China

Unleashing reforms, Xi returns to China's 'socialist' roots

But sweeping new policy moves - from crackdowns on internet companies, for-profit education, online gaming and property market excesses - to the promulgation of Common Prosperity, show Xi's seriousness in steering China back towards its socialist roots.

Having done away with term limits in 2018, China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong is pushing what some observers describe as a mini "revolution", curbing the excesses of capitalism and shedding negative cultural influences of the West.

Chinese social media site Weibo suspends 22 K-pop accounts

Twenty-two fan accounts have been suspended by Chinese social media site Sina Weibo for what it called "irrational star-chasing behaviour".

They include fans of Korean pop band BTS who crowdfunded on the platform to customise an aeroplane for singer Park Ji-Min's 26th birthday.

Weibo accused one fan account of "illegal fundraising" for the stunt.

In a statement, the company said it "firmly opposes such irrational star-chasing behaviour and will deal with it seriously".

'Xi Jinping Thought' added to China's school curriculum

The Ministry of Education said Chinese President Xi Jinping's "thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era" would be taught from primary school level all the way to university.

The move is aimed at strengthening "resolve to listen to and follow the Party" and new teaching materials must "cultivate patriotic feelings", the guidelines said.

Since coming to power in 2012, the Chinese President has sought to strengthen the ruling Chinese Communist Party's role in all areas of society, including its businesses, schools and cultural institutions.

How Delta threatens China’s prized zero COVID strategy

One of those people travelling from Moscow had the Delta variant of COVID-19. After they left the plane, staff from the Nanjing Lukou airport swooped in to pick up their rubbish.

According to Chinese officials, when those cleaners exited the aircraft they brought the virus along with them to the outside world - sparking what has now become China's widest outbreak since Wuhan.

In the last few weeks, at the height of the summer travel season, Delta has been detected in at least 16 Chinese provinces and municipalities. Most cases are linked to Nanjing.

China expanding its nuclear capabilities, scientists say

Satellite images from Xinjiang province in the west of the country suggest it is building a nuclear missile silo field, a report from the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) says.

US defence officials have expressed concern about China's nuclear build-up.

It is the second new silo field reported to be under construction in western China in the last two months.

The site could house about 110 silos, which are underground facilities used for the storing and launching of missiles.

Sandstorm swallows city in northwestern China

A sandstorm that lifted at least 100 metres (330ft) has left a city in northwestern China covered in dust.

Videos of Dunhuang show the wall of sand slowly creeping over buildings and highways.

The town is located on the edge of the Gobi Desert, which is known for its harsh climates.

     

Thousands evacuated as rail stations and roads submerged

More than 10,000 people in Henan province have been evacuated to shelters following the record rainfall.

At least 12 people have died in the city of Zhengzhou since the flooding began, authorities there confirmed.

More than a dozen cities have been affected with main roads forced to close and flights cancelled.

Henan province, which is home to some 94 million people, has issued its highest level of weather warning following an unusually active rainy season.

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Chinese vet dies from rare Monkey B virus in first human infection case

The Beijing-based veterinary surgeon, 53, was China's first documented case of the virus in a human. 

According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC), the man worked in a research institute specialising in nonhuman primate breeding and experimental research.

On March 4 and 6, 2021, the man dissected two dead monkeys. He subsequently experienced nausea and vomiting, followed by fever with neurological symptoms one month later. The patient visited doctors in several hospitals, the CCDC said, but eventually succumbed to the illness on May 27. 

China reports case of H5N6 bird flu

The 55-year old male infected with the bird flu in Bazhong city had been sent to hospital and local authorities have culled poultry in the vicinity, said the state broadcaster CCTV.

Experts believe that the infection was an isolated case and "the risk of an invisible epidemic is extremely low", the media said.

In January, France and Germany culled over 660,000 birds to contain the spread of bird flu.

China's Tencent introduces facial scanning to crack down on children gaming all night

In 2019, China passed official guidelines with a view to stopping minors playing too much games while also requiring gamers to register accounts with their official IDs.

Sixth Tone, a state-owned media outlet aimed at those outside the country, reported the moves come after teenagers stole money to top up their accounts and concerns were raised over the physical and mental wellbeing of young gamers.