'Tough times': Warnings sound over China's rapid 'zero-COVID' exit - CNA

BEIJING: A week after China began dismantling its tough 'zero-COVID' controls, the World Health Organization warned of "very tough" times ahead and state media reported some seriously ill patients at hospitals in Beijing, raising fears of a wave of infections.

China last Wednesday (Dec 7) announced sweeping changes to testing and quarantine rules, aligning with a world that has largely reopened, after historic protests against mass lockdowns that caused mental strain for millions but kept the virus in check.

The elation that met those changes has quickly faded amid mounting signs that China may pay a price for shielding a population that lacks "herd immunity" and has low vaccination rates among the elderly.

"It's always very difficult for any country coming out of a situation where you've had very, very tight controls," WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris told a press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, adding that China faced a "very tough and difficult time".

The WHO typically refrains from commenting on individual countries' policies, although agency Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus did say in May that China's previous COVID-19 regime was not sustainable.

Official COVID-19 case counts in China have been trending lower in recent weeks, but that has coincided with a drop in testing and is increasingly at odds with the situation on the ground, analysts say.

There were 50 severe and critical cases in hospitals in Beijing, most of whom have underlying health conditions, state news agency Xinhua reported late Tuesday. Such numbers are small considering China's 1.4 billion population, but there are growing fears that hospitals could soon become flooded with cases.

Amid the uncertainty, Chinese leaders have reportedly delayed a key economic policy meeting, which had been set to map out much-needed stimulus for the world's second largest economy.

A Bloomberg News report on Tuesday night, citing people familiar with the matter, said the meeting had been delayed and there was no timetable for rescheduling.

Policy insiders and business analysts said the leadership was expected to map out further stimulus steps and discuss growth targets in the annual three-day session.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiaWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS90b3VnaC10aW1lcy13YXJuaW5ncy1zb3VuZC1vdmVyLWNoaW5hcy1yYXBpZC16ZXJvLWNvdmlkLWV4aXQtMzE0MzU2NtIBAA?oc=5

2022-12-14 04:45:14Z
1691474472

Singapore to begin importing chicken eggs from Brunei, further diversifying its food sources - CNA

SINGAPORE: Singapore will begin importing chicken eggs from Brunei, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said on Tuesday (Dec 13).

This follows Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu's visit to an egg farm in Brunei, where she announced that SFA has accredited the country as a new source of egg exports. 

This brings the number of countries and regions accredited to export "hen shell eggs" to Singapore to 17, up from 12 in 2019, said the agency. 

"The accreditation of Brunei as a new country source for eggs is another step towards augmenting food cooperation between both countries, as Brunei looks to produce eggs for export while Singapore diversifies its egg import sources further," said SFA.

Ms Fu visited Golden Chick Livestock Farm in Brunei on Tuesday, at the start of her three-day official visit to the country. It is the first Bruneian farm to export eggs to Singapore. 

She is also in Brunei to discuss and strengthen agri-food, environmental, water resource management and climate change cooperation between the two countries.

"We hope that this accreditation will see new markets for the agri-tech industry in Brunei," said Ms Fu, noting the increased business for the country's farms.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMidmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vc2luZ2Fwb3JlL3NpbmdhcG9yZS1jaGlja2VuLWVnZy1zdXBwbHktYnJ1bmVpLWltcG9ydC1uZXctc291cmNlLWFjY3JlZGl0ZWQtc2ZhLTMxNDEzNzHSAQA?oc=5

2022-12-13 11:26:00Z
CBMidmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vc2luZ2Fwb3JlL3NpbmdhcG9yZS1jaGlja2VuLWVnZy1zdXBwbHktYnJ1bmVpLWltcG9ydC1uZXctc291cmNlLWFjY3JlZGl0ZWQtc2ZhLTMxNDEzNzHSAQA

China sends record wave of bombers into Taiwan defence zone - CNA

China sent a record 18 nuclear-capable bombers into Taiwan's air defence zone, Taipei said on Tuesday (Dec 13), just days after Beijing banned more Taiwanese imports in the latest sign of deteriorating ties.

Democratic Taiwan lives under the constant threat of invasion by China, which sees the self-ruled island as part of its territory to be seized one day.

Beijing has ramped up military, diplomatic and economic pressure since the 2016 election of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects its stance that the island is part of China.

In a daily update on Tuesday morning Taiwan's defence ministry said 21 aircraft entered the island's southwest air defence identification zone (ADIZ) over the last 24 hours, including 18 nuclear-capable H-6 bombers.

That represents by far the largest daily sortie by H-6 bombers since Taipei first began releasing daily incursion data in September 2020, according to a database maintained by AFP.

The wave came after China slapped fresh import bans on Taiwanese food, beverages, alcohol and fishery products last week, prompting Premier Su Tseng-chang to accuse Beijing of violating international trade rules and "discriminating" against the island.

