DEFENCE

• Defence Budget 2023-24.
• Mission Mode (MM) projects of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and Commander of Royal Cambodian Army visiting India.
• HAL’s Helicopter Factory at Tumakuru inaugurated by PM.
• Operation Dost.
• NSA Shri Ajit Doval visited Moscow from 07-09 February 2023.
• Maiden landing of LCA Navy and Mig-29K fighter aircraft on board INS Vikrant.
• MoD signs contract worth over Rs 2,585 crore, for Corps of Engineers of Indian Army.
• 11th meeting of India-Mongolia Joint Working Group.
• Prime Minister inaugurates Aero India 2023
• Defence Secretary meets delegations from Saudi Arabia, USA and Oman on the sidelines of Aero India 2023
• Defence Secretary meets UK Delegation.
• Raksha Mantri hosts Defence Ministers’ Conclave.
• Indigenous manufacturing of aero-engines; MoD working on the details
• Raksha Mantri calls for joint efforts to develop India as MRO hub.
• Defence Secretary holds talks with several defence delegations.
• Record 75 per cent of defence capital procurement budget earmarked for domestic industry in FY 2023-24.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa

• “lack of employment- a main driver of violent extremism in Sub-Saharan Africa”: UNDP

Afghanistan

• Taliban killed three IS operatives in a raid in Kabul.
• “Afghanistan remains primary source of terrorist threat for Central and South Asia”: UN report.

East Asia

• South Korean police arrested two foreigners funding terrorist groups using cryptocurrency.
• Singaporean law-enforcement authorities detained an 18 years-old IS supporter for planning terror attacks in the country.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

• Security forces arrested six JeM terrorists from Kulgam.

Left-Wing Extremism

• A key-Maoist surrendered in Jharkhand.

Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)

• NIA searched multiple locations in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka in connection with ‘Coimbatore car bomb blast’ and ‘Mangaluru blast’ cases.
• “Popular Front of India wanted to turn Bharat into Islamic State by 2047”: Maharashtra ATS.
• NIA filed charge sheet against a PFI operative in ‘Activities of IS module in India’ case.
• NIA arrested two accused in the ‘Phulwarisharif Patna PFI’ case.

Khalistan-inspired Extremism

• Bharat condemned vandalism in Melbourne, Australia.

Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) cases

• Assam-based FICN racket busted in West Bengal.
• STF team recovered FICNs worth ₹ 31 lakh from Odisha.

DEFENCE

Defence Budget 2023-24.

The Armed Forces allocation fornon-Salary revenue outlay has been enhanced to Rs 90,000 crore in BE 2023-24, representing a 44% jump. The Union Budget for Financial Year 2023-24 envisages a total outlay of Rs 45,03,097 crore. Of this, Ministry of Defence has been allocated a total Budget of Rs 5,93,537.64 crore, which is 13.18 % of the total budget. This includes an amount of Rs 1,38,205 crore for Defence Pensions. The total Defence Budget represents an enhancement of Rs 68,371.49 crore (13%) over the Budget of 2022-23. The Capital Allocations pertaining to modernisation and infrastructure development of the Defence Services has been increased to Rs 1,62,600 crore representing a rise of Rs 10,230 crore (6.7%) over FY 2022-23.
For more information: Click here to read…

Mission Mode (MM) projects of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The Government has worked out the Mission Mode (MM) projects of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). As on date, DRDO is working on 55 MM Projects for a total sanctioned cost of Rs 73,942.82 crore. These are in the area of Decoys, Nuclear Defence Technologies, Air Independent Propulsion (AIP), Combat Suite, Propulsion System, Air Droppable Container, Torpedo, Fighter Aircraft, Cruise Missile, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, AEW&C Aircraft System, Gas Turbine Engine, Assault Rifle, Warhead, Light Machine Gun, Rocket, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Infantry Combat Vehicle Command, Ordnance Disposal System, Tactical Radios, EW Systems, Radars, Life Support System, Geographical Information System, Surface to Air Missile, Anti-ship Missile, anti-Airfield Weapon, Glide Bomb, Simulator etc.
Reference: Click here to read…

Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and Commander of Royal Cambodian Army visiting India.

Lieutenant General Hun Manet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and Commander of Royal Cambodian Army along with a delegation visited India from 02 to 04 February 2023. This was the maiden visit by any Commander of Royal Cambodian Army and is a milestone in Army to Army relations between both countries. He called on Mr Giridhar Aramane, Defence Secretary and was briefed on Indian indigenous defence equipment manufacturing eco-system by the Department of Defence Production (DDP) and the Army Design Bureau. He later called-on the Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri Jagdeep Dhankar, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Deputy National Security Advisor Mr Vikram Misri.
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HAL’s Helicopter Factory at Tumakuru inaugurated by PM.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Helicopter Factory at Tumakuru in Karnataka on February 06, 2023. He took a walk through of the Helicopter Facility & Structure Hangar and unveiled the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). The factory is India’s largest helicopter manufacturing facility and will initially produce LUHs. The LUH is an indigenously designed and developed three-ton class, single engine multipurpose utility helicopter with unique features of high maneuverability. Initially, this factory will produce around 30 helicopters per year and can be enhanced to 60 and then 90 per year in a phased manner.

