Tag Archives: Japan

Africa Now – Weekly Newsletter (Week 37, 2022)

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent – news that matters.

COMMENTARY

With Tears and Steel, Kenya’s ‘Hustler’ President Vanquishes His Foes

William Ruto built a career on beating the odds. In his greatest triumph, he is expected to be inaugurated as Kenya’s fifth president on TuesdayClick here to read…

The real reason Egypt is moving its capital

In 2015, Egypt’s government announced it would build a new capital city, about 45 kilometers outside of Cairo, the current capital. Click here to read…

Mikhail Gorbachev on the Streets of Accra

The aftershock of the collapse of the Soviet empire reverberated from Cape Town to Cairo. Click here to read…

NEWS

Kenya’s Supreme Court upholds Ruto’s narrow presidential win

Kenya’s Supreme Court on Monday unanimously rejected challenges to the official results of the presidential election and upheld Deputy President William Ruto’s narrow win in East Africa’s most stable democracy. Click here to read…

Angola court rejects poll result appeal, opposition urges protest

Angola’s Constitutional Court made a final ruling on Thursday to dismiss a complaint filed by the runner-up in the August 24 election seeking to annul the results that gave victory to the ruling MPLA party. Click here to read…

Tunisian opposition to boycott December elections, decry ‘coup’

The National Salvation Front, a body representing the main parties in Tunisia’s opposition, including Ennahdha, has announced that it will boycott December elections to replace a parliament dissolved by President Kais Saied. Click here to read…

Burundi president names new PM after coup plot claims

President Ndayishimiye, a former army general, gave no reasons for the replacement but had warned of a coup plot against his government last week. Click here to read…

Power struggle continues in Libya

Recent deadly clashes have alarmed regional and international powers, as civilians fear displacement and a shortage of medicine and food. Click here to read…

Denmark moves closer to sending asylum seekers to Rwanda

Denmark signed a deal with Rwanda to move the Nordic country closer to setting up an asylum center outside of the European Union to reduce the number of people seeking refuge. Click here to read…

Commonwealth to observe Lesotho’s general elections

The Commonwealth will deploy a team to observe the general elections in Lesotho, scheduled for 7 October, 2022. The group will be led by the former president of Seychelles, His Excellency Danny Faure. Click here to read…

Moroccan army to participate in Israeli military conference next week, Israeli spox says

Morocco and Israel have gone on to sign a number of agreements- especially military deals – since Rabat and Tel Aviv normalised ties in late 2020. Click here to read…

DRC officials tumble as bridge collapses at ribbon-cutting ceremony

Dignitaries gathered to inaugurate a footbridge in the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo only for the structure to collapse beneath their feet to the barely concealed delight of onlookers, a video shows. Click here to read…

Zambia seeks $8bn debt relief

Zambia is asking for more than $8bn of relief on its debts to Chinese lenders, private bondholders and other creditors, according to an IMF analysis, in a restructuring widely seen as a test of Beijing’s willingness to absorb losses on loans it has extended to developing countries. Click here to read…

Nigerian oil exports at lowest level in 25 years due to oil theft

Nigeria’s crude oil production fell below 1 million barrels per day (bpd) in August, figures from its regulator show, as the nation grappled with rampant theft from its pipelines. Click here to read…

Togo: Parliament extends state of emergency in the north for six months

Togo’s parliament on Tuesday extended for six months the state of emergency in the Savannah region in the far north of the country, which has been plagued by incursions by jihadist groups. Click here to read…

Dozens of civilians killed in eastern Mali

Local officials said dozens of civilians were killed this week in Talataye, a town located in north-eastern Mali. The locality which sits at croassroads of influence for rival terrorist groups was allegedly attacked by EIGS fighters who have ties with the Islamic State organization. Click here to read…

Thirty-five civilians killed in convoy blast in Burkina Faso

At least 35 civilians have been killed and 37 wounded when a convoy carrying supplies in Burkina Faso’s jihadist-hit north struck an improvised explosive device, the governor of the Sahel region has said. Click here to read…

At least six Mozambicans beheaded, Italian nun shot dead by insurgents

At least six people were beheaded and an Italian nun killed on Tuesday by Islamic State-linked insurgents in Mozambique’s Nampula province, authorities said on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Al-Shabaab: the latest addition to Ethiopia’s woes

In late July, al-Shabaab militants carried out an attack on three towns, Aato, Yeed, and Washaqo, which are on the Ethiopia-Somalia border. Click here to read…

Somali army kills senior Al Shabab militant, frees hostages

Somalia claims to have killed a senior militant leader during a military operation against Al Shabab terrorists in the country’s Lower Shabelle region, as well as freed several civilians who had been held hostage by them. Click here to read…

Thousands flee deadly violence in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state: UN

Deadly fighting between armed groups in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state has prompted thousands to flee from their homes and triggered violence in displacement camps, a UN spokesman said. Click here to read…

Burkina Faso buys 5 Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkey

Burkina Faso is the latest country to acquire Bayraktar TB2 drone from Turkey to reinforce its aerial capabilities against insurgents. Click here to read…

Phase 2 of Senegal LNG project needs $5 bln – president

The second phase of Senegal’s Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project will need investments worth around $5 billion and could start in 2024 or 2025, Senegal’s President Macky Sall said on Thursday. Click here to read…

How gold mining in Ghana is threatening Swiss chocolate

As the world’s second-largest cocoa producer continues to lose swathes of farmland to illegal gold mining, Switzerland’s chocolate makers are waking up to the threat to their raw material supply. Click here to read…

African bloc outlines 10-year plan

Africa’s second 10-year plan will focus on expansion of infrastructure development across the continent, increase agriculture outputs and clean energy transition, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission said Friday. Click here to read…

Deep-Water Somali Port Gives Landlocked Ethiopia New Trade Route

Somalia will open a deep-water port on its northern coast next month, with a road link forging a new trade route connecting Ethiopia’s south-eastern region with the city of Gara’ad. Click here to read…

Türkiye to send grain to Africa if Russian exports unblocked

President Erdogan echoes view of his Russian counterpart; says Ukrainian grain goes to developed countries, not to those in need. Click here to read…

1st Ukraine grain ship for Horn of Africa reaches Djibouti

The first ship carrying grain from Ukraine for people in the hungriest parts of the world has docked at the Horn of Africa port of Djibouti as areas of East Africa are badly affected by deadly drought and conflict. Click here to read…

Eni buys BP’s business in Algeria to secure more African gas

Italian energy group Eni (ENI.MI) said on Wednesday it had agreed to acquire BP’s (BP.L) business in Algeria, including two major gas fields. Click here to read…

African nations urged to pile on pressure at climate summit

The former Irish President has called on African nations to pile on the pressure on rich, heavily-polluting countries to fulfill their climate pledges to the continent during a visit to Uganda. Click here to read…

Tanzania dismisses claims of freezing maize export permits

Tanzania has dismissed claims by Kenyan traders that it has frozen the issuance of new maize export permits, urging them to follow procedures. Click here to read…

China-built flyover helps reducing traffic congestion in Botswanan capital

A China-built rainbow intersection which partially opened Friday will help reduce traffic congestion in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, said Mmoloki Baele, the project manager. Click here to read…

Remembering Queen Elizabeth II in Zimbabwe

In 1991, Queen Elizabeth II visited Zimbabwe for the meeting of the heads of government in the Commonwealth, a community of former British colonies. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

After vandalism during unrest in South Africa, India-based Cipla reopens Durban manufacturing site

Indian generic drug manufacturer Cipla revealed that one of its plants in South Africa has reopened more than a month after it was vandalized during a period of civil unrest that claimed the lives of more than 300 and caused an estimated $3.3 billion in economic losses. Click here to read…

INS Tarkash Visited Port Lome, Togo

As part of her ongoing deployment to the Gulf of Guinea, INS Tarkash entered Lome, Togo on 01 September 2022. The first Indian Navy ship to make a port call at Togo, she was welcomed there by the Indian Ambassador to Togo, along with the local Indian diaspora. Click here to read…

Indian warship INS Tarkash arrives at Nigeria’s Port Lagos

Continuing with her deployment in the Gulf of Guinea, the naval vessel was welcomed by officials of the Nigerian Navy, the High Commission of India and children of the Indian Language School at the largest port of Nigeria, the Indian Navy said in an official statement. Click here to read…

All set to create a sattvik environment in Africa

Sattvik Certification South Africa (Pty) Ltd, licensee of Sattvik Council of India, in collaboration with DNV Business Assurance South Africa (Pty) Ltd, has introduced the Sattvik Certification Scheme for the African market in New Delhi. Click here to read…

Lootere teaser: Hansal Mehta’s thriller shows Rajat Kapoor’s ship hijacked in Somalia

Helmed by Hansal Mehta, Lootere traces the story of an Indian ship hijacked in Somalian waters. Click here to read…

Africa Now – Weekly Newsletter (Week 36, 2022)

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent – news that matters.

COMMENTARY

Marikana and its aftermath

In August 2022, South Africa commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Marikana Massacre. On 16 August 2012, South African Police shot down labourers of the Marikana platinum mine. Click here to read…

Japan’s opportunity to build a new legacy in Africa

At a time when China, the United States, and Russia are competing in Africa in ways reminiscent of Cold War rivalries on the continent, Japan, whose eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) has just ended in Tunis, is entering the arena too. Click here to read…

The Biden Administration’s New Africa Policy

Imagine you’ve just been confirmed to be the US ambassador to a small country in Africa. However, before departing to take up your assignment, you learn that the administration doesn’t yet have an official policy for that country. Click here to read…

NEWS

TICAD 2022: Japan’s Deepening Partnerships in Africa

The international context has changed markedly since the last TICAD in 2019. How is Japan approaching African countries today? Click here to read…

Japan, Africa leaders wrap up TICAD talks, vowing to tackle food crisis

Leaders from Japan and African nations on Sunday said the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine has caused a food crisis on the fast-growing continent, without referring to Moscow by name. Click here to read…

Kishida vows $30 billion over next three years for Africa as China and Russia loom

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday pledged $30 billion over the next three years for African development, with a focus on investing in human capital and fostering quality growth in a continent where China and Russia are exerting their influence. Click here to read…

Kenya election 2022: Were results sheets altered as Odinga claims?