The H-6 is China's main long distance bomber and is able to carry nuclear payloads.

It is rare for China to send more than five H-6 bombers in one day. But sorties have increased dramatically in recent weeks.

Until recently, October 2021 was the month with the largest number of H-6 flights on record at 16.

But last month China sent 21 of the bombers into Taiwan's ADIZ. And the current tally for December stands at 23.

Many nations maintain air defence identification zones (ADIZ), including the United States, Canada, South Korea, Japan and China.

They are not the same as a country's airspace.

Instead, they encompass a much wider area, in which any foreign aircraft is expected to announce itself to local aviation authorities.

Taiwan's ADIZ is much larger than its airspace. It overlaps with part of China's ADIZ and even includes some of the mainland.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiaWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9jaGluYS1zZW5kcy1yZWNvcmQtd2F2ZS1oLTYtYm9tYmVycy10YWl3YW4tZGVmZW5jZS16b25lLWFkaXotMzE0MTExMdIBAA?oc=5

2022-12-13 09:45:56Z
1685156428

Queues form at fever clinics as China wrestles with COVID-19 surge - CNA

In recent weeks, local cases have been trending lower since a late November peak of 40,052, official figures show, however. Sunday's tally of 8,626 was down from 10,597 new cases the previous day.

But the figures reflect the dropping of testing requirements, say analysts, while Chinese health expects have warned of an imminent surge.

In comments on Monday in the state-backed newspaper Shanghai Securities News, Zhang Wenhong, head of a team of experts in the commercial hub, said the current outbreak could peak in a month, though the end of the pandemic might be three to six months away.

In a WeChat post, Zhang's team said that despite the surge, the current Omicron strain did not cause long-term damage and people should be optimistic.

"We are about to walk out of the tunnel; Air, sunshine, free travel, all waiting for us," the post said.

STOCKS, YUAN SAG

China's stock markets broadly retreated and the yuan eased from a near three-month high hit in the previous session, as investors fretted that rising infections might disrupt consumption and manufacturing.

But for the same reason, demand surged for stocks in Chinese drugmakers and providers of masks, antigen tests and funeral services.

"Please protect yourself," the management of a condominium in the capital's Dongcheng district warned residents on Sunday, saying almost all its staff had been infected.

"Try as much as you can not to go out ...," it said on messaging app WeChat. "Be the first person to take responsibility for your own health, let’s face this together."

Such messages appear to have hit home for some who say they are reluctant to visit crowded places or dine at restaurants.

That is why few analysts expect a quick, broad rebound in spending in the world's second largest economy, as the glee that greeted the abrupt relaxations was tempered with uncertainty for consumers and businesses.

Yet China is pushing to free up nationwide travel, even if foreign trips may be a while off.

A state-mandated mobile app identifying travellers to COVID-19 stricken areas will shut down at midnight on Monday, according to a notice on its official WeChat account.

The number of domestic flights available across China exceeded 7,400, nearly double from a week ago, flight tracker app VariFlight showed.

New home sales in 16 cities picked up last week, in a move partly attributed to the easing of curbs, as people venture out to view homes, the China Index Academy said.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9xdWV1ZXMtZm9ybS1mZXZlci1jbGluaWNzLWNoaW5hLXdyZXN0bGVzLWNvdmlkLTE5LXN1cmdlLTMxMzgzMzHSAQA?oc=5

2022-12-12 11:00:40Z
1679366256

'Please protect yourself': China wrestles with COVID-19 surge - CNA

In recent weeks, local cases have been trending lower since a late November peak of 40,052, official figures show, however. Sunday's tally of 8,626 was down from 10,597 new cases the previous day.

But the figures reflect the dropping of testing requirements, say analysts, while Chinese health expects have warned of an imminent surge.

In comments on Monday in the state-backed newspaper Shanghai Securities News, Zhang Wenhong, head of a team of experts in the commercial hub, said the current outbreak could peak in a month, though the end of the pandemic might take three to six months.

Signs that the virus was rampaging through communities were widespread in cities such as Beijing and Wuhan.

"Please protect yourself," the management of a condominium in the capital's Dongcheng district urged residents on Sunday, adding that almost all its staff had been infected.

"Try as much as you can not to go out ..." it said on messaging app WeChat. "Be the first person to take responsibility for your own health, let’s face this together."

The spread of such fears has prompted some people to avoid crowded places or indoor dining.

That is why few analysts expect a quick, broad rebound in spending in the world's second largest economy, as the glee that greeted the abrupt relaxations was tempered with uncertainty for consumers and businesses.

Yet China is pushing ahead with efforts to free up nationwide travel, even if foreign trips may still be a while off.

A state-mandated mobile app identifying travellers to COVID-stricken areas will shut down at midnight on Monday, according to a notice on its official WeChat account.