The Greenfield Helicopter Factory, spread across 615 acres of land, is planned with a vision to become a one-stop solution for all helicopter requirements of the country. After initially producing LUHs, the factory will be augmented to produce other helicopters such as Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) and Indian Multirole Helicopters (IMRHs). It will also be used for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul of LCH, LUH, Civil Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and IMRH in the future. Potential exports of civil LUH will also be catered to from this factory. The HAL plans to produce more than 1,000 helicopters in the range of 3-15 tonnes, with a total business of over Rs four lakh crores over a period of 20 years.
For more information: Click here to read…

Operation Dost

Following the massive earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria on 6 February 2023, Prime Minister directed that all possible assistance be extended to the affected people. In pursuance of this, Operation Dost was launched to provide necessary support in terms of search and rescue (SAR) efforts as well as medical assistance. This swift response led to the first C-17 IAF aircraft with a specialized SAR team leaving for Türkiye within hours of a request of assistance being received. Since then, India has been able to send more than 250 personnel, specialized equipment and other relief material amounting to more than 135 tons to Türkiye on 5 C-17 IAF aircrafts.

These include three self-sustained teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) numbering more than 150 specially trained personnel, along with dog squads, specialized equipment, vehicles and supplies. Their equipment allows for detection, location, access and extrication of people trapped under collapsed structures. In addition, personnel and equipment have been sent to set up a 30-bed self-sustained field hospital of the Indian Army. This includes a team of 99 specially trained personnel, with essential medicines, advanced equipment, vehicles and ambulances. The hospital will provide for a fully functional Operation Theatre, and facilities such as X-ray, ventilators, etc.
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NSA Shri Ajit Doval visited Moscow from 07-09 February 2023.

NSA visited Moscow from 07-09 February 2023. He participated at the 5th Multilateral Meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils/National Security Advisers on Afghanistan on 08 February 2023. Apart from the host country, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan were represented at this meeting. Issues discussed included the security and humanitarian challenges facing Afghanistan.

In his remarks, NSA stressed the need to ensure that the territory of Afghanistan does not become a source of radicalization and terrorism, regionally or globally, as well as to intensify intelligence and security cooperation to deal with terror outfits, including those designated under the UNSCR 1267. He also pointed out that the well-being and humanitarian needs of the Afghan people is India’s foremost priority.

NSA also called on the President of the Russian Federation Mr. Vladimir Putin and had wide-ranging discussions on bilateral and regional issues. It was agreed to continue work towards implementing the India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership.

On 09 February 2023, NSA held a bilateral dialogue with Secretary of the Russian Security Council, and discussed issues, including bilateral relations, regional and international developments. He also met with Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Minister of Trade and Industry and discussed issues pertaining to bilateral defence and economic cooperation.
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Maiden landing of LCA Navy and Mig-29K fighter aircraft onboard INS Vikrant.

The Carrier has been undertaking extensive Air Operations with Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing aircraft since 13 Dec 22 towards Air Certification and Flight Integration Trials for achieving the ultimate aim of being ‘Combat Ready’. As part of the aviation trials, landing of LCA (Navy) and MiG-29K on board INS Vikrant was carried out on 06 Feb 23 for the first time.
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MoD signs contract worth over Rs 2,585 crore, for Corps of Engineers of Indian Army.

Ministry of Defence has approved the proposal for indigenous manufacture of 41 sets of Modular Bridges for the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army. These game-changing bridges have been designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and shall be produced by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) as DRDO-nominated production agency. The contract for the procurement of Modular Bridges was signed with L&T on February 08, 2023 at an estimated cost of over Rs 2,585 crore.
For more information:

11th meeting of India-Mongolia Joint Working Group.

The 11th meeting of India-Mongolia Joint Working Group was held today on 10th February 2023 in New Delhi. Both sides reviewed the progress on various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives and identified means to further enhance the existing areas of cooperation and articulated steps in this direction. During the meeting, both the sides expressed satisfaction at the ongoing defence cooperation between the two countries despite the limitations imposed by Covid-19 pandemic.

India established diplomatic relations with Mongolia in 1955. The Indian Resident Mission in Ulaanbaatar was opened in 1971. This relationship was upgraded to “strategic partnership” in 2015 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mongolia and declared it as an essential component of ‘Act East Policy’.
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Prime Minister inaugurates Aero India 2023.

Prime Minister inaugurated the 14th edition of Asia’s largest aero show –– Aero India 2023 – in Bengaluru, Karnataka on February 13, 2023. February 13th to 15th were the business days, while 16th & 17th were public days to allow people to witness the show. The event comprised of a Defence Ministers’ Conclave; a CEOs Round Table; Manthan start-up event; Bandhan ceremony; breath-taking air shows; a large exhibition; India Pavilion and a trade fair of aerospace companies.

Organised at Air Force Station, Yelahanka in a total area of around 35,000 sqm, the event, the biggest-ever till date, witnessed the participation of 98 countries. The Defence Ministers of 32 countries, Air Chiefs of 29 countries and 73 CEOs of global and Indian OEMs were expected to attend the event. Eight hundred and nine (809) defence companies, including MSMEs and start-ups, showcased the advancement in niche technologies and the growth in aerospace and defence sector.
For more information: Click here to read…

Defence Secretary meets delegations from Saudi Arabia, USA and Oman on the sidelines of Aero India 2023.

Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane held bilateral meetings on 12 February 2023 with three defence delegations on the sidelines of Aero India 2023 at Bengaluru. Defence Secretary met Mr. Engr Turki Saad, General Manager Industrial Relations, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and discussed a number of bilateral defence cooperation issues.

A US delegation led by Mr. Jedijiah P. Royal, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, and accompanied by Ambassador Elizabeth Jones, Charge D’Affairs US Embassy and Maj Gen Julian Cheator, US Air Force, met the Defence Secretary.
A wide range of ongoing and future defence cooperation issues were discussed. US is participating in Aero India with a number of officials, companies and aircrafts.

Later, Defence Secretary met a delegation from Oman led by HE Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Zaabi, Secretary General, Ministry of Defence. The ongoing defence cooperation was reviewed and possible opportunities for increasing the depth and scope of engagements was discussed.
Reference: Click here to read…

Defence Secretary meets UK Delegation.

Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane had a bilateral meeting with UK Minister of State for Defence Procurement Mr Alex Chalk. The meeting was conducted on the side-lines of the Aero India 2023 which was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 13 February 2023. A number of ongoing and future defence cooperation issues were discussed including areas for potential defence industrial cooperation. The UK Minister was accompanied by British High Commissioner to India Mr Alex Ellis.
Reference: Click here to read…

Raksha Mantri hosts Defence Ministers’ Conclave.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh hosted the Defence & Deputy Defence Ministers of 27 countries at the Defence Ministers’ Conclave held on the sidelines of Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru on February 14, 2023. The broad theme of the conclave was ‘Shared Prosperity through Enhanced Engagements in Defence’ (SPEED). It sought to address aspects related to deepening cooperation for capacity building (through investments, R&D, joint ventures, co-development, co-production and provisioning of defence equipment), training, space, AI and maritime security to grow together.

Over 160 delegates from several countries, including Defence & Deputy Defence Ministers from 27 countries, 15 Defence and Service Chiefs and 12 Permanent Secretaries from 80 countries participated in the conclave attesting to India’s tremendous growth and engagement in the defence and security sectors.
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Indigenous manufacturing of aero-engines; MoD working on the details.

Ministry of Defence is working on the details of indigenous manufacturing of aero-engines to provide a new fillip to the aerospace sector and achieve complete self-reliance. This was stated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh during his inaugural address at a seminar titled ‘Indigenous Development of ‘Futuristic Aerospace Technologies including Way Forward for Development of Indigenous Aero Engines’, organised by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of 14th Aero India in Bengaluru on February 14, 2023.
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Raksha Mantri calls for joint efforts to develop India as MRO hub.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has called for joint efforts to develop India as a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub. He emphasised the need for MRO services to safeguard our defence equipment and systems, and protect our defence forces. He was speaking at the inaugural session of the seminar on “Sustenance in MRO and Obsolescence Mitigation: Op capability Enhancers in Aerospace Domain” organised by the Indian Air Force at Aero India 2023 on February 14, 2023.

Speaking on the need to give a push to indigenisation, Shri Rajnath Singh mentioned that the requirement for minimum 50% indigenous content in ‘Buy Indian- IDDM’ category currently does not include maintenance. He suggested that the procurement cost as well as maintenance and support should have 50% indigenous content to make the acquisition truly “Buy Indian- IDDM” and give a boost to Aatmanirbharta. He further pointed out the need to consider the cost of defence products over their entire lifespan. “The Life Cycle cost of high value defence equipment, including service and maintenance, should be examined at the time of acquisition for a clear estimate of total expenditure on these products throughout their usable life, and to enable us to get better value for money”, he suggested. He said that this will also enable us to understand the overall financial implications and estimate the level of indigenisation in particular defence equipment.
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Defence Secretary holds talks with several defence delegations.

Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane met a number of defence delegations on the sidelines of Aero India 2023 at Bengaluru on 14 February 2023. A bilateral meeting was held with UAE delegation led by Mr Matar Salem Ali Marran Aldhaheri, Defence Secretary, Ministry of Defence, UAE. They discussed a number of ongoing defence cooperation issues and expressed satisfaction at the regular military engagements.

Defence Secretary met a Myanmar delegation led by Lt Gen Kan Myint Than, Chief of Defence Industries. The ongoing defence cooperation issues were discussed. A bilateral meeting was held with Brazil. The Brazilian delegation was led by Brig Rui Chagas Mesquita, Head of Secretariat for Defence Production. They discussed a number of defence industrial cooperation issues and the possibilities for further cooperation.

Defence Secretary met a Cambodia delegation led by Gen Yun Min, Secretary of State, Ministry of National Defence. They reviewed the current cooperation between the two countries and discussed ways to enhance the defence cooperation.
A bilateral meeting was organized with Ms Katerina Gramatikova, Deputy Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria with Defence Secretary. Issues related to defence industrial cooperation were discussed.

A Mauritius delegation led by Mr Kechan Balgobin, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, Government of Mauritius met Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane. They considered the ongoing and future defence cooperation matters and exchanged views on important issues.
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Record 75 per cent of defence capital procurement budget earmarked for domestic industry in FY 2023-24.

Record 75 per cent (approx. Rs one lakh crore) of the defence capital procurement budget has been earmarked for domestic industry in Financial Year (FY) 2023-24, up from 68 per cent in 2022-23. This was announced by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh during the Bandhan ceremony of 14th Aero India in Bengaluru on February 15, 2023.

The Bandhan ceremony also witnessed the forging of 266 partnerships including 201 MoUs, 53 major announcements, nine product launches and three Transfers of Technology, worth around Rs 80,000 crore.
For more information: Click here to read…

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa

“Lack of employment- a main driver of violent extremism in Sub-Saharan Africa”: UNDP.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report— Journey to Extremism in Africa: Pathways to Recruitment and Disengagement, released on 07 February 2023, lack of job opportunities is the leading factor driving people to join violent extremist groups in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Lack of income, lack of employment and livelihoods, means that desperation is essentially pushing people to take up opportunities, with whoever offers that,” said Achim Steiner, UNDP administrator.

Sub-Saharan Africa has become a new global epicenter of violent extremism with almost half of global terrorism deaths recorded there in 2021. After lack of employment, peer pressure from family members or friends is cited as second most common driver; followed by religious ideology for joining up the terror group.
For more information: Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Taliban killed three IS operatives in a raid in Kabul.

