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☆ China to open border with Hong Kong on Sunday
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A general view of village houses at Hong Kong border facing the skyscrapers in Shenzhen, in Hong Kong, China, December 14, 2021. Hong Kong closely followed China's tough zero-COVID policy until the middle of 2022 when it began to ease some of restrictions. China will no longer require people to present COVID tests upon arrival in the mainland from Hong Kong, while China will issue special tourism and business visas for mainland residents to visit Hong Kong from Jan. 8, the office said. China will also increase flights between the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, it said. Reporting by the Beijing newsroom, Farah Master and Meg Shen in Hong Kong ; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China promises more medicines in rural areas amid COVID surge
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, Jan 4 (Reuters) - China's cabinet said it will step up medicine distribution and meet the demand from medical institutions, nursing homes and rural areas, state media reported on Wednesday, amid a surge in COVID-19 infections. China will also ensure ample supply of commodities on the market with stable prices during the upcoming Lunar New Year, state media quoted the cabinet as saying after a regular meeting. Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China calls entry restrictions targetting its travellers unreasonable
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Some countries' COVID-19 entry restrictions targetting China lack scientific basis and are unreasonable, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign minsitry said at a regular briefing on Tuesday. Mao Ning said that we are "firmly opposed to such practices" and will take corresponding measures accordingly. Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China approves 17 bln yuan hydro power plant in Qinghai province
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, Jan 2 (Reuters) - China Energy Investment Corporation said on Monday China's National Development and Reform Commission in Qinghai province has approved a hydro power plant worth 17 billion yuan ($2.46 billion) on Dec. 30 in the province. The plant is a so-called pumped storage hydropower facility that is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir during periods of high electrical demand. The plant will start full production in 2028. ($1 = 6.8972 Chinese yuan)Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

REUTERS/Tingshu WangBEIJING/WUHAN, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Some people in China's key cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan braved the cold and a spike in COVID-19 infections to return to regular activity on Monday, confident of a boost to the economy as more recover from infections. But Monday's one new COVID death - flat with the previous day - among China's population of 1.4 billion does not match the experience of other countries after they re-opened. Cumulative deaths in China since Dec. 1 have probably reached 100,000, with infections at 18.6 million, it said. Airfinity expects China's COVID infections to reach their first peak on Jan. 13, with 3.7 million daily infections. China has said it only counts deaths of COVID patients caused by pneumonia and respiratory failure as COVID-related.

☆ Lawyers exit Hong Kong as they face campaign of intimidation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +18 min

The event that precipitated his hasty departure, Vidler said, was the appearance of articles in the state-backed media in Hong Kong about him. “This was in my view state-sponsored intimidation and harassment,” said Vidler, whose wife and children later left Hong Kong. One Hong Kong solicitor who has relocated to England told Reuters that she knew of at least 80 Hong Kong lawyers who had moved to Britain since the security law was imposed in June 2020. Another lawyer, now living in Australia, estimated that several dozen Hong Kong lawyers had moved there. Mainland officials have long sought influence over these two influential bodies, according to senior Hong Kong lawyers.

☆ China to import 45 foreign video games, grants multiple licences to Tencent
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Josh Ye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BEIJING, Dec 29 (Reuters) - China's video games regulator granted publishing licences to 45 foreign games for release in the country，including seven South Korean games, further lifting rigid curbs that have hammered the industry for 18 months. The approval of imported games effectively marks the end of Beijing's crackdown on the video games industry which began last August when regulators suspended the game approval process. Unlike in most other countries, video games need approval from regulators before release in China, the world's largest gaming market. Other imported games approved include CD Projekt's (CDR.WA) "Gwent: The Witcher Card Game" and Klei Entertainment's "Don't Starve". China approved 76 imported games in 2021 and 456 in 2017.