The number of domestic flights available across China exceeded 7,400, nearly double from a week ago, flight tracker app VariFlight showed.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiYmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9wbGVhc2UtcHJvdGVjdC15b3Vyc2VsZi1jaGluYS13cmVzdGxlcy1jb3ZpZC0xOS1zdXJnZS0zMTM4MzMx0gEA?oc=5

2022-12-12 06:49:10Z
1679366256

I never promised to free anyone from court cases: Malaysia PM Anwar - CNA

Mr Anwar also expressed his confidence that he can free the country of corruption. He warned his Cabinet ministers that anyone involved in bribery or misuse of power will be booted out immediately. 

“I have informed the Cabinet ministers whom I have chosen, that first and foremost, there should be no corruption.

“I have also informed all component party leaders that if any minister is involved in corruption, I will seek their mandate to sack them immediately,” he said, adding that the reminder was not a political gimmick but rather his confidence in freeing the country of corruption.

Mr Anwar said that he would not compromise on such culture in the unity government that he leads. He did not name anyone during his speech.

Previously, local media reported that Mr Anwar was faced with criticism after appointing United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the deputy prime minister due to his ongoing court cases. 

Ahmad Zahid is on trial over 47 charges of abuse, corruption and money laundering. A verdict will likely be reached in the next few months.

Separately, Mr Anwar said he will review approved projects to ensure there are no leakages as the national debt has exceeded RM1 trillion (USD226 billion).

“I’ve worked hard to scrutinise the files and we will delay several projects to be re-examined or cancelled. 

“If we want to spend, we must be thorough. This is a matter of governance,” the Tambun MP said. 

As such, he said that the management of the country must be done by following the right order and rules.

“Look at the spontaneous approval of flood mitigation projects. There are some unanswered questions and I ask that they be postponed and re-examined,” he said, according to Bernama. 

Last Tuesday, Mr Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, had ordered a review of RM7 billion worth of approvals under the RM15 billion flood mitigation project that were conducted through direct negotiation instead of a tender process.

Mr Anwar previously announced that approval for government procurement can no longer be given without a tender process to prevent financial leakages and corruption.

In his speech on Sunday, Mr Anwar also stated that although a motion of confidence is not legally required, it will allow him to lead the country with a clear mandate based on the majority support of MPs. 

“I would like to lead the country with a clear mandate, with the support of the majority of MPs. I am confident of obtaining it. If I can’t, then I will accept the will of the people,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama. 

The vote of confidence will be held during the next parliament session next Monday to end the question of the legitimacy of the unity government led by Mr Anwar.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMigAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5jaGFubmVsbmV3c2FzaWEuY29tL2FzaWEvbWFsYXlzaWEtYW53YXItaWJyYWhpbS1jb3VydC1jYXNlLWZyZWUtY29ycnVwdGlvbi1jYWJpbmV0LW1pbmlzdGVycy12b3RlLWNvbmZpZGVuY2UtMzEzODI3MdIBAA?oc=5

2022-12-12 06:36:43Z
1685801455

PM Lee to officiate launch of RSN submarines in Germany, attend ASEAN-EU summit in Brussels - CNA

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will make an official visit to Germany this week, as well as attend the ASEAN-European Union (EU) commemorative summit in Brussels.

He will visit Kiel on Monday (Dec 12) and Tuesday, where he will meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Mr Lee will also officiate the launch of two Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) submarines – Illustrious and Impeccable – with Mr Scholz in attendance.

The submarines will be launched by Mr Lee’s wife as the lady sponsor, said the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).

Mrs Lee, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan will accompany him on the visit. Officials from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence and the RSN will also be in attendance.

Dr Ng will call on Germany’s Federal Minister of Defence Christine Lambrecht in Berlin. 

"Dr Ng’s working visit underscores the warm and growing defence relations between Singapore and Germany," said MINDEF.

On Wednesday, Mr Lee will attend the ASEAN-EU commemorative summit in Brussels. 

This will be the first ASEAN-EU summit involving the leaders of the member states of both blocs.

“The commemorative summit marks 45 years of ASEAN-EU dialogue relations and is an opportunity for both sides to discuss ways to further deepen ASEAN-EU relations,” the PMO said.

In Brussels, Mr Lee will be accompanied by Mrs Lee and Dr Balakrishnan, as well as officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will be acting Prime Minister during Mr Lee's absence from Dec 12 to 16.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMigAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5jaGFubmVsbmV3c2FzaWEuY29tL3NpbmdhcG9yZS9wbS1sZWUtb2ZmaWNpYXRlLWxhdW5jaC1yc24tc3VibWFyaW5lcy1nZXJtYW55LWF0dGVuZC1hc2Vhbi1ldS1zdW1taXQtYnJ1c3NlbHMtMzEzNjk1NtIBAA?oc=5

2022-12-11 07:23:25Z
1690386752