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China
Weekly Contemporary Developments


14 - 31 January, 2020

  • China reports 9,692 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia, 213 deaths
    BEIJING, Jan. 31 -- Chinese health authorities announced Friday that 9,692 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus had been reported in 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps by the end of Thursday. A total of 213 people have died of the disease. The National Health Commission said in its daily report that 1,527 patients remained in critical conditions, and 15,238 people were suspected of being infected with the virus as of the end of Thursday. (People’s Daily, China, January 31, 2020) WHO says novel coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency, disfavors travel and trade restrictions GENEVA, Jan. 30 -- World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Thursday that the novel coronavirus outbreak has become a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). (People’s Daily, China, January 31, 2020 )
  • Xi orders military to contribute to winning battle against epidemic
    BEIJING, Jan. 29 -- President Xi Jinping has ordered Chinese military to keep its mission firmly in mind and shoulder responsibility to make contributions to winning the battle against the novel coronavirus epidemic. (People’s Daily, China, January 30, 2020)
  • China reports 7,711 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia, 170 deaths
    BEIJING, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese health authorities announced Thursday that 7,711 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus had been reported in 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps by the end of Wednesday. A total of 170 people have died of the disease. The National Health Commission said in its daily report that 1,370 patients remained in critical conditions, and 12,167 people were suspected of being infected with the virus as of the end of Wednesday. (People’s Daily, China, January 30, 2020)
  • China reports 5,974 confirmed cases of new coronavirus pneumonia, 132 deaths
    BEIJING, Jan. 29 -- Chinese health authorities announced Wednesday that 5,974 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus had been reported in 31 provincial-level regions by the end of Tuesday. A total of 132 people have died of the disease. (People’s Daily, China, January 29, 2020)
  • Xi voices full confidence in winning battle against novel coronavirus
    BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China has full confidence and capability to win the battle against the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). (People’s Daily, China, January 29, 2020)
  • China expresses strong indignation at U.S. bill on Tibet
    China Wednesday expressed strong indignation at and firm opposition to the United States on its House of Representatives' passing of a Tibet-related bill. The remarks made by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying came after the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to approve the so-called "the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019". The act severely violates the basic norms governing international relations, grossly interferes in China's internal affairs and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces of "Tibetan Independence," Hua said, adding that China firmly opposed the move. (People’s Daily, China, January 30, 2020)
  • China slams U.S. provocative acts in South China Sea
    Chinese military monitored a U.S. warship that entered Chinese territorial waters without permission and warned it to leave on Saturday, senior colonel Li Huamin, spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command, said in a statement on Tuesday. In response, the PLA organized naval and air forces to track, verify, identify, and warn the ships away, noted Li. (People’s Daily, China, January 29, 2020)
  • China coronavirus could hit Beijing’s ability to meet US trade war deal import demands
    Coronavirus originating in Wuhan has sent agriculture commodity prices tumbling and led to extended shutdown of Chinese factories and markets. Many analysts, already sceptical about China’s ability to buy US$200 billion of US goods in next two years, say impact of virus could cause further problems. (South China Morning Post China, January 29, 2020)
  • EU spares Huawei, Chinese suppliers from blanket 5G ban, defying Trump
    The EU released a set of commonly agreed guidelines on how to mitigate risks stemming from the roll-out of next generation telecoms networks. Despite intense US lobbying, the so-called toolbox of measures does not recommend a pre-emptive blanket ban of Chinese equipment (South China Morning Post China, January 30, 2020)
  • WHO working closely with China, countries to curb virus
    The World Health Organization is working closely with China and various countries to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus that caused an outbreak in central Chinese city Wuhan. "We are working 24/7 to support China and its people during this difficult time and remain in close contact with affected countries, with our regional and country offices deeply involved," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted on Sunday. (People’s Daily, China, January 28, 2020)
  • More than 80 radical protesters wanted by Hong Kong police have taken refuge beyond their reach in Taiwan
    With no extradition arrangement, nothing can be done to bring them back to face charges About 220 fearing arrest for protest violence fled Hong Kong for refuge in Taiwan. More than 80 radical protesters suspected of hurling petrol bombs during anti-government demonstrations, storming the city’s legislature and physically attacking ideological opponents. (South China Morning Post China, January 27, 2020)
  • China, U.S. should strengthen strategic communication: ambassador
    WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States should strengthen strategic communication and look at each other rationally, Cui Tiankai, the Chinese ambassador to the United States, said here on Tuesday. (People’s Daily, China, January 23, 2020)
  • Senior Chinese officials meet co-chairs of intergovernmental negotiations on UNSC reform
    BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met here Tuesday with Lana Nusseibeh and Joanna Wronecka, co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on the United Nations Security Council Reform of the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly. (People’s Daily, China, January 23, 2020)
  • Consumption remains top driving force of China's economic growth
    Consumption has become the main driving force of China's economic growth for six years in a row, contributing 57.8 percent to economic growth and driving GDP growth up by 3.5 percentage points. Retail sales of consumer goods totaled 41.2 trillion yuan (about $6 trillion) in 2019, an increase of 8 percent. (People’s Daily, China, January 23, 2020)
  • Instant View: China's economic growth slows to 6.1% in 2019, near 30-year low (Reuters)
    - China’s economy grew 6.0% in the fourth quarter of 2019 from a year earlier, official data showed on Friday, in line with expectations and steadying from the previous quarter’s pace. (Reuters, January 17, 2020)