#WuhanPneumonia #MadeinChina
China-Made #CoronaVac Only Scores 50% in General Efficacy Test

The Butantan Institute in Brazil announced that the China-made CoronaVac vaccine has a 50 percent general efficacy rate in late-stage trials. 

Reuters described the results as disappointing. The rate means that CoronaVac is only 50 percent effective when preventing patients from contracting mild cases of coronavirus.

Although the minimum target set by the World Health Organisation is 50 percent, the efficacy of the Chinese vaccine is way behind the vaccines produced by Moderna at 94 percent and Pfizer/BioNTech at 95 percent.

Source: Apple Daily; RTHK #Jan13

https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1570113-20210113.htm

https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20210113/NEWV4SZV4NDVDO67XEBGGWPBUA/

New Brazil data shows disappointing 50.4% efficacy for China's CoronaVac vaccine

On Jan 12, researches said that a coronavirus vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech was just 50.4% effective, barely enough for regulatory approval and well below the rate announced a week before, at preventing symptomatic infections in a Brazilian trial.

Researchers at Butantan delayed announcement of their results three times, blaming a confidentiality clause in a contract with Sinovac.

Butantan officials said the design of the Brazilian study, focusing on frontline health workers during a severe outbreak in Brazil and including elderly volunteers, made it impossible to compare the results directly with other trials or vaccines.

Source: Reuters #Jan13

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-brazil-coronavirus/brazil-researchers-report-more-modest-50-4-efficacy-for-chinas-coronavac-idUSKBN29H2CE

#Brazil #Sinvac #Covid19Vaccine #VaccinTrial

U.S. Bans Cotton, Tomato Imports From China’s Xinjiang Region

Imports of cotton and tomato products from Xinjiang were announced to be banned on Jan 13 to target allegations of forced-labor practices in the northwest Chinese region.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said agents have been instructed to detain shipments containing these products, including those routed through or assembled in third countries in products such as apparel or tomato sauce.

Companies face increasing scrutiny over their supply chains in China. The new ban could have a significant impact especially in the apparel sector, which has already faced a number of customs restrictions amid concern about forced labor linked to the camps.

Source: WSJ #Jan13

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-bans-cotton-tomato-imports-from-chinas-xinjiang-region-11610572070

#USBanChinaProduct #ForcedLabor #Xinjiang

Biden Reportedly Adds “Asia tsar” position, Appointing an Eagle Party China expert who Called on Indo-Pacific Allies to join Forces Against China

Financial Times quoted resources saying that US President-elect Biden will nominate foreign policy expert Kurt Campbell for a new position deemed “Asia tsar”. Campbell is regarded as a hawk in China policy. He explained how China destabilized the situation in the Indo-Pacific region, and how the United States should work with countries in the region to respond in an article in Foreign Affairs on January 12. Regarding Taiwan policy, Campbell and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen are friends, expecting that he will benefit Taiwan in the cross-strait situation after taking office.

Three sources stated to Financial Times that Biden will soon announce the news about the nomination of Kurt Campbell. The main mission of the new position of “Asia tsar” is to face the challenge from China. The report said that Biden will face a series of China-related issues after taking office on January 20, including how to respond to Beijing's suppression of Hong Kong democracy protest, and deciding whether to keep retaining the Trump administration’s tough policy towards China. Biden reportedly understands that China's issues are not just related to diplomacy, national defence and economic, but also related to many departments. Therefore, it is necessary to hire an expert who is familiar with Asian affairs to integrate China policies of various departments of the US government.

Source from: The Stand News #Jan13

https://bit.ly/3usrGkD

#FinancialTimes #UnitedStates #US #JoeBiden #KurtCampbell #AsiaTsar #China #Taiwan #HongKong #Democracy #Protest #Beijing #Suppression

Over 30 Human Rights Organisations Call the EU to Add a Human Rights Clause in the China-EU Investment Agreement and to be Tougher on the Issue in a Joint Petition

The European Union and China reached an agreement on the China-Europe Investment Agreement (CEI) last month. Hong Kong Global Connect, together with more than 30 human rights organisations around the world, signed a joint letter on Wednesday, asking the EU to be tougher on human rights issues in China and to reconsider the CEI and the inclusion of human rights clause in the agreement.

More than 30 organisations signed the letter and sent the letter to President of the European Council Charles Michel, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, and the President of the European Parliament. Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and President of the European Parliament David Sassoli. The joint letter states that they are "deeply concerned" about the omission of the human rights clause from the final text of the agreement, which they believe that the EU will give a message about the promotion of close cooperation with China regardless of the scale or severity of human rights violations by the Chinese Communist Party.

The organisations noted that the EU has an agreed and moral obligation to respect democratic principles, the rule of law and human rights when negotiating with China. They also recommend the EU to ensure that China ratifies key conventions, including the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, before acceding to the agreement. They also suggested that a human rights clause should be included in the EU-China Investment Agreement.

Hong Kong Global Connect, Hong Kong Watch, Human Rights in China, the International Federation for Human Rights, the International Campaign for Tibet, the World Uyghur Congress, and other human rights organisations signed the joint letter.

