A notable surge in respiratory illness in children in northern China in recent weeks was reported…reports Asian Lite News
Amid rising cases of respiratory illness in China, Dr SK Kabra, (HoD Mother and Child Block, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, AIIMS) has said that viral infections are common in winters and there is no possibility of another pandemic like COVID yet.
A notable surge in respiratory illness in children in northern China in recent weeks was reported.
Dr SK Kabra told ANI, “The reports coming from China now show that there has been a sudden increase in respiratory infections between October and November and they have observed that it is more common in children. Mycoplasma has been seen. They have not seen any new or unusual viruses. There is no indication yet that this is a new organism and it is difficult to say whether it can cause a pandemic like COVID. This possibility is not there yet.”
He further said that common viruses in the winter season have been seen in the reports coming from China.
“Now experts have discussed this and according to them, there could be 2-3 things due to which it has increased. Firstly, virus infection is more common in winter and the main ones are Influenza, Adenovirus and Mycoplasma. Till now, the same viruses are visible in the reports of the organisms spreading in China and there is nothing new. People are very worried because the pandemic has just passed whether a new virus has arrived,” SK Kabra said.
Dr Kabra also informed that it may be because of the strict lockdown in China that the cases of respiratory illness are increasing.
“See, the lockdown in China was very strict. It was lifted in December last year and since then this is the first winter there. As far as we know about infection in children, every child under 5 years of age gets a viral infection 3-8 times a year and with each infection, he becomes immune to it. Then after the age of 5, the rate of infection reduces. So the children in China who are not able to come out of their houses due to lockdown, their immunity has not developed due to which they have become susceptible to the infection,” he added.
“There is a hypothesis that the children who have not had this infection in 2-3 years during lockdown, the infection will now occur. If one child gets it, it will infect 10 more, due to which the cases will increase suddenly,” he asserted.
He further urged people to practice hygiene and use sanitizers at most.
“If a child has an infection, do not send him outside until he recovers. Generally, influenza lasts for a week. One can use a mask and follow social distancing. Everyone should also take care of hygiene, and use sanitizer. The phase that China is facing now, we have already faced it last year, so there is no problem. We are now more knowledgeable than before about how the pandemic is managed. The Ministry has told doctors to investigate if such cases are coming. If any abnormality is seen, then inform them so that appropriate action can be taken,” Dr SK Kabra said. (ANI)
Zhongzhi Enterprise Group (ZEG) has an asset management arm that at its peak reportedly handled more than a trillion yuan ($139 billion)…reports Asian Lite News
Chinese officials have launched an investigation into one of the country’s biggest shadow banks, which has lent billions to real estate firms, the media reported.
Zhongzhi Enterprise Group (ZEG) has an asset management arm that at its peak reportedly handled more than a trillion yuan ($139 billion), reports the BBC.
Authorities said they are investigating “suspected illegal crimes” against the firm, in a statement.
This comes days after reports that ZEG had declared it was insolvent.
The struggling firm reportedly told investors in a letter last week that its liabilities – up to $64 billion – had outstripped its assets, now estimated at about $38 billion.
While authorities said they had taken “criminal coercive measures” against “many suspects” it’s still unclear who they are, and what role they play in the firm.
The company’s founder, Xie Zhikun, died of a heart attack in 2021, the BBC reported.
ZEG is a major player in China’s shadow banking industry, a term for a system of lenders, brokers and other credit intermediaries who fall outside the realm of the traditional regulated banking.
Shadow banking, which is unregulated, is not subject to the same kinds of risk, liquidity and capital restrictions as traditional banks.
The latest developments at ZEG has raised concerns of further turmoil in the world’s second-largest economy, after the collapse of property developer Evergrande and more recently the financial woes at Country Garden
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, waves to journalists at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Oct. 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei/IANS)
The worry in the minds of voters is whether the US and Europe will have the resolve to challenge China should Xi start to carry out his threat of unification by force, writes Prof. Madhav Das Nalapat
Major capitals across the world are paying close attention to the 13 January 2024 Presidential elections in Taiwan. The concern is the possibility that Xi Jinping would take advantage of the twin crises in Ukraine and Gaza to ramp up aggressive action against Taiwan. Should the US, the EU and the Quad not respond to such activity in a deterrent manner, it would diminish their credibility across the world and boost the perception that the PRC under Xi Jinping is unstoppable in its expansionist drive. CCP officials close to Xi Jinping have publicly declared that the coming Presidential polls in Taiwan represent a choice between “war and peace”.
