized by the Baiyin city government with assistance of Jingtai county, where the scenic area is located, and Gansu Shengjing Sport and Culture Development Co. as the operator. "This is the most tragic event in the history of Chinese cross-country running and even the world's," said Yang Guang, a senior manager at Beijing Sanfo Outdoor Products Co. Ltd. Yang said the tragedy could have been avoided if the organizers and authorities were better prepared. A total of 172 runners started the race Saturday morning. Runners followed a route through canyons and hills on an arid plateau, including a section rising 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level. Around 1 p.m. Saturday when runners reached the 20 km – 31 km section of the race with rising elevation, bad weather set in with hail, freezing rain and gales that caused temperatures to plummet close to the freezing point, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Dressed in shorts and tops, many of the runners had little protection against the frigid temperatures. A massive rescue effort was launched after some runners reported discomfort or lost contact, Xinhua said. Zhang Xiaotao, a surviving runner, said he was rescued by a local herder after he lost consciousness after falling amid the extremely cold weather. "It was almost frozen rain when I reached the top of the hill," said Zhang, who tried to keep warm with a thermal blanket but couldn't stop shivering and gradually lost control of his body. Zhang said he passed a check point at the top of a hill but didn't find any replenishment site as he expected. "It was a living hell," Zhang said. Zhang returned to the foot of the mountain around 4 p.m. Saturday. A medical examination found his injuries were minor. No official explanation was given regarding the incident, Zhang said.Another survivor said the weather turned overcast as the race began. The wind picked up and rain started falling when he passed one check point, beyond which there would be an 8 km stretch over rocky, muddy ground. He decided to continue although some runners ahead of him were dropping out. The wind and rain turned even stronger later. "I took out thermal blanket and tried to wrap myself, and the blanket was blown apart by the wind," the runner wrote. The runner said he soon lost feeling in his fingers. "That's when I decided to drop out and descend. Lucky I made that decision as I was already showing symptoms of hypothermia." The runner was directed by rescue workers to a cabin where he waited with many other participants to be transported to a safe area. Some fellow runners were hurt by cuts and falls, the runner said. The rescue was difficult amid the weather and road conditions, he wrote. Video footage seen by Caixin showed one person passed out while several other runners huddled together for warmth. Caixin found that in the previous three years organizers required runners to bring warmer clothing and wind jackets. It was unclear why the items were dropped from this year's list. A Caixin call to Gansu Shengjing went unanswered. Gansu's provincial weather authority forecast Friday that the province would experience worsening weather as a cold front passed through. Baiyin would have a low of 6 degrees Celsius (43 degrees Fahrenheit) Saturday with wind forces as high as level 7, or 51–60 km per hour, according to the forecast. The Jingtai county weather bureau told Caixin that it submitted a detailed forecast to the event organizers including highest and lowest temperatures and wind conditions. But there was no detailed information about how the cold front would move, one official said. A social media account run by the Jingtai weather bureau Friday issued a blue alert of strong winds for the following 24 hours, Caixin learned. Marathon and long-distance running events are thriving across China as the sport becomes increasingly popular among the country's growing middle class. Local authorities are enthusiastic to host such events in hopes of boosting tourism and often offer prizes to attract participants. The Baiyin government offered 1,600 yuan ($248) to each runner who completed the race. In a commentary, state broadcaster CCTV said extreme sport activities should be properly organized to avoid such catastrophes. ^ top ^
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| Beijing |
Unmanned delivery vehicles to hit Beijing roads (China Daily)
2021-05-26
Three companies on Tuesday were given permits to run their unmanned delivery vehicles on designated open roads in Beijing, the first time the Chinese capital will allow such vehicles. The e-commerce giant JD.com, the online service company Meituan, and the autonomous driving vehicle producer Neolix received ID numbers for these vehicles at the eighth international congress of intelligent connected vehicles technology in Beijing. The vehicles will drive at the Beijing high-level autonomous driving demonstration area, which covers 60 square km at the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as E-Town, in Daxing district. Kong Lei, deputy director of E-Town, said that the unmanned delivery vehicle operators will conduct express deliveries, catering, and retail business in the demonstration area. In April, Beijing innovated its policy on intelligent connected vehicles in the demonstration area, allowing new auto products, technologies, and modes to be tested and operated. ^ top ^
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| Shanghai |
Shanghai aims to be global wealth hub (People's Daily)
2021-05-26
