07 January 2021 - China Special Weapons News

Chinese cities conduct COVID-19 emergency vaccinations, expect to inoculate 50 million before Feb 5 Global Times 07 Jan 2021 -- Chinese cities including Shanghai, Hefei, Haikou are pushing forward a plan to vaccinate 50 million people of key groups before the travel peak of Chinese New Year which falls on February 12.
COVID-19 more covert to detection in Dalian latest outbreak? Health experts say no Global Times 07 Jan 2021 -- It took more than four rounds of nucleic acid tests – which are considered as the most accurate and convenient way to determine novel coronavirus infection in the global COVID-19 pandemic fight, for 24 out of 82 confirmed local infection cases reported since December 15 in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province.
China's villages a potential loophole in epidemic control, experts warn, as cases surge in Hebei Global Times 07 Jan 2021 -- Experts warned of potential loopholes among China's villages in the country's COVID-19 prevention efforts due to lack of awareness and measures for detecting COVID-19 virus in clinics, amid surging cases in North China's Hebei Province.
Hebei capital locks down as concerns rise, patient zero unidentified Global Times 07 Jan 2021 -- Shijiazhuang, capital of North China's Hebei Province, has locked down outbound traffic and banned residents from leaving as the city reported a record 117 COVID-19 infections, including confirmed patients and silent carriers, on Thursday. Concerns continue to rise over a potential and graver situation as the origins of these cases have yet to be found.
China, WHO discussing expert visit details People's Daily 07 Jan 2021 -- China is still in consultation with the World Health Organization over details for a visit by international experts to trace the origins of COVID-19, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Wednesday.
China's Liaoning reports one locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 case People's Daily 07 Jan 2021 -- China's Liaoning Province on Wednesday reported one locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 case and one asymptomatic case, the provincial health commission said Thursday.
Chinese mainland reports 52 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases People's Daily 07 Jan 2021 -- China's National Health Commission said Thursday that it received reports of 63 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Chinese mainland Wednesday, of which 52 were locally transmitted and 11 were imported.
Beijing reports one new locally transmitted COVID-19 case People's Daily 07 Jan 2021 -- Beijing reported one new locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 case on Tuesday, local authorities said on Wednesday.
Shijiazhuang finds seven COVID-19 cases in mass testing People's Daily 07 Jan 2021 -- Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei Province, has found seven COVID-19 positive cases since it launched citywide nucleic acid testing on Wednesday, local authorities said at a press conference.
Macao shortens validity period of COVID-19 tests for travelers flying in from abroad People's Daily 07 Jan 2021 -- Travelers who take flights to China's Macao Special Administrative Region from abroad will need to have negative nucleic acid reports valid within three days before departing, starting on Jan. 13, the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Center of Macao said.
Guangdong reports imported coronavirus variant case People's Daily 07 Jan 2021 -- South China's Guangdong Province on Wednesday reported an imported coronavirus variant case with a strain recently found in South Africa.
51 new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases reported in China's Hebei People's Daily 07 Jan 2021 -- China's Hebei Province reported 51 new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases and 69 asymptomatic cases on Wednesday, the provincial health commission said Thursday.
Xinjiang reports 1 asymptomatic COVID-19 case People's Daily 07 Jan 2021 -- China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region reported one new asymptomatic case of COVID-19 on Wednesday, local health authorities said.
China Intimidates COVID-19 Critics, Blocks Probe Into Virus Origins Radio Free Asia 07 Jan 2021 -- The Chinese government is carrying out a campaign of harassment and intimidation against people seeking to hold it to account for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a New York-based rights group.

Three Candidates Take the Lead in Voting For Leader of Tibet's Exile Government Radio Free Asia 07 Jan 2021 -- Three candidates have now taken the lead in a first round of voting by Tibetans living outside their China-ruled homeland for leader, or Sikyong, of Tibet's Dharamsala, India-based exile government, the Central Tibetan Administration, RFA has learned.

Trump admin plays final card with last visit to Taiwan, gives 'illusory cordial' to secessionists Global Times 07 Jan 2021 -- The US government continues to play its "Taiwan card" against China, with an announcement that the US ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft will visit Taiwan as well as holding a "political-military dialogue" with the island amid the turbulent White House power transition.
Chinese defense ministry slams US 'political-military dialogue' with Taiwan PLA Daily 07 Jan 2021 -- The Chinese military is strongly opposed to the so-called "political-military dialogue" between the US and Taiwan authorities, Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), said in a written statement on Thursday when asked to comment on a video conference held between the US and Taiwan authorities on Jan. 7.

