#china news latest

[thesc00p]

A tiny shop, suspended 394 feet above the ground on the side of a steep cliff face in Hunan province, China, has earned the playful moniker of the “most inconvenient convenience store”. This wooden shed, perched in the Shiniuzhai National Geological Park, defies convention by providing sustenance to climbers. The journey to reach this remarkable store takes approximately 90 minutes, and climbers are rewarded with a free bottle of water upon arrival. The shop’s stock is replenished daily via ziplines, and only one staff member operates it at a time. Social media users have marveled at its ingenious yet precarious position, dubbing it the most unconventional convenience store in the country.

Source: https://news.sky.com/

[the-eyespy]

🇬🇧🇨🇳 The UK has announced sanctions against China.

[beardedmrbean]

When China relaxed its zero-COVID policy at the start of December, international observers warned there would be mass outbreaksin the Chinese population, which, it was estimated, lacks sufficient herd immunity or vaccine protection.

One statistical model published by healthdata.org predicts that 300,000 people could die from COVID-19 infections by April 2023 and 1.6 million people could die by the end of the year.

"Infections are steeply on the rise and hospitals are overwhelmed. It's quite [certain] that the situation is spiraling out of control, at least in Beijing and other big cities," said Björn Alpermann, a sinologist at the University of Würzburg in Germany.

COVID wave in China 'thermonuclear bad'

On December 19, a prominent epidemiologist, Eric Feigl-Ding, tweeted that the situation was "thermonuclear bad."

Feigl-Ding predicted "over 60% of China's and 10% of the Earth's population likely infected over the next 90 days. Deaths likely in the millions — plural."

In scenes reminiscent of the early months of the pandemic in 2020, Feigl-Ding posted a video of what looks like an overcrowded hospital, with patients lying close next to each other on the floor.

Other reports suggest morgues and crematoriums are overloaded, with backlogs running into the thousands. "The reports that crematoriums are working 24/7 are deeply disturbing," said Alpermann.

How accurate are the statistics?

It's not known how many people are currently infected with COVID-19 in China or the number of those who have recently died from the disease.

Oliver Radtke who lives in Beijing and is the chief representative of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, an independent political foundation affiliated with Germany's Greens, said it was impossible to know how severe the current COVID wave was by reading the official statistics.

"Judging strictly from personal evidence, scrolling through WeChat [social media] and having conversations with colleagues and friends, I reckon about one third in the city is sick, one third is taking care of the sick and one third simply doesn't dare to venture out," Radtke told DW.

Alpermann said the Chinese government had more or less admitted that its statistics were artificially low when it said that it would only count COVID deaths that had happened due to lung failure. That's Alpermann's personal assessment, but it suggests that those statistics tell only a partial truth.

The lack of accurate statistics about the current COVID situation in China makes predictions about deaths and illness difficult.

"There are so many moving parts in models, so there's a lot of guess work. The subvariant [of omicron, BF.7] circulating in China now isn't well studied, and we don't know how fast people will get boosters this winter," Alpermann said.

Booster campaign to target elderly

So, how are Chinese health authorities responding to the situation? Radtke said authorities had placed responsibility on individuals to keep safe.

"The official slogan these days is 'everybody is responsible for the prevention and control of the pandemic,'" he said.

But the Chinese National Health Commission (NHC) has initiated a large vaccination and booster campaign, especially for the elder and other high-risk groups.

Many health experts outside China have been critical about the effectiveness of Chinese vaccines from Sinovac and Sinopharm compared to mRNA vaccines, such as the BioNTech-Pfizer and Moderna jabs — and the NHC is only administering vaccines made in China.

However, reports suggest they may include new nasal spray vaccines in the booster program. The hope is that the new vaccine types will reduce COVID transmission as well as the risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms.

"Worries about grandparents and older parents are high. Especially regarding family members in the countryside and [remote] provinces, where Intensive Care Unit beds are rare or non-existent," said Radtke.

What caused the latest COVID outbreak in China?

Experts say that the current infection and death rates in China may be because the country has a lower level of population immunity than that in other countries. 

"The Chinese government boasted they won a victory against COVID with their zero-COVID strategy. For some time it looked that way in 2021, but with omicron the picture completely changed," said Alpermann.

China has pursued a zero-COVID policy since the pandemic began.

During zero-COVID, the government implemented mass testing, imposed strict lockdowns and quarantined those people with COVID-19 in special facilities.

Now that it has relaxed its lockdown rules, the population has been going out but with very little natural exposure to infection, especially the more contagious variants, such as omicron — because they were locked in for all that time. In any case, that is the theory you hear from health experts outside China.

