31 December 2020 - China Special Weapons News

China grants conditional market approval for its first homemade COVID-19 vaccine Global Times 31 Dec 2020 -- China on Thursday announced that it has granted market approval attached with conditions for its first homemade COVID-19 vaccine, which was developed by Sinopharm, marking a monumental step in the battle against the pandemic that has killed 1.79 million globally.
China Approves Public Use of Sinopharm Vaccine Against COVID-19 – Reports Sputnik 31 Dec 2020 -- China's National Medical Products Administration authorized on Thursday the public use of the Sinopharm vaccine against the coronavirus, the China Central Television reported.
China Grants First Approval of Homegrown COVID-19 Vaccine VOA 31 Dec 2020 -- A COVID-19 vaccine developed by a Chinese drugmaker is the first to be granted official approval by China's government.
China grants conditional market approval for its first homemade COVID-19 vaccine Global Times 31 Dec 2020 -- China on Thursday announced that it has granted market approval attached with conditions for its first homemade COVID-19 vaccine, which was developed by Sinopharm, marking a monumental step in the battle against the pandemic that has killed 1.79 million globally.
Recent sporadic COVID-19 outbreaks in China traced to imported sources Global Times 31 Dec 2020 -- Recent sporadic cases taking place in Beijing, Northeast China's Shenyang, Dalian and Southwest China's Chengdu, were all found to come from abroad after epidemiological investigation and virus gene sequencing analysis, according to Chinese authorities on Thursday.
When and how can China make COVID-19 vaccines free to its general public? Global Times 31 Dec 2020 -- Chinese health officials said on Thursday that China will make COVID-19 vaccines affordable to all Chinese residents and eventually offer them free of charge to the public as a premise, a pledge which analysts said would be realized next year when China's production capacity of the vaccine increases to cover the entire population.
Beijing to vaccinate key groups against COVID-19 by Spring Fest Global Times 31 Dec 2020 -- Beijing health authorities on Thursday announced to vaccinate nine key groups against COVID-19 by Spring Festival, which falls in mid-February, with others being vaccinated afterwards.
China to eventually make COVID-19 vaccines free to public as a 'premise' Global Times 31 Dec 2020 -- China will ensure the COVID-19 vaccines be affordable to all Chinese residents. The price will depend on the scale of use but the premise is that it would eventually offer free access to the vaccines, Chinese health officials said on Thursday.
China gives 4.5m doses of COVID-19 vaccine to high-risk groups including cold-chain workers Global Times 31 Dec 2020 -- China has given 3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for second round of emergency use since December 15 to protect people, including cold-chain workers and customs staff. This was done to prevent virus infections during the winter, Chinese authorities announced on Thursday.
Epidemic prevention and control a primary task: Beijing govt Global Times 31 Dec 2020 -- The primary task of the Chinese capital is to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Beijing government said, calling on the city to ensure the epidemic will not resurge during the New Year and Spring Festival holidays.
Chinese COVID-19 vaccines free to all its citizens: official People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- China will provide free COVID-19 vaccines to all its citizens, said Zeng Yixin, deputy head of the National Health Commission (NHC), at a press conference on Thursday.
NE China city conducts massive COVID-19 testing People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, is conducting nucleic acid tests for all residents in nine districts starting Thursday, local authorities said.
China's Heilongjiang reports 2 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 1 new asymptomatic case People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province reported two new confirmed COVID-19 cases and one new asymptomatic case on Wednesday, the provincial health commission said Thursday.
Beijing reports two locally transmitted COVID-19 cases People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- Beijing reported two new locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, local health authorities said Thursday.
China approves self-developed COVID-19 vaccine People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- China announced on Thursday that it had granted conditional marketing authorization for a self-developed COVID-19 vaccine.
China to tighten COVID-19 measures during upcoming holidays People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- China will tighten its epidemic control measures for the forthcoming New Year and Spring Festival holidays, said the National Health Commission on Wednesday.
Northeast China city Shenyang tightens anti-COVID-19 measures People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- Shenyang, the capital city of Northeast China's Liaoning Province, has tightened its COVID-19 prevention and control measures Wednesday following new reports of local COVID-19 infections.
85,000 receive COVID-19 vaccines in east China's Fujian People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- A total of 85,000 people have been given COVID-19 vaccines in east China's Fujian Province as of Tuesday, local authorities said Wednesday.
Emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines expands to larger scale People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- With the recent increase of sporadic COVID-19 cases and progress in the development and manufacture of vaccines, China's emergency use of vaccines has expanded to a larger scale.
HKSAR chief executive urges Hong Kong residents to actively get COVID-19 vaccine People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- With the COVID-19 vaccine expected to arrive in Hong Kong in the first quarter of 2021, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam called on residents to actively get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Ukraine to buy 1.9 mln doses of SinoVac COVID-19 vaccine People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky informed about signing the contract of over 1.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by China's SinoVac Biotech, while the state is working on obtaining more vaccines, reported the president's press service on Wednesday.
Pakistan to purchase vaccine from China's Sinopharm: health authority People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- Pakistan has decided to pre-book COVID-19 vaccine from Chinese state-owned company Sinopharm for emergency use for healthcare workers, Pakistan's Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has said in a statement.
First batch of Chinese COVID-19 vaccines arrives in Turkey People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- The first batch of 3 million doses of China's SinoVac COVID-19 vaccine arrived in the Turkish capital Ankara early Wednesday.