Shanghai's aim to grow into a leading global asset management center will help to better serve the development of the real economy and facilitate China's deepened opening-up in the financial sector, said officials and analysts. Clearer goals to achieve this objective were set out in a guideline issued on Tuesday by the Shanghai municipal government. It says that the city is expected to grow into an important asset management hub in Asia by 2025 and is envisioned to be open and highly international, as well as having a complete ecosystem and key market elements. Shanghai should become a leading global asset management center by that time, according to the guideline, which stresses the key role innovation is expected to play in the city's asset management industry over the next few years. This will see the rollout of more asset management products, including the introduction of more fund products and the launch of innovation-focused exchange traded funds. In addition, asset management services will be further expanded, under which banks, fund companies and securities firms will be able to apply for investment consultant qualifications. In order to achieve these goals, more asset management institutions should be introduced to Shanghai, and qualified foreign companies will be allowed to establish wholly owned or jointly held asset management companies in the city, according to the guideline. It added that private equity securities firms and funds should seek development in the city while small asset management companies will be supported in setting up seed funds in Shanghai. A convenient cross-border capital investment environment is conducive to a thriving asset management industry in Shanghai. Therefore, foreign companies taking part in the qualified foreign limited partner program in China will be allowed to manage domestic renminbi-denominated funds in Shanghai. Qualified domestic companies will be allowed to join the program. Companies taking part in the program will also be supported in their investment in overseas private equity funds, nonpublic enterprises, the securities market, large commodities and financial derivatives. He Fei, chief strategist of the research center at Bank of Communications, said that the guideline issued on Tuesday by the Shanghai municipal government is of great importance to the development of the city's asset management industry. He added that the guideline addresses the requirements of the dual-circulation development paradigm, in which the domestic market is the mainstay and the domestic and foreign markets reinforce each other, and it will facilitate the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region. During a grand gathering held in early November to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the development and opening-up of Shanghai's Pudong New Area, President Xi Jinping said that Shanghai should enhance its capabilities in allocating global resources. To that end, systems for the financial market, products, institutions and infrastructure should be perfected. Officials from the Shanghai Municipal Financial Regulatory Bureau said in a written reply on Tuesday that the asset management industry is closely related to these requirements. As the presence of the asset management industry grows in Shanghai, the city's financial market will be further opened up. And Shanghai is already firmly on the global asset management map, with the world's top 10 firms in the sector already having set up offices in the city. BlackRock, the world's largest asset management firm, applied to establish a wholly owned mutual fund in China on April 1 last year, the day when China's restrictions on foreign ownership on mutual funds were removed, and that new company will be located in Shanghai. Larry Fink, chief executive officer of BlackRock, said that China will be one of the biggest opportunities for the company in the long term. Yang Delong, executive general manager of First Seafront Fund, which is based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, said that foreign asset management companies' increased involvement in the Chinese market demonstrates not only its strong appeal, but also the effectiveness of the nation's financial opening-up. This is also illustrated by international investors' involvement in the Chinese stock market. The net northbound capital flow, or overseas investors buying A shares via the Shanghai-Shenzhen-Hong Kong stock connect programs, hit a record high of 21.7 billion yuan ($3.1 billion) on Tuesday, helping the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index to jump 2.4 percent to reach 3581.34 points. The financial sector led Tuesday's surge, with A-share securities firms reporting the strongest average daily increase of 4.67 percent. Public insurers and banks saw average rises of 3.91 percent. ^ top ^
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| Guangdong |
Guangdong steps up efforts to fight COVID-19 (China Daily)
2021-05-25
Guangdong province will be facing heavy pressure in the coming months to prevent and control imported COVID-19 cases after mutated strains were recently detected in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, medical experts said. Guangzhou, the province's capital, and Shenzhen are major exit and entry ports to the Pearl River Delta and are front-line battlegrounds for preventing and controlling the coronavirus spreading from abroad. In Guangzhou, a woman surnamed Guo was confirmed on Friday to have contracted a mutated strain of COVID-19 from India, the Liwan district government said in a statement on Monday. Guo, 75, might have been exposed accidentally, and her case is import-related, the district government said. Her 76-year-old husband, surnamed Lu, was also confirmed to be infected on Sunday, according to the district's health commission. It was Lu's third test after Guo tested positive on Friday, the statement said, adding that both are being treated in a hospital. They had been in Guangzhou for more than two weeks before falling ill and had not visited any medium－or high-risk areas, or foreign countries or regions. The housing estate where they live was classified a medium-risk zone－the only one in Guangdong－after Guo tested positive. Their cases encouraged more residents to get vaccinated over the weekend, leading to a supply shortage at the city's many vaccination centers. To prevent further spread of the virus in Guangdong, which has a population of more than 120 million, the province will allow mass vaccination of residents older than 60. Until now, it has mainly provided vaccinations for prioritized residents 18 to 60 years old. Li Ming, vice-mayor of Guangzhou, has urged locals to get vaccinated. "In addition to immediately launching epidemiological investigations to trace coronavirus sources and disinfect public venues, Guangzhou can now collect samples from more than 750,000 people receiving nucleic acid tests and help more than 460,000 residents a day to get vaccinated," she said. As of late Sunday, the results of 115,573 of the 128,072 prioritized residents' tests came back negative. The city has provided more than 10 million doses of vaccine for residents, and more than 7.45 million had been vaccinated as of late Sunday. In Shenzhen, four new asymptomatic COVID-19 patients were detected, said Tao Yongxin, the city's vice-mayor, at a news conference on Sunday night. The swab samples of two revealed they were infected by mutant coronavirus strains that appeared in the United Kingdom. In a routine inspection of international freighter crew members at Shenzhen's port of Yantian, a man surnamed Mu was confirmed infected on Friday, and three more cases subsequently turned up among his close contacts. They all had worked on the same international freighter, the Oriental Vancouver, on May 17. ^ top ^