Rates of booster vaccine uptake are estimated to be low in China, especially among older people who have a higher risk of developing severe symptoms — only about one-third of over-80s and two-thirds of over 60s have received their first booster shot, according to official data.

"In retrospect, it now looks like the Chinese government did not use the time during zero-COVID to their own advantage to get vaccination rates as high as they should have been. They did not import more advanced mRNA vaccines or approve mRNA vaccines created in China," Alpermann said.

The first of three waves

Speaking at a conference in Beijing on December 17, Zunyou Wu, a chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that the current outbreak would peak this winter and run in three waves for about three months.

The modelling mentioned at the start of this article puts the potential death rate as high as 1.6 million people by the end of 2023. But that depends on whether COVID transmission can or will be contained with new lockdowns and by the success of vaccination programs.

"I am worried about what happens once the current wave reaches the lesser-developed parts of the country, especially in the western hinterland," said Radtke.

Whatever the exact figures, Chinese health authorities appear to be struggling to keep up with the spread of the disease, and that continues to cause concern outside of the country as well.

[timesofocean]

Taiwan condemns Qatar for 'politicising' World Cup amid China spat

New Post has been published on https://www.timesofocean.com/taiwan-condemns-qatar-for-politicizing-world-cup-amid-china-spat/

Taiwan condemns Qatar for 'politicising' World Cup amid China spat

Taipei (The Times Groupe)- Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry criticized the organizers of the World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday for claiming Taiwanese fans may be listed as Chinese, and demanded they not allow “improper political factors” to influence sporting events.

Taiwan is a democratically-governed country that takes issue with China’s claims to sovereignty and, in particular, its attempt to claim Taiwanese people as Chinese.

The Hayya card, which serves as a fan identification card as well as their entry visa to Qatar, is required for all World Cup ticket holders.

Taiwan was not listed as a nationality on the application system Tuesday, and a senior Qatari official said Taiwanese were likely to be listed as Chinese on the card.

On Wednesday, the online system listed “Taiwan, Province of China”, terminology that is equally offensive to Taiwan’s government and its people, though it did display a Taiwanese flag, a symbol anathema to China.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said it was “unacceptable to belittle our country” and they were asking organizers to “immediately correct their ways”.

“The Foreign Ministry urges the organizers of the World Cup that improper political factors not taint simple sports activities and sporting venues that value fair competition and emphasize the spirit of the athletes,” she said.

Sports organizers should let sports be sports and give fans around the world “a clean World Cup football event”.

World Cup organizers did not immediately respond to the comments. Qatar’s communication office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Taiwan participates in most international sporting events as “Chinese Taipei” to avoid political problems with Beijing.

It has never been to a World Cup finals and lost all eight matches in the second round of the Asian qualifying for the 2022 tournament last year.

Taiwan does not have diplomatic relations with Qatar, which, like most countries, only recognizes China’s government.

China has stepped up its pressure on countries and foreign companies to refer to Taiwan as part of China in official documents and on websites, often using the phrase “Taiwan, Province of China”, or “Taiwan, China”.

Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, responded to questions about Taiwan’s complaints to the Qatar World Cup organizers by affirming that “Taiwan is part of China”.

“The one China principle is a basic norm of international relations, and it is widely acknowledged by the international community,” Wang told reporters at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.

[badbirdnews]

In the tense game of ‘Russian Roulette’ that China is playing with its U.S. ally, 

the recent incident involving the Chinese coast guard ships and the Filipino boats has raised eyebrows...

[rightnewshindi]

मंडी में 33 करोड़ की लागत से बनेगा शिवधाम, जल्द होंगे टेंडर; आरएस बाली

मंडी में 33 करोड़ की लागत से बनेगा शिवधाम, जल्द होंगे टेंडर; आरएस बाली

Shimla News: हिमाचल प्रदेश पर्यटन विकास निगम (एचपीटीडीसी) के अध्यक्ष आरएस बाली ने कहा कि छोटी काशी मंडी में शिव धाम बनाने का काम जल्द शुरू होगा। इसके लिए जल्द टेंडर किए जाएंगे। आरएस बाली ने बुधवार को शिमला में आयोजित पत्रकार वार्ता में यह जानकारी दी। उन्होंने कहा कि शिव धाम बनाने पर 33 करोड़ रुपये खर्च होंगे। कहा कि पूर्व सरकार के समय शुरू हुई शिव धाम परियोजना की जांच चल रही है। जल्द इसकी…

[dawnamerica]

Unveiling China’s C919: A Glimpse into the Future of Aviation

Amidst the excitement of the long-awaited Singapore Airshow, a groundbreaking addition steals the spotlight: China’s very own C919 jetliner. This sleek marvel of engineering marks a significant milestone as China steps onto the global stage of aviation innovation.

