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NY Times: US Limits Visa Length and Entries for CCP Members and Their Families
The US government announced a new measure on Dec 2 to tighten travel visa restrictions for CCP members and their families. The new rules will limit visa duration to one month and is only valid for single entry. Such move is widely seen as a blow to the deteriorating US-China relations.
The NY Times quoted sources familiar with the changes that the new travel visas will be valid for a maximum of one month and only one entry is permitted compared to multiple entries prior. Previous visas were valid up to 10 years. The State Department also clarified that the new measures do not affect party members and their families' eligibility to obtain other visas, such as immigration and employment.
According to the report, senior Chinese officials will endure the brunt of the new measures. In practice, apart from senior officials, it may be difficult to determine identify of other party members. The report also stated there are 9,200 million CCP members in China. In theory, the new measure may affect about 270 million people and their families; however according to the source, US officials will determine the applicants' party membership based on individual visa applications and interviews, as well as official's local understanding of party membership. The new policy will likely "disproportionately hit China's top government and business leaders rather than the millions of lower-level members."
Source: Stand News #Dec03
https://bit.ly/3oIpP7x
#NYTimes #US #TravelVisa
The US government announced a new measure on Dec 2 to tighten travel visa restrictions for CCP members and their families. The new rules will limit visa duration to one month and is only valid for single entry. Such move is widely seen as a blow to the deteriorating US-China relations.
The NY Times quoted sources familiar with the changes that the new travel visas will be valid for a maximum of one month and only one entry is permitted compared to multiple entries prior. Previous visas were valid up to 10 years. The State Department also clarified that the new measures do not affect party members and their families' eligibility to obtain other visas, such as immigration and employment.
According to the report, senior Chinese officials will endure the brunt of the new measures. In practice, apart from senior officials, it may be difficult to determine identify of other party members. The report also stated there are 9,200 million CCP members in China. In theory, the new measure may affect about 270 million people and their families; however according to the source, US officials will determine the applicants' party membership based on individual visa applications and interviews, as well as official's local understanding of party membership. The new policy will likely "disproportionately hit China's top government and business leaders rather than the millions of lower-level members."
Source: Stand News #Dec03
https://bit.ly/3oIpP7x
#NYTimes #US #TravelVisa
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
China slams critics in the U.S. government following a report of new visa restrictions
China slammed critics in the U.S. government following a report of new visa restrictions on members of China's ruling party and their immediate family members.
Beijing accused the U.S. of "an escalation of political suppression."
A foreign ministry spokesperson said China would "make representations" to the U.S. following a report in the New York Times that such people would be limited to one-month, single-entry visas.
The restrictions would be the latest punitive measure taken against China's leadership and economy amid sharpening disputes over human rights, the coronavirus pandemic, trade, technology, Taiwan and a host of other issues.
Source: CNBC #Dec03
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/03/china-slams-critics-in-the-us-government-following-a-report-of-new-visa-restrictions.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.CopyToPasteboard
#USSanctionChina #CCP #China #US
China slammed critics in the U.S. government following a report of new visa restrictions on members of China's ruling party and their immediate family members.
Beijing accused the U.S. of "an escalation of political suppression."
A foreign ministry spokesperson said China would "make representations" to the U.S. following a report in the New York Times that such people would be limited to one-month, single-entry visas.
The restrictions would be the latest punitive measure taken against China's leadership and economy amid sharpening disputes over human rights, the coronavirus pandemic, trade, technology, Taiwan and a host of other issues.
Source: CNBC #Dec03
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/03/china-slams-critics-in-the-us-government-following-a-report-of-new-visa-restrictions.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.CopyToPasteboard
#USSanctionChina #CCP #China #US
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#Pentagon blacklists China chipmaker SMIC and oil producer CNOOC
The Department of Defense designated a total of four companies as being either owned or controlled by the People’s Liberation Army, including China’s largest chipmarker, SMIC and national offshore oil and gas producer, CNOOC. The total number of blacklisted firms is 35 after adding these 4 companies.