Their intent is to scare voters away from casting their ballots in favour of the present ruling party, the DPP. Apart from such a message, delivered with the quintessential lack of subtlety associated with CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping, the island nation has been bombarded with messaging from the other side to try and ensure that the DPP loses the January 2024 Presidential polls as well as control of the Legislative Yuan to the KMT.
Spanning two 4-year terms, President Tsai Ing-wen has not deviated from her consistent stance that only the people of Taiwan and not the CCP have any role to play in shaping the future of the country. Her party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has put up Taiwan’s Vice-President William Lai, as its Presidential candidate. His Vice-Presidential pick for the forthcoming polls is Bikhim Hsiao, who was previously the Taiwan Representative to the United States.
Both Lai and Hsiao favour close relations with Washington and other democracies, as does President Tsai. For the CCP, the DPP belief in the right of the people of Taiwan to decide the island nation’s future is anathema, and once Dr Tsai took over as President eight years ago, cut off all official contacts between Beijing and Taipei in a show of pique. President Tsai’s predecessor as Head of State, KMT leader Ma Ying-jeou, concentrated on bettering ties with China, signing trade and other agreements designed to enhance Taiwan’s reliance on the PRC as its major production hub and market.
TAIWAN’S INTEREST IN INDIA GROWS
Interestingly, both in business as well as in government, interest in India has expanded significantly when compared to past decades. In a first, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar dropped the word “informal” when he talked of the relationship between Taiwan and India. In another first, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh publicly called out China as an aggressive power. All this has made it clear that India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is looking at Taiwan with interest, and that it is very possible that Cabinet-level officials from Taiwan will be able to visit India, whereas till now, only Deputy Minister level officials were invited.
It is not a coincidence that (apart from the other three Quad members) Indonesia and the Philippines have a large expat community in Taiwan, and that the level and number of high-level visits between Taipei, Manila and Jakarta is at present much higher than between Taipei and Delhi. Interestingly, the PRC lobby in the country has been on overdrive seeking to prevent a proposed influx of Indian expats into Taiwan, using racial slurs and abusive epithets in the process against people from India.
Such transparently motivated lobbying by pro-PRC elements is unlikely to halt the move to get a large number of Indian expats into Taiwan, as such a step would benefit the economy, exactly in the way so many other countries with large Indian expat populations have witnessed without any complaint. Neither is there likely to be any slowdown in the volume of investment flowing into India. Indeed, both in terms of welcoming expats and in channelling investment into India, figures are expected to rise substantially in 2024 itself.
Why has China decided to extend its military exercises around Taiwan?.(photo:IN)
BEIJING IS KMT’S PRIORITY
Should the KMT candidate, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yih, win the Presidential poll in January next, his first priority would be to secure better relations with Beijing. The KMT believes that a warming and intensification of PRC-Taiwan ties would prevent Xi Jinping from carrying out his repeated threat of “uniting Taiwan by force during the next few years”. A prominent media personality who has PRC-friendly views, Jaw Shaw-kong, is Hou’s Vice-Presidential pick.
This stands in contrast to the DPP Vice-Presidential candidate, Bikhim Hsiao, who has over the years built up considerable rapport with US and European leaders in particular. The worry in the minds of voters is whether the US and Europe will have the resolve to challenge China should Xi start to carry out his threat of unification by force. They worry that the quagmire that Ukraine has become, combined with fresh violence in Gaza, may lessen NATO’s appetite for ensuring that Taiwan be protected from a possible PLA attack.
It is in such a context that the close linkages that Bikhim Hsiao has with US and European leaders may reassure voters that President Biden will keep his oft-declared intent to defend Taiwan by force were an attack by the PLA to be carried out. The effort by pro-China communicators is to cast doubt of US and European resolve, and claim that there is no appetite there for involvement in yet another war, now that the fires of Ukraine and Gaza are raging. They have been presenting the Biden-Xi and Blinken-Wang Yi interactions as US kowtows to China. If this view prevails with the electorate, it would be to the advantage of the KMT.
A THREE-PARTY RACE
The third political party in the Presidential fray is the Taiwan People’s Party led by its candidate, Ko Wen-jie. Both Ko and Lai are doctors who switched from medical practice to politics, Lai earlier than Ko. Ko’s pick for Vice-President, Cynthia Wu has spent many years in the UK and is fluent in European languages, although her business family has extensive commercial linkages with the PRC. That it is a three-party race is significant, for this was a factor that in earlier elections went to the benefit of the DPP.
