26 August 2020 - China Special Weapons News

Three Texans, One New Yorker Indicted for Conspiracy to Sell Sanctioned Iranian Petroleum to Refinery in China for Millions in Profit US Dept. of Justice 26 Aug 2020 -- Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania William M. McSwain announced that the following defendants were indicted on charges of conspiracy, violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), and money laundering conspiracy based on their attempt to transact in sanctioned Iranian petroleum:

Chinese biopharmaceutical producer Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine simple, effective: media People's Daily 26 Aug 2020 -- An inactivated COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese biopharmaceutical producer Sinovac Biotech Co., Ltd. could be effective in stopping COVID-19, Bloomberg reported.
COVID-19 vaccine candidate produced from insect cells to enter human trials People's Daily 26 Aug 2020 -- China has approved human trials for a new COVID-19 vaccine candidate, which was produced by the use of insect cells.
Chinese mainland reports no new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases People's Daily 26 Aug 2020 -- No new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases were reported Tuesday across the Chinese mainland, the National Health Commission said Wednesday.
Beijing hospitals cleared of COVID-19 cases People's Daily 26 Aug 2020 -- All Beijing hospitals have been cleared of COVID-19 cases, as the last two patients were discharged from hospital on Tuesday, authorities said Wednesday.
Hong Kong reports reinfected COVID-19 case, researchers say recovered patients not immunized for life People's Daily 26 Aug 2020 -- Hong Kong reported Tuesday that a 33-year-old man had been confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 for a second time after his first infection in late March.
Different standards lead to Sweden's false positive COVID-19 results: Chinese biotech firm Global Times 26 Aug 2020 -- In response to Sweden's concerns over "false positive COVID-19 test kits," the Chinese company in question, BGI Genomics, said on Wednesday that the "high positive rate" was due to the amount of virus inside asymptomatic patients, and different countries and regions define asymptomatic patients differently.

Taiwan, US announce joint 5G security declaration CNA 26 Aug 2020 -- Taiwan and the United States are working closely to raise awareness globally about risks related to 5G networks and will continue to work with like-minded partners to develop 5G guidelines and best practices, according to a joint declaration on 5G security released by the two countries in Taipei Wednesday.

US conducts provocative close-up recon on PLA drills two days in a row Global Times 26 Aug 2020 -- By sending an RC-135S ballistic missile-detection plane to spy on Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) drills in the South China Sea on Wednesday, the US has deployed its spy aircraft to gather intelligence on two separate PLA exercises two days in a row, following another occasion on Tuesday that saw a U-2 high-altitude aircraft provocatively trespass into a no-fly zone of a live-fire drill by the PLA Northern Theater Command that risked a misfire accident.
US provokes again with ballistic missile-detection plane near PLA drills in S.China Sea: think tank Global Times 26 Aug 2020 -- A US RC-135S reconnaissance aircraft on Wednesday flew near ongoing Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) drills in the South China Sea, one day after another US spy plane, a U-2, trespassed into another PLA exercise restricted zone. The US is increasing the frequency of its close-up reconnaissance of PLA drills in order to pry about the PLA's capabilities, which is provocative, brings the risk of accidents, and could lead to escalation, Chinese experts warned.
Y-20 completes first heavy equipment airdrop in plateau areas PLA Daily 26 Aug 2020 -- The Y-20 strategic transport aircraft attached to the PLA Air Force completed the first heavy equipment airdrop in plateau areas in a recent real combat training exercise. This means that Chinese airborne troops have possessed strong maneuverability in the plateau areas and greatly improved their capabilities in defense and firepower, which would enable them to conduct large-scale assaults with heavy equipment.
Beijing Reportedly Fires 2 Missiles Into South China Sea in 'Warning' to US Sputnik 26 Aug 2020 -- China fired two missiles into the South China Sea on Wednesday in an act of "warning" to the United States after a US spy plane intruded its army's no-fly airspace, a source close to the Chinese military told the South China Morning Post newspaper.
Beijing Says US Spy Plane Entered China's Airspace During Army Drills Sputnik 26 Aug 2020 -- The day before, the Chinese Defence Ministry reported that a US U-2 reconnaissance plane flew into a no-fly zone of China's Northern Military District during military drills.
China's Defense Ministry condemns U.S. plane in no-fly zone PLA Daily 26 Aug 2020 -- China deems the U.S. U-2 plane's entrance into a no-fly zone as a purely provocative act, said a Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Wu Qian on Tuesday.

Commerce Department Adds 24 Chinese Companies to the Entity List for Helping Build Military Islands in the South China Sea US Dept. of Commerce 26 Aug 2020 -- The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the Department of Commerce (Commerce) added 24 Chinese companies to the Entity List for their role in helping the Chinese military construct and militarize the internationally condemned artificial islands in the South China Sea.
U.S. Imposes Restrictions on Certain PRC State-Owned Enterprises and Executives for Malign Activities in the South China Sea US Dept. of State 26 Aug 2020 -- "The United States supports a free and open South China Sea. We respect the sovereign rights of all nations, regardless of size, and seek to preserve peace and uphold freedom of the seas in a manner consistent with international law. In July, I announced an updated policy regarding Beijing's unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea and emphasized that the United States was prepared to take firm action to oppose Beijing's campaign of bullying."
Briefing With Senior State Department and Commerce Officials On State Department Visa Restrictions Placed on Individuals from the People's Republic of China and Commerce Department Restrictions Placed on Chinese Corporate Entities US Dept. of State 26 Aug 2020
US Sanctions Chinese Companies Over South China Sea Island-Building Radio Free Asia 26 Aug 2020 -- The United States on Wednesday announced it has placed sanctions on 24 Chinese companies and individuals within those companies for their part in constructing China's artificial islands in the South China Sea.
US Blacklists 24 Chinese Companies for 'Helping to Build Military Islands' in South China Sea Sputnik 26 Aug 2020 -- Earlier this week, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) introduced a fresh round of sanctions against China's Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) amid allegations of human rights abuses.
US Sanctions Chinese Companies Over South China Sea Dispute VOA 26 Aug 2020 -- The United States imposed sanctions Wednesday on 24 Chinese companies and several people who allegedly participated in building and militarizing disputed artificial islands in the South China Sea.
US sanctions Chinese individuals, firms over South China Sea dispute Press TV 26 Aug 2020 -- The United States has blacklisted 24 Chinese companies and individuals over their actions related to disputed islands in the South China Sea.