William Ruto was declared the winner of Kenya’s presidential election over two weeks ago with 50.5% of the vote, but his opponent Raila Odinga is challenging the result, claiming it was fraudulent. Click here to read…

Angolan opposition files legal challenge, seeks annulment of vote

Angola’s main opposition party has filed a case with the country’s constitutional court to seek the annulment of last month’s election in which the ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) was declared the winner. Click here to read…

Ethiopia, Eritrea forces launch new offensive in Tigray: TPLF

Ethiopian and Eritrean government forces have launched an attack in Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray, targeting rebel forces. Click here to read…

Biden to Meet South Africa Leader Amid Differences on Russia

President Joe Biden will host South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House this month as the administration looks to draw African nations closer to the U.S. Click here to read…

France’s Macron concludes Algeria visit with new pact

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune have declared a “new, irreversible dynamic of progress” in their nations’ ties, concluding a visit by Macron aimed at ending months of tensions. Click here to read…

‘Air strike’ rocks Mekelle city in Ethiopia’s Tigray region

Ethiopian government officials were not immediately reachable for comment but officials at Ayder Referral Hospital say the midnight strike near Mekelle general hospital caused casualties. Click here to read…

New U.S. ambassador arrives in Sudan after 25 years of absence

The new U.S. ambassador John Godfrey arrived in Khartoum on Wednesday. He arrives after a 25-year absence of a US envoy in Sudan due to diplomatic differences between the two countries. Click here to read…

Mozambique reaffirms commitment to bilateral relations with Portugal

The Portuguese prime minister and the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, have expressed satisfaction with the resumption of bilateral meetings, and António Costa reaffirmed “every commitment” to continue working with that African country. Click here to read…

Morocco, Japan reiterates rejection of Tunisia’s invitation to separatist entity

Moroccan and Japanese foreign ministers reaffirmed in the strongest terms their denunciation of Tunisia’s unilateral invitation of the Algeria-backed Polisario entity to the Japan-Africa summit TICAD last Month. Click here to read…

1st Ukraine grain ship for Horn of Africa reaches Djibouti

The first ship carrying grain from Ukraine for people in the hungriest parts of the world has docked at the Horn of Africa port of Djibouti as areas of East Africa are badly affected by deadly drought and conflict. Click here to read…

South Africa’s Ruling ANC to Win 2024 Vote Even as City Support Plunges, Survey Shows

South Africa’s governing party is likely to win the country’s next national elections in 2024 even as its support slips further in major cities, a survey showed. Click here to read…

South Sudan’s former rebels join unified army

Thousands of former rebels swore an oath of loyalty in a ceremony held under tight security in South Sudan. Click here to read…

Egypt to Organize ‘Arab Labor Conference’ With Participation of 21 Countries

Egypt is preparing to host this month the work of the forty-eighth round of the Arab Labor Conference (ALC) to be attended by the labor ministers, delegations, organization and unions of 21 Arab countries. Click here to read…

Crisis-hit Zambia secures $1.3bn IMF loan to rebuild stricken economy

The International Monetary Fund has approved a $1.3bn (£1.1bn) loan to Zambia, as the country scrambles to rebuild its crisis-hit economy after defaulting on its foreign debts in 2020. Click here to read…

UN Secretary General proposes Senegal’s Abdoulaye Bathily as envoy to Libya

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has nominated Abdoulaye Bathily to be the new UN envoy to Libya, and France’s UN ambassador said he thinks the Security Council will approve the minister. Click here to read…

Algeria’s move to English signals erosion of France’s sway

In the world of diplomacy, few details carry as much import as language. And few languages carry the diplomatic and cultural heft that French has long boasted. Click here to read…

Tunisia: Pro-Saied party calls for including military in gov’t

The July 25 Movement, also known as the National Youth Movement of Tunisia, on Wednesday called for the formation of a “national salvation government” that encompasses “military figures” in order to avoid a “social explosion” as a result of the current economic situation. Click here to read…

Zimbabwe government harasses opposition with arrests, jail

Opposition politicians languishing in prison. Journalists and government critics harassed and arrested. Public meetings banned. Click here to read…

Türkiye-Egypt rapprochement continues gradually

The normalization process between Türkiye and Egypt continues at a gradual pace. Discussions are being held at the intelligence level and extending the process over time does not mean that it is not progressing positively. Click here to read…

Rwanda flight migrants ‘include victims of torture and human trafficking

Out of the 17 people that doctors conducted clinical assessments for, 14 showed evidence of having been tortured and six were survivors of trafficking. Click here to read…

Ex-Botswana president Khama: plans in place to ensure Masisi removed from power

Former Botswana president Ian Khama on Friday said plans were in place to ensure the electoral defeat of current Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi at that country’s next elections in 2024. Click here to read…

Russian exports to Morocco double in 1H 2022

Russian exports to the Kingdom of Morocco doubled in the first half of 2022, Russia’s Trade Representative to the country Artyom Tsingamzgvrishvili told TASS on Friday. Click here to read…

Second UN helicopter crashes in eastern DR Congo in five months

There were no passengers on board and three crew members were injured, the UN’s World Food Programme said. Click here to read…

Terrorism: Nigeria ranked second despite N11tn security budgets

Nigeria budgeted a total of N11.18tn for security from 2015 to 2022, investigations by The PUNCH have revealed. Despite the high budgetary allocation, however, the country remains the second most attacked country by the Islamic State terrorist group globally, according to the data by Jihad Analytics. Click here to read…

Comoros President ‘Regrets’ Morocco’s Absence from TICAD in Tunisia

Azali Assoumani, President of the East African country Comoros, said today that he regrets Morocco’s absence from the 8th edition of The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). Click here to read…

Central African Republic: UN expert calls for end to impunity, urges armed groups to lay down arms

Armed groups in the Central African Republic (CAR) must lay down their arms and engage in political dialogue, a UN expert said today, urging the international community to strengthen efforts to restore State authority and end impunity in the country. Click here to read…

At least 32 dead in renewed Tripoli fighting

At least 32 people have died in renewed fighting in Tripoli, ending the relative peace that has held for the last two years and signaling the breakdown of a political process that’s brought Libya no closer to long-delayed elections and a unified stateClick here to read…

Madagascar police shoot 18 dead in albino kidnap protest: Medic

Since 2020, there have been more than a dozen abductions, attacks and murders of people with albinism in Madagascar, according to the UN. Click here to read…

Tanzania launches first 5G technology

Telecom company Vodacom Tanzania Plc has launched the country’s first 5G technology in what promises to be a transformational development in the country’s digital journey. Click here to read…

The ‘Big Four’ are leading Africa’s start-up scene—Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and Kenya

Unperturbed by the COVID-19 pandemic, international investors have continued to pour money into the African continent’s start-up scene — but that influx of cash is not being distributed evenly. Click here to read…

E-Commerce Company Jumia Launches Drone Deliveries in Ghana

Africa’s largest e-commerce company, Jumia, launched the first commercial drone delivery service on the continent this week, offering delivery of products across Ghana. Click here to read…

Phase 2 of Senegal LNG project needs $5 bln: president

The second phase of Senegal’s Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project will need investments worth around $5 billion and could start in 2024 or 2025, Senegal’s President Macky Sall said on Thursday. Click here to read…

Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline Project Will Help Create Competitive Zone in North-West Africa

The Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, which is currently in its Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) phase, will contribute to the emergence of an integrated and competitive North-West African zone. Click here to read…

Ivory Coast Supplies the World With Cocoa. Now It Wants Some for Itself

A new generation of Ivory Coast chocolatiers is striving to change an industry that has long left cocoa farmers in poverty. Click here to read…

Angolans gather for funeral of ex-leader Dos Santos amid dispute over vote
Angolans and foreign dignitaries gathered on Sunday for the funeral of long-serving ex-leader Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who died in Spain in July but whose burial was delayed by a family request for an autopsy. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

Serum Institute signs deal with Aspen to sell vaccines in Africa

The deal with Serum gives Aspen certainty on volumes, which will eventually more than cover an expected decline in revenues from its COVID vaccine contract with J&J, he said. Click here to read…

India, South Africa to set up a Joint Working Group on Education

Union Education and Skill Development Minister Dharmendra Pradhan held a bilateral meeting in Bali with Dr Bonginkosi Emmanuel “Blade” NZIMANDE, South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Science Innovation. Click here to read…

Nigeria seeks stronger ties with Indian textile industry

A 12-member delegation from Nigeria is on a week’s study tour to India. Nigeria is looking at strengthening its ties with Indian textile industry to revive its cotton integrated industry. Click here to read…

India, UAE working on joint health projects in Kenya and Tanzania

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are working on a joint initiative to establish health projects in Kenya and Tanzania and taking forward cooperation in food security within the I2U2 framework that includes the US and Israel. Click here to read…

Indian ambassador celebrates 75 years of diplomatic Egypt-India relations

India and Egypt are celebrating the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations on 18 August 2022. As two of the world’s most ancient civilisations, India and Egypt have enjoyed close contacts for many centuries. Click here to read…

Egypt, India to see significant progress in political, economic, and cultural ties: Ambassador Gupte

Indian Ambassador in Cairo Ajit Gupte expected that the political, economic and cultural relations between India and Egypt would see significant progress in the near future. Click here to read…

At UNSC, India Names Turkey for Violating UNSC Sanctions on Libya

Stating that Turkey’s ‘blatant disregard’ was a cause for serious concern, India’s permanent representative to the UN said that the country’s activities had contributed to the ‘enduring political stalemate.’Click here to read…

South Africa and India will make four vaccines without the help of rich western countries

According to the announcement, Aspen SA Operations signed a deal to produce vaccines for the African market by packaging bulk drug substance—the actual vaccine ingredients—produced by the Serum Institute. Click here to read…

APO Group partners with PR Wire India to provide high-quality Pan-African press release content to the Indian market

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, today announced a content partnership with PR Wire India (https://PRWireIndia.com) which will ensure all text, images, videos and soundbites distributed by APO Group are published on the PR Wire India platform. Click here to read…

UP Inc forges tie-ups in Africa, Europe to achieve $1 trn economy target

Aligning with the $-trillion economy goal set by the state government, the Uttar Pradesh Inc is forging industry and trade alliances with partners in the African, Latin American and European countries. Click here to read…

How Sunil Bharti Mittal turned Airtel around in Africa

In 2010, Bharti Airtel entered into a $10.7 billion deal to acquire Zain Telecom’s African operations in 15 nations. It was a bold move but challenges soon cropped up. Click here to read…

Airtel Africa aims to be continent’s biggest telco: CEO

Airtel Africa managing director and CEO Olusegun Ogunsanya said the telco, which operates in 14 countries, has captured the top spot in four and is No. 2 in nine others. Click here to read…

BPCL expects Mozambique project to take off next year

With the law and order situation improving considerably, Bharat Petroleum Corporation’s (BPCL’s) 12.88 million tonne per annum (mtpa) Mozambique LNG project should take off in the first half of next year, BPCL said on Monday. Click here to read…

Indian envoy Abhay Kumar discusses climate change with Madagascar Environment Minister

Indian Ambassador to Antananarivo Abhay Kumar met Madagascar Environment Minister Marie-Orlea Vina on Thursday and discussed several issues including ways to deal with climate change. Click here to read…