China makes new progress in major space programs PLA Daily 07 Jan 2021 -- At the beginning of 2021, China published a series of new developments in its major aerospace programs. According to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the various modules, spacecraft, and rockets of the engineering space station under China's first space station developed by the CASC are under final assembly and testing as planned. The core module of its manned space station is scheduled to be launched this spring. Besides, China's Mars probe Tianwen-1 is expected to implement its braking at periareon in February this year.

PLA's new reconnaissance robot debuts in exercises Global Times 07 Jan 2021 -- A new reconnaissance robot in service with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently made its debut in exercises, during which it coordinated with a swarm of aerial drones and newly commissioned assault vehicles.
China's Z-20 helicopter variations for anti-submarine warfare, assault spotted Global Times 07 Jan 2021 -- Two new variations of China's Z-20 utility helicopter for anti-submarine warfare and assault were recently reported by media.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on January 7, 2021 PRC MofA 07 Jan 2021
China urges U.S. to stop groundless suppression of Chinese apps People's Daily 07 Jan 2021 -- The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Wednesday said the U.S. side should stop its groundless suppression of Chinese applications and restrictions on the normal use of Chinese products and services in the United States.
China to Protect Rights of Its Software Companies Amid US Pressure, Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 07 Jan 2021 -- China will continue to take steps to protect the rights of its software companies that were recently sanctioned by the United States over alleged theft of information, Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Wednesday.

China extends debt relief to DR Congo amid COVID-19 crisis Press TV 07 Jan 2021 -- The Democratic Republic of the Congo says China has offered some debt relief in a bid to ease pressure on the central African country ravaged by the COVID-19 crisis.

Prominent Hong Kong Student Activist Charged with Subversion VOA 07 Jan 2021 -- Authorities in Hong Kong have reportedly charged pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong with subversion under the new national security law.
China may tell US consulate in HK to slash staff, register with Chinese authorities: analysts Global Times 07 Jan 2021 -- China may require the US Consulate General in Hong Kong to slash staff, register with the Chinese authorities, and restrict its activities, and it may also consider investigating some Americans or American enterprises, if the US imposes more sanctions over Hong Kong, Chinese analysts said.
Why did US politicians and media support turmoil in HK but condemn rioters now? Chinese FM asks Global Times 07 Jan 2021 -- In response to riots and clashes in the US Capitol which have so far resulted in four deaths, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said China hopes that Americans could enjoy peace, stability and security as soon as possible, but also urged people to reflect on why some politicians and media in the US have given a completely different rhetoric on the social turmoil in Hong Kong in 2019.
China warns of 'heavy price' after US sanction threats over Hong Kong Press TV 07 Jan 2021 -- China has warned the outgoing US administration against interference in its domestic affairs, saying Washington will have a "heavy price" to pay for recent threats to impose sanctions on Chinese officials over detentions in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Press Groups Hit Out at Order to Turn Over Materials Amid 'Subversion' Arrests Radio Free Asia 07 Jan 2021 -- Journalists' groups have condemned orders to four Hong Kong media organizations from the city's national security police requiring them to hand over materials linked to the arrests of dozens of pro-democracy activists for "subversion."
China Warns US Will Pay 'Heavy Price' for Interference as Pompeo Threatens Sanctions Over Hong Kong Sputnik 07 Jan 2021 -- Late on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that Washington is looking to slap sanctions on Chinese state agencies and officials over the arrest of more than 50 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, including a US citizen.
Hong Kong: UN human rights office urges immediate release of arrested activists UN News 07 Jan 2021 -- The UN human rights office (OHCHR) on Thursday voiced deep concerns over the arrests of over 50 individuals under the new National Security Law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, and called for their immediate release.
Analysts: Extradition Treaty Between Turkey, China Endangers Uighur Refugees VOA 07 Jan 2021 -- Since the 1950s, thousands of Uighurs fleeing persecution in China have found sanctuary in Turkey, where they share a common linguistic, cultural and religious heritage with the Turks. Some experts say the Uighur community there could be in jeopardy, though, after a recent agreement was reached between the two countries.

Speculation Grows Over Fate of Chinese Tech Billionaire Jack Ma VOA 07 Jan 2021 -- China's Jack Ma — onetime schoolteacher, billionaire co-founder and former chairman of tech giant Alibaba and philanthropist — is missing from the spotlight, and speculation about his fate is mounting because when high-profile Chinese figures disappear, arrests and prosecutions often follow.

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07 January 2021 - China Special Weapons News