This is what took place the only other time the DPP came to power in Taiwan, which was during the two terms of President Chen Shui-bian, who worked hard at establishing a Taiwanese identity as distinct from a Chinese identity. It was from Chen’s time that “Taiwan” slowly began to replace “Republic of China” in public and international discourse. Since then, it has become commonplace across the world to speak of “Taiwan” rather than the “Republic of China” when speaking about the island nation.
Even as an increasing number of Taiwanese have been to China, of which many have stayed in China sometimes for decades, the appetite for unification with the PRC has waned, with less than 10% of the population now wanting such an outcome. During the Tsai years, attempts at bullying by the other side of the straits has been constant. PLA Air Force aircraft routinely intrude into Taiwan’s air space, while the PLA Navy constantly strays into waters that by international law belong to Taiwan.
Tourist arrivals from the PRC and agricultural produce bought from Taiwan have often been curtailed in efforts to weaken the hold of the DPP over the electorate. Rather than increase the proportion of those who want unification with the PRC, such aggressive moves have had the reverse effect. Taiwanese remain firm on retaining their rights and freedoms, something that would be instantly taken away from them were the PLA to succeed in carrying out Xi’s threat of invading and occupying Taiwan.
For six days before talks between the TPP and the KMT on a joint ticket broke down on live television on November 23, efforts were ongoing mainly by the KMT side to ensure that Ko and Hou fight Lai and Hsiao as a joint ticket. They broke down over Ko’s insistence that he be the Presidential candidate and Hou his Vice-Presidential candidate. Had the KMT agreed to such a condition, ignoring the much smaller imprint of the newly formed TPP in Taiwanese politics, the KMT would have imploded.
On 23 January, both Ko as well as Foxconn founder Terry Guo, who had earlier wished to enter the race himself but seemed afterwards to probably be content with being the Prime Ministerial choice of the Hou-Ko (or Ko-Hou) ticket, should the two prevail over William Lai at the hustings. In a contrarian form of diplomacy, Ko insulted the KMT and its candidate (his intended running mate Hou) repeatedly on national television, over and over claiming that only he as the Presidential nominee of a prospective alliance ( a Ko-Hou ticket) could defeat the DPP.
Finally, the KMT had enough of such insults, and party chief Eric Chu and Presidential nominee Hou walked out of the Hou-Ko-Guo unity talks on 23 November on live television. KMT leaders believe that Ko’s hectoring of Hou may reduce rather than add to his popularity with the voter, while the sympathy factor generated by such abuse may push up Hou’s ratings. As mentioned earlier, however, the problem facing the KMT is that whenever in the past there has been a third party candidate in the fray besides the KMT and the DPP, the latter has prevailed.
The inability of the TPP and the KMT to unite against the DPP has given an advantage to DPP candidate William Lai, who has consistently been outpolling Ko and Hou individually in opinion polls. Across the world, the contest is being presented as a choice between two pro-China parties and a pro-US party. The PRC has been aggressive in seeking the defeat of the DPP, while the Biden administration has thus far been muted in its support for the DPP.
Of course, President Biden has several times reiterated that any attack by the PRC on Taiwan would result in the US entering the fray on behalf of the island nation, a stance repeated during the Xi-Biden talks. Given the volume of (mostly PRC-generated) disinformation, what matters is whether voters in Taiwan believe that the US would intervene in the event of a PLA attack or not.
If belief of Taiwanese voters in US intervention on Taiwan’s behalf is higher than fears of non-intervention, the DPP would have an advantage, especially in a 3-cornered race. On the other hand, KMT’s Hou comes from the south, which is a DPP stronghold, and has strong roots there. The contest between Lai and Hou is likely to be close, while TPP candidate Ko’s inroads into the youth vote make him difficult to write off.
Despite backroom efforts by the CCP to ensure a joint ticket against the DPP, the insistence of TPP leader Ko that he lead the ticket doomed such an outcome. Given the assertive personality of Ko, it is unlikely that he will drop out of the race in favour of Hou, a leader. Were the KMT to have agreed to a Ko-Hou ticket after such a volley of abuse by the TPP leader, even staunch pro-KMT voters may have hesitated to cast their ballots to elect Ko as President, for he is a politician who clearly hates the KMT and its leadership but sought a deal with them in order to come to power.