Made in India Suzuki Grand Vitara showcased in South Africa

The Grand Vitara for South Africa gets AllGrip AWD with automatic gearbox; joins a long list of made-in-India Suzuki cars sold there. Click here to read…

China: Daily Scan, August 25, 2022

Nationalistic blogger Sima Nan banned from Chinese social media: South China Morning Post
August 23, 2022

Sima Nan, a Chinese blogger who shot to fame on the back of rising nationalism by writing inflammatory articles about the United States, was suddenly banned from his social media accounts for unknown reasons. He has been blocked from posting on Weibo, WeChat, Bilibili and Douyin “for violation of relevant laws and regulations”, according to notices posted on the platforms, but his previous posts remained untouched. He last updated his accounts on Saturday. No further details were released, and the immediate cause of what appears to be a collective effort by Chinese social media to censor his accounts is not clear. It is not known when or if he will be able to resume posting on the platforms. Click here to read…

China’s offshore undersea detection system passes sea trial: Xinhuanet
August 24, 2022

China’s independently developed offshore undersea mobile detection system Haizhe, also called Jellyfish, has completed its 3,000-meter deep sea trial in a methane seep zone of the South China Sea and passed the acceptance, the China Science Daily reported on Wednesday. Click here to read…

China launches human resources website for older people: Xinhuanet
August 24, 2022

China on Wednesday launched a human resources website for older people, marking the first step of building a human resources information service platform for the country’s older citizens. The website, launched by the China National Committee on Ageing, offers content including human resources policies, human resources knowledge and employment information. Click here to read…

Chinese police solve over 1,500 cases in crackdown on production, sale of fake medicine: Xinhuanet
August 24, 2022

Chinese police have solved over 1,500 cases involving the production and sale of fake or substandard medicine in the first half of this year, with the value of money involved amounting to 4.78 billion yuan (about 696 million U.S. dollars), said the Ministry of Public Security on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Circular urges study of book on Xi Jinping’s thinking on armed forces: China Military
August 24, 2022

A circular has called on Party organizations at all levels and the armed forces to conduct thorough and in-depth study of a new book on Xi Jinping’s thinking on strengthening the armed forces. The circular was jointly released by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission. Click here to read…

Chinese defense chief delivers video speech at SCO defense ministers meeting: China Military
August 24, 2022

The 19th meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on August 24, 2022. Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe attended and addressed the meeting via video link. Click here to read…

China expresses condolences to victims of floods in Pakistan, provides relief supplies, aid: Global Times
August 24, 2022

China is offering emergency aid, including needed supplies and $300,000 in cash to Pakistan, to support its disaster-hit areas where flood has caused casualties and property loss, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. Click here to read…

YU-20 aerial tanker to star in PLA Air Force’s open day event: Global Times
August 24, 2022

The YU-20 aerial tanker, the force amplifier that recently entered service with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force and made frequent appearances in exercises around the island of Taiwan earlier this month, will be a star of the show at the upcoming PLA Air Force open day event with its first static display to the general public. Click here to read…

China, Iran Friendship Associations vow to strengthen bilateral Belt and Road cooperation: People’s Daily
August 24, 2022

The 13th annual conference of China Iran Friendship Associations and Dialogues between the sister provinces/cities of China and Iran was held online on Tuesday to bolster cooperation between the two countries. Under the theme of “Future-oriented China-Iran Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: Win-win Cooperation for Common Development,” the conference was jointly organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, China-Iran Friendship Association, and Iran-China Friendship Association. Click here to read…

China halts more than 20 IPOs sponsored by China Merchants Securities amid probe: Reuters
August 24, 2022

Chinese bourses have halted processing more than 20 initial public offering (IPO) plans sponsored by China Merchants Securities (600999.SS), following an investigation into the broker, according to exchange disclosures. The Shenzhen Stock Exchange has suspended 15 IPO plans set for its ChiNext board, while the Shanghai exchange has paused five IPOs targeting its tech-focused STAR Market since last Friday, exchange filings showed. Click here to read…

China exerting growing pressure on foreign companies, study finds: Reuters
August 24, 2022

China is exerting increasing pressure on foreign companies doing business in its markets to bring them into line with its political agenda, broadening the “red lines” for issues to which it is allergic, a German study seen by Reuters shows. A survey of more than 100 companies by the Berlin-based Merics think tank for China studies and the BDI industry association showed that the threshhold for exerting pressure on companies is falling. The number of known cases rose significantly from 2018, it found. Click here to read…

China regulator warns banks against yuan selling: Reuters
August 24, 2022

China’s foreign exchange regulator phoned several banks on Wednesday to warn them against aggressively selling the Chinese currency, people with direct knowledge of the matter said, in a new sign of official discomfort with recent yuan weakness. Click here to read…

Japan to pledge human resources investment in Africa to counter China: Kyodo
August 24, 2022

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will announce investment in human resources in Africa at a gathering held in Tunisia later this week, in an effort to counter China’s influence on the continent, government sources said Wednesday. At the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, Kishida will pledge to invest in fostering the talents of 300,000 people for the next three years, primarily in the agriculture and health sectors, according to the sources. Click here to read…

Ideas shared to improve job market: China Daily
August 25, 2022

National political advisers have presented their ideas on helping the nation tackle its employment problems, which have been compounded by COVID-19 and an economic slowdown. Held from Monday to Wednesday, a session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference focused on stabilizing the job market by implementing an employment-first policy. Click here to read…

Minister calls for more SCO security cooperation: China Daily
August 25, 2022

China’s defense minister on Wednesday called for global solidarity amid multiple crises and challenges rarely seen in history, encouraging member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to deepen security cooperation. Click here to read…

China to build on policy package for stabilizing economy to firm up foundation for recovery, growth: People’s Daily
August 25, 2022

China will adopt follow-up policies on top of the policy package for stabilizing the economy as part of intensified efforts to consolidate the foundation of economic recovery and growth, and send taskforces to localities to supervise and assist work on this front to promote policy implementation at a faster pace, according to the decision made at the State Council’s Executive Meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday. Click here to read…

China reopens to foreign students after two years: Taipei Times
August 25, 2022

China yesterday opened its borders for foreign students for the first time in more than two years, easing restrictions on their entry imposed in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Foreign nationals holding a Chinese residence permit for study or an APEC business travel card would be allowed to enter the country, the Chinese embassy in the US said in a statement on WeChat on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Xi Jinping looks to take China beyond Deng Xiaoping’s ‘get rich’ era with historic third term: South China Morning Post
August 25, 2022

On a cold morning in mid-January, two dozen senior Communist Party officials, wrapped in black coats to protect them against the winter chill, stood solemnly in rows at the courtyard of Guohong Mansion, home to China’s top economic planning agency. The group had gathered for the launch of the Xi Jinping Economic Thought Research Centre, the 18th research institution set up since the Chinese president’s philosophy was enshrined in the constitution in 2018. Click here to read…

Chinese prosecutors charge former senior official of Guangxi with bribery: Xinhuanet
August 25, 2022

A public prosecution has been instituted against Liu Hongwu, former vice chairman of the people’s government of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. He is suspected of bribery, an official statement said on Thursday. Click here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 345 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet
August 25, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Wednesday reported 345 locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 217 were in Hainan Province, the National Health Commission said Thursday. Altogether 1,289 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified on Wednesday, including 521 in Tibet and 309 in Hainan, said the commission in its report. Click here to read…

China to implement negative list for cross-border trade in services: Qiushi
August 25, 2022

China will implement a negative list for cross-border trade in services, expand opening-up in the services sector and bolster digital trade to shore up economic growth, said government officials on Tuesday. A negative list refers to special administrative measures for access of foreign investors to specific fields. China introduced a negative list for cross-border trade in services at the Hainan Free Trade Port last year. Click here to read…

China achieves progress in building international consumption centers: Qiushi
August 25, 2022

Progress has been made by Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin and Chongqing, one year after the five leading cities were approved to develop international consumption centers cities. On Aug. 8, Aveda, a high-level manufacturer of hair care products owned by Estée Lauder Companies, opened its first store on the Chinese mainland at the Taikoo Li Qiantan, a mega shopping mall in Shanghai. Click here to read…

China: Daily Scan, August 24, 2022

China’s State Council initiates inspection of policy implementation: Xinhuanet
August 23, 2022

China’s State Council will dispatch 19 inspection teams across the country to ensure that tasks set in the government work report are undertaken and policies aimed at stabilizing the economy are being effectively implemented. Click here to read…

China pushes for negotiation of post-2020 global biodiversity framework: Xinhuanet
August 23, 2022

China has spared no effort in leading and coordinating the negotiation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, or in pushing forward global biodiversity conservation, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Spokesperson deplores Japanese politicians’ Taiwan visits: Xinhuanet
August 23, 2022

A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Tuesday voiced resolute opposition to certain Japanese politicians and lawmakers’ visits to China’s Taiwan region, saying the moves are for their selfish political gains. Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks in response to a media query regarding the visit to Taiwan by Keiji Furuya, a lawmaker of Japan. Click here to read…

Emergency response launched for central China drought: Xinhuanet
August 23, 2022

Chinese authorities on Tuesday launched a Level-IV emergency response for a relatively serious drought in central China’s Hubei Province. China has a four-level emergency response system for disaster relief, with Level IV being the lowest and Level I the highest. Click here to read…

China’s top procuratorate orders arrest of former senior provincial legislator: Xinhuanet
August 23, 2022

China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) has ordered the arrest of Wang Minghui, a former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People’s Congress, for suspected bribe-taking and power abuse. Wang’s case was transferred to the procuratorial authorities for review and prosecution following the conclusion of an investigation by the National Supervisory Commission, the SPP said in a statement on Tuesday. Click here to read…

China has favorable conditions for overall price stability: Qiushi
August 23, 2022

China is capable of keeping overall prices in a reasonable range despite soaring inflationary pressures worldwide and fluctuations in food prices in the near term, officials and analysts said. Click here to read…

Indian students prepare for return to China as China resumes visas for intl students: Global Times
August 23, 2022

Indian students are thrilled to prepare their visa applications in the hope they can return to universities in China as soon as possible, after the Chinese Embassy in India announced it would resume processing student visas for Indian students from Wednesday. Chinese embassies in around a dozen other countries have also announced a resumption for long-term student visas after a halt of more than two years due to COVID-19 restrictions. Click here to read…

China restarts mass production of Type 052D destroyers, media reports say: Global Times
August 23, 2022

With five Type 052D destroyers allegedly spotted under construction at the Dalian Shipyard, China is said to have restarted the mass production of this type of warship, with foreign media hyping that the fast pace of China’s shipbuilding makes the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy “the largest navy in the world,” a claim that Chinese analysts slammed on Tuesday as being the rhetoric of the “China threat” theory. Click here to read…

China says international services trade faces challenges: Reuters
August 23, 2022