U.S. officials have long complained that Chinese companies are beholden to the People’s Republic of China and collect sensitive information on behalf of the People’s Liberation Army.
The U.S. Commerce Department informed some firms that a license is needed before supplying goods and services to SMIC which equipment could be used for military purpose. SMIC replies heavily on U.S. suppliers.
Source: CNBC #Dec03
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/03/pentagon-blacklists-china-chipmaker-smic-and-oil-producer-cnooc-.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.CopyToPasteboard
#USSanction #SMIC #CNOOC #China #PLA #CCP
The Department of Defense designated a total of four companies as being either owned or controlled by the People’s Liberation Army, including China’s largest chipmarker, SMIC and national offshore oil and gas producer, CNOOC. The total number of blacklisted firms is 35 after adding these 4 companies.
U.S. officials have long complained that Chinese companies are beholden to the People’s Republic of China and collect sensitive information on behalf of the People’s Liberation Army.
The U.S. Commerce Department informed some firms that a license is needed before supplying goods and services to SMIC which equipment could be used for military purpose. SMIC replies heavily on U.S. suppliers.
Source: CNBC #Dec03
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/03/pentagon-blacklists-china-chipmaker-smic-and-oil-producer-cnooc-.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.CopyToPasteboard
#USSanction #SMIC #CNOOC #China #PLA #CCP
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Cancelled $10.5bn Malaysia port project plays down China role
The Melaka Gateway project is a $10.5 billion project of a vast artificial island off the coast of Malaysia. In late November authorities cancelled land reclamation of this project awarded to KAJ Development after four years of “no development”.
The massive project was awarded to KAJ, a Malaysian-registered and -owned developer, in 2016 during the administration of former Prime Minister Najib Razak. The following year, the company roped in Chinese companies PowerChina International Group which is an entity of China’s state-owned, Shenzhen Yantian Port Group and Rizhao Port Group to develop the project jointly.
A high-ranking state government official told Nikkei Asia that KAJ’s failure to acknowledge the extent of Chinese involvement in the development led to it being labelled a “China project” among state authorities.
Source: Nikkei Asia #Dec03
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/Canceled-10.5bn-Malaysia-port-project-plays-down-China-role?fbclid=IwAR3Vp2AL1Y1jTsiCuUVPfotav8_bpWR5md3tpRS2Ak_RGaQwyu9hFXmyzG8
#Malaysia #China #ChinaStateOwnComapny
The Melaka Gateway project is a $10.5 billion project of a vast artificial island off the coast of Malaysia. In late November authorities cancelled land reclamation of this project awarded to KAJ Development after four years of “no development”.
The massive project was awarded to KAJ, a Malaysian-registered and -owned developer, in 2016 during the administration of former Prime Minister Najib Razak. The following year, the company roped in Chinese companies PowerChina International Group which is an entity of China’s state-owned, Shenzhen Yantian Port Group and Rizhao Port Group to develop the project jointly.
A high-ranking state government official told Nikkei Asia that KAJ’s failure to acknowledge the extent of Chinese involvement in the development led to it being labelled a “China project” among state authorities.
Source: Nikkei Asia #Dec03
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/Canceled-10.5bn-Malaysia-port-project-plays-down-China-role?fbclid=IwAR3Vp2AL1Y1jTsiCuUVPfotav8_bpWR5md3tpRS2Ak_RGaQwyu9hFXmyzG8
#Malaysia #China #ChinaStateOwnComapny
Nikkei Asia
Canceled $10.5bn Malaysia port project plays down China role
Melaka Gateway faced scrutiny amid rising number of Belt and Road deals
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Australian PM's response of 'Australian Army Killing Children' Picture Controversy Censored by Wechat for 'Misleading and Contrary to Objective Facts'
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian caused a diplomatic storm after posted a cartoon satirising killing the Afghan civilians by Australian soldiers on Twitter. On Tuesday (1 December), Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison posted a comment on WeChat in response to Zhao, but was deleted by WeChat, due to "inflammatory, misleading and contrary to objective facts". The incident has also caught international attention, such as New Zealand, France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Taiwan, issuing statements supporting Australia.
