29 January 2021 - China Special Weapons News

What info would Huanan wet market offer to WHO's COVID-19 origin seeking? Global Times 29 Jan 2021 -- For residents who live near the Huanan Seafood Market in Hankou district of Wuhan, their ritual of buying food and fruits from there in preparation for the Spring Festival holiday has to be altered this year. Since being suspended on January 1, 2020, the market, which was closely linked to the first batch of patients infected with the novel coronavirus in China, has been sealed off for a year.
Field visits in Wuhan 'righteous and helpful' for WHO experts' better understanding of COVID-19 Global Times 29 Jan 2021 -- The WHO experts are going to the right places for field studies on the origin of the COVID-19 in Wuhan, including the Huanan Seafood Market, hospitals where the early patients were treated and the Wuhan virology lab, which will be helpful for them to get a better understanding of the virus, Chinese experts said, as the team of 13 international scientists officially started their investigation work on Friday.
WHO team in Wuhan begins field study Friday, to visit hospitals, meet local experts Global Times 29 Jan 2021 -- The WHO team of 13 scientists on the mission to study the origins of the coronavirus is scheduled to visit local hospitals and seafood market and have face-to-face meetings with Chinese scientists in Wuhan, starting Friday, having finished their 14-day quarantine, with one member telling the Global Times there are "records and information everywhere" worth being explored.
Hong Kong set for widespread COVID-19 vaccine coverage by late 2021 Global Times 29 Jan 2021 -- Hong Kong is expected to be in the first batch of countries and regions in the world to get widespread COVID-19 vaccine coverage among its citizens by the end of 2021, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) forecast recently, despite the relatively low public confidence in the vaccines, experts noted.
Xi says China ready to strengthen cooperation with Bolivia on COVID-19 vaccines People's Daily 29 Jan 2021 -- China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Bolivia on COVID-19 vaccines, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday in a phone conversation with his Bolivian counterpart, Luis Arce.
China bans all offline after-school training in COVID-19 risk areas People's Daily 29 Jan 2021 -- China has prohibited all offline training outside the campus in areas with medium and high COVID-19 infection risk, according to a notice issued by the Ministry of Education on Thursday.
Chinese mainland reports 16 new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 29 Jan 2021 -- The Chinese mainland reported 16 new imported COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 4,673.
Hungary's Drug Regulator Approves Chinese Coronavirus Vaccine RFE/RL 29 Jan 2021 -- Hungary has become the first EU member to give initial approval to the Chinese-made Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine, with Prime Minister Viktor Orban saying he would personally choose to be inoculated with the jab because he trusts it the most.
Chilean president welcomes arrival of Sinovac vaccines People's Daily 29 Jan 2021 -- Chilean President Sebastian Pinera on Thursday welcomed a shipment of nearly 2 million vaccines developed by Chinese firm Sinovac Biotech as the South American country is preparing for mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19.

Border issues shouldn't be linked to Sino-India relations: Chinese FM Global Times 29 Jan 2021 -- Border issues should not be linked to bilateral relations between China and India, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Friday, in response to questions about the recent remarks made by Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on India-China relations.
India Deploys Additional Troops Along Border with China, President Says Sputnik 29 Jan 2021 -- Despite having agreed to ease tensions after a violent face-off between troops in Ladakh last year, India and China have been beefing up defences along the Line of Actual Control. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday said that the relationship between the two countries is at a crossroads.

Philippine Defense Chief: US a 'Stabilizing Force' in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 29 Jan 2021 -- The United States is a "stabilizing force" in the disputed South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region, the Philippine defense chief said Friday, adding that Manila was optimistic about a "new era" of ties with Washington under the Biden presidency.
US Vowed to Help Manila Tackle Possible Armed Attack in S China Sea, Philippine Envoy Says Sputnik 29 Jan 2021 -- Territories in the South China Sea are claimed by an array of countries, including China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The US has no claims to the area, but it regularly sends its warships to the region for so-called "freedom of navigation" missions.