China is facing growing challenges in international services trade as COVID-19 outbreaks curb mobility and softening external demand weighs on firms’ operating outlooks, the country’s vice commerce minister said on Tuesday. Local COVID-19 outbreaks have restricted cross-border movement, hurting travel, construction and exhibitions, said Vice Commerce Minister Sheng Qiuping at a press conference. Click here to read…

SCO banks to prompt collaboration in key areas to boost regional economic recovery: Global Times
August 24, 2022

China Development Bank and banks of the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) signed a regional economic cooperative plan for 2022-2027 during a regular conference on Tuesday, focusing on financial cooperation in some pillar sectors such as infrastructure for connectivity, low carbon initiatives and the digital economy. Click here to read…

US continues brazen crackdown campaign, as 7 more Chinese entities blacklisted: Global Times
August 24, 2022

The US Department of Commerce has added seven China-related entities to its so-called export control list, citing national security and foreign policy concerns, Reuters reported on Tuesday, proving once again Washington’s complete disregard for international trade rules and mounting damages inflicted by its brazen crackdown campaign to global businesses. Click here to read…

China’s semiconductor industry faces another headache amid lacklustre demand for the low-end chips it has plenty of: South China Morning Post
August 24, 2022

An oversupply of low-end semiconductors amid lacklustre demand from downstream sectors such as smartphones and home appliances is worsening in the world’s biggest chip market, according to business merchants. For vendors at Shanghai’s SEG Electronics Market, a sourcing centre for semiconductor components in the Yangtze River Delta, the headache is not from US trade restrictions on China’s access to advanced chips but weak demand for mature integrated circuits (IC) from smartphone and home appliance manufacturers. Click here to read…

Huawei founder stresses ‘survival’ as main goal, warns of global recession: Global Times
August 24, 2022

Given that the global economy is encountering recession risks and decreasing consumption capacity, Huawei needs to change its business strategy from promoting expansion to seeking profit and liquidity so as to ensure survival in the next three years, domestic news site yicai.com reported, citing an article written by Ren Zhengfei, founder of China’s 5G developer and telecom equipment provider Huawei. Click here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 380 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet
August 24, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Tuesday reported 380 locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 264 were in Hainan Province, the National Health Commission said Wednesday. Altogether 1,261 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified on Tuesday, including 543 in Tibet and 336 in Hainan, said the commission in its report. Click here to read…

Former vice president of China Development Bank stands trial for multiple offenses: China Daily
August 24, 2022

He Xingxiang, former vice president of China Development Bank, stood trial on Tuesday at a court in Beijing on charges of taking bribes, issuing financial bills and granting loans illegally, and concealing overseas bank deposits. Click here to read…

Harmful online information removed in nationwide campaign to crack down on cyber violence: Global Times
August 24, 2022

More than 65.41 million pieces of harmful information have been deleted and more than 78,000 illegal accounts have been shut down for cyber violence in an annual special campaign to regulate internet activities, said Sheng Ronghua, deputy director of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), at a press conference on TuesdayClick here to read…

China: Daily Scan, August 18, 2022

Public security ministry reports fraud prevention numbers: China Daily
August 17, 2022

The number of filed cases related to telecom and network fraud has decreased for 14 consecutive months since last June, the Ministry of Public Security said on Wednesday. From April 2021 to July 2022, the police resolved 594,000 telecom and network fraud cases. Click here to read…

Cloud seeding targets drought: China Daily
August 17, 2022

As drought conditions have continued, many Chinese provinces and cities have been taking action to find relief. Anhui province resorted 48 times to ground-based cloud seeding operations in 31 urban districts and rural counties on Monday and Tuesday, according to Anhui Daily. Click here to read…

China urges U.S. to strictly observe one-China principle: Xinhuanet
August 17, 2022

China on Wednesday urged the United States to draw lessons from history, honor the three China-U.S. joint communiques and strictly observe the one-China principle. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on the 40th anniversary of the August 17 Communique, one of the three China-U.S. joint communiques crucial to bilateral relations. Click here to read…

China to nurture over 4,000 SMEs as digital transformation models: : Xinhuanet
August 17, 2022

China will build 4,000 to 6,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into digital transformation models amid the country’s push for developing its digital economy. From 2022 to 2025, China will use central financial funds to support SMEs in digital transformation pilot, and further improve digital platforms that provide public services for SMEs, according to a circular jointly issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Ministry of Finance Wednesday. Click here to read…

E-commerce boom attracts young people back to hometown: Qiushi
August 17, 2002

While many young Chinese from remote counties are swarming to bigger cities for job opportunities, Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality is reversing this trend by attracting young people with its local e-commerce boom. Click here to read…

Yangtze River basin faces severe drought after experiencing lowest rainfall for six decades: Global Times
August 17, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday ordered local authorities in Northeast China’s Liaoning Province to ensure the safety of people’s lives in flood control, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday. During his inspection of comprehensive environmental improvement work along two rivers in Liaoning’s Jinzhou city, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, was briefed about the province’s flood control and relief efforts. Click here to read…

Transcript of Ambassador Qin Gang’s Interview with the US Mainstream Media: Global Times
August 17, 2022

On August 16, Ambassador Qin Gang took a joint interview of the US mainstream media in Washington DC, including Reuters, Associated Press, Bloomberg, National Public Radio, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, The Hill, POLITICO, Axios, Defense One, and he answered questions on China-US relations, the Taiwan question, Hong Kong-related issues, and China’s diplomacy. The transcript of the interview is as follows: Click here to read…

China takes solid steps to foster stronger sense of community for Chinese nation: China Daily
August 18, 2022

Solid measures have been taken in China to foster a stronger sense of community for the Chinese nation over the past decade, according to Zhao Yong, deputy head of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission. Click here to read…

Language rights of ethnic groups protected, official says: China Daily
August 18, 2022

While promoting the use of standard spoken and written Chinese in ethnic-minority-inhabited areas, China has ensured that people’s rights to learn and use languages of different ethnic groups are protected. In addition, more efforts have been made to preserve such languages during the past 10 years, a senior ethnic afClick here to read…

Domestic combat drone gets upgrade: China Daily
August 18, 2022

The Caihong-4, China’s top-selling unmanned combat aircraft, will soon have a more powerful engine that is expected to greatly improve its operational capability, according to its maker. The China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics in Beijing, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, said in a news release on Wednesday that a prototype equipped with a new type of heavy-fuel piston engine has recently completed all required tests to verify the drone’s autonomous takeoff and landing, load capacity, flight ceiling and radius, as well as other functions. Click here to read…

Dozens of anti-China figures in HK including Benny Tai and Joshua Wong plead guilty for conspiracy to subvert state power: Global Times
August 18, 2022

29 defendants in HKSAR, including anti-China figures Benny Tai Yiu-ting and Joshua Wong Chi-fung have pleaded guilty on Thu for “conspiracy to subvert state power,” and the case will be handed over to the Hong Kong High Court for sentencingClick here to read…

China ready to work with Pakistan on CPEC in more fields, says Chinese FM: Global Times
August 18, 2022

Commenting on a Global Times exclusive interview with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said China appreciates the care and efforts from Sharif on practical cooperation between the two countries and China is ready to work with Pakistan on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in more fields. Click here to read…

China central bank, under pressure to ease, is hemmed-in by inflation, Fed jitters: Reuters
August 18, 2022

China’s central bank is set to take more easing steps, pressured by a shaky economy that is undercutting jobs, but it faces limited room to manoeuvre due to worries over rising inflation and capital flight, policy insiders and analysts said. Analysts now expect cuts in the country’s benchmark lending rates as early as Monday, after the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) unexpectedly lowered two key rates this week as data showed the economy unexpectedly slowed in July. read moreClick here to read…

Chinese premier stresses seeking new impetus for stabilizing economy, promoting development: Xinhuanet
August 18, 2022

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged efforts to advance explorations in reform and opening-up to seek new impetus for stabilizing the economy and promoting development.
Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in Shenzhen in south China’s Guangdong Province from Tuesday to Wednesday. Click here to read…

China’s State Council appoints, removes officials: Xinhuanet
August 18, 2022

The State Council, China’s cabinet, announced the appointment and removal of several officials on Wednesday. Sun Maoli was appointed vice minister of public security. Wang Dongwei replaced Yu Weiping as vice minister of finance. Click here to read…

China, Japan hold 9th high-level political dialogue: Xinhuanet
August 18, 2022

Yang Jiechi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Wednesday co-chaired the ninth China-Japan high-level political dialogue in Tianjin with Takeo Akiba, secretary general of Japan’s National Security Secretariat. Yang said that the 2,000-year history of exchanges between China and Japan and the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations have taught both sides that peaceful coexistence and friendly cooperation are the only right choice for the China-Japan relationship. Click here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 614 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet
August 18, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Wednesday reported 614 locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 496 were in Hainan Province, the National Health Commission said ThursdayClick here to read…

China: Daily Scan, August 17, 2022

China steps up rural road construction to boost investment, employment: Xinhuanet
August 16, 2022

China will launch a new round of construction and rebuilding of rural roads, expand investment in rural construction and create more jobs for the rural population, amid efforts to consolidate poverty alleviation achievements and accelerate rural revitalization. Click here to read…

Former Jiangxi legislator sentenced for corruption: China Daily
August 16, 2022

A former senior legislator in Jiangxi province was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve on Tuesday over taking bribes and illegal possession of firearms. Shi Wenqing, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Jiangxi Provincial People’s Congress, was also deprived of his political rights for life and had all his property confiscated. Click here to read…

PLA advances in arms, ability over past decade: China Daily
August 16, 2022

During the recent live-fire exercises carried out by the People’s Liberation Army, multiple types of cutting-edge hardware were deployed, such as the DF-17 hypersonic ballistic missile and the YY-20 aerial refueling plane. This new hardware has extensively enhanced the PLA’s fighting prowess and made it one of the best equipped militaries in the world. Click here to read…

Former CPC official given death sentence for taking $28.6 million in bribes: Global Times
August 16, 2022

Shi Wenqing, the former deputy director of the Standing Committee of Jiangxi Provincial People’s Congress, has been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for bribery and illegal possession of firearms, as well as being deprived of political rights of life and having all his personal assets confiscated, a court in Ningbo, East China’s Zhejiang Province, announced on Tuesday. Click here to read…

17 Chinese govt departments issue guideline to boost population growth amid falling birth rate: Global Times
August 16, 2022

A total of 17 Chinese government departments on Tuesday jointly released a guideline on support policies in finance, tax, housing, employment, education and other fields to create a fertility-friendly society and encourage families to have more children, as the country faces growing pressure from falling birth ratesClick here to read…

China’s holdings of US Treasuries fall to 12-year low amid diversification push to tackle risks: Global Times
August 16, 2022