Zhao Lijian recently shared a cartoon on the social networking site Twitter, sketching Australian soldiers killing an Afghan child. Morrison criticised China on Monday (30 November) that the fake image is offensive and revolting, and demanded an apology with image removal from China.
Morrison later issued another WeChat commentary, saying that the military crime report allegations were being dealt with in an "honest and transparent" manner, stressing that Australia was dealing with military crimes in the way that "any free, democratic and enlightened country" would. Morrison also said that the diplomatic row between Australia and China would not diminish Australia's respect and appreciation for the Chinese people. Australian media said 57,000 people had clicked to view the comment.
Source: Stand News #Dec03
https://bit.ly/2KSq0P0
#China #Australia #SinoAustrlianRelations #ChineseForeignMinistry #ChineseForeignMinistrySpokesman #ZhaoLijian #AustralianPrimeMinister #ScottMorrison #SatireCartoon #AustralianSoldier #WeChat #Censorship
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian caused a diplomatic storm after posted a cartoon satirising killing the Afghan civilians by Australian soldiers on Twitter. On Tuesday (1 December), Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison posted a comment on WeChat in response to Zhao, but was deleted by WeChat, due to "inflammatory, misleading and contrary to objective facts". The incident has also caught international attention, such as New Zealand, France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Taiwan, issuing statements supporting Australia.
Zhao Lijian recently shared a cartoon on the social networking site Twitter, sketching Australian soldiers killing an Afghan child. Morrison criticised China on Monday (30 November) that the fake image is offensive and revolting, and demanded an apology with image removal from China.
Morrison later issued another WeChat commentary, saying that the military crime report allegations were being dealt with in an "honest and transparent" manner, stressing that Australia was dealing with military crimes in the way that "any free, democratic and enlightened country" would. Morrison also said that the diplomatic row between Australia and China would not diminish Australia's respect and appreciation for the Chinese people. Australian media said 57,000 people had clicked to view the comment.
Source: Stand News #Dec03
https://bit.ly/2KSq0P0
#China #Australia #SinoAustrlianRelations #ChineseForeignMinistry #ChineseForeignMinistrySpokesman #ZhaoLijian #AustralianPrimeMinister #ScottMorrison #SatireCartoon #AustralianSoldier #WeChat #Censorship
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Inside Canada’s Chinese-language media: 'Beijing has become the mainstream,' says ex-Sing Tao editor
Chinese language newspapers in Canada are not free from Chinese interference or censorship, says Victor Ho, previous editor-in-chief of Vancouver’s edition of Sing Tao. In 2017, he wrote that a Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace prize winner Liu Xiaobo’s persecution from the CCP “violated universal values of decency and human rights”, which took many of his colleagues by surprise. They told him “You cannot go back to Hong Kong, you cannot go back to China.”
Gloria Fung, a Toronto-based Hong Kong democracy advocate also experienced “blacklisting” from the CCP after her views were broadcast on the Chinese-language Fairchild TV. She states that the CCP is “brainwashing their nationals with propaganda, with fake news,” even in Canada.
The two have raised awareness regarding the variety of ways in which the CCP reaches its overseas Chinese community, including “indirect pressure on news outlets from advertisers and community groups allied with Beijing, and the availability of state-run CCTV channels on Canadian cable television”, as well as the distribution of free newspapers to the Chinese-Canadian community, “some of which Ho suspects are actually being funded — directly or indirectly — by the People’s Republic.”