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| Tibet |
Tibet makes great strides in 70 years after peaceful liberation (People's Daily)
2021-05-24
In old Tibet, the three major stakeholders -- officials, aristocrats and higher-ranking lamas -- and their agents, made up about 5 percent of the population but owned almost all of the land, pastures, forests, mountains, rivers and flood plains, and most of the livestock. Serfs and slaves, who accounted for 95 percent of the local population, had no means of production or freedom of their own. On May 23, 1951, the 17-Article Agreement was signed by the central government and the local government of Tibet on the peaceful liberation of Tibet. Since that date, the people of Tibet have broken free from the fetters of invading imperialism for good, and embarked on a bright road of unity, progress and development with all the other ethnic groups in China. In March 1959, democratic reform was launched in Tibet and feudal serfdom was finally abolished. In September 1965, the First Session of the First People's Congress of Tibet was convened, proclaiming the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region. With regional ethnic autonomy established and through the socialist transformation of agriculture and animal husbandry, Tibet embarked on the road of socialism. During the democratic reform, Dodramog received his share of land as well as beef and mutton. "I never dreamed that I would one day get so much land of my own." Now, Dodramog and his three sons own 50 mu (about 3.33 hectares) of arable land, and their annual income exceeds 200,000 yuan (about 31,000 U.S. dollars). "In New China, all undertakings in Tibet have seen unprecedented development and progress," said Qin Yongzhang, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Since 1978, the Communist Party of China Central Committee has held seven national meetings on Tibet to make major decisions and plans for the region. Thanks to the leadership of the central government and strong support from the rest of China, Tibet is catching up with other parts of the country in various endeavors. Over the past 70 years, the central government has introduced many favorable policies for the region, covering tax and finance, infrastructure, industrial development, education, health, cultural preservation and environmental protection. In 1951, Tibet's regional GDP was approximately 129 million yuan. Last year, its GDP exceeded 190 billion yuan. Since its peaceful liberation, the region has gradually established a comprehensive transport network of highways, railways, air routes and pipelines. Highways totaling 118,800 km in length have been built in Tibet. The region has also made coordinated progress in improving its environment, investing a total of 81.4 billion yuan in the area by the end of last year. In 2020, the forest coverage reached 12.3 percent, and the comprehensive vegetation coverage of natural grassland grew to 47 percent. In the new era, Tibet is enjoying rapid and sustained growth thanks to social harmony and stability. "Since the peaceful liberation, well-rounded human development has been Tibet's greatest historical achievement," said Li Xuan, a researcher with the institute of Tibetology at Sichuan University. By the end of 2019, all registered poor residents and counties in Tibet had shaken off poverty, eliminating absolute poverty in the region for the first time in history. Before 1951, more than 90 percent of Tibetan residents did not have private housing. In 2020, the per capita living space of farmers and herders reached 41.46 square meters, and that of urban residents reached 33.4 square meters. The average life expectancy has increased from 35.5 years in 1951 to 71.1 years in 2019. Education has also witnessed tremendous advances. In old Tibet, there was not a single proper school. The illiteracy rate exceeded 95 percent. From 1951 to 2020, the central government invested 224 billion yuan in Tibet's education. Students now benefit from 15 years of publicly funded education in the region. "Today's Tibet has an unprecedented foundation, unprecedented opportunities and unprecedented stamina for development," said Qizhala, chairman of the regional government. ^ top ^
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| Xinjiang |
Lithuania becomes pivot point for spreading Xinjiang-related lies: Chinese researcher (Global Times)
2021-05-24
With Lithuania bowing to pressure from the US by withdrawing from the China-CEEC 17+1, the Baltic nation has become a pivot point in spreading Xinjiang-related rumors, showing that some politicians and media in the country are willing to spread false information, according to the latest findings of a Chinese researcher. Li Baiyang, a member of the team conducting "Research on Basic Science Issues of National Security Management Decision-Making Systems" and a postdoctoral fellow at the Information Resources Research Center of Wuhan University, told the Global Times on Monday that with the help of the GDELT news research tool, Lithuania has become the country with the highest number of reports about so-called "genocide" in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The country has now become a "pivot point" for spreading Xinjiang-related reports, Li said. His comments came shortly after Lithuania's parliament passed a resolution on Thursday to describe China's treatment of Uygurs in Xinjiang as "genocide" and a "crime against humanity." Created by Kalev H. Leetaru, a senior fellow at George Washington University, the GDELT system monitors the world's news media in over 