‘WAR OR PEACE’ IS THE CCP’S BATTLE CRY
Experts familiar with the CCP say that the plan of action is to emphasise the “War or Peace” warning tossed out by the PRC. They add that Xi would put into motion several actions within the next month that would signal aggressive intent should Taiwanese voters choose DPP’s Lai and Hsiao, neither of whom has hidden their preference for the US rather than the PRC as the principal partner for Taiwan, in contrast to the “pro-China” candidates, Hou and Ko.
The weeks ahead promise a stormy period, with several efforts likely to get carried out from across the Taiwan Straits by the United Front department of the PRC in order to try and influence the Presidential and legislative elections sufficiently to defeat the DPP. Should the KMT get a majority in the Legislative Yuan, the Speaker would be a former Mayor, Han Kuo-yu, who would see to it that every proposal of the Lai government is either delayed or made stillborn in the legislature. This is why regaining control of the legislature as well as the Presidency is vital for the DPP so as to ensure effective governance, should the Lai-Hsiao ticket prevail over that of the TPP and the KMT in the Presidential polls due less than two months from now.
Wang expressed “concerns” over the latest situation on the Korean Peninsula and told Park that China will do its part to “help stabilise the situation…reports Asian Lite News
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday said his country will play a role in helping ensure the stability of the Korean Peninsula as he expressed concerns over the current security situation in the region.
Wang made the remarks during his bilateral talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin in Busan, an official at Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said.
During their talks, Park also requested that China play a “constructive” role after North Korea scrapped a 2018 military tension reduction accord with South Korea and warned of more provocations to come, Yonhap news agency reported.
Park stressed that Seoul’s decision to abandon part of the inter-Korean military deal, which came in response to North Korea’s launch of a military spy satellite, was the minimal defensive measure for the safety of its people.
“We clearly made a point about North Korea’s attitude of threatening further provocations, saying that it will not be bound by the September 19 military agreement, and shifting the responsibility to us,” a Foreign Ministry official told reporters after the talks.
“Minister Park requested that the two countries work closely and that China play a constructive role, as it is in the common interests of South Korea and China that North Korea stop its provocations and take the path of denuclearisation,” the official said.
Wang, in turn, expressed “concerns” over the latest situation on the Korean Peninsula and told Park that China will do its part to “help stabilise the situation,” according to the official.
Wang arrived in Busan on Saturday to attend a trilateral gathering with Park and his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa, took place on Sunday.
The talks came days after North Korea said it launched a military spy satellite and successfully placed it into orbit, after two botched launch attempts in May and August, respectively.
In response, South Korea scrapped part of a 2018 inter-Korean military tension reduction accord. In a tit-for-tat, North Korea said the next day it will immediately restore all military measures it had halted under the agreement.
China has called for all concerned parties to “remain calm and exercise restraint,” over the satellite launch, saying it will continue to play “a constructive role” in promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
At the talks, the two sides reaffirmed the commitment to developing their bilateral relationship into a “healthy and more mature” one, based on “mutual respect, reciprocity and common interests,” according to the Seoul Ministry.
Sharing the view that the economic cooperation has been an important driver in the development of the bilateral ties, the Ministers agreed to bolster “mutually beneficial and substantive cooperation in light of the changing external environment”.
In that vein, Park noted the importance of working together to ensure the stable management of supply chains and the safety of South Korean companies doing business in China, as well as the need to facilitate cultural content, such as games and films.
Park also relayed concerns over the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors in China and asked for Beijing’s active cooperation in helping North Koreans move to desired places, instead of being forced to return home, where they may face harsh punishment.
As Pyongyang’s key ally, China does not recognise North Korean defectors as refugees and regularly repatriates them to their home country.
The two top diplomats discussed efforts to promote high-level communications at all levels, including a potential visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Critics say the relations with Beijing have recently cooled due to what they describe as President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempts to bring South Korea closer to the US and Japan, a departure from the previous Moon Jae-in administration’s greater emphasis on China.
During Sunday’s talks, Park asked for Beijing’s support for South Korea’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo in Busan, and Wang said China “will seriously consider” it, according to the Ministry official.
Wang and Park last held talks on the sidelines of the Foreign Ministers’ meeting involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Jakarta in July. Wang last visited South Korea in September 2021.