The Chinese mainland’s holdings of US Treasury debt hit a fresh 12-year low in June, latest US official data showed, renewing contentions over what’s behind the downtrend amid escalating tensions between the world’s two biggest economies and an ailing US economy. Click here to read…

China’s tech firms showcase advance robots; nation catching up with Japan amid incentives: Global Times
August 16, 2022

Chinese tech firms are rushing to showcase their cutting-edge robotics technologies ahead of the World Robot Conference (WRC) 2022 that will kick off in Beijing on Thursday. Industry insiders and scholars have claimed that China’s advantages of a complete hardware industry chain, advance development in areas such as big data and artificial intelligence (AI) as well as large quantities of capital will narrow down the gap with developed countries like Japan over coming years. Click here to read…

Huzhou encourages SOEs to buy apartments from struggling real estate developers: Global Times
August 16, 2022

Huzhou in East China’s Zhejiang Province on Tuesday said it would encourage state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to purchase apartments from struggling real estate developers to use as indemnificatory and resettled housing, according to a notice released by the local Bureau of Housing and Urban-Rural DevelopmentClick here to read…

Chinese defense minister addresses tenth Moscow Conference on International Security: China Military
August 16, 2022

Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe delivers a speech via video link at the 10th Moscow Conference on International Security on August 16, 2022. Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe delivered a speech on August 16 at the 10th Moscow Conference on International Security via video link upon invitation. Click here to read…

China to discourage abortions to boost low birth rate: Reuters
August 16, 2022

China will discourage abortions and take steps to make fertility treatment more accessible as part of efforts to boost one of the world’s lowest birth rates, its National Health Authority said on Tuesday. Click here to read…

The disappointing economic backdrop to China’s policy dilemma: Reuters
August 16, 2022

China’s central bank cut its interest rates on Monday for the second time this year, but analysts suspect it will do little to spur lending in an economy awash with cash but lacking in consumer demand and business confidence. Click here to read…

China’s sanctions to backfire: Taipei Times
August 17, 2022

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday slammed China for sanctioning Representative to the US Hsiao Bi-khim and six other Taiwanese officials for being “diehard separatists,” saying its attempt to intimidate Taiwanese would backfire. Click here to read…

Documentaries popular among young Chinese: People’s Daily
August 17, 2022

A plain-Jane documentary jointly produced by CCTV.com and Shanghai Media Group (SMG) this summer surprisingly gained over 600 million online views, and topics related to the film made it into the lists of top trendy hashtags on social networking platforms nearly 100 times. Click here to read…

Chinese premier urges economic powerhouses to consolidate recovery: Xinhuanet
August 17, 2022

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday called for efforts from the country’s economic powerhouses to meet their due responsibilities on consolidating economic recovery. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in Shenzhen while presiding over a symposium on the economic situation. Leading officials of six major economic provinces — Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, Henan and Sichuan — spoke at the meeting or via video link. Click here to read…

China unveils cultural development plan for 2021-2025 period: Xinhuanet
August 17, 2022

China has unveiled its cultural development plan for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) to promote socialist culture and build China into a country with a strong grounding in this regard. Click here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 566 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet
August 17, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Tuesday reported 566 locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 482 were in Hainan Province, the National Health Commission said Wednesday. Altogether 2,322 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified on the day, including 1,181 in Hainan, 670 in Tibet Autonomous Region and 307 in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, said the commission in its report. Click here to read…

China advances national water network projects to better benefit its people: Qiushi
August 17, 2022

The Huaihe River, between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, is an important watercourse in central and east China. It is also the first major river that has been comprehensively treated since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Click here to read…

China ups goal for proportion of scientifically literate citizens: China Daily
August 17, 2022

China aims to have over 15 percent of its population become scientifically literate by 2025, according to a new national plan for sci-tech popularization. Released on Tuesday, the plan sets the 2025 goal at 5 percentage points above the 2020 figure. The proportion of scientifically literate Chinese citizens was 10.56 percent in 2020, exceeding the target of 10 percent set in the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020). Click here to read…

Xi expresses full confidence in revitalization of China’s northeast region: People’s Daily
August 17, 2022

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has expressed full confidence in the revitalization of China’s northeast region. Xi made the remarks when inspecting the city of Jinzhou, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, on Tuesday. Click here to read…

VIF News Digest: National Security – Defence Studies & Terrorism, 16-31 July 2022

DEFENCE

  • Chief of Army Staff Proceeds on a Three Day Visit to Bangladesh.
  • Prime Minister unveils ‘SPRINT’.
  • Joint Press Release of the 16th Round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting.
  • Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) conducted between Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and Indian Navy.
  • Self-Reliance in Defence Manufacturing.
  • Development Work by Defence Industries.
  • MoD accords high priority to indigenisation of Software Defined Radios for the Armed Forces.
  • iDEX-DIO signs 100th contract for defence innovation.
  • Defence Acquisition Council, approves arms procurement proposals worth Rs 28,732 crore.
  • Second conference on Military Ammunition (Ammo India) inaugurated by RM.
  • Delivery of the prestigious Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’.
  • Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on a visit to the Kingdom of Bhutan.
  • Royal Army of Oman contingent for joint exercise Al NAJAH-IV arrive in India.
  • Vietnam India bilateral army exercise “Ex VINBAX 2022”.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

West Asia
  • “Hizbu’llah has all of Israel in its missile range,” Hizbu’llah leader Nasrallah.
Africa
Ethiopia
  • Al-Shabaab terrorists carried out cross-border attack into Ethiopia’s Somali region.
Somalia
  • US airstrike killed two al-Shabaab terrorists in Lower Juba region.
Nigeria
  • Five Boko Haram terrorists surrendered in Borno State.
Mali
  • Islamist terrorists attacked Mali’s main military base outside Bamako.
Afghanistan
  • “Al-Qa’ida and Islamic State are gaining strength in Afghanistan”, claimed the UNSC report.
  • US killed al-Qa’ida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a counter-terrorism operation in Kabul.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir
  • NIA searched multiple locations in Srinagar in “Chanapora Arms Recovery in Srinagar” case.
  • SIA unearthed the nexus between JeM and Punjab-based gangsters.
Left-Wing Extremism
  • NIA arrested a Maoist associate in connection with “Terror Financing by CPI (Maoist) in Bihar” case.
  • Police killed a Maoist in an anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh.
  • NIA searched multiple locations in Jharkhand in connection with “killing of police personnel and looting of arms and ammunition by CPI (Maoists)” case.
  • “Maoist-affected Districts reduced to 46 in 2021”, informed MoS for Home Affairs.
  • NIA arrested a Maoist associate in revival of Magadh zone of CPI (Maoist) case.
Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)
  • NIA searched multiple locations in six States in connection with “ISIS module” case.
  • NIA arrested 08th accused in “Udaipur killing” case.
  • NIA searched multiple locations in connection with “PFI Phulwari Sharif” case in Bihar.
  • Khalistan-inspired Extremism
    • India raised concerns at the growth of pro-Khalistan movement in Canada.
    Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) Cases
    • NIA Special Court (Bihar) convicted and sentenced a FICN trafficker in “FICN case of East Champaran, Bihar”.
    Narcotics-Trafficking
    • NIA searched multiple locations in Tamil Nadu in the case of “Narcotics and Arms trafficking to India and Sri Lanka”.

    DEFENCE

    DRDO conducts successful maiden flight of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator.

    Maiden flight of the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator was carried out successfully by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Operating in a fully autonomous mode, the aircraft exhibited a perfect flight, including take-off, way point navigation and a smooth touchdown. It is powered by a small turbofan engine, the airframe, undercarriage and entire flight control and avionics systems used for the aircraft were developed indigenously. This flight marks a major milestone in terms of proving critical technologies towards the development of future unmanned aircraft.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Chief of Army Staff Proceeds on a Three Day Visit to Bangladesh.

    Continuing with the excellent bilateral defence ties between India and Bangladesh, General Manoj Pande, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) proceeded on a visit to the Bangladesh from 18 to 20 July 2022. This is the first foreign visit by General Manoj Pande since assumption as Army Chief.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Prime Minister unveils ‘SPRINT.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shri Narendra Modi unveiled ‘SPRINT Challenges’, aimed at giving a boost to the usage of indigenous technology in Indian Navy, during Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) seminar ‘Swavlamban’ in New Delhi on July 18, 2022. NIIO, in conjunction with the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), aims to induct at least 75 new indigenous technologies/products into the Indian Navy. This collaborative project is named SPRINT {Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), NIIO and Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC)}. In the last 4-5 years, PM said the defence imports have come down by about 21 per cent. Today we are moving fast from the biggest defence importer to a big exporter. Last year, Rs 13,000 crore worth of defence export was done with more than 70 percent of which being from the private sector, he pointed out.

    In the conference Shri Rajnath Singh informed the Prime Minister that in line with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign, the Indian Navy spent over 64% of its capital budget in domestic procurement in the last financial year and it is expected to increase to 70% in the current financial year.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Joint Press Release of the 16th Round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting.

    The 16th round India- China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side on 17th July 2022.

    Building on the progress made at the last meeting on 11th March 2022, the two sides continued discussions for the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector in a constructive and forward looking manner. They had a frank and in-depth exchange of views in this regard, in keeping with the guidance provided by the State Leaders to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. The two sides reaffirmed that the resolution of remaining issues would help in restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations. In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector. The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.
    Reference: Click here to read…

    Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) conducted between Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and Indian Navy.

    A Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) was conducted between Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and Indian Navy on 23 Jul 22 in Andaman Sea. This exercise is part of the ongoing efforts between the two navies towards ensuring safe and secure international shipping and trade in Indian Ocean Region.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Self-Reliance in Defence Manufacturing.

    The Government has taken several policy initiatives in the past few years and brought in reforms to encourage indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment in the country, thereby expanding the production of indigenous defence equipment. With these actions of the Government, the expenditure on defence procurement from foreign sources which used to be 46% of the overall expenditure has reduced to 36% in the last four years i.e. 2018-19 to 2021-22.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Development Work by Defence Industries.

    In continuous pursuit of achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ and in sync with the announcement made in the Union Budget 2022-23 that allocated 25% of Defence R&D Budget for industry led R&D, 18 (eighteen) major platforms have been identified and announced by the Ministry of Defence for industry led Design & Development under various routes prescribed in Defence Acquisition Procedure-2020, namely, Make-I, Make-II, Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX).
    For more information: Click here to read…

    MoD accords high priority to indigenisation of Software Defined Radios for the Armed Forces.

