05 March 2021 - China Special Weapons News

WHO Cancels Interim Report on China COVID Investigation VOA Khmer 05 Mar 2021 -- A Wall Street Journal report says World Health Organization investigators who recently visited China to determine the origins of the emergence of the COVID-19 virus will not release a promised interim report of their findings.
WHO to Release Mid-March Report on China COVID-19 Inspection VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- Investigators who conducted an inspection in China to determine origins of the COVID-19 virus will release a report on their findings in mid-March, a World Health Organization official said Friday.
Presumption of guilt in virus study not conducive, Chinese FM comments on 'open letter' of 'new probe' Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged other countries and regions undertake similar studies to the World Health Organization's virus origins study in Wuhan, as he commented on an open letter from a group of foreign scientists that called for a "new probe" of the coronavirus, during a routine press conference on Friday.
China and the US should strengthen cooperation in tackling COVID-19: FM Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry said that as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, China and the US, the two major powers in the world, should strengthen cooperation to address the common challenges of mankind and further support the World Health Organization (WHO) in playing its role.
Chinese companies develop COVID-19 vaccine in strict accordance with scientific rules: FM Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- Chinese companies conduct vaccine research and development in strict accordance with scientific rules and regulatory requirements under the guidance of government, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Thursday.
China Pledges Support for WHO in Combating COVID Pandemic, Distributing Vaccines, Report Says Sputnik 05 Mar 2021 -- China will actively promote international cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and support the World Health Organization (WHO) in the equitable distribution of vaccines, a government report on the social and economic development plan for 2021 said on Friday.
China approves 17 COVID-19 vaccines for clinical trials to reach herd immunity by mid 2022: officials Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China will reach herd immunity as soon as the mid of 2022, Gao Fu, director of China's CDC and member of the 13th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), told media on Thursday while the country accelerates its mass vaccination program.

Chinese Police Arrest North Korean Trade Workers for Illegal Gambling Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2021 -- Police in a Chinese city on the border with North Korea have arrested 10 North Korean trade workers for gambling in illegal mahjong dens, sources in China told RFA.

China hikes defense budget by 6.8 % in 2021, faster than 6.6% growth last year Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China increased its 2021 defense budget by 6.8 percent to 1.35 trillion yuan ($209 billion) in a quicker pace than last year's growth, which analysts believe is normal, steady and restrained as the country resiliently emerges from the wreckage of COVID-19 pandemic.
Chinese Congress Lays Out 6.8% Defense Budget Hike for 2021, Paralleling Economic Growth Sputnik 05 Mar 2021 -- China's military spending is the world's second-largest after the US' colossal budget, but in contrast to Washington's goals of global power projection and engaging in multiple conflicts at once, the People's Liberation Army has defined its role as fundamentally defensive.
China's defense budget maintains single-digit growth for six consecutive years People's Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China's annual defense budget will maintain single-digit growth for a sixth consecutive year by increasing 6.8 percent in 2021, according to a draft budget report made public on Friday.
China's defense budget maintains single-digit growth for six consecutive years PLA Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China's annual defense budget will maintain single-digit growth for a sixth consecutive year by increasing 6.8 percent in 2021, according to a draft budget report made public on Friday.
Chinese political advisor suggests more PLA aircraft carrier visits to HK Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China should organize an aircraft carrier task group to visit the country's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2021, a move that can boost the senses of pride, safety and belonging for people in Hong Kong and safeguard Hong Kong's prosperity and stability by displaying China's strong national defense capability, a national political advisor suggested at the ongoing two sessions.
China to speed up maritime development: draft outline People's Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China will speed up the maritime development, according to the draft outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for national economic and social development and the long-range objectives through the year 2035.
China's AG600 amphibious aircraft begins firefighting capacity testing PLA Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China's independently developed AG600 large amphibious aircraft has entered a new flight test phase targeting its firefighting capacities, announced its developer on Thursday.
To comprehensively boost military training and war preparedness: Chinese Premier PLA Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China will boost military training and war preparedness across the board and make overall plans to deal with security risks in all areas, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in his government work report on Friday morning. Premier Li Keqiang delivered a government work report at the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) on March 5 in Beijing. In the report he summarized that in the past year, new major achievements have been made in the construction of national defense and armed forces. The Chinese People's Liberation Army has demonstrated excellent qualifications and exemplary conducts in safeguarding national security and the COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control.