In an overnight operation on 14-15 February 2023, the Taliban’s intelligence wing killed three Islamic State (IS) terrorists and arrested one during a raid in the Karti Naw neighbourhood in Kabul. According to a Taliban-appointed spokesman for Afghanistan’s General Director of Intelligence— Khalil Hamraz, “the raid on a residential building targeted IS terrorists who were involved in recent attacks in Kabul.”
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“Afghanistan remains primary source of terrorist threat for Central and South Asia”: UN report.

The United Nations (UN)’s 31st report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team (ISIS/ISIL, al-Qa’ida) highlighted that due to the Taliban’s failure to implement a successful security policy, organisations like the Islamic State (IS/ISIL/ISIS), al-Qa’ida, and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) continue to pose a significant threat to Central and South Asia.

The report also mentioned that IS’s branch in Afghanistan— Islamic State-Khurasan Province (IS-KP) is the primary rival to the Taliban de-facto administration, having strategic focus on Afghanistan and beyond in the historical Khurasan region. IS-KP’s main objective is to unearthed the Taliban’s in-capabilities to provide effective security in the country. By attacking diplomatic missions, IS-KP seeks to undermine the relationship between the Taliban and neighbouring countries.
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East Asia

South Korean police arrested two foreigners funding terrorist groups using crypto currency.

On 15 February, South Korea’s National Police Agency (NPA) arrested two foreign nationals for funding al-Qa’ida-linked terrorist group— Katibat al-Tawhidwal-Jihad (KTJ), using crypto currency. Police arrested an Uzbek and a Kazakh man who were later sent to the Supreme Prosecutors Office on charges of breaking the anti-terrorism and anti-terrorist funding acts. The United Nations (UN) designated KTJ as a terrorist group in March 2022. According to the police statement, in December 2022, nine foreign nationals were arrested on charges of funding KTJ and were later deported. It was suspected, the Uzbek collected some 10 million won (USD 7,770) by instigating other foreigners based in Yeongam, South Jeolla province, and sending funds to KTJ since August 2022. The Kazak national allegedly sent 01 million won of crypto currency to KTJ.
For more information:Click here to read…

Singaporean law-enforcement authorities detained an 18 years-old IS supporter for planning terror attacks in the country.

Singaporean law-enforcement agency detained an 18 years-old Islamic State (IS) supporter for allegedly planning to carry out terror attacks in the country. As reported, Muhammad Irfan Danyal bin Mohammad Nor, a Singaporean student, was detained under the Internal Security Act. “Muhammad Irfan became radicalised after viewing IS group propaganda online, adding that he wanted to use social media to gather terrorists to conduct attacks in Singapore”, read the statement released by the authorities.
For more information: Click here to read…

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

Security forces arrested six JeM terrorists from Kulgam.

On 03 February 2023, security forces arrested six Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists— i) Shahid Ahmad Padder, ii) Ubaid Ahmad Itoo, iii) Danish Ahmad Dar, iv) Nawaz Ahmad Ganie, v) Abid Mushtaq, and vi)Kifayat Ahmad Lone, from Kulgam district and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from their possession. “On the basis of intelligence inputs regarding carrying out of subversive actions in Mirhama and Damhal Hanjipora area of Kulgam district, joint team of Police and 9 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) arrested six JeM terrorists in the operations,” said police.

Security forces recovered a pistol, a pistol magazine, eight pistol rounds, a hand grenade, four UBGL (Under Barrel Grenade Launcher) shell, 30 rounds of AK-47, 446 rounds of M4, eight magazines of M4, one each magazine of AK-47 and INSAS, a wireless set and four walkie-talkies.
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Left-Wing Extremism

A ‘regional commander’ surrendered in Jharkhand.

On 10 February 2022, a key Maoist— Mithilesh Singh aka Duryodhan Mahto, who carried a bounty of ₹ 15 lakh, surrendered before security forces in Ranchi district, Jharkhand. Mithilesh was a ‘regional commander of the CPI (Maoist) group. He was ‘most-wanted’ in 104 cases in various districts of the State.

“In past three years, more than 1,300 Maoists were arrested, around 50 Maoists surrendered and 31 of them were killed in gunfight with security forces. The base area of the Maoists has shrunk, and they are now restricted to few pockets in the State,” said Inspector-General (IG) of Police (Operations)—Amol V Homkar.
For more information: Click here to read…

Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)

NIA searched multiple locations in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka in connection with ‘Coimbatore car bomb blast’ and ‘Mangaluru blast’ cases.

On 15 February 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) searched 32 locations in Tamil Nadu and Kerala in connection with the ‘Coimbatore car bomb blast’ case— RC-01/2022/NIA/CHE and eight locations in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka in ‘Mangaluru blast’ case— RC-47/2022/NIA/DLI.

The case— RC-01/2022/NIA/CHE pertains to a bomb blast in a car, laden with explosives in front of Kottai Eswaran temple in Coimbatore district. The accused— Jamesha Mubeen, after swearing allegiance to Islamic State (IS), planned to carry out a suicide attack on 23 October 2022. The case— RC-47/2022/NIA/DLI relates to a ‘pressure cooker bomb’/improvised explosive device (IED) blast that took place in a moving auto-rickshaw in Mangaluru, Karnataka. In two cases, during the search operations large numbers of digital devices and cash amounting to ₹ 4 lakh.
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“Popular Front of India wanted to turn Bharat into Islamic State by 2047”: Maharashtra ATS.

In its charge sheet filed in a local court on 02 February 2023, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) highlighted that the Popular Front of India (PFI), a banned organisation, aimed to establish the ‘Rule of Islam’ in Bharat by 2047, and also had plans to obtain arms and ammunition with the assistance from foreign countries or their organisations to achieve the objectives. The ATS claimed to have recovered a document called— “India 2047-towards rule of Islam in India”.