NPC condemns US meddling in Tibet People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- China's top legislature on Wednesday strongly opposed the United States signing into law a funding bill for the 2021 fiscal year which contains China-related negative content.

South China Sea not an arena for major-power wrestling: Defense Spokesperson PLA Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- The South China Sea should be neither an arena for major-power wrestling nor a sea dominated by warships, a Chinese defense spokesperson said on Thursday.

China Accused of Offering Bounties to Afghan 'Nonstate Actors' to Kill US Troops VOA 31 Dec 2020 -- Media reports say U.S. President Donald Trump recently received unconfirmed intelligence information indicating that China offered money to nonstate actors in Afghanistan to attack American soldiers.

Taiwan compatriots included in key groups for COVID-19 vaccination: spokesperson People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- Taiwan compatriots are included in priority groups to receive COVID-19 vaccines, a mainland spokesperson said Wednesday.

U.S. Navy destroyers transit through Taiwan Strait CNA 31 Dec 2020 -- Two U.S. Navy destroyers transited through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, the second such mission this month.
US 'two-warship' transit of Taiwan Straits last, desperate move by Trump admin: observer Global Times 31 Dec 2020 -- Chinese Defense Ministry firmly opposed two US Navy warships that sailed through the Taiwan Straits on Thursday, the last day of 2020. Amid incumbent US administration's desperate destructive acts, Chinese observers regarded the ministry's strong response as a warning that the Taiwan question is China's core interest and no one is allowed to challenge China over the question.
Chinese defense ministry opposes U.S. warships' sailing through Taiwan Strait People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Thursday voiced resolute opposition to the sailing of two U.S. warships through the Taiwan Strait.
US flexes muscles and stirs up troubles in Taiwan Strait: defense spokesperson PLA Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- The provocative actions of the US military vessels sent erroneous signals to the "Taiwan Independence" forces and severely jeopardized peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, said Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry on Thursday.
China slams US warships' passage through Taiwan Strait Press TV 31 Dec 2020 -- China has slammed the sailing of two US warships through the strategic Taiwan Strait, which separates Taiwan from mainland China, calling the move a provocation.

Taiwanese national found guilty of working with Chinese intelligence CNA 31 Dec 2020 -- A Taiwanese businessman was found guilty of working with Chinese intelligence and handed a three-month jail sentence or payment of a fine by the Taipei District Court Thursday, though the case can still be appealed.

