Saudi Arabia gathers China's Xi with Arab leaders in 'new era' of ties - CNA

In a nod to Gulf security concerns over Iran, another oil supplier to China and with whom Beijing has good ties, they agreed the need to "strengthen joint cooperation to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme" and for Tehran to respect "principles of good-neighbourliness".

Riyadh voiced support for Beijing's "One China" policy on the issue of Taiwan. Xi invited King Salman to visit China, Saudi state television reported.

MILESTONES

The Chinese leader said his visit, during which he will meet other Gulf oil producers and attend a wider summit with Arab League countries on Friday, heralded a "new era" in relations.

"China looks forward to working with Saudi Arabia and Arab states to turn the two summits into milestone events in the history of China-Arab relations and China-GCC relations, and bring these relations to new heights," the foreign ministry cited Xi as saying.

Qatar's emir, Kuwait's crown prince and the presidents of Egypt, Tunisia, Djibouti, Somalia and Mauritania are among rulers attending alongside leaders and prime ministers of Iraq, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan and Lebanon.

Ahead of the summits, Xi held bilateral talks with Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Sabah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani, Sudanese leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Diplomats said the Chinese delegation would sign agreements and memoranda of understanding with several states in addition to Saudi Arabia, which inked an MOU with Huawei on cloud computing and building high-tech complexes in Saudi cities.

The Chinese tech giant has participated in building 5G networks in most Gulf states despite U.S. concerns over a possible security risk in using its technology.

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2022-12-09 09:41:00Z
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COVID-19 spread fears grow as China unwinds zero-tolerance curbs - CNA

China reported 21,165 new local COVID-19 infections on Dec 7, down from the previous day and below a peak of 40,052 local cases on Nov 27. Cases have been trending lower recently as authorities across the country dropped testing requirements.

China and Hong Kong stocks lifted Asian equity markets on Thursday, as these still cautious steps towards reopening were seen giving the world's second-largest economy a chance to regather momentum. Macau casino operators in part led the rally, finishing up 12.2 per cent, sending their quarterly gain to 46.5 per cent.

China's yuan, which has also recovered some ground against the dollar in recent weeks, was little changed on Thursday.

More broadly, the shift will probably depress economic growth over the next few months as infections surge, bringing a rebound only later in 2023, economists said.

That growth will keep picking up pace with the implementation of relaxation measures, state media CCTV quoted Premier Li Keqiang as saying on Thursday.

ILL-PREPARED

China's most populous city Shanghai, which endured one of the country's longest and harshest lockdowns, on Thursday dropped the need for COVID-19 tests to enter restaurants or entertainment venues.

There has been no mention of China's "zero-COVID" policy in recent announcements, raising suspicions that the term is becoming defunct.

Top officials have also been softening their tone on the dangers posed by the virus.

But, while adopting the new more relaxed controls, some cities urged residents to remain vigilant.

Some analysts and medical experts say China is ill-prepared for a major surge in infections, partly due to low vaccination rates among the vulnerable and its fragile healthcare system.

Amid reports of panic buying of fever medicine, financial news outlet Yicai, citing third-party data, said the average daily sales volume of home test kits had risen more than 400 times from November.

"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 per cent, "far from the level needed for herd immunity", Nomura said.

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2022-12-09 02:02:37Z
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Saudi Arabia's lavish welcome of China's President Xi a warning to US and Biden, says analyst - CNA

Despite the complicated relationship, the two countries are still dependent on each other. Suggestions of Saudi Arabia reorienting its strategic and security alliances away from the US and towards China, are unlikely to be the case at this point, said Prof Hashemi.

“The fundamental security relationship – the arms and weapons sales relationship … and the larger political relationship that exists between the United States and Saudi Arabia goes back to World War Two, that hasn't really changed,” he said.

SAUDI-CHINA RELATIONSHIP

The warm welcome was not just a show for the US, added Prof Hashemi. 

As Riyadh expands its global alliances beyond longstanding ties with the West, China has much in common with the Saudis in the form of an “authoritarian alliance and a shared worldview”, he said.

“Fundamentally, Saudi Arabia and China have shared values … rooted in authoritarianism, disdain for democracy…” he said.

China is also the kingdom’s top oil customer, biggest trading partner, and a source of increasing investments.

The Saudi state news agency said last week that about US$30 billion worth of agreements will be signed during Mr Xi’s visit, including investments in information technology, cloud services, green energy, construction and other sectors.

Prof Hashemi said a number of economic infrastructure deals can be expected, especially given the crown prince’s aspirations to develop the kingdom into a major tourist destination.

The US is keeping a close watch on the outcome of the visit, with the White House calling this an example of Chinese attempts to exert influence.

Prof Hashemi said that the visit and agreements signed are unlikely to alarm Washington, unless Saudi Arabia starts to indicate closer ties with China on security deals and arms sales.

“If Saudi Arabia decides to start purchasing high-tech Chinese planes or weapons technology, anti-aircraft tanks, then that will deeply concern and set off alarm bells at the White House … (as this) will suggest there’s a fundamental crisis in the US-Saudi relations,” he said.

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2022-12-08 12:11:51Z
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People do not trust Anwar-led unity government: Muhyiddin after Padang Serai, Tioman election results - CNA

KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said his coalition’s victory in Padang Serai and narrow defeat in the Tioman state election is proof that people do not trust the unity government anchored by Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN).

He also claimed that people are not confident in the ability of the unity government led by PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim.