100 languages, from January 1, 1979 to the present day, with daily updates. "The Lithuanian media has limited capabilities in terms of creating their own news, which also has a lower presence in global public opinion. So it takes anti-China information as a major focus, which can bring a number of cited reports," Li said, noting that the active cited reports also meant some local politicians and media were playing an active role in spreading fake news about Xinjiang. This is not the first time Lithuania has provoked China over Xinjiang. On April 22, Lithuania's parliament held a so-called testimony on China's human rights issue by inviting seven anti-China politicians and experts, who made blatantly false remarks and spread a large amount of Xinjiang-related rumors, according to the Chinese Ambassador to the country Shen Zhifei. Amid China-US rivalry, Lithuania has reconsidered its positioning, and its anti-China agenda has been pushed by the US, Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times. The China-CEEC 17+1 is a cross-regional cooperation mechanism jointly proposed by China and Central and Eastern European countries, which has yielded fruitful results in the nine years since it started, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a press conference on Monday. It won't be affected by certain incidents, he said when commenting on the withdrawal of Lithuania from the mechanism. Some Chinese experts also said on Sunday that other European countries are unlikely to follow Lithuania in withdrawing from the mechanism, adding that the country has played an insignificant role in it. ^ top ^
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| Hongkong |
Beijing to expand Hong Kong office with two new departments focusing on national security and propaganda (SCMP)
2021-05-24
Beijing's top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs will be expanded to create two new departments covering national security and propaganda, a move some observers say signals the central government's determination to win the "ideological battle" in the city. According to multiple mainland Chinese sources, the new department responsible for national security affairs under the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) will be led by former liaison office legal affairs director Wang Zhenmin. Yang Guang, one of the spokesmen for the HKMAO who previously hosted press conferences hitting out at Hong Kong's anti-government protests in 2019, is expected to head the department tasked with managing media outlets and public opinion in the city. "The creation of extra departments within the agency makes sense as it is facing a bigger workload after the implementation of the national security law," a mainland source familiar with Hong Kong affairs said. The sweeping legislation which Beijing imposed on Hong Kong last June outlaws acts of subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. A second source said the new propaganda department would take up part of the work from the office's liaison department, and cater to the increasing needs to disseminate official information, strengthen the delivery of press conferences, approve and coordinate the Hong Kong and Macau journalists on the mainland, and "manage the media scene" in the two administrative regions. The first source understood from official channels in Beijing that this was part of the revamp of the central government's agencies handling Hong Kong affairs, while one more department could be created to coordinate the works of various departments of the HKMAO. Currently, there are seven departments in the HKMAO, secretary and administration, general affairs, policy and research, liaison, exchange and cooperation, law, and institutional party committee (personnel). A further mainland source said the changes corresponded to last year's elevation of the "central coordination group" on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs – the highest de facto body for Beijing's policy towards the two special administrative regions – to a "leading group". "As the leading group now includes security heavyweights like Guo Shengkun and Zhao Kezhi, the HKMAO will need a corresponding structure [to reflect the standing]," the source said, referring to the chief and public security minister of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, China's top security and law enforcement body. Yang appeared as a spokesman in numerous press conferences held by the HKMAO at the height of the 2019 social unrest, giving strongly worded warnings to protesters against street violence. The press conferences were notable because they were the first the office had given since the handover in 1997. "Yang Guang is of departmental director rank already, so it is not a promotion on the rank but an expansion of his job scope," a source said. Wang, 55, is currently the director of the centre for Hong Kong and Macau Research under Tsinghua University. He served as legal affairs director at Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong from 2015 to 2018. In January, Wang published a 232-page book co-authored with two mainland scholars detailing the rationale and legislative process of the sweeping security law. In an article published in the pro-establishment newspaper Sing Tao Daily in February last year, he said in accordance with the communique of the Communist Party's fourth plenum held in October 2019, there was an urgent need to reform the central government's governance regime regarding Hong Kong and Macau. The communique called for actions to "establish a sound legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security in the special administrative regions". Both veteran China-watcher Johnny Lau Yui-siu and pro-establishment academic Lau Siu-kai regarded the expansion as a systemic approach by Beijing to enhance ideological security. "Beijing firmly regarded Hong Kong's political turmoil as a result of foreign collusion with an aim to overturn the government, so that Beijing planned a series of organisational measures to step up ideological control," Johnny Lau said. Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of semi-official think tank the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said the new departments would be in an appropriate position to coordinate the "ideological battle" with anti-China forces. "There is a lot to be done to weed out incorrect viewpoints about the central people's government," he said. "The new departments [in the HKMAO] will focus on monitoring public opinion and raising the awareness of Hongkongers' obligation to abide by the law at a societal level." He expected the new departments would differentiate themselves from Beijing's Office for Safeguarding National Security in the city, a state security agency which he said now mainly took up law enforcement tasks. The national security law's Article 9 stipulates that measures should be taken to strengthen public communication, guidance, supervision and regulation over matters concerning national security. Article 10 says Hong Kong shall promote national security education in schools and universities and through social organisations, the media, the internet and other means. ^ top ^