As per the charge sheet, PFI wanted to create a split among several communities by projecting Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as an organisation interested in the welfare of upper-caste Hindus.
For more information: Click here to read…

NIA filed charge sheet against a PFI operative in ‘Activities of IS module in India’ case.

On 11 February 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against Mohammad Sohail, a PFI operative involved in conspiracy to disturb peace and spread communal hatred and enmity. Mohammad Sohail, along with other PFI members, have conspired to radicalise Muslim youth to commit violent and unlawful activities. Mohammad Sohail was arrested on 10 February 2023 from Jaipur, Rajasthan.
For more information: Click here to read…

NIA arrested two operatives in the ‘Phulwarisharif Patna PFI’ case.

On 04 February 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) searched eight locations and arrested two PFI operatives— i) TanveerRaza, and ii) Mohammad Abid, from Motihari, Bihar, in ‘Phulwarisharif Patna PFI’ case. Both accused were involved in conspiracy to carry out targeted killing in East Champaran district, Bihar. Few days ago, Yakoob, the PFI trainer, had posted derogatory and inflammatory Facebook video post which was aimed at disturbing the peace and harmony. Other users on Facebook trolled this post abusively. Yakoob, Tanveer, and Abid had identified some of the users and conspired to execute the killing of targeted users.
For more information: Click here to read…

Khalistan-inspired Extremism

Bharat condemned vandalism in Melbourne, Australia.

On 02 February 2023, Bharat condemned the recent anti-Bharat incidents of vandalism in various parts of Australia and asked the Australian government to ensure that country’s territory is not used for activities detrimental to “Bharat’s security, integrity, and national interest”.

“We (Bharat) strongly condemn such attacks by extremist elements. We urge the local authorities to investigate and punish the perpetrators. We have been repeatedly taking up with the Australian authorities our concerns about actions by such elements, including the proscribed terrorist organisations. Bharat has expressed a firm rejection of the Khalistan referendum and other politically-motivated activities by extremist elements,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)’s spokesman Arindam Bagchi.
For more information: Click here to read…

Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) cases

Assam-based FICN racket busted in West Bengal.

On 01 February 2023, the Kolkata Special Task Force (STF)’s anti-FICN team busted an Assam-based Fake Indian Currency Note (FICN) racket and arrested two racketeers— i) Abdul Rejjak Khan, and ii) Shahar Ali. During the arrest, STF team recovered a total of 2,000 notes of ₹ 500 from the possession of the duo. STF registered the case under Sections 120B, 489B, and 489C of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
For more information: Click here to read…

STF team recovered FICNs worth ₹ 31 lakh from Odisha.

On 01 February 2023, Odisha’s Special Task Force (STF) and police seized a consignment of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) worth ₹ 31 lakh during a raid in Bolangir district in Odisha. The joint team seized FICNs from a man standing near the main gate of Titlagarh bus stand.
For more information: Click here to read…

Top Chinese legislator pays official goodwill visit to Mongolia: Xinhuanet

September 12, 2022

Li Zhanshu, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, paid an official goodwill visit to Mongolia from Saturday to Monday, at the invitation of Chairman of Mongolia’s State Great Hural (Parliament) Gombojav Zandanshatar. Click here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 188 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet

September 12, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Monday reported 188 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 126 were in Sichuan, according to the National Health Commission’s report on Tuesday. A total of 727 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified. Click here to read…

Drought-hit Yangtze River sections being replenished by reservoirs: Xinhuanet

September 12, 2022

Reservoirs will continue to replenish the water supply in the section of the Yangtze River affected by drought to ensure the irrigation of crops and urban water supplies. It is estimated that the Yangtze River basin will still see a lack of rainfall in mid- and late September, so the water inflow to the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake will continue to be low, the Ministry of Water Resources said Monday. Click here to read…

Chinese police strengthen international law enforcement cooperation against telecom and online fraud: Global Times

September 12, 2022

The last decade has witnessed the rapid spread of telecom and online fraud globally, which seriously infringes on people’s legitimate rights and interests, becoming a prominent crime and a public hazard. To address this problem, the Chinese police have been committed to intensifying their efforts in the combat against and control of such crimes, and strengthening international law enforcement cooperation, which has enabled them to accumulate successful experience, build up best practices and set examples for their counterparts around the world. Click here to read…

New railway connecting China, Mongolia launched to boost coal trade: Global Times

September 12, 2022

Mongolia launched a 233-kilometer cross border rail line between the Tavan Tolgoi coal field and Gashuun Sukhait on the Chinese border over the weekend, a move that is expected to boost China-Mongolia coal trade, experts said. Click here to read…

US mulls broader curb on Chinese tech sector: Global Times

September 12, 2022

While the US will continue to cope with inflation, Washington’s reported move to further decouple from China on chip and medicine supply chains, the two fields where China plays a major role in the global industry chain in terms of production capacity and cost control, will backfire on the US itself, experts said. Click here to read…

China sends college students to virus quarantine: Taipei Times

September 12, 2022

Almost 500 students at China’s premier college for broadcast journalists have been sent to a quarantine center after a handful of COVID-19 cases were detected in their dormitory. The 488 students at Communication University of China, along with 19 teachers and five assistants, were transferred by bus beginning on Friday night. Click here to read…

Chinese internet users detained over Xinjiang Covid-19 outbreak ‘rumours’: South China Morning Post

September 12, 2022

Police in China’s far western region of Xinjiang have detained four internet users, accusing them of spreading rumours about an outbreak of Covid-19. The four were ordered to serve between five and 10 days of administrative detention in Yining, a city in the Ili Kazakh autonomous prefecture, police said in a statement on Sunday. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka’s ‘white elephant’ Lotus Tower financed with Chinese debt set to open this week: South China Morning Post