Two sessions begin, showcase China's 'institutionalized substantial democracy' Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China has formally entered the annual "two sessions" time Thursday as the country's top political advisory body Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) kicked off. The National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislative body, will start Friday.
China's top political advisory body starts annual session PLA Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China's top political advisory body opened its annual session Thursday afternoon in Beijing.

China Claims Economic Boost from Cancelled Migrant Plans Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2021 -- To hear China's state media tell the story of the country's cancelled annual holiday, the economy has never had it so good.
China projects confidence with over 6% GDP growth target, mild military budget boost Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- While the world is mostly still under the thick cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic, China on Friday convened its annual legislative session, one of the biggest in the world, and released a flurry of sweeping plans and goals, including an over 6 percent GDP growth target for 2021 and a hiked 6.8 increase in its military spending, putting on full display its resilience and confidence in advancing all areas, from the economy to livelihood and national defense.
China sets 2021 growth target at above 6%, shows post-COVID confidence Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China announced on Friday a growth target of over 6 percent for its economy for 2021, picking up the decades-long tradition of releasing a numeric goal after skipping it in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing top policymakers' solid confidence on the world's second-largest economy to sustain a robust recovery despite internal and external risks.
14th Five-Year Plan, long-term devt goals top agenda at this year's two sessions Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- Deliberations on the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and long-range objectives through 2035 topped the agenda for the two sessions this year, and analysts emphasized the importance of the first five years jumpstarting China's journey to becoming a strong power in its path toward high-quality growth and modernization.
Highlights of government work report People's Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- Premier Li Keqiang delivered a government work report at the opening of this year's session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing on Friday. Here are some highlights.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on March 5, 2021 PRC MofA 05 Mar 2021
Xiplomacy: Xi on China's pursuit of high-quality development People's Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China's development has been advancing in a new historic journey since late 2017, when Chinese President Xi Jinping noted at the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress that China's economy was transitioning from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development.

DOD Official Says Budgetary Flexibility Is Essential to Countering China Threat DoD News 05 Mar 2021 -- A Defense Department official described China's rapid success in advancing highly capable new technologies for its military, just as DOD's own modernization efforts are hampered by budgetary restraints.
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Proposes New Missile Capabilities to Deter China Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2021 -- The U.S. military has advised the U.S. Congress that it needs new precision-strike, air missile defense, and other capabilities to counter China in the Indo-Pacific, a sign of deepening military competition between the two rival nations.
US Must Contain China Without 'Stumbling' Into Cold War, House Armed Services Chair Says Sputnik 05 Mar 2021 -- The United States must avoid starting a new Cold War with China despite the need to contain the Asian superpower, House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Chairman Adam Smith told a podcast hosted by the Brookings Institution on Friday.

China to deepen multilateral, bilateral, and regional economic cooperation: Govt Work Report Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China will deepen multilateral, bilateral, and regional economic cooperation in 2021, and continue to uphold the multilateral trading regime, pursuing a high-standard opening-up and promoting stable and improved performance in foreign trade and investment, according to the government work report that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered on behalf of the State Council to China's top legislature for deliberation on Friday.

China vows to improve Party conduct, ensure clean government, root out corruption: Govt Work Report Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China vows to work harder to improve the conduct of its ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and build a clean government, according to a government work report submitted Friday to the national legislature for deliberation.

China vows more efforts, better mechanism on self-reliance on key technologies Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- Scaling up the technological ladder and focusing on self-reliance on key technologies topped the agenda in the 2021 Government Work Report, delivered on Friday by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Chinese analysts said the blueprints and work method detailed in the report could lead to a great leap forward in research and development spending.
China for the first time vows in government report to step up efforts against business monopolies Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China for the first time said in its government work report that it will step up efforts against business monopolies in a bid to ensure fair market competition.