'Taiwan independence' means war not empty threat: Global Times editorial Global Times 29 Jan 2021 -- Wu Qian, spokesperson of China's Ministry of National Defense, sternly warned on Thursday that "Taiwan independence" means war. Both the island of Taiwan and the US responded to his remarks. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Thursday that the Pentagon "sees no reason why tensions over Taiwan need to lead to anything like confrontation." He reaffirmed the US' "obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act" and the US military "remains ready in all respects to meet our security commitments in the region."
U.S. will meet security commitments to Taiwan, region: Pentagon CNA 29 Jan 2021 -- The United States will continue to fulfill its commitments to Taiwan's self-defense needs and to the security of the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. Department of Defense spokesman John Kirby said Thursday.
Pentagon backs Taiwan, says tensions with China should not lead to 'confrontation' Press TV 29 Jan 2021 -- The Pentagon has reaffirmed its long-standing support for Taiwan's self-defense after China said independence for the self-ruled island "means war."

Chinese National Charged with Criminal Conspiracy to Export US Power Amplifiers to China US Dept. of Justice 29 Jan 2021 -- Avnet Asia Admits to Criminal Liability for the Conduct of Former Employees, and Agrees to Pay More Than $3.2 Million

China launches 2nd Type 054A/P frigate for Pakistan Global Times 29 Jan 2021 -- China launched the second Type 054A/P frigate for Pakistan on Friday in Shanghai, as the Pakistan Navy Chief Naval Overseer highlighted at the launch ceremony that induction of the Type 054A/P warships will significantly enhance Pakistan's maritime defense and deterrence capabilities.

China launches 3rd Type 075 amphibious assault ship Global Times 29 Jan 2021 -- China launched on Friday its third Type 075 amphibious assault ship — a genre of warship often referred to as helicopter carrier with the ability to conduct amphibious landing missions.
China launches two new warships, one for Pakistan Global Times 29 Jan 2021 -- China on Friday launched two new warships - the third Type 075 amphibious assault ship for the Chinese Navy and the second Type 054A/P frigate for the Pakistan Navy.
Chinese military to recruit twice a year since 2021 People's Daily 29 Jan 2021 -- China's military will shift its conscription from once a year to twice a year, starting from 2021, a military spokesperson said at a press conference Thursday.
PLA Navy sends icebreaker to carry out the 84th ice survey mission PLA Daily 29 Jan 2021 -- The PLA Navy sent the icebreaker Haibing (Sea Ice, Hull 722) to the Bohai Sea and the northern waters of the Yellow Sea to perform the 84th ice survey mission on January 25.
Mobile barracks debut at PLA Air Force's training site PLA Daily 29 Jan 2021 -- In the middle of winter, a group of multi-sized 'boxes' lined up orderly at a training site of the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) in the vast Gobi desert of China. Those are the PLA Air Force's first mobile barracks that were officially unveiled in this drill, a product that presents the Air Force's exploration of new mobile field camping support in complex and unfamiliar areas under harsh weather conditions.
Chinese Bombers Staged Simulated Attacks on US Aircraft Carrier Near Taiwan, Report Says Sputnik 29 Jan 2021 -- Taiwan, which Beijing considers to be part of its territory, has repeatedly accused China of encroaching upon the island's air defence identification zone, adding to the ongoing tensions between the two sides.
Photos: Chinese Navy's New Early Warning Plane Completes Test as Carrier Nears Completion Sputnik 29 Jan 2021 -- Electromagnetic catapults on China's forthcoming aircraft carrier will enable it to launch aircraft with more bombs and fuel than its present carriers, which use elevated bow ramps. The technology is unproven, however, and the USS Ford has struggled to keep the technology more reliable than the older steam-powered catapults.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on January 29, 2021 PRC MofA 29 Jan 2021

Beijing calls for stable China-US relations based on mutual respect, cooperation at crossroads Global Times 29 Jan 2021 -- Coming to a new crossroads in China-US relations, Beijing called for a return to the right track of stable and healthy bilateral relations with mutual respect and cooperation, which is crucial to the world's peaceful development and prosperity.
Biden's Trade Representative Expected to Be Assertive with China VOA 29 Jan 2021 -- If China's leadership had any question about how the Biden administration would approach the ongoing trade disputes between the two countries, the appointment of Katherine Tai to be U.S. trade representative ought to have answered them pretty clearly.
Beijing Tests Biden with South China Sea Exercises VOA 29 Jan 2021 -- The Chinese military exercises in the disputed waters of the South China Sea are aimed at testing the Biden administration's China policy, according to defense experts.