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| Taiwan |
Beijing blocked Taiwan's deal with BioNTech, Tsai Ing-wen says (SCMP)
2021-05-27
Beijing was instrumental in preventing Taiwan signing a deal to buy Covid-19 vaccines from German firm BioNTech, the island's President Tsai Ing-wen said on Wednesday. "Taiwan was close to sealing the deal with the German plant, but because of China's intervention, we still can't sign the contract," she told a meeting of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Taipei had previously "smoothly" ordered shots from AstraZeneca in Britain and Moderna in the United States, she said. This is the first time Taiwan has directly accused Beijing of blocking a deal with BioNTech. When asked to comment on the matter, the German firm said: "We generally do not comment on potential or ongoing discussions to provide vaccine doses." Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group signed a deal with BioNTech last year to supply its mRNA vaccines to mainland China, and in March offered to supply some of those doses to Taiwan. Under the deal, Fosun was given the exclusive rights to develop and commercialise the vaccines in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Taiwan reported 635 new coronavirus cases and 11 deaths on Wednesday, as authorities searched for more than 300 people who tested positive at hospital but effectively went missing after it was discovered the contact information they had provided was fake or illegible. The spike in infections has left the island's government scrambling for vaccine supplies and it has appealed for support both from manufacturers and the United States. Taiwan, which is home to about 23 million people, has so far received 700,000 AstraZeneca shots via the Covax Facility, and less than 1 per cent of its population has been vaccinated. It has yet to receive any of the shots it ordered from Moderna. At a press briefing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian did not comment on Tsai's claim but said the channels for Taiwan to obtain vaccines from the mainland were "unimpeded". Meanwhile, Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian said two non-governmental bodies in Shanghai and Jiangsu had agreed to donate a batch of vaccines to Taiwan. "We support and will assist the donation," she said, without specifying the manufacturer or how many doses would be supplied. "We hope that relevant parties in Taiwan will clear obstacles for the delivery to take place as soon as possible." Zhu also criticised Taiwan for not accepting aid from Beijing. "Do you want the Chinese vaccine recognised by the World Health Organization [WHO] or not? Will you listen to or ignore Taiwan people's will to use Chinese vaccines?" The WHO has granted emergency approval for a vaccine made by Chinese state-owned company Sinopharm. Fosun on Saturday repeated an offer it first made in March to supply Taiwan with BioNTech vaccines. Taipei rejected the initial offer, saying it would discuss the procurement issue directly with the German company. Tsai said earlier this month that a locally developed Covid-19 vaccine would be ready for use by the end of July. Phase 2 clinical trials of the candidates were almost complete, she said, without elaborating. ^ top ^
World Health Assembly rejects Taiwan-related proposal (Xinhua)
2021-05-25
The World Health Assembly (WHA), the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), on Monday refused to include a proposal on Taiwan's participation in its agenda. Chen Xu, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said in a statement at the meeting that the Chinese delegation firmly supported the recommendation by the General Committee of the 74th WHA to not include the Taiwan-related proposal in the agenda. Noting that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, Chen said: "The UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 provided the legal basis for WHO to abide by the one-China principle, and recognized Taiwan as part of China. The Taiwan-related proposal is in violation of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, runs against the WHO's Constitution and the WHA's Rules of Procedure, and is illegal and invalid." The Taiwan region's participation in the WHA must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle and through cross-strait consultations, he stressed. Before the assembly, more than 150 countries have, through diplomatic channels, and over 80 countries have, through sending letters to the WHO, expressed their adherence to the one-China principle and their opposition to Taiwan's participation in the WHA, according to Chen. "Facts have repeatedly proved that making Taiwan-related proposals is unpopular," he told reporters after Monday's meeting, adding that any secessionist attempt to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" is doomed to fail. ^ top ^
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| Economy |
China's Banking Regulator Adds Limits on Wealth Management Marketing (Caixin)
2021-05-28
