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Kamis, 20 Agustus 2020

Russia to test COVID-19 vaccine on 40000 people - CNA

MOSCOW: Russia said on Thursday (Aug 20) it would start clinical trials of its controversial coronavirus vaccine next week, involving tens of thousands of people.

President Vladimir Putin said earlier this month that Russia had become the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, though the announcement was met with caution from scientists and the World Health Organization who said it still needed a rigorous safety review.

Russia's sovereign wealth fund, which finances the vaccine project, said in a statement Thursday that tests of the "immunogenicity and safety of the Sputnik V vaccine" will begin next week involving more than 40,000 people.

It said the tests were the equivalent of the Phase 3 trials that other vaccines are undergoing.

Kirill Dmitriyev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, told an online briefing that the vaccination of at-risk groups, including medical personnel, would also start next week on a voluntary basis.

More than 20 countries have made requests to purchase over a billion doses of the vaccine, he said, adding that Russia had agreements with several countries to produce it.

He said mass vaccinations in Russia are expected to start in October and the first foreign deliveries in November or December.

The vaccine - named after the pioneering 1950s Soviet satellite - was announced with much fanfare in Russia but drew warnings from Western scientists that Moscow may be moving too quickly.

Dmitriyev said scepticism was starting to wane.

"We have seen a significant change in tone from the WHO. At first, yes, they did not have enough information on the Russian vaccine, now official information has been sent and they will evaluate it," he said.

But he added: "We do not see any obstacle for individual regulators to approve the Russian vaccine without the approval of the WHO."

Russia had registered more than 942,000 confirmed coronavirus infections as of Thursday, the fourth-highest number after the United States, Brazil and India, and more than 16,000 deaths.

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2020-08-20 21:20:16Z
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PM Lee, China's top diplomat express appreciation for mutual support during COVID-19 pandemic - CNA

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi on Thursday (Aug 20) expressed appreciation for the mutual support between Singapore and China during the COVID-19 pandemic, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Mr Yang, Director of China's Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and a member of the Communist Party Politburo, is on a visit in Singapore from Wednesday to Friday.

In a meeting on Thursday, Mr Lee and Mr Yang affirmed the strong ties between Singapore and China, said MFA in a press statement. This year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China.

"They also expressed appreciation for the mutual support between Singapore and China during the COVID-19 pandemic, and welcomed the continued good progress in bilateral cooperation in spite of COVID-19," the ministry said.

Mr Lee and Mr Yang also exchanged views on global and regional developments and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation within a rules-based international order, said MFA.

PM Lee Hsien Loong Yang Jiechi China Singapore visit meeting Aug 20 2020 — Politburo member and Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office Director Yang Jiechi called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana on 20 Aug, 2020. (Photo: MCI)

Mr Lee said in a Facebook post on Thursday night that he had a "fruitful meeting" with Mr Yang.

"Despite the ongoing pandemic, it’s a good feeling to return to some semblance of normalcy," said Mr Lee.

He also expressed hope that the "fast lane" arrangement for essential business and official travel between both countries will be able to be expanded to include more places "if the situation stays under control". The arrangement currently covers six Chinese provinces and municipalities.

"Our ties with China are substantial and multi-faceted. I am confident that by working with each other and with the international community, we can make more progress in the post-COVID world," said Mr Lee.

READ: Singapore, China to launch 'fast lane' arrangement with COVID-19 measures for essential business, official travel

Chinese top diplomat Yang Jiechi calls on Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat — Call on Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat by Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi at The Treasury, Singapore on Aug 20, 2020. (Photo: MCI)

During his visit, Mr Yang also called on Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.

They discussed the "substantive and multi-faceted cooperation" between Singapore and China, said MFA.

Both countries had worked closely to combat the public health and economic impact of COVID-19, including through the "fast lane" arrangement that was launched in June, said MFA.

Mr Heng and Mr Yang agreed that both countries should work together, and with other countries, to strengthen supply chain and cross-border connectivity to facilitate economic recovery, the ministry said.

MFA said both sides are looking forward to the 16th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation – the highest-level annual forum between Singapore and China – which will be hosted by Singapore this year.

Mr Heng said in a Facebook post on Thursday night that this was his first in-person meeting with a foreign leader since the COVID-19 situation escalated.

"As we gradually resume daily activities and reopen our borders, we can look forward to more high-level exchanges, with safe measures in place, as we strengthen our ties with countries around the world," he said.