Source: The National Post #Dec03
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/inside-canadas-chinese-language-media-beijing-has-become-the-mainstream-says-ex-sing-tao-editor
#Canada #CanadaChineseMedia #CCP
Chinese language newspapers in Canada are not free from Chinese interference or censorship, says Victor Ho, previous editor-in-chief of Vancouver’s edition of Sing Tao. In 2017, he wrote that a Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace prize winner Liu Xiaobo’s persecution from the CCP “violated universal values of decency and human rights”, which took many of his colleagues by surprise. They told him “You cannot go back to Hong Kong, you cannot go back to China.”
Gloria Fung, a Toronto-based Hong Kong democracy advocate also experienced “blacklisting” from the CCP after her views were broadcast on the Chinese-language Fairchild TV. She states that the CCP is “brainwashing their nationals with propaganda, with fake news,” even in Canada.
The two have raised awareness regarding the variety of ways in which the CCP reaches its overseas Chinese community, including “indirect pressure on news outlets from advertisers and community groups allied with Beijing, and the availability of state-run CCTV channels on Canadian cable television”, as well as the distribution of free newspapers to the Chinese-Canadian community, “some of which Ho suspects are actually being funded — directly or indirectly — by the People’s Republic.”
Source: The National Post #Dec03
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/inside-canadas-chinese-language-media-beijing-has-become-the-mainstream-says-ex-sing-tao-editor
#Canada #CanadaChineseMedia #CCP
National Post
Inside Canada’s Chinese-language media: 'Beijing has become the mainstream,' says ex-Sing Tao editor
At most Canadian news organizations, the opinion column would have barely raised an eyebrow.
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
The US House of Representatives passed The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, Chinese Stocks can be Unlisted after 3 Years if they don’t Comply with the Auditing Regulations
Are Chinese stocks in the US going to be “kicked”? The US House of Representatives unanimously passed The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act on Wednesday (Dec 2), demanding that the current Chinese stocks in the US have to follow the US auditing regulation standard within three years, including providing audit papers to the regulatory institution. Otherwise, they can be unlisted. After the House of Representatives passes the act, it will be sent to the White House for the signature from President Trump in the next step, to let the bill take into effect.
In other words, if Baidu, Alibaba, China Mobile, and other Chinese stocks in the US do not comply with the US regulatory standard, they can be unlisted.
The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act was unanimously verbally passed by the member of the US House of Representatives on December 2. Although the related act is for all foreign companies, it obviously targets the Chinese-funded firms. The bill requires listed companies to disclose whether a foreign government controls or holds the company, including the relationship with the CCP, demanding all the names of the CCP member in the board of directors of the company and whether the company policies or organisation documents includes any content of the CCP constitution. At the same time, the act gives three years for the Chinese firms in the US to comply with the US auditing relations, including letting the US regulatory institution access the audit paper, or the company can be unlisted.
#US #ChineseFundedCompany #CCP #USHouseOfRepresentatives #TheHoldingForeignCompaniesAccountableAct #AuditingRegulatoryStandard
Source: Stand News #Dec03
https://bit.ly/3mFRzsb
Are Chinese stocks in the US going to be “kicked”? The US House of Representatives unanimously passed The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act on Wednesday (Dec 2), demanding that the current Chinese stocks in the US have to follow the US auditing regulation standard within three years, including providing audit papers to the regulatory institution. Otherwise, they can be unlisted. After the House of Representatives passes the act, it will be sent to the White House for the signature from President Trump in the next step, to let the bill take into effect.
In other words, if Baidu, Alibaba, China Mobile, and other Chinese stocks in the US do not comply with the US regulatory standard, they can be unlisted.
The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act was unanimously verbally passed by the member of the US House of Representatives on December 2. Although the related act is for all foreign companies, it obviously targets the Chinese-funded firms. The bill requires listed companies to disclose whether a foreign government controls or holds the company, including the relationship with the CCP, demanding all the names of the CCP member in the board of directors of the company and whether the company policies or organisation documents includes any content of the CCP constitution. At the same time, the act gives three years for the Chinese firms in the US to comply with the US auditing relations, including letting the US regulatory institution access the audit paper, or the company can be unlisted.
