China

China calls NATO ‘systemic challenge’ to global peace and stability

BEIJING, June 30. /TASS/: NATO itself is a systematic challenge to global peace and stability, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Thursday, commenting on the alliance’s new strategic concept.

"NATO itself is a systemic challenge to global peace and stability," the Chinese diplomat said at a regular news conference. The US-led organization, while positioning itself as a defensive bloc, has sought to advance into new areas and domains, he added. He also said "NATO has the blood of the global population on its hands."

Global stocks, Wall Street down after US economy shrinks

BEIJING (AP) — Global stock markets declined Thursday after the U.S. economy contracted, fueling fears of a worldwide downturn.

London and Frankfurt opened lower. Tokyo and Hong Kong declined while Shanghai gained.

The future for Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index was down 1.1% after data Wednesday showed the U.S. economy shrank in the first quarter amid high inflation and weakening consumer confidence.

Investors are uneasy about signs the biggest global economy might be in a recession due to interest rate hikes imposed to cool surging inflation.

Chinese spacecraft acquires images of entire planet of Mars

BEIJING, June 29 (Reuters) - An uncrewed Chinese spacecraft has acquired imagery data covering all of Mars, including visuals of its south pole, after circling the planet more than 1,300 times since early last year, state media reported on Wednesday.

China's Tianwen-1 successfully reached the Red Planet in February 2021 on the country's inaugural mission there. A robotic rover has since been deployed on the surface as an orbiter surveyed the planet from space.

Hong Kong in limbo 25 years after British handover to China

HONG KONG (AP) — When the British handed Hong Kong to Beijing in 1997, it was promised 50 years of self-government and freedoms of assembly, speech and press that are not allowed on the Communist-ruled Chinese mainland.

As the city of 7.4 million people marks 25 years under Beijing’s rule on Friday, those promises are wearing thin. Hong Kong’s honeymoon period, when it carried on much as it always had, has passed, and its future remains uncertain, determined by forces beyond its control.

China urges U.S. to cease official exchanges with Taiwan: FM spokesperson

BEIJING, June 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday urged the United States to strictly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and cease any form of official exchanges with Taiwan.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a regular news briefing in response to a query on the so-called U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade.

China reduces quarantine for people arriving from abroad

BEIJING (AP) — China on Tuesday announced an easing of its quarantine requirement for people arriving from abroad but stopped short of lifting what remains a stringent COVID-19 policy compared to most other countries.

Anyone coming from outside the country will be required to stay in a quarantine hotel for seven days, followed by three days of home quarantine, the National Health Commission said in its latest pandemic response plan.

China to offer $7.5 million humanitarian aid to quake-hit Afghanistan

BEIJING, June 25 (APP): Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin confirmed on Saturday that the Beijing would provide 50 million yuan ($ 7.5 million) in emergency humanitarian aid including tents, sheets, convertible beds to quake-hit Afghanistan.

The first shipment of aid to be transported to the country on Monday by charter flight.

China will also work closely with the Afghan interim government to ensure that aid reaches those affected in time and helps local people to overcome their current difficulties, Wang said.

US should respond positively to Iran on nuke deal: China

24 June 2022; MEMO: China has urged the US to respond to Iran on resuming compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the historic nuclear deal with Tehran which is stalled, Anadolu News Agency reports.

Insisting on diplomatic efforts to end the deadlock, China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi said: "The US side should earnestly recognise its responsibilities and respond positively to reasonable demands of the Iranian side."

China delivers 2nd Type 054 A/P frigate to Pakistan

BEIJING, Jun 24 (APP): China delivered the second of four powerful Type 054 A/P frigates to the Pakistan Navy, highlighting the friendship between the two neighboring countries, which serves as a pillar of peace and stability in the region.

The PNS Taimur was commissioned at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, the Global Times learned from the Pakistan Navy.

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