September 13, 2022

A huge green and purple communications tower in Sri Lanka financed with Chinese debt that has become a symbol of the ousted Rajapaksa clan’s closeness to Beijing will finally open this week, its operator said on Monday. The 350-metre (1,155-feet) Lotus Tower – visible from all over Colombo and built for an estimated US$113 million – has been plagued by corruption claims since construction began in 2012 under former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. Click here to read…

Chinese scientists plan boron-powered supersonic missile that can fly and swim: South China Morning Post

September 13, 2022

China is developing a supersonic anti-ship missile that will be able to travel further and faster than any traditional torpedo, according to researchers involved in the project.
The 5 metre (16.4 feet) missile will be able to cruise at 2.5 times the speed of sound at about 10,000 metres (32,800 feet) – the same altitude as a commercial airliner – for 200km (124 miles) before diving and skimming across the waves for up to 20km. Click here to read…

Chinese premier stresses policy implementation to stabilize economy: : Xinhuanet

September 13, 2022

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has stressed efforts to ensure the implementation of policy measures to stabilize economic growth, employment and prices. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks at a special meeting after hearing reports from two working groups on work for stabilizing the economy. Click here to read…

Chinese FM puts forward five-point views on developing China-Japan relations: : Xinhuanet

September 13, 2022

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a video speech on Monday at the opening ceremony of a seminar commemorating the 50th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations. Click here to read…

Xi’s upcoming Central Asia trip to bolster SCO cooperation: Qiushi

September 13, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the city of Samarkand, and pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from Wednesday to Friday. Click here to read…

Amphibious firefighting aircraft put through paces: China Military

September 13, 2022

China will produce four prototypes of the AG600M aircraft, a firefighting variant belonging to the AG600 large amphibious aircraft family, to carry out test flights, its developer announced on Saturday. Click here to read…

Li highlights central role of consumption: China Daily

September 13, 2022

Premier Li Keqiang has underlined efforts to promote the role of consumption as the major driver of economic growth and to expand effective investment in order to boost the confidence of market players, as they play a critical role in stabilizing the economy. Click here to read…

‘Concealed, adaptable’ weapon of NSA’s cyberattack on leading Chinese aviation university exposed: Global Times

September 13, 2022

A “concealed and adaptable” weapon used by US’ intelligence center National Security Agency (NSA) to launch a cyberattack on the email system of Northwestern Polytechnical University in Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province – well-known for its aviation, aerospace and navigation studies – was captured by Chinese cybersecurity experts, the Global Times learned from a source on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Provinces take lead in stabilizing growth: People’s Daily

September 13, 2022

China’s major provincial economies are stepping up efforts to stabilize the growth in their regions, with strong focus on expanding effective investment and spurring consumption, as the central government has called on them to take the lead in supporting the country’s economy. Click here to read…

Compilation of CPC’s important literature published: Xinhunaet

August 8, 2022

The first 12 volumes of the compilation of important literature of the Communist Party of China (CPC) have been published by the People’s Publishing House. The book, compiled by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Archives, is an authoritative source for the study of the history of the CPC. Click here to read…

China promotes use of land, sea for major projects: Xinhuanet

August 8, 2022

China has announced a host of measures to support the land and sea use for major construction projects, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. The policies stress the need to guarantee the demand for such factors involved in the implementation of construction projects while adhering to the legal bottom line and the red line of resource security, the ministry said. Click here to read…

SW China’s Xizang reports 22 COVID cases, ending 920-day zero record: Global Times

August 8, 2022

Southwest China’s Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region recorded 22 COVID-19 cases on Sunday, local health authorities said on Monday, marking the end of the region’s 920-day record of no cases. The 22 cases are all related to Xizang’s Xigaze city, home to about 800,000 people. Eighteen cases were detected in Lhasa and nine of them took the same train from Xigaze to Lhasa on Thursday. The other four cases found earlier in Ngari Prefecture’s Burang county through regular nucleic acid testing were travelers from Xigaze. Click here to read…

Defense Ministry Spokesperson Wu Qian’s answers to press question on China’s cancellation of three China-U.S. military communication activities and U.S. hyping-up: China Military

August 8, 2022

Reporter: Recently, China has announced eight countermeasures against Washington, including canceling three China-US military exchange programs, in response to Nancy Pelosi’s visit to China’s Taiwan region. According to US media reports, the Chinese side has recently rejected phone calls made by the US high-level military officials to the Chinese military leaders. Could you please make comments on this?

Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian: The current tensions across the Taiwan Strait has been a result of provocative acts single-handedly created by the US side, for which the US side must be held accountable and bear full responsibility for the serious consequences of it. Click here to read…

China’s transport ministry issues draft guidelines to encourage use of autonomous cars in taxi sector: Global Times

August 08, 2022

The Ministry of Transport on Monday issued draft guidelines that encourage the use of autonomous cars in taxi services under certain conditions, in a move that companies and analysts say will help accelerate the commercialization of self-driving vehicles. Click here to read…

China, Mongolia reach broad consensuses on strengthening ties: Xinhuanet

August 9, 2022

China and Mongolia have reached a wide range of consensuses during the visit of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Ulan Bator on Sunday and Monday. When meeting the press together with Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh after holding talks here on Monday, Wang said that he has witnessed encouraging changes in Ulan Bator since his last visit two years ago and felt the vitality of the vast grassland. Click here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 350 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet

August 9, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Monday reported 350 locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 300 were in Hainan Province, the National Health Commission said Tuesday. Altogether 478 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified on the day, including 171 in Hainan and 146 in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, said the commission in its report. Click here to read…

China’s new energy sector moves into high gear amid pursuit for carbon goals: Qiushi