New Year brings hope for enhanced Sino-US cooperation in military relations PLA Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- The Chinese military hopes the US can continue to enhance cooperation with China in strategic dialogue, risk management and conflict prevention in the new year and jointly promote the stable development of military-to-military relations between the two countries, the Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday.
China's defense ministry urges US to put its hammer down and promote world peace PLA Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- "Its intention is nothing more than to create an excuse for the US to seek absolute military superiority. China is firmly opposed to this", said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), when commenting on the US newly released maritime strategy and its accusations on China at a regular press conference on December 31.
China, Russia military to maintain relationship cooperation PLA Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- China and Russia will maintain close communication, enhance pragmatic cooperation, promote military-to-military relations to new heights, and contribute more to world peace and stability in the new year, the Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday.
PLA ship berths at Hongkong Central Military Dock to test facilities: Spokesperson PLA Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- Recently the Chinese PLA Hong Kong Garrison is debugging and testing relevant facilities of the Central Military Dock. The berthing of the Garrison's ship is part of the testing process, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), when responding the first berthing of the Garrison's ship at the Central Military Dock at the regular press conference on Thursday.
China and Japan to build direct telephone line under maritime and air liaison mechanism PLA Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), briefly introduced the latest progress of the China-Japan maritime and air liaison mechanism on Thursday, when answering the reporter' s question about the construction of maritime and air liaison mechanism mentioned in a recent video call between the Chinese and Japanese defense ministers.
Chinese, Indian militaries discuss holding ninth round of talks: Spokesperson PLA Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- China and India are holding consultations on the ninth round of Corps Commander Level Meeting, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday.
China-Pakistan relations can only get better: Defense Spokesperson PLA Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- The all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan can only get better in the future, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday.
Photo: Chinese Navy Ship Tests Out New Dock in Downtown Hong Kong Sputnik 31 Dec 2020 -- China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been rushing to meet its annual drilling requirements after the COVID-19 pandemic halted exercises at the start of 2020. For the PLA's garrison in the southeastern city of Hong Kong, that has meant naval, aerial and marine drilling across the region.
China Amends National Defense Law to Clarify PLA's Defensive Nature Amid Souring US Relations Sputnik 31 Dec 2020 -- An updated version of China's National Defense Law was recently adopted and will enter effect on January 1, 2021, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) announced on Tuesday. The law reiterates the defensive nature of the Chinese military and elaborates on the roles of civilians in a national crisis.

Full text of Xi Jinping's 2021 New Year address Global Times 31 Dec 2020

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on December 31, 2020 PRC MofA 31 Dec 2020

China, EU complete investment agreement negotiations People's Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and European leaders on Wednesday announced that the two sides have completed investment agreement negotiations as scheduled.
China, EU complete investment agreement negotiations PLA Daily 31 Dec 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and European leaders on Wednesday announced that the two sides have completed investment agreement negotiations as scheduled.
EU-China Pact Sparks Concern Over Labor Standards, Human Rights Radio Free Asia 31 Dec 2020 -- A major investment pact between China and the European Union, which wrapped up negotiations on the deal this week, has sparked concerns that it will give the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) a free pass on human rights and labor standards, while locking the E.U. into allowing market access to Chinese companies.
Europe finalizes major investment deal with China despite US concerns Press TV 31 Dec 2020 -- Europe and China have finalized an investment agreement aimed at rebalancing trade with the world's second largest economy, in spite of a request for talks on the issue by the incoming administration of US President-elect Joe Biden.

On the Fate of the "Hong Kong 12" US Dept. of State 31 Dec 2020 -- "Hong Kong was a thriving territory until the Chinese Communist Party and its local lackeys destroyed its rule of law and eviscerated the Hong Kong people's freedoms."
Hong Kong's Highest Court Revokes Bail for Media Tycoon and Pro-Democracy Activist VOA 31 Dec 2020 -- Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai is heading back to detention after the city's highest court revoked his bail Thursday.
Jimmy Lai back to jail; legal experts see latest ruling 'a wise move' that aligns with Natl Security Law gist Global Times 31 Dec 2020 -- The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal revoked the bail order of Jimmy Lai, Apple Daily founder and a notorious anti-government figure, on Thursday, ending his short eight-day bail period as his case concerning the violation of the national security law for Hong Kong has been processing.
Pro-Democracy Media Mogul Jimmy Lai Back in Jail As Bail Revoked Radio Free Asia 31 Dec 2020 -- Authorities in Hong Kong on Thursday put pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai back behind bars after a decision to grant bail was overturned by the city's Court of Final Appeal.

China to US: Stop using Xinjiang issues to interfere in our internal affairs Press TV 31 Dec 2020 -- China has strongly urged US politicians not to interfere in its domestic affairs through using issues in the Chinese region of Xinjiang after Washington demanded the release of a Uighur physician charged with terrorism.

China's Power Shortages Threaten Recovery Plans Radio Free Asia 31 Dec 2020 -- An outbreak of electricity shortages has taken China's government by surprise, exposing cracks in the country's energy policies and economic recovery plans.

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31 December 2020 - China Special Weapons News