Revising electoral system removes chaos in HK: Global Times editorial Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- A draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was submitted on Friday to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, for deliberation.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Remarks on the Hong Kong-related Joint Statement by Belarus to Support China on Behalf of 70 Countries at the UN Human Rights Council PRC MofA 05 Mar 2021
China's Election Reforms Will Exclude Political Opposition in Hong Kong Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2021 -- China on Friday unveiled the first in a slew of changes to Hong Kong's electoral system that will ensure that politics is only conducted by staunch supporters of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Function, role consolidation of HK Election Committee core of electoral system reform: expert Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- A detailed draft decision to overhaul the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) electoral system was unveiled on Friday at the opening of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), laying out targets and principles for the imminent reforms, Wang Chen, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said in a speech on the draft decision at the opening.
Draft decision on HK election reform outlines targets, procedures Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- A detailed draft decision to overhaul the Hong Kong electoral system with the aim of fixing existing loopholes was unveiled on Friday at the opening of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), laying out targets, major procedures and principles for the imminent reforms to effectively implement the political principle of only patriots governing Hong Kong.
Draft decision on improving HK electoral system submitted to China's top legislature for review People's Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- A draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was submitted on Friday to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, for deliberation.
China to Resolutely Guard Against Foreign Meddling in Affairs of Hong Kong, Macao – Report Sputnik 05 Mar 2021 -- China will resolutely guard against and deter foreign interference in the affairs of Hong Kong and Macao, the governmental report said on Friday.
China Says It Will Select Hong Kong Legislators VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- A senior Chinese official said Friday that a pro-Beijing committee will choose members of Hong Kong's legislature as part of a campaign to increase China's control over the city.
China's top legislature has power, responsibility to improve HK electoral system: spokesperson PLA Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), has the power and responsibility to make a decision at the constitutional level to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, a spokesperson said Thursday.

Taiwan 'Will Defend Its Sovereignty' Against China's Ambitions Radio Free Asia 05 Mar 2021 -- The democratic island of Taiwan on Friday vowed to defend its national sovereignty as China said it would step up exchanges in a bid to involve the nation of 23 million people -- most of whom have no wish to be ruled by Beijing -- in its plan for "national rejuvenation."
'Pursuing stability' Beijing's focus on cross-strait issue: scholar CNA 05 Mar 2021 -- China will continue to adopt a policy of "pursing stability" on issues concerning its relations with Taiwan, a Taiwanese scholar in East Asia studies said Friday when commenting on the Taiwan affairs section of the Chinese government's latest work report.
Changes in govt work report on Taiwan show tougher line for 'national reunification' Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- The Chinese mainland will keep consistency of its policies toward Taiwan, as seen from this year's government work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang on Friday, however, some changes in the wording in the highly anticipated annual report, tougher compared with last year's, were seen as reflecting possible policy adjustments.
China vows to 'resolutely deter' separatist activity in Taiwan Press TV 05 Mar 2021 -- China says it will resolutely deter any separatist activity in Taiwan but is committed to promoting the peaceful growth of relations across the Taiwan Strait.
China urges Lithuania to adhere to one-China principle: FM Global Times 05 Mar 2021 -- China firmly opposes the mutual establishment of official agencies and official exchanges in all forms between the Taiwan region and countries having diplomatic relations with China including Lithuania, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Thursday in response to Lithuania's plan to open a trade representation office in the island of Taiwan.

After 63 Years, China Rethinks Strict Residency Rules VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- China's eastern province of Shandong has reversed a long-standing rule restricting movement from rural areas to the cities in an effort to boost urban consumption and close the social division between the province's urban and rural dwellers.

Turkey Cracks Down on Uighur Protesters After China Complains VOA 05 Mar 2021 -- Turkey has been a vocal champion for China's Uighur ethnic minority, pressing Beijing to end harsh policies in Xinjiang that then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called a genocide in 2009.

China's 3rd batch of 18 astronauts ready to receive training PLA Daily 05 Mar 2021 -- Eighteen members of China's third batch of astronauts have already checked in and been ready to enter training, said Major General Yang Liwei, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and deputy director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, in an interview on March 4.

Is China Cooling On Belarus's Lukashenka? RFE/RL 05 Mar 2021 -- When Alyaksandr Lukashenka met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on February 22 to discuss financial and integration issues, there was one political card noticeably absent from the Belarusian leader's hand: China.

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05 March 2021 - China Special Weapons News