Vietnam Weighs World Court Arbitration Against China if Maritime Diplomacy Fails VOA 26 Aug 2020 -- Vietnam is exploring the launch of an international arbitration case against China over a series of mishaps in a disputed sea if diplomacy fails, analysts believe.

Philippines Welcomes US Presence to Maintain Order in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 26 Aug 2020 -- Manila's top diplomat said Wednesday the Philippines would continue to patrol the South China Sea and call on the United States for support under the Mutual Defense Treaty, if necessary, in response to China's accusations that such actions were "illegal provocations."

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on August 26, 2020 PRC MofA 26 Aug 2020
Starting a "new Cold War" is to reverse course of history, kidnap world: Chinese FM People's Daily 26 Aug 2020 -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Tuesday that starting "a new Cold War" is to reverse the course of history and kidnap the whole world.
Chinese FM spokesperson hits back at US defense chief's groundless accusations against PLA Global Times 26 Aug 2020 -- In response to the US Defense Secretary's provocative comments that the Pentagon is preparing for China, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented one piece of advice, two facts and three questions to squash his groundless accusation against China, saying that any US politicians who respect the facts will get straight answers to their questions.
On China's Continued Coercion of the United Kingdom US Dept. of State 26 Aug 2020 -- The United States is dismayed to learn that the Chinese Communist Party's coercive bullying tactics against our friends in the United Kingdom continues.
Senior Chinese envoy warns Australia of 'shadow' over ties Press TV 26 Aug 2020 -- A top Chinese diplomat has warned Australia of a "shadow" over the relations between Beijing and Canberra, saying Australia's support for the United States in calling for an investigation into the origins of the new coronavirus prodded Washington to put more pressure on China.

HK lawmakers' arrest could disqualify them: local legislator Global Times 26 Aug 2020 -- The arrest of opposition lawmakers Lam Cheuk Ting and Ted Hui Chi-fung could lead to their disqualification as LegCo lawmakers, according to Hong Kong legislator Junius Ho Kwan-yiu.
HK police arrest 16, including two opposition lawmakers Global Times 26 Aug 2020 -- Hong Kong police arrested 16 people on Wednesday morning, including two opposition lawmakers Lam Cheuk Ting and Ted Hui Chi-fung.
Hong Kong Residents Set Sights on UK as Safe Haven From Crackdown Radio Free Asia 26 Aug 2020 -- Hong Kong residents wishing to escape months of protest-related violence and tear gas, or fleeing potential persecution under China's "national security" crackdown on dissent in the city, are increasingly viewing the U.K. as a safe haven.
Hong Kong Police Arrest Opposition Lawmakers Who Criticized Them Radio Free Asia 26 Aug 2020 -- Police in Hong Kong on Wednesday arrested two pro-democracy lawmakers who have been strongly critical of police violence during last year's protest movement, as the city's Democratic Party condemned the move as a form of political intimidation.
Two Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Lawmakers Arrested VOA 26 Aug 2020 -- Two Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers have been arrested and charged in relation with anti-government protests last year that rocked the semi-autonomous city.

Nation remains committed to reform, opening-up People's Daily 26 Aug 2020 -- Forty years ago, China created four special economic zones in the southeastern coastal cities of Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shantou in Guangdong province and Xiamen in Fujian province as part of the country's opening-up drive to encourage foreign investment and boost economic growth.

Xi confers flag on China's police force PLA Daily 26 Aug 2020 -- President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Wednesday conferred the police flag on China's police force, ordering them to be loyal to the Party, serve the people and be impartial in law enforcement and strict in discipline.

Both Biden, Trump Condemn China's Treatment of Uighur Muslims VOA 26 Aug 2020 -- Both U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and President Donald Trump are newly condemning China's treatment of its Uighur Muslim minority, with Biden calling it genocide.
US Weighs Genocide Label Over China's Treatment of Uyghurs Radio Free Asia 26 Aug 2020 -- U.S. officials are considering whether to formally label as "genocide" China's treatment of ethnic Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, where Chinese authorities have put as many as 1.8 million members of the Muslim minority group into reeducation camps, U.S. media said Wednesday.
Dutch Government Formally Accepts Complaints From Uyghur Exiles Over Chinese Intimidation Radio Free Asia 26 Aug 2020 -- The Dutch government has formally accepted complaints from nearly five dozen ethnic Uyghur Dutch nationals living in the Netherlands detailing what they say are direct threats and intimidation by representatives of the Chinese police and Beijing, according to members of the group.

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26 August 2020 - China Special Weapons News