China's banking regulator issued final rules Thursday governing sales of wealth management products (WMPs), expanding them to cover commercial banks and foreign-owned companies and adding restrictions on marketing of the investments. Otherwise the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission's final regulations differ little from the draft released five months ago that blocked WMP sales on internet platforms. The rules take effect June 27. Changes to the final rules include a prohibition on using or highlighting absolute values or interval values to compare performance among WMPs, on promoting expected returns in disguised ways and on marketing the products as investments that can guarantee certain returns. The final rules also expand their application to WMP units of commercial banks and to wealth management businesses majority owned by foreign companies. There is also a new six-month transition period through the end of 2021 for institutions to correct practices not in compliance with the rules. WMPs are part of China's $15 trillion asset-management industry, which has been the target of a regulatory crackdown on risky shadow lending and excessive financial leverage. The rules are part sweeping regulations governing the industry that were first released in November 2017 but were delayed for implementation. One of the chief goals of the new rules is to ban banks from guaranteeing returns on WMPs, a long-standing practice that encourages investors to dump money into risky, high-yielding assets while expecting state protection if the underlying investments fail, thus posing significant risk to the financial system. ^ top ^
Xiaomi removed from US blacklist, yet clampdown on Chinese tech firms ongoing: experts (Global Times)
2021-05-27
Chinese tech firm Xiaomi said Wednesday that it has been formally removed from the US blacklist, a baseless document published in mid-January, with Xiaomi reiterating that it is an open, transparent, publicly traded corporation. According to a final order issued by the US District Court for the District of Columbia on Tuesday (US time), it vacated the US Department of Defense's designation of Xiaomi as a "Communist Chinese Military Company" (CCMC), and the court formally lifted all restrictions on US persons' ability to purchase or hold securities of the company. Xiaomi is grateful for the trust and support of all its global users, partners, employees and shareholders, it said in a statement posted on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Wednesday under the name of its chairman Lei Jun. Lei also posted a Sina Weibo on Wednesday, hailing "We won!" Chinese tech-related influencers including Changan Shumajun expressed their congratulations on the victory. "It is hoped that more Chinese firms can shake off this US crackdown and the US government will treat Chinese firms fairly and equally," the blogger with nearly one million followers said, adding that the more important thing is that Chinese firms could rev up research and development on core technologies, making the US unable to brandish its sanction stick. The Chinese smartphone vendor reiterated that it is an open, transparent, publicly traded, independently operated and managed corporation, and will continue to provide reliable consumer electronics products and services to users. Despite the difficulties in challenging the US ban, Xiaomi's ultimate victory is within expectation since the Pentagon's blacklisting was "unconstitutional," so it could not hold water in the US where the rule of law principle is deeply pinned in the court, Chinese tech analysts told the Global Times. "Xiaomi has set quite a good example for those firms that were still on the US blacklist to defend their interests by litigation, said Zhou Xibing, a veteran analyst who has followed the Chinese tech industry for years. Apart from lawsuit, Zhou believed that Xiaomi's US suppliers, like Qualcomm, could have played some active role in the case through behind the scenes lobbying. "Chinese firms should also make efforts on this respect, to build an effective communications channel via local resources." "More firms would be inspired by Xiaomi's win to challenge US discriminatory administrative orders or groundless ban," Zhou told the Global Times. In mid-January, the former Trump administration added Xiaomi and eight other Chinese firms to a list of the so-called CMCC, the designation requiring US investors to divest their holdings in those firms by a March 15 deadline. Chinese mapping technology company Luokung Technology Corp, also on the blacklist, sued the US government in early March, seeking to be removed from the blacklist by the deadline. The NASDAQ-listed firm received temporary ruling from a US court on May 5, suspending the imminent investment ban. Zhou warned, however, that Chinese tech firms should not relax mentally interpreting the US "friendly" move toward Xiaomi as easing its competition stance toward Chinese high-tech industries, although an outright truce seems far away. The US de-blacklisting move of Xiaomi came after an early May announcement by Xiaomi saying it has reached an agreement with the Pentagon, with the latter agreeing to vacate its designation. Xiaomi filed a complaint to a US court in late January seeking to be removed from the list. In March, a US federal judge temporarily halted enforcement of the blacklisting imposed under the Trump administration. Separately, FTSE Russell said Tuesday that it will add Xiaomi and Luokung, a Chinese technology also put onto the blacklist, back to its global indexes. Xiaomi will be added to FTSE GEIS in two tranches, with 50 percent added effective from the open on June 7, and 50 percent added from the open on June 21, FTSE said in a statement. While, Luokung will be added to FTSE GEIS in conjunction with the June 2021 review, effective from the open on June 21. ^ top ^
China's data protection rules among 'core challenges' facing British firms, despite steps to open economy (SCMP)
2021-05-26