South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin (R) speaks during a meeting with Uzbek scholars and experts at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on June 3, 2023, in this photo released by the foreign ministry.) (Yonhap/IANS)
Days following North Korea’s announcement of the successful launch and orbital placement of a military spy satellite, talks ensued. This achievement came after unsuccessful attempts in May and August….reports Asian Lite News
South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin held bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Busan on Sunday, hours before the two were set to meet trilaterally with their Japanese counterpart.
The talks came days after North Korea said it launched a military spy satellite and successfully placed it into orbit, after two botched launch attempts in May and August, respectively.
In response, South Korea scrapped part of a 2018 inter-Korean military tension reduction accord. In a tit-for-tat, North Korea said the next day it will immediately restore all military measures it had halted under the agreement.
The latest developments on the Korean Peninsula were expected to be high on the agenda at Sunday’s talks between the two Ministers, Yonhap news agency reported.
China has called for all concerned parties to “remain calm and exercise restraint,” over the satellite launch, saying it will continue to play “a constructive role” in promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
The Ministers were also likely to address the growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, as South Korea and the US believe that North Korea received assistance from Russia in space rocket technologies in exchange for supplying weapons and munitions to Moscow for use in the war in Ukraine.
At the talks, Park could raise the issue of China’s forced repatriation of North Korean defectors from its northeastern region in October.
As Pyongyang’s key ally, China does not recognise North Korean defectors as refugees and regularly repatriates them to their home country, where they can face harsh punishment.
The two top diplomats were likely to discuss efforts to enhance bilateral relations, including ways to promote high-level communication and people-to-people exchanges.
Critics say the relations with Beijing have recently cooled due to what they describe as President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempts to bring South Korea closer to the US and Japan, a departure from the previous Moon Jae-in administration’s greater emphasis on China.
Under Yoon’s foreign policy, South Korea seeks to build a “healthy and more mature” relationship with Beijing.
Wang arrived in the southeastern port city Saturday. He last visited South Korea in September 2021.
Last week, according to reports, the largest pediatric hospital in Tianjin broke a record as more than 13,000 children came to outpatient and emergency departments…reports Asian Lite News
Hospitals in Beijing and northern China are grappling with a rise in respiratory illnesses among children as the country enters its first winter after easing stringent COVID-19 restrictions nearly a year ago, CNN reported.
Wait times to consult doctors stretch for hours, with hundreds of patients waiting in queues at some children’s hospitals in major cities of northern China, CNN reported.
An official at the Beijing Children’s Hospital on Tuesday said that the current average of more than 7,000 daily patients “far exceeds the hospital’s capacity,” CNN reported citing state media.
On Saturday, the largest pediatric hospital in nearby Tianjin broke a record as more than 13,000 children came to outpatient and emergency departments, CNN cited a local state-run outlet.
Health officials in Beijing and other major cities across northern China called typical seasonal illnesses, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as mycoplasma pneumonia as driving causes.
The rise in cases in northern China comes at a time when there is a rise in seasonal respiratory infections around the northern hemisphere, including in the United States, where RSV is spreading at “unprecedented” levels among children.
However, the situation in China raised global concern after the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday asked China to share more information on the rise in respiratory illnesses and “reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children,” citing a post from open-source surveillance system ProMED, CNN reported.
Following a pressing demand from the World Health Organisation to reveal more information on the surge in respiratory illnesses among children, China said there is no detection of any unusual or novel pathogens.
Some of these increases are occurring earlier in the season than usual, although this is not surprising given the easing of COVID-19 limitations, as seen in other nations.
“No changes in the disease presentation were reported by the Chinese health authorities. Chinese authorities advised that there has been no detection of any unusual or novel pathogens or unusual clinical presentations, including in Beijing and Liaoning, but only the aforementioned general increase in respiratory illnesses due to multiple known pathogens,” the WHO official press release read.
On November 23, the Global Health Body held a teleconference with Chinese health officials from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the Beijing Children’s Hospital, which was facilitated by the National Health Commission and the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention, during which the requested data, indicating an increase in outpatient consultations and hospital admissions of children due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, were provided, the release added.
They further stated that the rise in respiratory illness has not resulted in patient loads exceeding hospital capacities. The Chinese authorities advised that enhanced outpatient and inpatient surveillance has been implemented since mid-October for respiratory illnesses covering a broad spectrum of viruses and bacteria, which also for the first time, includes mycoplasma pneumonia.
On November 22, WHO requested additional epidemiologic and clinical information, as well as laboratory results from these reported clusters among children, through the International Health Regulations mechanism.