"COVID-19 has highlighted how interconnected we are as a world. And we must work in close cooperation with all countries to overcome this pandemic and emerge stronger," he added.

READ: Singapore, China agree to strengthen cooperation to address global COVID-19 threat

During his visit, Mr Yang was also hosted to lunch by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, during which both sides discussed global and regional issues.

"They reaffirmed the importance of strengthening collaboration to deal with global challenges and to shape a more cooperative and constructive region," said MFA.

Mr Teo and Mr Yang also visited a commemorative marker for former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping along the Singapore River, as well as the Tang Shipwreck Exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum.

DPM Heng Swee Keat Yang Jiechi China Singapore visit meeting Aug 20 2020 — Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean and Politburo member and Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office Director Yang Jiechi visited the Deng Xiaoping Marker at ACM Green, Aug 20, 2020. (Photo: MCI)

Earlier, Mr Yang was also hosted to breakfast by Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. Both men exchanged views on regional and international developments, and affirmed the positive momentum of bilateral cooperation, said MFA.

Mr Balakrishnan and Mr Yang also witnessed a cheque presentation ceremony for a charity project initiated by the Singaporean community in China to support poverty alleviation in Chongqing's Pengshui county.

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2020-08-20 16:04:14Z
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US stands to lose just as much by suspending treaties, Hong Kong warns - South China Morning Post

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US stands to lose just as much by suspending treaties, Hong Kong warns South China Morning Post
Beijing says Hong Kong will suspend some legal cooperation with US CNA
Slump forces mainland Chinese owners to dump Hong Kong flats at big losses AsiaOne
Bank of East Asia profit jumps 53 per cent as soured loans in China decline South China Morning Post
US formally ends three accords with Hong Kong CNA
View Full coverage on Google News

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2020-08-20 15:41:04Z
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COVID-19: China face questions over 'vaccinated' workers sent to Papua New Guinea - CNA

PORT MORESBY: China faced demands on Thursday (Aug 20) to explain why a state-backed firm claimed it had vaccinated dozens of staff against the coronavirus before sending them back to work at a mine in Papua New Guinea.

The China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) - which controls a major nickel mine in the country - warned local authorities that 48 staff who returned from China this month may test positive for the virus because they had received a vaccine.

In response, Papua New Guinea authorities called for "immediate clarification" from Beijing and blocked a charter flight full of Chinese workers that was due to land on Thursday.

The pandemic has disrupted operations at several lucrative mines in Papua New Guinea, one of the Pacific's poorest nations.

READ: COVID-19 case emerges at second mine in Papua New Guinea

While moving its staff into place, MMC's subsidiary firm Ramu NiCo told Papua New Guinea authorities that any positive coronavirus test results were "the normal reaction of the vaccination and not due to infection", according to a Chinese and English-language statement obtained by AFP.

The 48 members of staff at its multi-billion-dollar mine had "been vaccinated with SARS-COV-2 vaccine" before their return, it said.

China has previously indicated that it would test vaccines on military personnel and staff at state-backed companies, but it is not clear whether these tests were carried out on workers heading overseas.

"It takes around seven days to produce antibodies in the vaccine recipient's body after being vaccinated," the statement reads.

"If they need to be tested again for COVID-19, it is suggested to be conducted at least seven days after the vaccination date."

READ: COVID-19 outbreak shutters huge Papua New Guinea mine

Papua New Guinea's pandemic tsar David Manning told AFP he wanted answers and had blocked the arrival of a flight with around 150 Chinese workers on board due in Port Moresby on Thursday.

"I am demanding an explanation from the Chinese ambassador as to how this has happened," he said.

"I have written to the Chinese government through the Chinese ambassador - to explain how these 48 employees of this state company were vaccinated."

CALL FOR CLARITY

There are growing concerns that Ramu NiCo staff may have circumvented arrival quarantine procedures, that the vaccinations may have been administered unlawfully in Papua New Guinea, or that they were tested on Papua New Guinea citizens.

Anyone arriving in Papua New Guinea must receive a coronavirus test before boarding their flight and undergo quarantine on arrival.

In a letter from Manning to the Chinese ambassador, also seen by AFP, he demanded "immediate clarification" and stated that Papua New Guinea "does not currently acknowledge a vaccine" for coronavirus and will not until national regulators and the World Health Organisation have given their approval.

He also issued a decree banning coronavirus testing, trials and unapproved vaccine treatments in Papua New Guinea.