British businesses see China's cybersecurity and data restrictions as among the biggest challenges to operating in the world's second largest economy, adding to long-standing obstacles like market access and competition with state-owned enterprises, the British Chamber of Commerce said on Wednesday. Beijing continued opening its vast consumer market last year, while taking steps to tighten rules about how citizens' personal data is collected and used. The British Chamber of Commerce has called on Chinese authorities to set clear boundaries for what is considered within the realm of national security, provide more detail on the definition of "important data" and work with foreign businesses to smooth out necessary cross-border data flows. "There has been some market opening and positive movement on regulatory challenges, but cybersecurity and IT restrictions, accessing and moving company finances and competition with state-owned enterprises continue to inhibit the growth of British companies operating in China," the business lobby said in its latest position paper. "The core challenges facing British businesses in China remain largely unchanged from last year." The chamber, which represents hundreds of British companies, warned of significant uncertainties in the enforcement of China's cybersecurity and proposed new data security laws, making it difficult for the business community to factor relevant compliance into local business models and to integrate it into global operations. "Companies are already subject to some level of security assessment requirements and controls on cross-border data transfers, which slow their operations," the chamber said. Many foreign companies are now keeping consumer data onshore, including Apple, whose iCloud services for mainland users are being handled at a data centre in the southwestern province of Guizhou. Electric car maker Tesla said last month that data generated by Chinese users is stored onshore and it was developing a platform for customers to access their data. But the chamber urged China to ensure its Cybersecurity Law gives foreign firms reasonable scope to share information overseas that is crucial to their business operations. Authorities need to establish a clear and transparent boundary around the right of access to company IT systems for both Chinese regulators and third parties in the case of a security assessment, security breach, or general investigation, it added. The foreign business community is often a key force against trade protectionism and disengagement in China, given its knowledge of the country's massive market opportunities. But many are vulnerable to bilateral diplomatic disputes, as seen during the Chinese boycott of Swedish clothing brand H&M and other foreign clothing retailers in March for refusing to use cotton from Xinjiang in their clothing. The region's apparel sector, particularly cotton, has come under intense scrutiny from foreign governments, rights groups and the global industry itself over accusations of forced labour, which Beijing denies. In a major foreign policy review released in March, the British government labelled China a "systemic competitor" and "the biggest state-based threat" to its economic security. It also joined the United States, the European Union (EU) and Canada in March in sanctioning five Chinese officials over suspected Xinjiang human rights issues. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by imposing sanctions on nine British nationals and four British entities and warned the union "not go further down the wrong path". The British chamber called for the governments of China and Britain to remain engaged. "Challenges in the UK-China relationship cannot be resolved unless both parties engage in dialogue and negotiate in good faith," it said, suggesting common ground in areas like climate change. At the same time, the report repeated the group's concerns over restrictions on cross-border capital transfers and the competition with state-owned enterprises. "In reality there are still many rules designed to favour state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and therefore protect them from competition from private companies," it said. "There are also concerns that, even if greater market openings take place as promised, foreign businesses will only gain limited share, given the time that SOEs, in particular, have had to establish dominance in these sectors." China is Britain's third largest trading partner after the US and the EU, with trade in goods and services reaching 713 billion yuan in 2020, a fall of 8 per cent from a year earlier, according to the position paper. ^ top ^
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| DPRK |
Biden, Moon voice willingness to engage with DPRK (Xinhua)
2021-05-22
U.S. President Joe Biden and visiting South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday expressed a shared willingness to engage with Pyongyang, reaffirming the goal to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. Moon is the second foreign leader, after Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in April, to make an official working visit to the White House during the Biden administration. During a joint press conference at the White House following their meeting, Biden said he and Moon discussed the shared approach to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). "Our two nations also share a willingness to engage diplomatically with the DPRK, to take pragmatic steps that will reduce tensions as we move toward our ultimate goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," he said. "We're under no illusions how difficult this is, none whatsoever," Biden told reporters. "And the past four administrations have not achieved the objective. It's an incredibly difficult objective." Biden announced that career diplomat Sung Kim will act as the U.S. Special Envoy for the DPRK to drive diplomatic efforts. Moon, in his remarks, called achieving complete denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula as the "most urgent common task" that the two allies must undertake. He noted that Biden expressed support for the inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation. "Under close cooperation with the U.S., we will work to facilitate progress in inter-Korean relations, so as to achieve a virtuous cycle with U.S.-DPRK dialogue." Biden did not rule out a meeting with DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, but stressed a precondition of the meeting would be Pyongyang's commitment to discussing its nuclear weapons. The two leaders also discussed cooperation on issues of regional security, emerging technology, climate change, and COVID-19 vaccines. The two countries agree to establish a comprehensive vaccine partnership, and the United States will provide vaccinations for 550,000 South Korean troops working in close contact with American forces. The Biden administration at the end of April completed its policy review towards the DPRK. The White House said that it had reached out to Pyongyang through several channels but had not yet received any response. Kim Jong Un and former U.S. President Donald Trump held their first summit in Singapore in June 2018, agreeing on a complete denuclearization of and a lasting peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula. Denuclearization talks between Pyongyang and Washington have been stalled since the second Kim-Trump summit ended without agreement in February 2019 in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi. ^ top ^