In a Facebook post on Thursday (Dec 8), Mr Muhyiddin said: “This is proof that the people do not trust the combination of PH and BN. They are not confident in the ability of this coalition government led by PH to govern the country.”

“BN's majority declined by almost half in Tioman and PN's majority in Padang Serai was double the majority won by PH in GE14 (14th General Election).”

“Disappointed with the lies of PH and BN leaders during the GE15 campaign, many supporters of both parties have switched to support PN.” 

Mr Muhyiddin said that the results of voters in Padang Serai and Tioman clearly showed that the people do not approve of the actions of PH and BN (to work together). 

"For me, PH and BN's lies in GE15 was 'the biggest electoral fraud ever’,” he added. The Pagoh MP, however, did not elaborate. 

He also said that PN is now “on the right track”, following the coalition's victory in Padang Serai. 

On Wednesday, PN’s Azman Nasrudin won the Padang Serai contest with a majority of 16,260 votes, edging out his PH rival who previously held the ward. 

This means that PN now has a total of 74 seats in parliament, with PH holding 81. 

In a separate vote held on Wednesday, PN was defeated by BN for the Tioman state seat by a narrow margin of 573 votes. 

BN’s Mohd Johari Hussain, the incumbent candidate, obtained a total of 8,080 votes and defeated PN’s Nor Idayu Hashim who garnered 7,507 votes. 

Voting for the Padang Serai parliamentary seat was postponed after incumbent PH candidate M Karupaiya died on Nov 16 after he collapsed during campaigning.

The election for the Tioman state seat was also postponed when PN candidate Md Yunus Ramli died of heart complications in the run-up to the polls. 

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2022-12-08 09:49:51Z
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Bali hotels won't ask for proof of marriage under new criminal code: Tourism chief - CNA

JAKARTA: Bali’s tourism chief Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun said that foreigners should not be deterred from visiting the island after the Indonesian parliament passed a Bill criminalising premarital sex and cohabitation.

Under the new criminal code passed on Tuesday (Dec 6), people who have sex outside of marriage or cohabit can be reported to the police. However, those who break the law can only be reported to the authorities by their parents, spouses or their children. 

Taking effect in three years' time, the punishment for premarital sex would be a maximum of one year in jail or a fine of 10 million rupiah (US$640). 

For cohabitation, the punishment would be six months imprisonment or a fine of 10 million rupiah. 

The Bill raised fears that foreigners would be deterred from travelling to Indonesia, including to the resort island of Bali. 

In an interview with CNA on Wednesday, Mr Pemayun said that travellers have no cause for worry.

“Don’t worry because based on our discussions with the various hotel and tourism associations, hotels won’t be asking for marital status (documentation),” he said.

“When people arrive at a hotel, they arrive for leisure. They will be treated just like now (without being checked for their marital status).”

Putu Winastra, who heads the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies Association also said: “No need to make such a fuss.”

“People who come to Bali will still feel comfortable because the hotels will ensure their privacy. If they arrive with their partners, the hotels will give them a room,” he said. 

“I am sure the hotels will never ask for your marriage certificate. Whether you are married or not, they will never ask you because it’s a private matter. 

“And I have spoken to the association of hotel general managers, they will keep people’s marital status private.” 

Mr Winastra’s and Mr Pemayun’s remarks came amid concerns that the new criminal code could hurt Indonesia’s economy which is just recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Travellers from Australia make up the biggest group of foreign travellers to Bali, with around a million of them visiting the island of the Gods annually before the pandemic. 

On Wednesday, the Australian government said that it was seeking more information on the new penal code as it may impact its citizens in Indonesia.

But Mr Winastra said there is no reason to avoid the resort island.

“We don’t want tourists to avoid Bali. With the G20 being held in Bali recently, the exposure was good so people travelled to Bali.

“We are optimistic in 2023, there will be an increase in visits, so we hope the criminal code won’t have any effect because the hotels will ensure people’s privacy,” said Mr Winastra.

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2022-12-08 06:07:00Z
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Anwar's lawyers send letter to Muhyiddin demanding apology - The Star Online

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1. Anwar's lawyers send letter to Muhyiddin demanding apology  The Star Online
2. Malaysia to question ex-PM Muhyiddin on links to public funds case  The Straits Times
3. Malaysian ex-premier facing investigation  Bangkok Post
4. Malaysia to Probe Ex-Premier on Links to Public Funds Case  Bloomberg
5. RM600 billion scandal: Sany Hamzan yet to be called by MACC  New Straits Times
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2022-12-07 23:40:17Z
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China's capital adjusts to life with COVID-19 after policy reversal - CNA

Zhang Lan, a food delivery driver, said he needed to be tested because "it's a request from the company" to avoid contaminating customers.

At a nearby shopping centre, businesses were open but crowds were sparse, with guards checking visitors' health codes though no longer requiring negative COVID-19 tests.

"VERY QUIET"

"It's very quiet. I think people are still afraid to go out," the manager of a Starbucks said.

China is now steeling for a wave of infections expected to follow the relaxation of the rules - with one previous estimate suggesting more than a million people could die.

At one fever clinic in Beijing's Chaoyang district, an AFP reporter saw lines that snaked around the block.

And in another part of the capital, AFP saw a steady stream of customers going into a local pharmacy for cold and fever medicine.

"But we're out of stock of this type of medicine. We don't even have any Vitamin C left," Sun Qing, an employee, said.

She added that, over the past few days, people had been buying up the drugs in anticipation of a policy easing.

"Some of them unfortunately took much more than they needed. It could be enough for a year!" she exclaimed.

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2022-12-08 06:49:10Z
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