August 9, 2022

As construction of large-scale wind and photovoltaic power bases accelerates, China’s new energy sector is expected to have greater growth potential this year amid efforts to achieve “dual carbon” goals. In Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the construction of a wind power and photovoltaic base by China Huadian Corporation with a total installed capacity of 1 million kilowatts is progressing in full swing. Click here to read…

PLA extends recruitment age for university graduates: China Daily

August 9, 2022

Summer is a busy season for job hunters in China, especially new university and college graduates. Those who’ve just received a diploma in science, technology or engineering have been given a new offer－an invitation to join the People’s Liberation Army. Click here to read…

Ministry dismisses West’s accusations over tensions: China Daily

August 9, 2022

China will continue to lodge stern representations with the United States over US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, urging Washington to refrain from conniving with and supporting “Taiwan independence” forces and to stop playing the “Taiwan card” to contain China, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday. Click here to read…

PLA extends ‘Taiwan encirclement’ exercises with anti-submarine warfare, showcases unrivaled area denial capability; ‘drills will not stop until reunification’: Global Times

August 8, 2022

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Monday continued military exercises and training activities surrounding the island of Taiwan, marking an extension from the previously announced schedule. Drills like these will not stop and are expected to become routine until reunification, as the Chinese mainland shows its determination to push forward the reunification process after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s provocative visit to the island last week that seriously violated China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, experts said. Click here to read…

China’s first permanent magnetic levitation train ’Xingguo’ completed: Global Times

China’s first permanent magnetic levitation train “Xingguo” is completed after passing its debugging stage experimentation, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Tuesday. The “Xingguo” train features a suspended monorail structure and is designed to run at a speed of 80 km/h. The main part of the trial track is an 800-meter-long elevated single track, with a double track reserved for operations, which can carry 88 persons. Click here to read…

New demand may boost future exports: People’s Daily

August 9, 2022

China’s exports are expected to become more resilient as demand from emerging markets such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and India expands rapidly, experts said on Monday after reviewing official data that Customs released on Sunday. Click here to read…

Chinese, Taiwanese navy boats hold close to Strait median line on Tuesday: Reuters

August 9, 2022

About 20 Chinese and Taiwanese navy boats held close to the median line of the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday morning, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters. The source said some Chinese boats briefly attempted to “press” into the unofficial buffer, while Taiwan’s navy monitored the movements, in a continuation of similar manoeuvring near the median line separating China and Taiwan since Aug. 1. Several Chinese navy boats also conducted missions off Taiwan’s eastern coasts on Tuesday, the source familiar with the security planning in the region said. Click here to read…

Dhaka seeks Beijing’s aid in repatriating Rohingya: Taipei Times

August 9, 2022

Bangladesh on Sunday sought cooperation from China to repatriate Rohingya refugees to Myanmar during a visit by Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, who promised better trade ties, investment and support for infrastructure development in the South Asian nation. Click here to read…

Huge PLA drills around Taiwan really a message to US and allies, Chinese analysts say: South China Morning Post

August 9, 2022

Beijing is using war games and military and diplomatic responses to warn the United States and its allies against closer ties with Taiwan, but has managed to do so without triggering a full-blown conflict, Chinese observers noted. Click here to read…

Former deputy head of State Administration of Grain indicted for graft: Xinhuanet

April 7, 2022

Xu Ming, former deputy head of the State Administration of Grain, has been indicted on charges of taking bribery and abuse of power, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) said Thursday. Click here to read…

Chinese premier stresses maneuvering monetary policy tools to bolster real economy: Xinhuanet

April 7, 2022

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday said that the country will maneuver monetary policy tools when appropriate to effectively support the real economy. Chairing a State Council executive meeting, Li also stressed the need for enterprises in strained industries to postpone the payment of pension insurance, as well as stabilize jobs and strengthen employment training. Click here to read…

China welcomes int’l assessment of documents about U.S. biological military activities: Xinhuanet

April 7, 2022

China on Wednesday welcomed any global initiative within appropriate frameworks to assess the discovered documents related to U.S. biological military activities. Click here to read…

China-Mongolia land port sees robust growth in freight exports: Xinhuanet

April 6, 2022

The land port of Erenhot in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region saw its freight transport export volume increase 41.4 percent year on year in the first quarter of this year, local authorities have said. Click here to read…

China to regulate use of Chinese characters: Xinhuanet

April 6, 2022

The Chinese government has launched a nationwide campaign to regulate the use of Chinese characters in publications and on radio, TV, and the internet. The National Press and Publication Administration and the National Radio and Television Administration jointly launched a notice, asking local authorities to investigate and correct the misuse of Chinese characters in traditional publications such as books and newspapers, online publications, advertisements, radio, TV programs, and online audio and video programs. Click here to read…

China strengthens legal aid for abducted women: Xinhuanet

April 6, 2022

China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) on Wednesday announced that a special campaign has been launched to strengthen judicial assistance to women in need, including those who are victims of abduction and human trafficking. Click here to read…

Resilient China-EU cooperation critical for an uncertain world: Quishi

April 6, 2022

In a virtual meeting on Friday, Chinese and European Union (EU) leaders underscored the imperative role of sound and healthy bilateral ties for a world that has arrived at a critical juncture. China and the EU stand as two major forces, big markets and great civilizations on the world stage. It is the common aspiration of the global community for the two sides to uphold peace, promote shared development and add stabilizing factors to a turbulent world fraught with uncertainties induced by such challenges as a lingering COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Ukraine crisis. Click here to read…

Students gain from digital learning: Quishi

April 7, 2022

Online education platform provides smart solution for more flexible study. China has launched a smart learning platform covering all stages of education from primary school to universities to offer free digital learning resources to students. Click here to read…