Hong Kong BN(O) visa: UK government to honour historic commitment Gov.UK 29 Jan 2021 -- The UK government will deliver on its commitment to open a new visa for Hong Kong BN(O) status holders on Sunday 31 January.
China Derecognizes BNO Passports as UK Launches Hong Kong Visa Scheme Radio Free Asia 29 Jan 2021 -- As the U.K. geared up to launch a new pathway to citizenship for Hong Kong residents amid an ongoing crackdown on public dissent, China said on Friday it will no longer recognize British National Overseas (BNO) passports that are the key to the scheme.
China Will No Longer Recognize Hong Kongers' British National Overseas Passport VOA 29 Jan 2021 -- China said Friday it will not recognize the British National Overseas passport for Hong Kong residents after Jan. 31, as Britain is planning to admit millions of people from its former colony to take residency and eventually British citizenship.
China rejects BN(O) passport as travel document Global Times 29 Jan 2021 -- China will no longer recognize so-called British National Overseas BN(O) passports as valid travel documents and identity certificates starting Sunday, the day when the UK opened applications for BN(O) holders in Hong Kong for British citizenship.
UK's scheme to offer Hong Kongers path to citizenship angers China Press TV 29 Jan 2021 -- The United Kingdom has launched an immigration visa scheme that will offer millions of qualifying Hong Kong citizens a path to British citizenship, with Beijing underlining that it would not recognize the immigration program, which comes in response to China's new security laws in the former colony.
China Will 'No Longer Recognise' UK-Issued BNO Passport for Hong Kongers Sputnik 29 Jan 2021 -- The UK government previously announced it would grant citizenship to up to 3 million of Hong Kong's residents starting Sunday. According to the Foreign Office, holders of British National Overseas passports will be able to apply to live and work in Britain for up to five years.
New head of HK Bar Association slammed for challenging National Security Law Global Times 29 Jan 2021 -- The central government's liaison office in Hong Kong has criticized Paul Harris, the new chairman of the city's Bar Association, who suggested the government should amend the National Security Law and who allegedly shielded the city's rioters in 2019.
Political figures vow all-out efforts to safeguard Hong Kong's prosperity, stability Global Times 29 Jan 2021 -- Political figures sanctioned by the United States for the national security legislation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have vowed all-out efforts to safeguard the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

Uyghur Language Instruction Absent From Schools in Xinjiang's Kelpin County Radio Free Asia 29 Jan 2021 -- At least one county in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) no longer offers Uyghur language instruction to students, according to officials, despite being home to a mostly Uyghur population and national laws guaranteeing minorities the right to a bilingual education.
Uyghurs Losing Circumcision Traditions Under China's Xinjiang Policies Radio Free Asia 29 Jan 2021 -- Authorities in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) are severely restricting the Islamic tradition of circumcision, either by delinking its religious significance or banning it outright, according to officials.

Chinese private rocket firm LandSpace accomplishes payload fairing separation Global Times 29 Jan 2021 -- Chinese private rocket firm LandSpace confirmed with the Global Times Friday that it has accomplished a payload fairing separation test for its self-developed ZQ-2 liquid-propellant carrier rocket, a step toward the maiden liftoff for the much-expected rocket.

China Raises Threat Level Over Rare Earths Radio Free Asia 29 Jan 2021 -- China's state media outlets have hailed the surprising rise of the country's exports last year, with one notable exception -- a double-digit drop in supplies of minerals known as rare earths.

Beijing Officials Demolish Studio of Activist Artist Linked to Ai Weiwei Radio Free Asia 29 Jan 2021 -- Authorities in Beijing have demolished the studio of artist Wang Peng in a move he says is likely linked to an exhibit planned with Ai Weiwei featuring late Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang, who tried to warn the world about the coronavirus pandemic.

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29 January 2021 - China Special Weapons News