    Ministry of Defence (MoD) has fast-tracked the indigenisation of Software Defined Radios (SDRs) with country’s premier R&D institutions viz. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur to fulfill the increasing demand by the Armed Forces across a broad spectrum of operations. Two key elements of indigenous SDR technology are the standardised operating software environment (OE) and applications (also known as waveforms) with associated waveforms repository and test/certification facility. Standard OE enables waveform portability and interoperability among SDRs of multiple vendors. Towards this, the Ministry of Defence has taken a decision to define and develop reference implementation of India specific operating environment called India Software Communication Architecture (SCA) profile or Indian Radio Software Architecture (IRSA).
    For more information: Click here to read…

    iDEX-DIO signs 100th contract for defence innovation.

    iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence), signed its 100th contract on 26 July 2022. Till date, iDEX has launched iDEX Prime, seven rounds of DISC (including DISC SPRINT) and five rounds of OC, receiving more than 4,000 applications from individual innovators, MSMEs and start-ups. More than Rs 250 crore worth of projects have been allocated and procurement of 14 items worth over Rs 400 crore have been cleared. In the last four years, 17 start-ups in 14 projects have already been accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) by Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for trial and procurement in March 2022. Projects from balance of DISC 1 & 2 and some from DISC 3 are nearing completion and may be accorded AoN by DAC by end of current Financial Year.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Defence Acquisition Council, approves arms procurement proposals worth Rs 28,732 crore.

    The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, was held on July 26, 2022. Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for Capital Acquisition Proposals of the Armed Forces amounting to Rs 28,732 crore were accorded by the DAC in this meeting under Buy (Indian IDDM) and Buy (Indian) categories giving a further boost to ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in Defence.

    Among the proposals approved by DAC in the meeting are three proposals of the Indian Army, viz. Guided Extended Range Rocket Ammunition, Area Denial Munition Type I and Infantry Combat Vehicle – Command have been designed and developed by DRDO. The total value of these three proposals is Rs 8,599 crore. DAC aslo accorded AoN for Bullet Proof Jackets with Indian Standard BIS VI level of protection. To combat the current complex paradigm of conventional and hybrid warfare and counter terrorism at the borders, AoN for induction of approx. four lakh of Close Quarter Battle Carbines for the Services has also been accorded by the DAC.

    AoN were also accorded for procurement of Autonomous Surveillance and Armed Drone Swarms has been accorded by the DAC under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. The DAC also approved Navy’s proposal to procure upgraded 1250KW capacity Marine Gas Turbine Generator for power generation application onboard Kolkata class of ships through Indian Industry. This will give a major boost to indigenous manufacturing of gas turbine generators. In order to enhance the security in the coastal region of the country, the DAC also approved the proposal of procurement of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) for Indian Coast Guard under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) with 60% IC.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Second conference on Military Ammunition (Ammo India) inaugurated by RM.

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has called for innovations in the field of ammunition for the creation of a strong and self-reliant base that keeps the Armed Forces fully prepared to deal with future challenges. He was addressing the inaugural session of the second conference on Military Ammunition (Ammo India) on the theme ‘Make in India Opportunities and Challenges’ in New Delhi on July 27, 2022. The Raksha Mantri described advanced ammunition as the reality of the new age warfare, which is a must for India, given its regional & global imperatives and security challenges.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Delivery of the prestigious Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant.

    Indian Navy took delivery of the prestigious Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant on 28 July 2022, from her builder Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. Designed by Indian Navy’s inhouse Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built by CSL, a Public Sector Shipyard under Ministry of Shipping (MoS), the carrier is christened after her illustrious predecessor, India’s first Aircraft Carrier. The 262 mtr long carrier has a full displacement of close to 45,000 tonnes which is much larger and advanced than her predecessor. The ship is powered by four Gas Turbines totaling 88 MW power and has a maximum speed of 28 Knots. Built at an overall cost of close to Rs. 20,000 Crs. The ship’s keel was laid in Feb 2009, followed by launching in Aug 2013, with an overall indigenous content of 76%.

    The ship would be capable of operating air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising of MIG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy). Using a novel aircraft-operation mode known as STOBAR (Short Take- Off but Arrested Landing).
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on a visit to the Kingdom of Bhutan.

    General Manoj Pande, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has proceeded on a visit to the Kingdom of Bhutan from 29 July. This visit will further enhance the unique and time-tested bilateral relationship, characterised by utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Royal Army of Oman contingent for joint exercise Al NAJAH-IV arrive in India.

    The 4th Edition of India Oman Joint Military Exercise ‘AL NAJAH-IV’ between contingents of Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman is scheduled to take place at the Foreign Training Node of Mahajan Field Firing Ranges (Rajasthan) from 01 to 13 August 2022. The Royal Army of Oman contingent comprising 60 personnel from the Sultan of Oman Parachute Regiment have arrived at the exercise location. The Indian Army is represented by troops from the 18 MECHANISED INFANTRY Battalion. The previous edition of Ex AL NAJAH IV was organised at Muscat from 12 to 25 March 2019.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Vietnam India bilateral army exercise “Ex VINBAX 2022”.

    The 3rd Edition of Vietnam India Bilateral Army Exercise “Ex VINBAX 2022” is scheduled to be conducted at Chandimandir from 01 to 20 Aug 2022. The exercise is a sequel to previously conducted bilateral exercise in Vietnam in 2019 and a major milestone in strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Vietnam. India and Vietnam share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and defence cooperation is a key pillar of this partnership. The theme of Ex VINBAX – 2022 is employment and deployment of an Engineer Company and a Medical Team as part of United Nations Contingent for Peace Keeping Operations.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

    West Asia
    “Hizbu’llah has all of Israel in its missile range,” Hizbu’llah leader Nasrallah.

    In an interview on 25 July 2022, Lebanese Hizbu’llah leader Hassan Nasrallah said that “all of Israel is within the range of Hizbu’llah’s missiles. Boasting about drones, Nasrallah said that the recent drone operation, targeting Israel’s Karish gas field, was carried out by the group. Though Israel shot down the drone, but Nasrallah informed Al-Mayadeen media that over the period in the past, Hizbu’llah used drones over Israel many times.

    Nasrallah suggested that Hizbu’llah could gain from the trip of the US President Biden to the region by bringing Iranian oil and gas to Lebanon, and that Hizbu’llah can exploit Lebanon’s crisis and the US’ desire for stability in the region.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Africa
    Ethiopia
    Al-Shabaab terrorists carried out cross-border attack into Ethiopia’s Somali region.

    On 21 July 2022, al-Shabaab terrorists from Somalia launched a cross-border attack into Ethiopia’s Somali region. This is the first time that al-Shabaab carried out a terrorist attack in Ethiopia. According to Somali military and Ethiopia’s paramilitary Liyu police, several al-Shabaab terrorists crossed into the Afdher zone and took control of several of their positions. However, with heavy police casualties, all positions were recaptured. According to Somali military officials posted in Bakool— the region that borders Ethiopia, around 87 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in the gun-battle.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Somalia
    US airstrike killed two al-Shabaab terrorists in Lower Juba region.

    On 17 July 2022, the United States (US) Africa Command, in coordination with the government of Somalia, carried out airstrike and killed two al-Shabaab terrorists in a remote location near Libikus in Lower Juba region, Somalia. The strike was carried out after al-Shabaab attacked partner forces in the region. According to the statement released, “violent extremist organisations like al-Shabaab present long-term threats to Somali, regional and US interests.”
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Nigeria
    Five Boko Haram terrorists surrendered in Borno State.

    On 22 July 2022, five Boko Haram terrorists, including Mallam Isa, a commander, surrendered before the 73 Battalion of the Nigerian Army during “Operation Hadin Kai” in Borno State. “Preliminary investigation discovered that terrorists were said to have come out from Gazuwa, a new HQ of Boko Haram, located about 08 kilometres to Bama Local Government area,” said Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert. According to the Theatre Commander of North-East Joint Task Force of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’— Christopher Musa, “more than 67,000 terrorists have surrendered to troops so far.”
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Mali
    Islamist terrorists attacked Mali’s main military base outside Bamako.

    On 22 July 2022, Islamist terrorists of al-Qa’ida and Islamic State affiliated groups attacked Mali’s main military base in Kati, outside the Capital Bamako, however, the armed forces had repelled the attack and brought situation under control. In a statement released by military, “the attack involved two car bombs and was carried out by a local al-Qa’ida affiliated group— Katiba Macina.” Katiba Macina is more active terror group in Central Mali.

    In attack, a soldier was martyred and six people were wounded, while seven terrorists were killed and eight got arrested, read the statement. The military blamed Katiba Macina for several attacks on 21 July 2022 against military bases in Central Mali in which a soldier was martyred and 15 others were wounded.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Afghanistan
    “Al-Qa’ida and Islamic State are gaining strength in Afghanistan”, claimed the UNSC report.

    The 30th report of the United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team revealed the activities of al-Qa’ida (AQ), Islamic State (IS), and other terrorist groups in Afghanistan, and concluded that al-Qa’ida and IS related threats are high in the conflict zones and the neighbouring countries though both terror groups are likely to attempt an attack in non-conflicted areas.

    An Afghan national— Sanaullah Ghafari aka Shahab al-Muhajir, has been leading the Islamic State-Khurasan Province (IS-KP/IS-K) since June 2000. However, the IS core has established a separate structure called Al-Siddiq office under Sheikh Tamim al-Kurdi aka Abu Ahmed al-Madani for group’s regional agenda. The report also pointed about the IS-KP’s increased presence in northern and eastern Afghanistan. The group has terrorists from the Central Asia, who have increased activities in the north, bordering Central Asian states of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    US killed al-Qa’ida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a counter-terrorism operation in Kabul.

    On 01 August 2022, United States (US) President— Joe Biden, announced that in a counter-terrorism operation carried out on 30 July 2022 in Kabul, Afghanistan, the US government killed the al-Qa’ida leader— Ayman al-Zawahiri. “Al-Zawahiri coordinated al-Qa’ida’s branches all around the world since Bin Laden’s death in 2011, including setting priorities for providing operational guidance that call for and inspire attacks against US targets,” explained the US President during the announcement.

    “The United States continues to demonstrate our resolve and our capacity to defend the American people against those who seek to do us harm,” Biden continued. “We make it clear again tonight that, no matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out,” added the US President.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    DOMESTIC TERRORISM

    Jammu and Kashmir
    NIA searched multiple locations in Srinagar in “Chanapora Arms Recovery in Srinagar” case.

    On 20 July 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials searched nine locations in Kashmir, including four in Srinagar district and five in Pulwama district, in the case— RC-04/2022/NIA/JMU related to the conspiracy of conducting terror attacks in and around Srinagar, in which four operatives were arrested and 15 pistols, 30 magazines, 300 rounds, and one Mahindra-built Scorpio vehicle were seized.

    The case was re-registered by the NIA on 18 June 2022. The NIA officials seized digital devices and other incriminating materials.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    SIA unearthed the nexus between JeM and Punjab-based gangsters.

    The State Investigation Agency (SIA) in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) unearthed the nexus between Pakistan-based terrorist group— Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Punjab-based gangsters, as the SIA filed a chargesheet against five operatives in a terror-funding related case registered in 2021.