Source: Apple Daily #Jan13

https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20210113/WC3VWVZSRRCVJDJJ7WSMWJRSOA/

#EuropeanUnion #EU #China #EUChinaInvestmentAgreement #humanrightsissue #jointpetition #HongKongGlobalConnect #HongKongWatch #Tibetan #Uyghur #HumanRights #ChinaEU

US Nominated Trade Representative Will Confront China and Helps the America Workers

The trade policy of the president-elected Biden towards China catches much attention. Katherine Tai, the nominated US trade representative, says that the new government will continue to confront China over its trade practice, as US face stiffening competition from a growing and ambitious China. Tai also states that she will help American workers after taking over the office to ensure they are protected by the trade agreements and enhance US jobs, not just ensure low-price import goods for consumers.

The fiercer competition from China

Tai gave a video speech at the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) on Jan 12, which was the first time after Biden's nomination. She mentioned that the US was facing stiffening competition from China, whose economy is directed by central planners who are not subject to the pressures of political pluralism, democratic elections, or popular opinion.

Tai pointed out that whether it is dealing with China or to ensuring the implementation of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), American could only win when they were in unity. The new government will collaborate with bipartisan and allies.

#US #China #Mexico #Canada #NFTC #USMCA #KatherineTai #Biden #TradePolicy

Source: Apple Daily #Jan13

https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20210113/FTLBNXDUEZAVHDSNZNXHQL2WMY/

US Reveals Indo-Pacific Strategic Framework, Suggests to Resist China, Helps India to rise and Assist Taiwan's Defence

The night before the US presidential power transfer, the Trump government announced a decrypted file called the US Strategic Framework for Indo-Pacific on Jan 12, revealing the US strategic details for the Indo-Pacific region, including helping India to accelerate its rise and assisting Taiwan to develop national defence strategies, in order to counterbalance China. The Foreign Affairs Ministry of China criticised that the US used the Indo-Pacific strategy to suppress China, undermining the peace and the stability of the region.

This strategic framework was originally regarded as a confidential document, but the Trump government decided to make it public before the government changes. The document was approved by President Trump in February 2018 and has provided "overall strategic guidance" to the US operation for three years, stating that the US would maintain the long term promises on freedom and openness to the Indo-Pacific region.

Robert O'Brien, the US National Security Advisor, criticised in a press release that Beijing is increasing the pressure on the Indo-Pacific region, requesting these countries to submit their freedom and sovereignty to the "mutual fate" suggested by the CCP.

The document suggested an objective: North Korea will no longer be a threat, India will dominate South Asia, and the US will collaborate with the allies, to stand against China's coercive undermining sovereignty actions. The US expected that they could be India's first preferred partner regarding safety issues. Both countries will cooperate to maintain maritime safety and to resist China's influence on South and Southeast Asia.

Source: Stand News #Jan13

https://bit.ly/3fuUP9U

#US #China #Taiwan #NorthKorea #India #SouthAsia #SoutheasAsia #RobertOBrien #IndoPacific #StrategicFramework #Trump

Nominated Trade Representative Will Resist China and Helps the US Local Workers

The trade policy of the president-elected Biden towards China catches much attention. Katherine Tai, the nominated US trade representative, says that the trade policy of the new government will continue to counter China. She describes that although China is increasing in ambition and economy, the US still faces increasing competition against China. Tai also states that she will assist the American workers after taking over the office to ensure they are protected by the trade agreement and to increase employment, not only just seeking low-price import goods for customers.

The accelerating fierce competition from China

Tai gave a video speech at the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) on Jan 12, which was the first time after Biden's nomination. She mentioned that the US was facing accelerating competition from China, describing that China's economy was led by the CCP which was not affected by the political diversity, democratic election or the pressure from public opinion.

Tai pointed out that no matter it was to deal with China or to ensure the implementation of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), American could only win when they were in unity. The new government will collaborate with both parties and the foreign allies.

Source: Apple Daily #Jan13

https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20210113/FTLBNXDUEZAVHDSNZNXHQL2WMY/

#US #China #Mexico #Canada #NFTC #USMCA #KatherineTai #Biden #TradePolicy

#UK #CCPThreat
MI5 accuses lawyer of trying to influence politicians on behalf of China

An unprecedented security warning from MI5 was circulated to MPs and peers on Thursday that accused a lawyer, Christine Lee, of seeking to improperly influence parliamentarians on behalf of China’s ruling Communist party.

It is the first time that MI5 has issued an “interference alert” relating to China and concerns a high-profile Anglo-Chinese lawyer who received an award from Theresa May and who has donated £584,177 to the office of Labour MP and former shadow cabinet member Barry Gardiner.

The alert names and pictures Christine Ching Kui Lee, who has allegedly “knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the Chinese Communist party”.

It added that the UFWD was “seeking to covertly interfere in UK politics through establishing links with established and aspiring parliamentarians across the political spectrum” and to “cultivate relationships with influential figures”.