The WHO requested further information about recent trends in the circulation of known pathogens, including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and mycoplasma pneumoniae, and the current burden on healthcare systems.” WHO is also in contact with clinicians and scientists through our existing technical partnerships and networks in China,” according to the release.
Since mid-October, northern China has reported an increase in influenza-like illnesses compared to the same period in the previous three years, WHO said in the press release. China has systems in place to capture information on trends in influenza, influenza-like illnesses, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 and report to platforms such as the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System.
The WHO is closely monitoring the situation and is in close contact with national authorities in China, according to a WHO release. It recommended that people in China follow measures to reduce the risk of respiratory illness, which include recommended vaccination, keeping distance from people who are ill, staying home when ill, getting tested and medical care as needed, wearing masks as appropriate, ensuring good ventilation; and regular hand-washing. (ANI)
India Taking Appropriate Steps: Health Minister
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday that the ongoing situation of the pneumonia outbreak in China is being keenly observed by the health institutions in India and all appropriate actions are being taken.
Speaking to media, Mansukh Mandaviya said, “The government is continuously paying attention to the situation of pneumonia spreading within China. ICMR and the Director General of Health Services are keeping an eye on it and taking necessary action”.
Notably, Media and ProMED reported on November 21 clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China.
Commenting on the same, Dr Ajay Shukla of RML Hospital informed that till now, there has not been much impact on India due to the same.
“There are reports in the media that there has been a surge in respiratory problems among small children in China. WHO is concerned about this and is trying to seek details from the Government of China about it. Some experts are saying that this might be the case of a bacterial infection named Mycoplasma pneumonia. We cannot say much unless details are received. This might be a repercussion due to a weakness in immunity because of lockdown. Unless details are received, we cannot say anything. The whole world is observing this situation with seriousness. Till now, there has not been much impact on India. If anything is reported in India, we will have to take precautions,” said Dr Shukla while speaking to ANI.
It is pertinent to note that hospitals in Beijing and northern China are grappling with a rise in respiratory illnesses among children as the country enters its first winter after easing stringent COVID-19 restrictions nearly a year ago, CNN reported.
Chinese authorities from the National Health Commission, at a press conference on November 13, reported an increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases in China. (ANI)
Terry Gou said the decision was “for the future of the Republic of China.”
Terry Gou, founder of contract manufacturing giant Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (better known as Foxconn) has withdrawn from Taiwan’s 2024 presidential election.
His running mate Tammy Lai confirmed the withdrawal, saying that the duo “will not appear on the ballot in 2024,” reports Focus Taiwan website.
“It is a tough decision. But after thorough consideration, it is the best decision (we can make) at the moment,” Lai was quoted as saying.
However, the reason for Gou’s withdrawal was not revealed.
Gou said the decision was “for the future of the Republic of China.”
“It now remains to be seen which opposition presidential ticket Gou will endorse,” the report mentioned.
In August, the iPhone maker Foxconn’s founder announced an independent bid for the Taiwan presidential election in January 2024.
He was pitted against Vice President Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Ko Wen-je, and New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih of the China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT).
Gou had said at a press conference he will “make Taiwan overtake Singapore within 20 years” and have the highest GDP per capita in Asia.
“Taiwan should absolutely not become Ukraine. I shall never let Taiwan be the next Ukraine,” said Gou.
“I can guarantee that I’ll bring 50 years of peace to the Taiwan Strait.”
The meeting discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and cooperation between the two friendly countries in the police and security fields….reports Asian Lite News
H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, met yesterday in Abu Dhabi with Lieutenant General Xu Ganlu, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Commissioner of the National Immigration Administration of the People’s Republic of China.
The meeting discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and cooperation between the two friendly countries in the police and security fields.
From the UAE Ministry of Interior’s side, the meeting was attended by Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Undersecretary of the Ministry, Brigadier Engineer Hussein Ahmed Al Harithi, Director General of Smart Services and Digital Security, Brigadier Dr. Faisal Sultan Al Shuaibi, Director General of Strategy and Performance Development, Brigadier Saeed Abdullah Al Su waidi, Director General of Federal Narcotics Control, and a number the Ministry’s officers.
Among those attending from the Chinese side were Peng Ling, Director-General of the Chinese Language Department of the Citizens’ Exit and Entry Department of the National Immigration Administration, Qi Jingyang, Director-General of the Immigration Inspection and National Border Control Department of the National Immigration Administration, and Wang Quanqi, Deputy Director-General of the International Organization in the Cooperation Department (MPS), Liu Jing, Deputy Director-General of Zhejiang Provincial Public Security Administration, and a number of officials.