    The case was related to the recovery of ₹ 43 lakh by Jammu police at the Sidhra bridge, from Kashmir-bound vehicle, on 16 November 2021. The SIA filed a chargesheet before the Special NIA court in Jammu on 26 July 2022, against five operatives, including JeM commander— Ashiq Nengroo (presently operating from Pakistan), Muzammil Ahmad Malik (JeM operative) from Pulwama, and other three Punjab-based gangsters— i) Ravi Kumar, ii) Jaideep Dhawan, and iii) Amarbir Singh (all residents of Punjab), under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], the Arms Act, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Left-Wing Extremism
    NIA arrested a Maoist associate in connection with “Terror Financing by CPI (Maoist) in Bihar” case.

    On 28 July 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials arrested— Rajesh Gupta, a Maoist associate, in connection to a conspiracy by CPI (Maoist) cadres and others for attempting to revive the banned organisation’s module in the Son-Ganga Bindh region of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh (UP).

    The case— RC-19/2022/NIA/DLI was re-registered on 26 April 2022 and NIA taken over the investigation. Earlier, NIA had arrested 03 associates in this case on 12 April 2022 and 25 May 2022. Rajesh Gupta is a close associate of earlier arrested Vijay Kumar Arya— a Central Committee Member (CCM) and was actively involved in reviving the module in Son-Ganga Bindh region.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Police killed a Maoist in an anti-naxal operation in Chhattisgarh.

    On 26 July 2022, Chhattisgarh police eliminated a Maoist— Budh Ram Madkam aka Mahangu Deva, a member of Katekalyan Area Committee of CPI (Maoist), in forest near Jabrameta village of Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    NIA searched multiple locations in Jharkhand in connection with “killing of police personnel and looting of arms and ammunition by CPI (Maoists)” case.

    On 27 July 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials searched 03 locations of suspects in connection with suspects’ involvement in an attack on police party on 14 June 2019 at Kukru Haat in Saraikela-Kherswan district in Jharkhand. In the attack, five police personnel attained Veergati, and their arms and ammunitions were looted by perpetrators.

    The case— RC-39/2020/NIA/DLI was re-registered by the NIA on 09 December 2020. The NIA officials recovered digital devices, illicit weapons and ammunitions, and various incriminating materials.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    “Maoist-affected Districts reduced to 46 in 2021”, informed MoS for Home Affairs.

    The Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs— Nityanand Rai, on 26 July 2022, informed the Lok Sabha (the Lower House of the Indian Parliament) that number of Maoist-affected districts has reduced from 70 in the year 2014 to 46 in 2021. Along with, the incidents inspired from Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) have recorded significant reduction from 1,091 in 2014 to 509 incidents in 2021.

    The Minister also informed the Lok Sabha about Central government-led schemes for Maoist-affected areas, including Security Related Expenditure Scheme (SRES), Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), Road Requirement Plan-1, mobile connectivity projects in Maoist affected districts.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    NIA arrested a Maoist associate in revival of Magadh zone of CPI (Maoist) case.

    On 25 July 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested— Tarun Kumar, in connection with a case— RC-05/2021/NIA/RNC, where CPI (Maoist) cadre prominent— Pradyuman Sharma and others, were conspiring to revive a module of banned organisation in Magadh zone. Tarun Kumar, along with other accused conspired to raise funds for procurement of arms and ammunition and training the fellow cadres in fabrication of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices).

    The group was also planning to create nexus with incarcerated naxals and Over-Ground Workers (OGWs) in various jails for commission of violent crimes.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)
    NIA searched multiple locations in six States in connection with “ISIS module” case.

    On 31 July 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) searched 13 premises of Islamic State (IS) suspects in six Indian States— i) Gujarat, ii) Bihar, iii) Karnataka, iv) Maharashtra, v) Uttar Pradesh, and vi) Madhya Pradesh, in a case related to Islamic State (ISIS) module and its activities.

    On 25 June 2022, the case— RC-26/2022/NIA/DLI was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A].
    For more information: Click here to read…

    NIA arrested 08th accused in “Udaipur killing” case.

    On 21 July 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials arrested the 08th accused— Mohammed Javed (age 19 years), in the case— RC-27/2022/NIA/DLI pertaining to the killing of Shri Kanhaiya Lal Teli in Udaipur, Rajasthan, by two Islamic extremists armed with sharp weapons at his tailor shop on 28 June 2022.

    The NIA re-registered the case on 29 June 2022 and taken over the investigation. Earlier, 07 accused were arrested in the case on 29 June, 01 July, 04 July, and 09 July 2022. Mohammed Javed had played an important role in the killing by conducting recce and conveying the information about the victim to one of the main perpetrators— Riyaz, prior to the brutal murder.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    NIA searched multiple locations in connection with “PFI Phulwari Sharif” case in Bihar.

    On 28 July 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials carried out searches at 10 locations of the PFI operatives in Bihar, for their alleged involvement with the Popular Front of India (PFI) in anti-national activities.

    The case— RC-31/2022/NIA/DLI was re-registered by the NIA on 22 July 2022 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The NIA officials seized digital devices and several incriminating materials from the sites.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) Cases
    NIA Special Court (Bihar) convicted and sentenced a FICN trafficker in “FICN case of East Champaran, Bihar”.

    On 22 July 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court, Bihar, convicted and sentenced— Mohammad Ali Akhtar Ansari for his involvement in the Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) proliferation in India. The case— RC-08/2016/NIA/DLI pertains to the seizure of a parcel containing high quality FICNs worth around ₹ 25 lakhs. Mohammad Akhtar came to Raxaul, to take delivery of the FICNs consignment on 30 September 2015, and was subsequently arrested.

    According to the investigation, the seized FICNs had been smuggled from a foreign country into India and supposed to be delivered to another accused— Abi Mohammad of Nepal. Investigation also revealed that a Pakistani national— Syed Muhammad Shaffi, now residing in the UAE (United Arab Emirates), had couriered the parcel from the UAE via ICS (International Courier Service). Mohammad Akhtar Ansari rewarded 20 years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) with ₹ 50,000 as fine under Section 16 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], 10 years of RI with ₹ 25,000 as fine under Section 489B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and 07 years of RI under Section 489C of the IPC by the NIA Special Court (Patna), Bihar.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    Narcotics-Trafficking
    NIA searched multiple locations in Tamil Nadu in the case of “Narcotics and Arms trafficking to India and Sri Lanka”.

    On 20 July 2022, the National Investigation Agency officials searched 22 premises of suspects at various locations in Tamil Nadu in connection with the case— RC-29/2022/NIA/DLI, pertaining to illicit activities of Sri Lankan drug mafia being operated by C Gunashekharan in association with Haji Salim— drug and arms supplier based in Pakistan.

    The drugs and arms traffickers have been operating in India and Sri Lanka, and have been conspiring for the revival of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) terror group and to further its violent activities. The case was registered suo moto by the NIA on 08 July 2022 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], read with sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
    For more information: Click here to read…

    China: Daily Scan, August 02, 2022

    China urges U.S., Japan not to incite division in name of cooperation: Xinhuanet
    August 1, 2022

    China on Monday urged the United States and Japan not to politicize, weaponize and overstretch the concept of national security on economic, trade and sci-tech issues, not target third parties or undermine their interests, still less incite division and confrontation in the name of cooperation and dialogue. Click here to read…

    Chinese researchers study producing fishmeal from industrial exhaust gases: Xinhuanet
    August 1, 2022

    Chinese researchers have systematically reviewed the application and potential development of industrial exhaust gas in producing aquaculture feed protein. The rapid development of aquaculture requires a rigid increase in feed consumption that heavily depends on wild-captured forage fish, which is unsustainable, costly and less eco-friendly, according to a recent research article published in the journal Reviews in Aquaculture. Click here to read…

    State councilor calls for all-out flood control, drought relief efforts: Xinhuanet
    August 2, 2022

    State Councilor Wang Yong on Monday called for all-out flood control and drought relief efforts to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property. Wang, also head of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, gave the instruction when inspecting the Ministry of Emergency Management and presiding over a video conference on flood control and drought relief work. Click here to read…

    Chinese mainland reports 46 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet
    August 2, 2022

    The Chinese mainland on Monday reported 46 locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 10 in Gansu, and nine in Guangxi and Sichuan respectively, the National Health Commission said Tuesday. Altogether 327 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified on Monday. Among them, 96 were in Guangxi. Click here to read…

    China forbids COVID-19-related employment discrimination: Xinhuanet
    August 2, 2022

    Chinese authorities on Monday issued a circular targeting workplace discrimination against employees or jobseekers due to their previous history of COVID-19 infection. Employers and human resources service agencies are strictly forbidden from refusing to recruit people who have recovered from COVID-19 on the grounds that they once tested positive for the virus, according to the circular jointly released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the National Health Commission. Click here to read…

    State councilor calls for all-out flood control, drought relief efforts: People’s Daily
    August 2, 2022

    State Councilor Wang Yong on Monday called for all-out flood control and drought relief efforts to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property. Wang, also head of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, gave the instruction when inspecting the Ministry of Emergency Management and presiding over a video conference on flood control and drought relief work. Click here to read…

    Renminbi gets global currency basket upgrade: People’s Daily
    August 2, 2022

    The enhanced standing of the renminbi as a key global reserve asset will further boost the Chinese currency’s accelerated march toward playing a more central role in the international financial governance system, officials and experts said. Click here to read…

    China to see population shrink by 2025: People’s Daily
    August 2, 2022

    China’s population growth is set to turn negative by 2025, as low fertility rates and aging will bring long-term challenges, the National Health Commission, the country’s top health authority, said in an article published on Monday. Click here to read…

    Pelosi’s potential visit to Taiwan dangerous, provocative, says China’s UN envoy: Global Times
    August 2, 2022

    Amid escalating cross-Straits tensions due to possible visit of US House Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, China’s top official to the UN warned that the visit is dangerous and provocative, as the one-China principle is a red line in China’s relations with other countries, and China allows no one to cross this red line. Click here to read…

    China sternly warns Biden admin not to arrange Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, PLA ‘will not sit idly by’: Global Times
    August 2, 2022

    The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are keeping up the pressure on the US over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s potential visit to the island of Taiwan, urging the US to honor US President Joe Biden’s promise to not support “Taiwan independence,” while media outlets from the US and Taiwan reported that Pelosi is expected to visit the island shortly. Click here to read…

    Several Chinese warplanes fly close to median line of Taiwan Strait: Reuters
    August 2, 2022

    Several Chinese warplanes flew close to the median line of the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Tuesday morning, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters, as tensions mounted on news U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi was set to visit Taiwan during the day. The source said several Chinese warships have stayed close to unofficial dividing line since Monday, adding that Taiwan had dispatched aircraft to monitor the situation. Click here to read…

