Tag: china

Tensions soar as US orders China consulate shut

  by Mark Felix Agence France Presse HOUSTON, United States (AFP) — US-Chinese relations, already tense over the coronavirus pandemic and Beijing’s crackdown in Hong Kong, deteriorated once again Wednesday as Washington ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston within 72 hours. China slammed the US move, which came one day after the unveiling of a US indictment targeting two Chinese nationals for allegedly hacking hundreds of companies worldwide and seeking to steal […]

Chinese COVID-19 vaccine starts final tests in Brazil

  BRASILIA, Brazil (AFP) — A Chinese-made vaccine against the new coronavirus entered the final stage of testing Tuesday in Brazil, where volunteers received the first doses of what officials hope will be a game-changer in the global pandemic. The vaccine, developed by private Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech, became the third in the world to enter Phase 3 clinical trials, or large-scale testing on humans — the last step before regulatory approval. “We’re living […]

Brazil set to test Chinese coronavirus vaccine

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AFP) — Brazil will begin advanced clinical testing of a Chinese-made vaccine against the new coronavirus Tuesday, issuing the first doses to around 900 volunteers, officials said. The coronavirus vaccine, developed by private Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac, is the third in the world to enter Phase 3 trials, or large-scale testing on humans — the last step before regulatory approval. It will be administered to doctors and other health workers who volunteer […]

China blows up dam in eastern province to ease flood risk

BEIJING, China (AFP) — Chinese authorities blew up part of a dam in eastern Anhui province to relieve flood pressure, local media reported, as heavy rains continue to swell rivers across parts of the country. Rising waters across central and eastern China have left over 140 people dead or missing, and floods have affected almost 24 million since the start of July, according to the ministry of emergency management Authorities have adopted measures such as […]

Yangtze floods force millions from their homes in central China

  JIUJIANG, China (AFP) –Vast swathes of China have been inundated by the worst flooding in decades along the mighty Yangtze River, with residents piling into boats and makeshift rafts to escape a deluge that has collapsed flood defences and turned their homes into waterways. Heavy rains since June have left at least 141 people dead and missing, forced nearly 15 million people to be evacuated from their homes in July alone, and caused billions […]

Cathay Pacific warns of US$1.3 billon loss in first half

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific issued a profit warning on Friday, estimating it will suffer a historic loss of HK$9.9 billion (US$1.3 billion) in the first half of 2020 as it reels from the coronavirus pandemic. “The Group will record a net loss attributable to shareholders of approximately HK$9.9 billion, which compares to a net profit to shareholders of HK$1.3 billion for the same period in 2019,” the airline said […]

Hong Kong academics fear for freedom under new security law

by Jerome Taylor and Su Xinqi HONG KONG, China (AFP) — China’s new security law has sent a chill through Hong Kong’s schools and universities with many teachers fearful the city’s reputation for academic freedom and excellence is now at risk. Just a week after the sweeping legislation was imposed on the territory, staff at some institutions have already been warned by their administrators to be careful how they teach. “Remain neutral in your teaching […]

China rushes to contain floods after record rainfall

SHANGHAI, China (AFP) — Soldiers erected sandbag flood barriers in a city near China’s largest freshwater lake after the heaviest rainfall in nearly six decades drenched the swollen Yangtze River basin. The vast Yangtze drainage area has been lashed by torrential rains since last month, leaving 141 people dead or missing and forcing the evacuation of millions more across several provinces. Flooding along the river — the world’s third longest — has been an annual […]

Palace on China’s non-compliance with arbitral ruling: “We will agree to disagree”

(Eagle News) — The Philippines and China “will agree to disagree” on the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated the Asian giant’s claims in some parts of the West Philippine Sea in favor of the Southeast Asian country. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement on Tuesday, July 14, a day after China called the ruling “invalid and illegal.” “Unang una po, talagang hindi tayo nagkakasundo sa bansang Tsina tungkol sa arbitral award na yan… Pero […]

China landslides leave at least 14 dead or missing

BEIJING, China (AFP) — Heavy rains and landslides in China have left at least 14 people dead or missing over the past day, burying houses and causing scenic areas to temporarily shut. Six people have been unreachable since a landslide in southwestern Guizhou province hit three villages on Wednesday, local authorities said. At least 156 people have been relocated, and six who were trapped had to be rescued after the incident. Photos from the scene […]

China offers glimpse inside lab near Wuhan virus origin

BEIJING, China (AFP) — Chinese state media has offered a rare glimpse of the lab at the heart of coronavirus conspiracy theories, as it seeks to push back against claims the facility was the source of the global pandemic. President Donald Trump and other US figures have repeatedly suggested the virus could have leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, or even been deliberately produced there. Footage broadcast by state-run CCTV is believed to be […]

Six injured in huge blast at China fireworks factory

BEIJING, China (AFP) — Powerful explosions rocked a fireworks factory in southwest China on Wednesday night, leaving at least six people injured, authorities said. A billowing yellow cloud rose over the factory in the city of Guanghan in Sichuan province after the first blast, and then thick, black smoke poured from the plant, according to images broadcast by state channel CCTV. This was followed by a second explosion. Six people were injured, including two with […]