Some of these increases are occurring earlier in the season than usual, although this is not surprising given the easing of COVID-19 limitations, as seen in other nations…reports Asian Lite News
Following a pressing demand from the World Health Organisation to reveal more information on the surge in respiratory illnesses among children, China said there is no detection of any unusual or novel pathogens.
Some of these increases are occurring earlier in the season than usual, although this is not surprising given the easing of COVID-19 limitations, as seen in other nations.
“No changes in the disease presentation were reported by the Chinese health authorities. Chinese authorities advised that there has been no detection of any unusual or novel pathogens or unusual clinical presentations, including in Beijing and Liaoning, but only the aforementioned general increase in respiratory illnesses due to multiple known pathogens,” the WHO official press release read.
On November 23, the Global Health Body held a teleconference with Chinese health officials from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the Beijing Children’s Hospital, which was facilitated by the National Health Commission and the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention, during which the requested data, indicating an increase in outpatient consultations and hospital admissions of children due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, were provided, the release added.
They further stated that the rise in respiratory illness has not resulted in patient loads exceeding hospital capacities.
The Chinese authorities advised that enhanced outpatient and inpatient surveillance has been implemented since mid-October for respiratory illnesses covering a broad spectrum of viruses and bacteria, which also for the first time, includes Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
On November 22, WHO requested additional epidemiologic and clinical information, as well as laboratory results from these reported clusters among children, through the International Health Regulations mechanism.
The WHO requested further information about recent trends in the circulation of known pathogens, including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and mycoplasma pneumoniae, and the current burden on healthcare systems.
“WHO is also in contact with clinicians and scientists through our existing technical partnerships and networks in China,” according to the release.
Since mid-October, northern China has reported an increase in influenza-like illnesses compared to the same period in the previous three years. China has systems in place to capture information on trends in influenza, influenza-like illnesses, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 and report to platforms such as the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System.
The organisation recommended that people in China follow measures to reduce the risk of respiratory illness, which include recommended vaccination; keeping distance from people who are ill; staying home when ill; getting tested and medical care as needed; wearing masks as appropriate; ensuring good ventilation; and regular hand-washing.
WHO will continue to provide updates, the release said.
Chinese authorities from the National Health Commission, at a press conference on November 13, reported an increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases in China.
Chinese authorities attributed this increase to the lifting of COVID restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens such as influenza, mycoplasma pneumonia (a common bacterial infection that typically affects younger children), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), as per a release issued by the WHO.
Authorities stressed the need for enhanced disease surveillance in healthcare facilities and community settings, as well as strengthening the capacity of the health system to manage patients. (ANI)
Philippine officials confirmed joint patrols with the U.S. near Taiwan on Tuesday, an island contested by China. This collaboration raised concerns about heightened tensions….reports Asian Lite News
The Southern Theatre Command of China’s military accused the Philippines of enlisting “foreign forces,” widely believed to be referencing the United States, for patrols in the South China Sea, sparking tensions since Tuesday.
The military will maintain high vigilance, resolutely defend national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and resolutely safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, it said, according to Reuters report.
Philippine officials confirmed joint patrols with the U.S. near Taiwan on Tuesday, an island contested by China. This collaboration raised concerns about heightened tensions.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized China’s stance that such joint patrols should not compromise its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.
Despite this, the Philippine foreign ministry and the national security adviser’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comments.
Tensions have intensified between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea, especially under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Manila’s growing alignment with the U.S., which supports the Philippines in its maritime disputes with China, has contributed to the strained relations.
Recently, Philippine Department of Transportation had announced the full termination of major infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in favour of competitors from the West and Japan.
As per the Philippine Senate, doubt now shrouds nearly all of China’s crucial investment initiatives in the Philippines, owing to economic and political factors. This has led to a new low point in Philippine-China relations, marking a drastic reversal from the six years of warm engagement during the pro-Beijing Rodrigo Duterte presidency.
China’s diplomatic approach in the Philippines under President Duterte faced criticism for being dubbed “pledge trap” diplomacy, involving substantial investments in exchange for concessions in the South China Sea. However, a vast majority of the promised $24 billion in infrastructure projects failed to materialise, as reported by Asia Times.