    Taiwan premier ‘warmly welcomes’ foreign guests when asked about Pelosi visit: Reuters
    August 2, 2022

    Taiwan’s premier on Tuesday reiterated that Taiwan “warmly welcomes” foreign guests, ahead of a potential visit by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the self-ruled island that China claims as its own. Taiwan “would make the most appropriate arrangements” for such guests and respect their plans, Premier Su Tseng-chang told reporters on Tuesday when asked about Pelosi’s visit. Click here to read…

    China: Daily Scan, July 25, 2022

    China to expand cash-pooling program to integrate currency management: Xinhuanet
    July 22, 2022

    China will expand cash-pooling services for multinational companies to integrate domestic and foreign currency management on a larger scale, the country’s monetary authorities said Friday. Shanghai, Guangdong, Shaanxi and some other regions will be added to this pilot program to facilitate the use and management of cross-border capital, said the People’s Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. Click here to read…

    China urges Japan to stop hyping up security threats to justify its military build-up: Xinhuanet
    July 22, 2022

    China on Friday expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to concerning content in Japan’s 2022 defense white paper, urging the country to stop arbitrarily hyping up security threats in the neighborhood to justify its military build-up. Click here to read…

    China to boost effective demand for stronger economic recovery: Xinhuanet
    July 22, 2022

    China will adopt policy measures to expand effective demand to strengthen the driving force for economic recovery and growth, according to the decision made at the State Council’s Executive Meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday. Click here to read…

    Senior CPC official addresses 5th Digital China Summit: Xinhuanet
    July 23, 2022

    Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, addressed the 5th Digital China Summit via video on Saturday. Click here to read…

    Chinese leadership vaccinated against COVID-19: China Daily
    July 23, 2022

    The leaders of the Communist Party of China and the government have all been vaccinated with domestic COVID-19 vaccines, a senior health official said on Saturday. “This demonstrates that the leadership attaches great significance to the virus control work and has great confidence in the domestically developed COVID-19 vaccines,” Zeng Yixin, vice-minister of the National Health Commission, said during a news conference. Click here to read…

    China ready to cope with imported monkeypox cases: Global Times
    July 24, 2022

    Although China has not reported any monkeypox cases, the country has raised its alert level and is ready to cope with the rapidly-spreading zoonotic infectious disease, health experts said on Sunday, after monkeypox was labeled by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global health emergency, the highest level of alert. Click here to read…

    Chinese senior inspector under financial watchdog CBIRC faces disciplinary action: Global Times
    July 24, 2022

    A senior Chinese inspector at the Henan supervision bureau of financial watchdog China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) is facing disciplinary action for alleged serious violations of laws and discipline, a statement released by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) showed. Click here to read…

    China’s home-grown C919 jet nears certification as test planes complete tasks: Reuters
    July 24, 2022

    China’s homegrown C919 narrow-body jet, designed to challenge the Airbus-Boeing (AIR.PA)(BA.N) duopoly, is nearing certification as its test planes completed all of the test flight tasks, the company said on Saturday. The state-owned manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC) said on its official social media account that the six test planes have finished the testing tasks as the programme enters the final stage of receiving a certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China which is required for commercial operations. Click here to read…

    Digital yuan finds root as China prompts consumption: Global Times
    July 25, 2022

    Chinese financial institutions have ramped up efforts in prompting wide applications of the digital yuan with a wide variety of tailor-made products to be launched, as the country is embracing the digital economy for boosting consumption, several bank representatives told the Global Times over the weekend. Click here to read…

    China’s population expected to start to shrink before 2025: Reuters
    July 25, 2022

    China’s population has slowed significantly and is expected to start to shrink ahead of 2025, the state backed Global Times reported, citing a senior health official. Birth data released late on Sunday showed that the number of new births in 2021 was the lowest in decades in several provinces. Click here to read…

    China says South China Sea not a ‘fighting arena’ for major powers: Reuters
    July 25, 2022

    China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday that the South China Sea is not a “safari park” for countries outside the region or a “fighting arena” for major powers to compete in.
    The South China Sea issue should be handled by countries in the region themselves, Wang said in opening remarks at a virtual seminar commemorating the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Click here to read…

    China launches second of three space station modules from Hainan base: Taipei Times
    July 25, 2022

    China yesterday launched the second of three modules required to complete its new space station, state media reported, the latest step in Beijing’s ambitious space program. The uncrewed craft, named Wentian, was propelled by a Long March 5B rocket at 2:22pm from the Wenchang launch site on the island of Hainan. Click here to read…

    Community transmission chain of Omicron subvariant BA.2 in Shenzhen has not been cut, says local health authority: Global Times
    July 25, 2022

    The community transmission chain of the latest COVID-19 flare-up in Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong Province, since July 15 has not been cut. The viral gene sequencing completed on all the infections showed that they have the Omicron subvariant BA.2, the local health commission announced on Sunday. Click here to read…

    Woman detained for commemorating tablets to Japanese war criminals: China Daily
    July 25, 2022

    A woman has been put under criminal detention for commemorating Buddhist memorial tablets of Japanese war criminals in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, which has angered numerous Chinese and led to heated discussion in the country. Click here to read…

    China’s auto exports on fast growth: Qiushi
    July 25, 2022

    Recently, an Australian consumer joined a two-week test driving activity held for MG ZS, a pure electric vehicle (EV) model produced by Chinese automaker SAIC Motor. The long range and safety performance of the Chinese EV impressed her very much. The X2, a flying car from Chinese electric vehicle producer XPeng, is exhibited at the automobile section of the fourth China International Import Expo, Nov. 6, 2021Click here to read…

    Former vice chairman of China’s Tibet regional government arrested for suspected bribery: Xinhuanet
    July 25, 2022

    China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) has ordered the arrest of Zhang Yongze, former vice chairman of the people’s government of southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, for suspected bribe-taking. Click here to read…

    Chinese mainland reports 101 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet
    July 25, 2022

    The Chinese mainland on Sunday reported 101 locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 34 in Sichuan, 24 in Gansu and 22 in Guangxi, the National Health Commission said Monday. Click here to read…

    China: Daily Scan, July 22, 2022

    Senior CPC official urges preventing, defusing risks in united front work: Xinhuanet
    July 21, 2022

    Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official You Quan has urged efforts to prevent and defuse risks in the united front work and contribute to stable economic, social, and political environments. You, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during his research tour in northeast China’s Liaoning Province from Wednesday to Thursday. Click here to read…

    Former manager of China’s state grain group arrested for suspected bribery, dereliction of duty: Xinhuanet
    July 21, 2022

    Xu Baoyi, former deputy general manager of China Grain Reserves Group (Sinograin), has been arrested on suspicion of bribery and dereliction of duty by personnel of state-owned enterprises, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) said. Click here to read…

    HSBC says Communist party branch in China units have ‘no influence’: Reuters
    July 21, 2022

    HSBC Holdings said employees who form branches of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) within private companies in China have ‘no influence’ on the running of the business, following media reports on Thursday that such a unit had been established at its China securities unit. Click here to read…

    Shanghai bans job discrimination against recovered COVID patients: Global Times
    July 21, 2022

    The Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress passed a decision on Thursday, banning employers from terminating contracts, or refusing to hire those who have suffered from infectious diseases. The city also curtailed the time period to check a person’s nucleic acid test history record from two months to half a month, which is viewed as a “pragmatic and positive” change for people struggling to find a job. Click here to read…

    China’s ride-hailing giant Didi fined $1.2b for 16 legal breaches; move ends year-long probe, highlighting data security: Global Times
    July 21, 2022

    China’s internet regulator fined ride-hailing giant Didi Global 8.026 billion yuan ($1.2 billion) for 16 legal violations, calling an end to a cybersecurity probe that lasted more than one year and sending a strong signal that will lay the ground for the healthy development of internet-based platform economy. Click here to read…

    Chinese vice premier urges high-quality development of education: Xinhuanet
    July 22, 2022

    Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan has stressed the need to promote high-quality development of education and the development of a strong education system with which the people are satisfied. Click here to read…

    Chinese mainland reports 106 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet
    July 22, 2022

    The Chinese mainland Thursday reported 106 locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 52 in Gansu and 21 in Guangxi, the National Health Commission said Friday. Altogether 774 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified in 12 provincial-level regions on Thursday. Click here to read…

    Chinese police intensify crackdown on pornography, prostitution, gambling-related crimes: Xinhuanet
    July 22, 2022

    Chinese police have intensified crackdown on pornography, prostitution and gambling-related crimes, dismantling over 960 such criminal rings in a special campaign. The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said in a statement on Thursday that police authorities have worked with a national office to fight against pornography and illegal publications, supervising the investigation of over 70 major cases. Police forces across the country have resolved more than 790 major criminal cases in this regard. Click here to read…

    Anhui powers ahead in tech development: Quishi
    July 22, 2022

    Anhui province is on a fast track of development in China’s economy, having become a hub of multiple emerging industries, such as electric vehicles, over the last decade, provincial leaders said. Click here to read…

    Indonesian president to visit China: China Military
    July 22, 2022

    At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Joko Widodo of the Republic of Indonesia will visit China from July 25 to 26, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced Thursday. Click here to read…

    China’s battery giant CATL, Ford announce cooperation on EVs: People’s Daily
    July 22, 2022

    China’s leading automotive lithium-ion battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) and Ford Motor Company announced Thursday a non-binding memorandum of understanding outlining global strategic cooperation, including supplying batteries in China, Europe and North America. Click here to read…

    China to extend anti-dumping duties on steel product from Japan, South Korea, and EU: Reuters
    July 22, 2022

    China will extend anti-dumping duties on grain oriented flat-rolled electrical steel imported from Japan, South Korea, and the European Union, the country’s ministry of commerce said on Friday. The duties will be extended for five years beginning from July 23, it said in a statement. Click here to read…

    China’s largest policy bank disbursed $27 bln loans for infrastructure stimulus: Reuters
    July 22, 2022

    China’s largest policy bank said on Friday that it had disbursed 181.5 billion yuan ($27 billion) in loans for urban development projects in the first half of the year, and pledged to maintain an accelerated pace of lending to fund infrastructure. Click here to read…

    China’s propaganda put under scrutiny as netizen comments translated: Kyodo
    July 22, 2022

    When a strong earthquake struck off the coast of Fukushima in March, Chinese social media was flooded with comments reveling in the prospect of a disaster and telling Japanese “to die.” But almost immediately, translations of the comments in Japanese and English appeared, produced by a loose collection of people, most of them Chinese themselves, to open the world’s eyes to the kinds of opinions being voiced in China. Participants in the campaign, called the Great Translation Movement, say the ultimate aim is to expose the Chinese Communist Party’s manipulation of public opinion. Click here to read…