Chief secretary for administration of HKSAR gov’t tenders resignation: People’s Daily

April 7, 2022

John Lee, chief secretary for administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, tendered his resignation on Wednesday, saying he plans to run for the upcoming election of the HKSAR’s sixth-term chief executive. Click here to read…

Chinese police launch campaign to hunt down economic fugitives abroad: People’s Daily

April 7, 2022

Chinese police have launched a new campaign to apprehend economic fugitives who have fled overseas, the Ministry of Public Security said on Wednesday. The public security organ pledged all-out efforts to arrest economic fugitives who have fled abroad in the “Fox Hunt 2022” campaign, and will support discipline inspection and supervision departments in fugitive repatriation and the recovering of criminal assets, the ministry said. Click here to read…

China sends nearly 40,000 medics to Shanghai in tough fight against Omicron: People’s Daily

April 7, 2022

More than 38,000 medics from 15 provincial-level regions have rushed to China’s business hub Shanghai to aid the megacity in its fight against resurging COVID-19. Some 27,000 medics are responsible for sampling and testing work, and another 11,000 work in temporary hospitals, according to the National Health Commission. Click here to read…

In Hangzhou, 2 detained over COVID spread: China Daily

April 6, 2022

Two people were detained for investigation on Tuesday after authorities said they may have caused the spread of COVID-19 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Wednesday. The two, a mother and a daughter, traveled from outside the province to Hangzhou on Tuesday morning. The two knowingly concealed the fact that they had been in medium- and high-risk areas, an official statement said. Click here to read…l

Shanghai fights decisive battle against Omicron with swifter actions; nearby cities provide 60,000 beds for quarantine: Global Times

April 7, 2022

The decisive battle against Omicron in Shanghai has entered a crucial stage, with the chief Chinese financial center conducting a second round of citywide nucleic acid testing on Wednesday, as new infections continued to hit a new record, striking the nerves of the whole country in the beginning of April. Click here to read…

China’s State Council stresses support for real economy as outlook dimmed by COVID-19: Global Times

April 6, 2022

With the resurgence of COVID-19 outbreaks across China since March weighing on the outlook for economic growth, Chinese officials and experts on Wednesday called for more robust fiscal and monetary support and other measures to help affected businesses and stabilize economic operations. Click here to read…

China unveils draft financial stability law in major push to prevent systemic risks: Global Times

April 6, 2022

China’s central bank on Wednesday night unveiled a draft financial stability legislation, including the creation of a financial stability guarantee fund, laying the legal groundwork for a holistic, sector-spanning and cross-departmental approach to preventing systemic financial risks. Click here to read…

China energy goals a problem as U.N. report calls for deeper coal cuts: Reuters

April 7, 2022

A new U.N. report detailing what the world needs to do to combat climate change has highlighted the need for China – by far the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter – to accelerate its shift towards clean and low-carbon energy. Click here to read…

Shanghai vows to improve food deliveries as discontent grows over COVID curbs: Reuters

Shanghai on Thursday said it was trying its best to improve the distribution of food and essential goods to locked-in residents, responding to growing discontent over such difficulties as COVID curbs stretched into an 11th day. Click here to read…

Hong Kong arrests six activists on accusation of sedition: Reuters

April 6, 2022

Hong Kong police arrested six activists on Wednesday for suspected sedition and contravention of a national security law in connection with what the police called “causing nuisance” at court hearings in December and January. Click here to read…

Hong Kong No. 2 official says he plans to run in leadership election: Reuters

April 6, 2022

Hong Kong’s No. 2 official, John Lee, said on Wednesday he had resigned to run in a leadership election in May, two days after Chief Executive Carrie Lam said she will not seek a second five-year term. read moreClick here to read…

China’s new infection cases top 20,000 despite “zero COVID” policy: Kyodo

April 6, 2022

The number of new infection cases with the novel coronavirus in China hit a record high, exceeding 20,000, the health authorities said Wednesday, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the country’s radical “zero COVID” policy. Across the mainland, 20,472 people, including asymptomatic ones, were confirmed to be infected with the virus on Tuesday, the highest in two years, according to the Chinese government. Click here to read…

Coronavirus: Shanghai adds 19,928 Covid-19 cases, setting a daily record for the sixth day: South China Morning Post

April 7, 2022

Shanghai’s daily Covid-19 infections set a record for the sixth straight day on Thursday, as citywide mass testing identified 19,982 cases in China’s financial and commercial hub.
The number of symptomatic cases ticked up to 322, from 311 a day earlier, while the vast majority of the positively identified infections showed no symptoms of illness, according to the data provided by Shanghai’s health authorities. Click here to read…

US sanctions threat if China aids Russia stirs fear in Beijing about forex assets: South China Morning Post

April 7, 2022

Washington’s financial sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine have raised concern in China over its large exposure to US government bonds, although experts say there is no real alternative for the country to invest its foreign exchange reserves. In recent weeks, former central bank adviser Yu Yongding and former vice-chairman of the Bank of China, Wang Yongli, have issued warnings about the effect that Western sanctions could have on China’s investment in foreign securities, amid US threats of “consequences” if Beijing helps Russia evade sanctions. Click here to read…

Coronavirus: time to ‘lie flat’? Divides emerge on Chinese internet about country’s path out of Covid-19: South China Morning Post

April 7, 2022

The Chinese internet has become a centre of a debate about the efficacy of widespread lockdowns as officials try to maintain a “dynamic zero-Covid” policy amid a worsening Covid-19 pandemic driven by the Omicron variant.To achieve the policies, cities across China have spent the past two years implementing rolling lockdowns, mass testing, rigid quarantine rules and nearly-closed national borders. Click here to read…