READ: Papua New Guinea to lift lockdown despite surge in COVID-19 cases

Chinese ambassador Xue Bing told AFP: "We don't have any comments for the moment. However, one thing is for sure, China is not doing (coronavirus) tests here in PNG."

Papua New Guinea - which has an already under-resourced health sector - had largely dodged the worst of the virus outbreak until recent weeks.

The country saw 12 new cases on Thursday taking its total to 359, with 159 active cases amid low rates of testing. At least three people have died from the virus.

Coronavirus clusters recently forced the closure of major mines including the vast Ok Tedi copper and gold mine.

China's Ramu NiCo is no stranger to controversy and was temporarily shuttered in late 2019 after spewing slurry into the Bismarck Sea and turning parts of the surrounding coastline ochre red.

Nickel is a highly prized metal widely used in batteries, including for electric cars.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram

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2020-08-20 11:17:30Z
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Hong Kong will suspend some legal cooperation with US, China says - CNA

BEIJING: Hong Kong will suspend an agreement on mutual legal assistance with the United States, China's foreign ministry said on Thursday (Aug 20), in a tit-for-tat response to Washington ending some agreements with Hong Kong.

The US State Department notified Hong Kong on Wednesday that Washington had suspended or terminated three bilateral agreements with the semi-autonomous city following China's imposition of a sweeping national security law.

"China urges the US to immediately correct its mistakes," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a news briefing on Thursday as he announced the suspension of the agreement on legal assistance.

The agreement, signed in 1997 before Britain returned Hong Kong to China, specified that the United States and Hong Kong governments would help each other in criminal matters such as transferring people in custody or searching and confiscating proceeds of crime.

READ: US formally ends three accords with Hong Kong

The US State Department said earlier the three agreements the United States ended covered "the surrender of fugitive offenders, the transfer of sentenced persons, and reciprocal tax exemptions on income derived from the international operation of ships".

A Hong Kong government spokesperson said on Thursday that abandoning the agreements created further "troubles in the China-US relationship, using Hong Kong as a pawn", and "should be condemned by the international community".

He said the decision reflects a "disrespect for bilateralism and multilateralism" under the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Hong Kong authorities said the agreements were negotiated "in good faith to benefit the peoples and businesses of both sides".

The spokesperson added that ending the tax exemptions would increase the operating costs of shipping companies.

"It will hamper the development of the shipping sector between Hong Kong and the US, and is in nobody's interest," he said.

The US decision followed Trump's order last month to end Hong Kong’s special status under US law to punish China for what he called “oppressive actions” against the former British colony.

Trump signed an executive order that he said would end the preferential economic treatment for the city following the imposition of the new security law.

Large-scale protests hit Hong Kong from mid-2019. (Photo: AFP/Anthony WALLACE)

The national security law punishes anything China considers secession, subversion, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison. It has drawn criticism from Western countries that worry the law will end the freedoms promised when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule.

Beijing and the Hong Kong government have defended the law as necessary to restore order and preserve prosperity after months of at times violent anti-government protests last year.

Hong Kong has become another contentious issue between China and the United States, whose relations were already strained by differences over trade, China's claims in the South China Sea and its treatment of its Muslim Uighur minority.

Earlier this month Washington imposed sanctions on Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam along with 10 other senior officials in the city.

It also required goods imported from Hong Kong to be marked as "made in China", following a move to end the former British colony's special status under US law.

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2020-08-20 11:03:45Z
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With no challenger, China’s wish to dethrone the US dollar is a long shot - South China Morning Post

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With no challenger, China’s wish to dethrone the US dollar is a long shot South China Morning Post
Slump forces mainland Chinese owners to dump Hong Kong flats at big losses AsiaOne
U.S. Suspends Bilateral Agreements With Hong Kong, Escalating Tensions With China The New York Times
Bank of East Asia profit jumps 53 per cent as soured loans in China decline South China Morning Post
Chinese politics students at Princeton 'will be given code names to protect identity from Beijing' Telegraph.co.uk
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2020-08-20 07:16:10Z
52781006318315

Boon Tat Street murder: Accused told passers-by not to help bloodied son-in-law and 'let him die' - TODAYonline

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Boon Tat Street murder: Accused told passers-by not to help bloodied son-in-law and 'let him die' TODAYonlineView Full coverage on Google News
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2020-08-20 06:41:12Z
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