☆ China to drop COVID tests for inbound travelers from Jan. 8
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/2] A medical worker in a protective suit collects a swab sample from a man at a nucleic acid testing site, as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreaks continue in Shanghai, China, December 12, 2022. REUTERS/Aly SongDec 28 (Reuters) - China will drop a requirement for inbound travellers to take COVID-19 PCR tests starting from Jan 8, 2023, customs authorities said on Wednesday. PCR checks for imported chilled and frozen foods will also be dropped, China's General Administration of Customs said. China's management of COVID-19 is set to be downgraded to the less strict Category B from the top-level Category A from Jan. 8, the health authority said on Monday. Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; editing by John StonestreetOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 'The ICU is full': medical staff on frontline of China's COVID fight say hospitals are 'overwhelmed'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Martin Quin Pollard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Bernstein's account reflects similar testimony from medical staff across China who are scrambling to cope after China's abrupt U-turn on its previously strict COVID policies this month was followed by a nationwide wave of infections. "The hospital is just overwhelmed from top to bottom," Bernstein told Reuters at the end of a "stressful" shift at the privately owned Beijing United Family Hospital in the east of the capital. In the past month, Bernstein went from never having treated a COVID patient to seeing dozens a day. Elsewhere in China, medical staff told Reuters that resources are already stretched to the breaking point in some cases, as COVID and sickness levels amongst staff have been particularly high. The National Health Commission did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the concerns raised by medical staff in this article.

☆ Mainland China reports no new COVID deaths for Dec 25 -China CDC
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, Dec 26 (Reuters) - China reported no new COVID-19 deaths in mainland for Dec. 25, the same a day earlier, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday. Deaths in China stand at 5,241. Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Writing by Bernard Orr; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China's October domestic smartphone shipments fell 27.2%
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, Dec 26 (Reuters) - Shipments of smartphones within China in October fell 27.2% year on year to 23.78 million handsets, a report from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology said on Monday. Over January to October smartphone shipments fell 22% from the same period last year to 215 million units. Reporting by Beijing newsroom Editing by David GoodmanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China stages 'strike drills' around Taiwan, citing provocation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A Taiwan flag can be seen at Liberty Square in Taipei, Taiwan, July 28, 2022. REUTERS/Ann WangBEIJING, Dec 25 (Reuters) - China's military said it had conducted "strike drills" in the sea and airspace around Taiwan on Sunday in response to unspecified "provocation" from the democratically-governed island and the United States. "This is a resolute response to the current escalation of collusion and provocation from the United States and Taiwan," it added, without giving details. The ministry publishes a daily report at 9 a.m. (0100 GMT) of Chinese military activities near the island over the previous 24 hours. The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

☆ U.S. must stop 'bullying', suppressing China's development, foreign minister says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Dec 23 (Reuters) - The United States must stop suppressing China's development and should not continue the "old routine of unilateral bullying", Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In the latest phone correspondence between the two leaders, Wang said the United States must pay attention to China's legitimate concerns, stop curbing and suppressing its development, and not constantly challenge China's red line in a "salami-slicing” way. Biden had raised objections to China's "coercive and increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan," which he said undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region, and jeopardised global prosperity. Xi called it the "first red line" that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations. Reportiing by Beijing newsroon; Writing by Bernard Orr, Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China to work with Australia to promote strategic partnership, says Xi Jinping
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, Dec 21 (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping said he will work with Australia to promote a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, Chinese state media reported on Wednesday. "I attach great importance to the development of China-Australia relations and am willing to work with the Australian side," Xi said in a report from CCTV. Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Hong Kong, Macau leaders to visit Beijing Dec 21-24
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/2] Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee speaks during the Global Financial Leaders Investment Summit in Hong Kong, China November 2, 2022. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/FilesBEIJING, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Hong Kong chief executive John Lee and Macau chief executive Ho Iat Seng will head to Chinese capital Beijing over Dec. 21-24, state media and a government statement said on Tuesday. Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Writing by Liz Lee; Editing by Tom HogueOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China issues guidelines for data management - Xinhua
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, Dec 19 (Reuters) - China issued guidelines for data management in order to take advantage of the country's vast data and promote the digital economy, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Monday. The guidelines says China will lower the bar for market entities to gain access to data, according to Xinhua. It will promote efficient use and circulation of data on the condition of protecting national data security, personal information, and business secrets. Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Alison WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Chinese capital Beijing reports first COVID deaths since policy easing
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Two former Chinese state media journalists have died in the capital Beijing in recent days due to COVID-19, local media reported on Friday, among the first reported fatalities since most epidemic control policies were removed on Dec. 7. Yang Lianghua, a former People's Daily reporter, died on Dec. 15, aged 74, while Zhou Zhichun, a former China Youth Daily editor, died on Dec. 8, aged 77, according to financial magazine Caixin. China's national health authority has not reported any official COVID deaths since dismantling many of its domestic epidemic control policies on Dec. 7. The last official deaths were reported on Dec. 3, in Shandong and Sichuan provinces. Reporting by Beijing Newsroom Editing by Raissa KasolowskyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China keen on regulatory cooperation in audit of U.S.-listed Chinese firms
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - The China Securities Regulatory Commission is looking forward to working with U.S. regulators to continue promoting future annual audit and supervision on companies listed in the U.S., it said on Friday. "We have always advocated solving regulatory issues of cross-border listing audit through regulatory cooperation mechanisms," the commission said in a statement. The U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board on Thursday said it has determined that it has full access to inspect and investigate firms in China for the first time in history. read moreReporting by Beijing newsroom; Writing by Liz Lee; Editing by Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