Gone are the days when Airbus and Boeing monopolized the skies. Enter the C919, proudly presented by China’s state-run aerospace firm COMAC. With aspirations to rival the A320 and 737 MAX, this homegrown gem promises a new era in passenger travel. Read More

[delhinewsinenglish]

India, China hold fresh round of military talks

India and China agreed to maintain "peace and tranquillity" on the ground in border areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh during a fresh round of high-level military talks earlier this week.

However, there was no clear forward movement at Monday's talks in resolution of the more than three-and-half-year lingering row in a number of friction points, people familiar with the matter said.

The 21st round of the India-China corps commander level meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on February 19, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

"The discussions built on the previous rounds, seeking complete disengagement in the remaining areas along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh as an essential basis for restoration of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas," it said in a statement.

The MEA said the two sides shared their perspectives on the matter in the talks held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere.

"The two sides have agreed to maintain communication on the way ahead through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms," it said.

"They also committed to maintain peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas in the interim," the MEA added.

Source : India, China hold fresh round of military talks

[headlinehorizon]

Senators Urge President Biden to Implement Travel Ban on China Due to Mysterious Respiratory Illness

https://headlinehorizon.com/Health/Coronavirus/1562

A group of five senators have written to President Biden demanding immediate action to restrict travel between the U.S. and China due to an increase in an unknown respiratory illness. The senators highlight concerns about China's history of concealing information and emphasize the need to protect American lives and the economy.

[martin-james2121]

China reports surge in mysterious respiratory illness

China has reported a surge in instances of respiratory illnesses in the northern China region, especially among children. This surge has led to online discussions speculating a potential new pandemic threat, occurring four years after the initial emergence of Covid-19 in the country.

However, Chinese Health authorities have clarified that the increased infections result from a combination of existing viruses. They are linked to the onset of the country’s first full cold season following the relaxation of strict COVID restrictions last December.

While highlighting the ongoing lack of clarity surrounding the situation, experts indicate the slightest indications supporting the belief that these cases resulted from a novel virus.

When was the Disease Reported?

At a press conference on November 13, China’s Health Commission reported a rise in respiratory illnesses, primarily affecting children.

Chinese officials have linked the increasing cases to the end of Covid restrictions, the beginning of colder weather, and the circulation of recognized pathogens such as influenza, mycoplasma pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid.

ProMED, the public disease surveillance system that previously raised an alert on mysterious pneumonia cases, later confirmed as Covid, announced on Monday that certain Chinese hospitals were facing a situation of excessive sick children amid a pneumonia outbreak.

The reported outbreak predominantly occurred in Beijing, with additional cases identified in the northeastern Liaoning province and various other regions across China. 

What are the symptoms of this disease?

The symptoms of this disease include fever, lung inflammation without coughing, and pulmonary nodules, typically indicative of previous infections. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported yet.

At a Beijing children’s hospital on Thursday, several parents informed AFP that their children were diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia, a frequent cause of pneumonia in children that can be easily treated with antibiotics.

To Read More Click here...

[repotednews]

26 people died in a terrible fire Repoted News..

There was a terrible fire in China. 26 people died in an accident in a coal mine in Luliang. Officials revealed that the accident occurred due to the fire that broke out in the coal company's office. A fire broke out on the second floor of the building on Thursday morning. About 90 personnel were trapped inside the building as it spread to other floors. As the fire intensified, 26 people inside the building died. More than 60 others were seriously injured. Immediately after receiving information about the accident, rescue teams reached the spot and shifted the injured to a local hospital. The local authorities said that an investigation has been conducted into the cause of the accident.

[rashid92786]

Vivo Y100 5G! 5,000mAh बैटरी और 24GB RAM से लैस जल्द भार�� में दस्तक देगा

Vivo Y100 5G – एक शक्तिशाली 5,000mAh बैटरी और 24GB RAM के साथ आने वाला है। यह स्मार्टफोन पहले ही चीन में लॉन्च हो चुका है और अब जल्द ही भारतीय बाजार में पहुंचेगा। जानिए इसकी विशेषताएं और अन्य जानकारी। मुख्य अंश: वीवो Y100 5G अब चीन के बाजार में उपलब्ध है। इस डिवाइस में 12GB प्राथमिक और 12GB आभासी रैम (कुल 24GB RAM) सम्मिलित है। इस स्मार्टफोन में स्क्रीन पर अंगूठा छाप पहचान प्रणाली मौजूद…