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| Mongolia |
Mongolia, Turkey exchange views on cooperation in tourism projects (Montsame)
2021-05-26
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey to Mongolia had a courtesy call on G.Zandanshatar, Chairman of the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia. Chairman H.E.Mr.G.Zandanshatar, at the beginning of the meeting, noted that the relations and cooperation established with the Republic of Turkey, a "Third neighbor" of Mongolia, have been developing at the level of Comprehensive Partnership, with trade and investment increasing between the two countries by the cooperation in the field of economic free zone and an agreement on Social protection being established, which have a great importance. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on possibilities to deepen bilateral friendly relations and cooperation in the fields of history, culture, tourism, education and economy. While expressed his gladsome to have been appointed as an Ambassador in Mongolia, which Turkey enjoys traditional and friendly relations, Mr. Zafer Ates rendered his eagerness to actively work towards expanding bilateral relations in the sectors, including tourism, trade, agriculture, history and culture. Chairman H.E.Mr.G.Zandanshatar stated that starting direct flights between Mongolia and Turkey had an important role in developing cooperation in the tourism sector. Moreover, the Government plans to implement around 100 projects in the next four years, one of which is to establish a zone with a historical and cultural complex. The two sides discussed and shared their views on the possible projects and programs to be jointly implemented to promote valuable heritage, history, culture and traditions, and create a new regional tourism products and services based on historical findings from approximately 2000 years back. Chairman Zandanshatar wished the Turkish Ambassador every success in his work and expressed support from parliament for all initiatives aimed at developing bilateral relations. ^ top ^
Presidential candidates approved, election campaign period kicks off (Montsame)
2021-05-24
Mongolia's quadrennial presidential election of 2021 is scheduled on June 9, Wednesday. The General Election Commission (GEC) has approved the candidates nominated by three political parties and coalitions with seats in the State Great Khural. On May 24, today, the GEC handed over the candidacy cards to the approved presidential candidates, who are Khurelsukh Ukhnaa from the ruling Mongolian People Party, Erdene Sodnomzundui from the Democratic Party and Enkhbat Dangaasuren from The Right Person Electorate Coalition. After receiving his candidacy card, Former Prime Minister of Mongolia and Chair of the Mongolian People's Party U. Khurelsukh pledged that if elected, he will be working towards firstly, strengthening the social justice, and independent legislative and judicial systems and secondly, strengthening the rule of law in the government with respect to parliamentary governance, human rights and free market economy. "Continuing the past achievements on providing benefits from natural resources to Mongolians, I will establish sovereign wealth fund, carry out development projects and enable each and every citizen of the country to reap equal benefits from natural wealth as dividends. I also vow to pay more attention on reaffirming Mongolia's reputation on an international level and creating a country with a 'powerful economy' as reflected in the government's Vision – 2050 policy guideline, and maintaining the unity of our nation." He then added that his election platform was developed on scientific basis, the government's four-year action plan, Vision – 2050 long term policy document and the Constitution. Presidential candidate from the Democratic Party S. Erdene "I feel confident that I can be a president who could overcome the difficulties encountered by the nation by exerting all my efforts. I nominated myself for the presidency as it is now my responsibility to protect the democracy". He continued that the main principle of his platform for the election will be strict compliance with 'freedom'. Third candidate for the forthcoming presidential election from The Right Person Electorate Coalition, D.Enkhbat delivered remarks to the public as well, confirming that he will be working to strengthen the democracy, perfect the economy and society, improve livelihoods of the Mongolia people, establish justice and fight against corruption while contributing to the growth of Mongolia and creating a new Mongolia of the XXI century based on knowledge, skills and technology. His campaign slogan is 'We all Mongolians can' - Mongolian herders can, Mongolian engineers can and Mongolian youths can, he explains. With the announcement of the final list of candidates, the official election campaigning launched today to run through until the end of June 7, Monday – 24 hours prior to the polling day. The candidates' declaration of income and assets as well as action plan are placed open to the public by the National Audit Office and the Independent Authority Against Authority from this day. In line with the law on presidential election, the election campaigning will take place for 15 days and during this period, the candidates have the opportunity to meet with voters and political parties and their candidates running for the presidential election will undertake eight types of permitted campaign activities, including distribution of promotional materials to voters, political advertising on radios, TVs and online, outdoor billboard advertisements and operating campaign offices. ^ 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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