China's health authority did not immediately respond to a request for comment on infections among medical staff. A few nurses at the fever clinic were tested positive, there aren’t any special protective measures for hospital staff and I believe many of us will soon get infected," Li added. A post on the Weibo social media platform recounted a recent experience at the emergency ward at Beijing Hospital. "Those who have not been to the emergency department of Beijing Hospital don't know what a mess it has become," wrote a Weibo user called Moshang. Beijing Hospital did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment.

☆ Chinese consumers wary of splurging after Beijing relaxes COVID strictures
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Casey Hall | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"On the other hand, we don't know who is safe, we don't know who has the coronavirus. "Moving from isolation facility quarantine to home quarantine will not increase retail sales significantly," said Iris Pang, chief economist for greater China at ING. A spa at a mall in downtown Beijing that resumed business on Friday said most staff had returned but customers were far fewer. Luca Solca, a luxury analyst with Bernstein, said the end of the curbs was good news for the luxury industry, heavily dependent on Chinese spending. "My base-case scenario is that the softening should prompt Chinese consumers to go back to enjoying life and spending money – benefiting, among others, top luxury brands," he said.

☆ Taiwan mulls WTO case after latest Chinese import bans
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained for the past two years of Chinese import bans on various agricultural and aquatic goods, including pineapples and grouper fish, saying it is part of a Chinese pressure campaign. Speaking to reporters, Su said China was using administrative means to "interfere" in normal trade which is not in line with WTO norms. The government will do its best to communicate with relevant Chinese departments on the issue, he added. "If there is any non-compliance with the relevant WTO norms, we will also follow the relevant channels to file a complaint." It said it hoped that Taiwanese companies will provide the information that meets government requirements as soon as possible.

In the central city of Wuhan, where the pandemic erupted in late 2019, there were more signs of life with some areas busy with commuters on Friday. "They've relaxed the measures but still, there’s nobody about," said a taxi driver surnamed Wang, who didn't want to give his full name. But there are signs the reassuring new message has still to convince many of the country's 1.4 billion people. China's current tally of 5,235 COVID-related deaths is a tiny fraction of its population of 1.4 billion, and extremely low by global standards. Some experts have warned that toll could rise above 1.5 million if the exit is too hasty.

☆ China Nov passenger vehicle sales drop 9.5%, first fall in six months - CPCA
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Vehicle sales last month fell 9.5% from a year earlier to 1.67 million units, the first decline since May, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). The association said it expects passenger vehicle sales to reach 20.6 million units next year, flat from 2022, a forecast more optimistic than some street views. Analysts at China Merchants Bank International expect retail passenger vehicle sales in China, the world's biggest car market, to drop 6% next year due to the expiry of a purchase-tax cut. But the incentives did little to boost vehicle sales in recent months, as many COVID restrictions remained in place. November sales of Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) in China fell 18.4% from a year ago, while Nissan Motor (7201.T) saw a 52.5% drop in its sales.

"I know COVID is not so 'horrifying' now, but it is still contagious and will hurt," said one post on the Weibo platform. But, while announcing the implementation of the new measures late on Wednesday, some cities urged residents to remain vigilant. It urged residents to wear masks, maintain social distancing, seek medical attention for fever and other COVID symptoms and, especially for the elderly, to get vaccinated. "It (China) may have to pay for its procrastination on embracing a 'living with Covid' approach," Nomura analysts said in a note on Thursday. Infection rates in China are only around 0.13%, "far from the level needed for herd immunity", Nomura said.

[1/4] People wearing masks line up outside a pharmacy to buy products as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreaks continue in Beijing, China December 6, 2022. China may announce 10 new national easing measures as early as Wednesday, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. So, because right now in Chaoyang district cases are quite high, it is better to stock up on some medicines," he said. In the latest incident, videos posted on Twitter showed university students chanting protest slogans against COVID policies on their campus in Nanjing city. The uneven nature of the easing measures and varying interpretation of the rules from city to city has been an ongoing source of frustration for many people and businesses.

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