#US #ChineseFundedCompany #CCP #USHouseOfRepresentatives #TheHoldingForeignCompaniesAccountableAct #AuditingRegulatoryStandard
Source: Stand News #Dec03
https://bit.ly/3mFRzsb
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
Kimchi: Koreans angry over attempted Chinese takeover
The South Korean Agriculture Ministry was quick to dismiss Chinese claims, insisting that kimchi is not merely fermented cabbage but a central part of the nation's food culture and that the industrial standards for kimchi were recognized by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization as long ago as 2001. In a statement, the ministry said the Chinese had been granted certification for pao cai, adding, "We need to understand that pao cai is different from kimchi."
Kimchi is an indispensable part of the Korean diet, with more than 2 million tons consumed every year. More than 90% of South Koreans say they eat kimchi at least once a day, with over 60% having it at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Source: DW #Dec03
https://www.dw.com/en/south-korea-china-row-over-kimchi/a-55808530
#Korea #Kimchi
The South Korean Agriculture Ministry was quick to dismiss Chinese claims, insisting that kimchi is not merely fermented cabbage but a central part of the nation's food culture and that the industrial standards for kimchi were recognized by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization as long ago as 2001. In a statement, the ministry said the Chinese had been granted certification for pao cai, adding, "We need to understand that pao cai is different from kimchi."
Kimchi is an indispensable part of the Korean diet, with more than 2 million tons consumed every year. More than 90% of South Koreans say they eat kimchi at least once a day, with over 60% having it at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Source: DW #Dec03
https://www.dw.com/en/south-korea-china-row-over-kimchi/a-55808530
#Korea #Kimchi
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The US Bans Cotton Imports from Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps for Involvements of Uyghur Forced Labour
The US put pressure on China for its human rights issues in Xinjiang again on Wednesday (Dec 3) local time. The US was to ban the import of cotton products from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) and has accused the corps for subjecting imprisoned Uyghurs to forced labour.
The US Customs and Border Protection announced the new arrangements for the withhold release order to ban cotton and cotton products from XPCC. Reuters reported that the Trump administration was seeking to consolidate its harsh stance against China in the final few weeks of Trump’s presidential term, to make it harder for President-elect Biden to resolve the tense relationship between the two nations.
The withhold release order allows the authority to confiscate products allegedly produced by forced labour, in order to tackle human rights abuses. The US considered a total ban on cotton and tomato products imported from Xinjiang, but the ban was opposed by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, and the Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, and was hence changed to a ban on imports from designated enterprises.
#US #China #Xinjiang #ForcedLabour #XPCC #XinjiangProductionandConstructionCorps #Trump #Uyghurs #Uighurs #Cotton #Tomato #Reuters
Source: Stand News #Dec03
https://bit.ly/38j2xOQ
The US put pressure on China for its human rights issues in Xinjiang again on Wednesday (Dec 3) local time. The US was to ban the import of cotton products from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) and has accused the corps for subjecting imprisoned Uyghurs to forced labour.
The US Customs and Border Protection announced the new arrangements for the withhold release order to ban cotton and cotton products from XPCC. Reuters reported that the Trump administration was seeking to consolidate its harsh stance against China in the final few weeks of Trump’s presidential term, to make it harder for President-elect Biden to resolve the tense relationship between the two nations.
The withhold release order allows the authority to confiscate products allegedly produced by forced labour, in order to tackle human rights abuses. The US considered a total ban on cotton and tomato products imported from Xinjiang, but the ban was opposed by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, and the Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, and was hence changed to a ban on imports from designated enterprises.
#US #China #Xinjiang #ForcedLabour #XPCC #XinjiangProductionandConstructionCorps #Trump #Uyghurs #Uighurs #Cotton #Tomato #Reuters
Source: Stand News #Dec03
https://bit.ly/38j2xOQ