Now, as the country heads into its Lunar New Year holiday on Feb. 7—when millions head home for pork-rich family banquets—concerns over the shortage are intensifying. Already reports of “pigjackings” are popping up in the news: one gang of thieves was arrested in Shenzhen last summer when a member tried to ride off on a motorcycle with 125 kilos of stolen pork strapped to the back. “They used to [steal] motorbikes,” explained a local newspaper....
Since the violence escalated this week, 119 have been killed in the Palestinian territory of Gaza, including 31 children and 19 women, and 830 were wounded, according to the Associated Press. Meanwhile, the U.S. has maintained that Israel has a right to defend itself, as the Palestinian militant group Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets toward Israeli targets. China condemned the American response to the crisis after the U.S. blocked a U....
The move comes as U.S. aircraft carriers suffered from outbreaks of the novel coronavirus disease that has already infected hundreds of sailors. The People’s Liberation Army deployed Type 22 missile boats to the East Sea for four days of live-fire exercises late last month involving warfighting scenarios that an unnamed military expert told the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s Global Times newspaper on Thursday were designed to boost the vessels’ coast combat skills....
There is growing bipartisan desire in Washington, D.C. to address China’s rise and shelve the failed commercialist approach of past decades, which has enriched an increasingly authoritarian Beijing and allowed it to expand its influence. The Trump administration has combined tough rhetoric with action—sanctions for human rights abuses, a costly trade war and increased military posturing and spending. Some Chinese companies—branded “Trojan horses” by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are also being pushed out of the U....
“We will continue to fully and faithfully the principles of ‘one country, two systems’ … and maintain long-term prosperity and stability,” Li said, referring to the policy which was put into place in 1997 when Hong Kong was handed over to China from British rule. Despite the policy and its pledge to allow the city to continue its “capitalist system and way of life” and grant it “a high degree of autonomy,” China has imposed restrictions on Hong Kong, including the highly controversial national security law passed in 2020....
It was a rematch of the bronze-medal playoff at the 2013 Asian Championships in Thailand last month when South Korea rallied back from 0-2 down to upset China 3-2, Xinhua reported. Only this time China left no chance of fight-back to the South Koreans, clinching the victory at 25-18, 25-17 and 25-17. The hosts had enjoyed a clean record of four 3-0 wins to top the qualifying group, which also featured New Zealand, India and Kazakhstan....
Brazil first to qualify for 2018 World Cup The Guangzhou R&F left-back endured a miserable game against Iran, as he inexplicably headed the ball into the path of goalscorer Mehdi Taremi in the 1-0 defeat. However, the worst was yet to come as his wife, Zhang Zhiyue, posted a sensational allegation on her Weibo account on Wednesday, seemingly spilling the beans, with Jiang filing for divorce after apparently falling for his alleged mistress, Xiao Bing....
China has vowed to claim Taiwan as Chinese territory—by force if necessary. A diplomatic standoff is taking place between Beijing and Washington about Pelosi’s muted planned visit and recognition of Taiwan’s independence from China. On Monday, Tingting Liu, a journalist at Taiwanese news channel TVBS, reported that sources had told her Pelosi will be arriving in the capital Taipei on Tuesday night. CNN also reported that the visit is expected to go ahead, citing senior Taiwanese and U....
While former President Donald Trump tried to build a new relationship between the U.S. and China, tensions mounted during his final year in office. Biden taking over has done little to temper heightened emotions and China’s regularly issuing warnings to the United States that their rhetoric and actions have consequences. On Thursday, foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijan called remarks from the United States about the challenges China poses reflect a “sinister and deep-seated Cold War” mentality....
Those in Turin suffered quarter-final heartache at the hands of the Blancos this season and are refusing to let the issue lie. Massimilinao Allegri’s side battled bravely to force their way back into a last-eight encounter only to be undone by the concession of a controversial stoppage-time penalty at the Santiago Bernabeu. Bitterness remains when it comes to that decision and Cristiano Ronaldo’s subsequent spot-kick, with the Chiellinis hoping that Real will now get to experience European pain of their own in Kiev....
It took me years before I could admit that, let alone write about it in an article or book. It was one of the darkest stretches of my life, but also served as one of my largest catalysts for growth. Without it, I may have never found my voice or discovered my love for entrepreneurship. There is a constant debate over whether entrepreneurial prowess is an acquired trait or rather something innate....
Satellite images appear to show Chinese amphibious armored vehicles and mobile missile launchers gathering near the South China Sea, according to News.Com.Au. At the same time, Taiwan has sent about 200 marines to its military outpost on the Pratas Islands, according to Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post. The Pratas Islands are controlled by Taiwan. However, China also claims the islands as part of its territory, and calls them the Dongsha Islands....
The moves have angered China, straining relations between Beijing and Washington. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been compelled to advise President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to mend their “completely dysfunctional” relationship. But at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, the leaders of the two superpowers had a more restrained tone, the AP reported. Biden told the assembly that “we are not seeking a new Cold War or a world divided into rigid blocs,” and Xi insisted that “China has never and will never invade or bully others or seek hegemony....
But that has changed. Through its actions and the rhetoric of its Secretary-General Xi, China has shown it is no longer willing to accept this status quo. Likewise, the free world needs to rethink its approach. During Secretary-General Xi’s term as leader, Beijing has ramped up the hybrid attacks on Taiwan. It targets Taiwan’s democracy with disinformation. It throws its diplomatic weight around the world stage to coerce multilateral bodies and institutions to leave Taiwan out in the cold....
That was the underlying message of a 48-page report by the office of the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, issued on Aug. 31, after an unsuccessful campaign by Beijing to prevent its publication. The report concludes that Chinese authorities’ widespread human rights violations against the Uyghurs and others “may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.” For years, Chinese authorities have categorically dismissed allegations of mass arbitrary detention, excessive surveillance, torture, forced labor and other abuses against Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang....
China’s Hainan province could share a greater slice of the $131 billion global surfing industry by becoming part of the international surfing network, an Australian researcher said Wednesday at a meeting of World Surf Cities Network here. Gold Coast Surf City deputy chairman and Southern Cross University researcher Professor Ian Eddie said consideration is being given to endorsing the sun-blessed province as an official ‘world surf city’, reports Xinhua....
Sherman’s last-minute visit to Tianjin on Sunday and Monday made her the highest-ranking Biden administration diplomat to set foot in China so far. It is unclear whether Washington had expected Beijing’s fierce criticism, but the trip appeared to serve the crucial purpose of maintaining high-level communication at a time of severely strained relations between the two countries. Her talks with Xie Feng, a foreign ministry official for U.S. affairs, were followed by no fewer than six official statements and an additional two declarations after her brief meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi....
“On Pompeo’s congratulation to Tsai Ing-wen on her inauguration, we express strong indignation and condemnation. China will take necessary countermeasures, and the consequences will be borne by the U.S. side,” said Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Tsai, who has vowed to not let Beijing “downgrade” Taiwan, secured a second term after a landslide win in January. “Congratulations to Dr. Tsai Ing-wen on the commencement of your second-term as Taiwan’s President....
“The target as always was to win the game and we had the match tied 1-1 till the 87th minute. But momentary lapses cost us thereafter, and we conceded two in the last three minutes,” Bibiano stated. “In fact, we started on the front foot and created some chances but Thailand defended well and got their breaks.” In the game where India had their moments and raided the Thai citadel without break, it was Thailand who had taken the lead in the 41st minute....