Read the full article:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jan/13/chinese-national-trying-to-improperly-influence-politicians-says-mi5

Source: Guardian #Jan13

#SecurityBreach #Espionage #Lawyer

First MI5 warning over 'Chinese agent' in Parliament, indicating that European and American intelligence agencies focus on the CCP's United Front

Source: BBC #Jan13

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First MI5 warning over 'Chinese agent' in Parliament, indicating that European and American intelligence agencies focus on the CCP's United Front

MI5 warned the British Parliament that they suspect Chinese spy Li Zhenju infiltrated and interfered with British politics. Li Zhenju is accused of creating a pro-China political environment through political donations from China and Hong Kong to "influential figures". Although Li Zhenju argued that her participation was aimed at giving a voice to the Chinese in the UK, MI5 pointed out that her activities influences the positions of politicians for the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee.

The incident involved both parties in the opposition and shook the British political arena. The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, made the MI5 warning public to all MPs. Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith immediately made the warning public and asked the government to explain the matter to Parliament. Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, who participated in the joint condemnation of the CCP's treatment of Muslims in Xinjiang, was accused of accepting a £5,000 donation from Li Zhenju ten years ago. Labour MP Barry Gardiner received more than £420,000 within five years and even hired Li Zhenju's son.

Source: BBC #Jan13

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59984380

#MI5 #Agent #European #American #CCP #British

Regional manager of China's leading medical testing agent KingMed Diagnostics detained, suspected of spreading COVID-19

A regional manager of Zhengzhou KingMed Clinical Laboratory Center, China's leading virus testing agent, was arrested for allegedly spreading COVID-19. The company has suspended nucleic acid testing in Xuchang City, Henan, but its ties to Zhong Nanshan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering is a concern.

On January 12, the Xuchang Public Security Bureau issued a notice, accusing the regional manager, surnamed Zhang, of the Zhengzhou company, a subsidiary of Guangzhou-based KingMed Diagnostics Group, of spreading COVID-19 or posing a serious risk of transmission. It also said that the Yuzhou (a county-level city in Henan) Public Security Bureau had opened a case against Zhang on suspicion of a criminal offence, and had taken "compulsory measures".

The news spread widely on the Chinese internet, with some netizens suspecting that Zhang had deliberately "spread the virus on purpose" to secure a large testing contract for the company. Some netizens also pointed out that the parent company KingMed Diagnostics Group is originated from a company set up by Guangzhou Medical University and has close ties with Zhong Nanshan.

Source: RFI #Jan13

https://bit.ly/3GLIWGB

#China #Zhengzhou #KingMedDiagnosticsGroup #ZhongNanshan #GuangzhouMedicalUniversity #COVID19

Big V’s speech being banned: Ren, Ze-Ping, the Chinese famous economist, speech being banned for involving publication of “printing money to encourage births”

Ren, Ze-Ping, the Chinese famous economist published the theory of “printing money to encourage births” which asserted the Central Bank to print 2 trillion RMB and spend 10 years’ time to encourage the society to birth 50 million babies to solve the labour and economic problem in China nowadays, the relevant speech triggered tremendous dispute. Chinese media found on Wednesday that Ren’s weibo and weixin public account were banned. Some analysis thought that his speech not only unassisted to solve the economic problem in China and would affect the stability of the society.

Ren, Ze-Ping, the former Heng Da Group Chief Economist who has 3,756,000 fans published the the theory of “printing money to encourage births” which asserted disputes. China media found on Wednesday that his weibo account showed “the account was in the status of being banned speech because of violating relevant laws and regulations” and his weixin public account, “ze-ping macroscopic” was banned as well. According to the report from Securities Times, Ren Ze-ping’s weibo and weixin public’s speech were banned two weeks, and other accounts from alternative media platforms were not affected.

Analysis: speech not only unassisted to solve the economic problem in China but also influences society stability

China Finance scholar pointed out that nowadays the economic downward pressure is very big and the Trioka which pulls economic growth (i.e. consumption, investment and import & export) lost their power, in addition with the severe trend of population aging, the eligible labour force is far behind the expectation from external general anticipation. But he thought the speech of Ren not only unassisted to solve the current problem and influences the society stability of China.

Source: RFA #Jan13

https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/baby-01132022062917.html

#RenZePing #Economic #Banned #Weibo #Weixin

Mocking US of pandemic failure, Xinhua net's post in Weibo elicit overwhelming criticism from China netizens

The Chinese state media Xinhua net official Weibo posted an article this week criticising the US again for "being ineffective in pandemic spread prevention", saying that "the cumulative number of cases confirmed in the US exceeds 60 million" and that "netizens lament the failure of the US to fight the pandemic". The post, those comment section was open, triggered an overwhelming criticism from netizens accusing the China government of its brutal implementation of the Covid-Zero policy. Xinhua net eventually close the comment feature, and the comments from self-media were also blocked.

China's pandemic trend has always been a sensitive topic, any discussion on such social issues is often blocked by internet administrators. However, criticism of US pandemic treatment has been an exception. On Monday (Jan 10), the Xinhua net mocked US failure in pandemic policy for having more than 60 million confirmed cases.

Source: RFA #Jan13

#Covid19 #XinhuaNet #Weibo #US #China

https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/comment-01132022063623.html