China ‘Tracking And Monitoring’ US Vessel’s Transit Through Taiwan Straits
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) stated that its Eastern Theatre Command were tracking and monitoring the US guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal (FFG 336) as the ships sailed through the Taiwan Straits on June 3. Army Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theatre Command, slammed such a “provocative move” in a written statement released on Saturday. “The naval and air forces of the Chinese PLA Eastern Theatre Command conducted tracking and monitoring on the U.S. destroyer and the Canadian frigate in the whole course, handling the situation lawfully and professionally,” said the spokesperson. He added that relevant countries have been deliberately stirring up “trouble and risk” in the Taiwan Straits, maliciously undermining regional peace and stability and sending “wrong signals” to Taiwan independence separatist forces. “The troops of the PLA Eastern Theater Command will always stay on high alert, take all necessary measures to firmly respond to all threats and provocations, and resolutely safeguard China’s national sovereignty, security and regional peace and stability,” stressed the spokesperson.
Source: CGTN
China And Pakistan Ink $4.8 Billion Deal To Build Nuclear Plant
China and Pakistan have inked a $4.8 billion deal on Tuesday to construct a 1,200-megawatt nuclear power plant. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made the announcement, stating that work on the Chashma 5 project would commence immediately. Reuters reported Sharif’s remarks on state-run news channel PTV, which came after the signing of the memorandum of understanding between China National Nuclear Cooperation and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. Sharif emphasized that China’s investment of $4.8 billion in this project sends a clear message that Pakistan is a trusted destination for Chinese companies and investors. The Chashma 5 project will be built in the central province of Punjab and will assist Pakistan in transitioning away from fossil fuels. Pakistans total nuclear energy production capacity reached 1,400 MW after the opening of the sixth nuclear power plant in the southern port city of Karachi two years ago. The 1,100 MW plant was also constructed with assistance from China.
Source: Global Times
Xi Orders Action As Blast Kills 31 At Barbecue Restaurant
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday demanded an all-out rescue and treatment of the injured and an enhanced safety overhaul after a barbecue restaurant explosion in northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the instruction following the accident, urging more efforts to ensure the safety of the people’s lives and property. The explosion which ripped through a barbecue restaurant in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia, on Wednesday night has left 31 dead and seven injured, local authorities said Thursday, which marks the start of the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday. Xi urged efforts to ascertain the cause of the accident as soon as possible and hold the relevant people accountable in accordance with the law. All regions and related departments should screen for and rectify all types of risks and hidden dangers, Xi noted.
Source: Xinhua
China’s Drug Control Authorities Slam US Fentanyl Claims
China’s narcotics control authorities have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the United States for its smearing of and sanctions on Chinese enterprises and individuals over their alleged involvement in drugs, pointing out that what they were exporting were common products. Since the beginning of this year, the US has imposed sanctions on several Chinese entities and individuals twice in a row on the grounds that their chemicals and equipment, such as tablet-pressing and capsule-filling machines, had been flowing into Mexico to manufacture fentanyl. Washington claims that this has fuelled the abuse of fentanyl in the US. In response, the China National Narcotics Control Commission said on Wednesday that the US moves are an attempt to slander and suppress China. The commission said the products mentioned by the US are not subject to control in line with international drug control conventions but are all common products.
Source: China Daily
China Issues Social Interaction Norms For Military Officials
China’s Central Military Commission (CMC) has issued a code of conduct for the social interactions of military officials, including behaviour on social media platforms. They say the code of conduct will improve the discipline of military personnel and strengthen their confidence so as to better protect national security in the big data era. Aspects of the code include social exchanges with local Party and government organs and their personnel; with enterprises or public institutions and their relevant personnel; with social organizations; with media; with theoretical research and academic exchange institutions and their personnel; with ethnic minorities; with religious organisations and religious believers; with overseas organisations and their personnel; with military officials’ friends and relatives; and social interactions on social media platforms.
Source: People’s Daily
Chinese Soccer Has A Hooliganism Problem
The Chinese Super League (CSL) seems to be getting back on the right track post-pandemic. Tickets for many games are sold out since the resumption of home and away games in the new season of the Chinese Super League, However, violent scenes have started appearing during matches during some competitive matches which have become more frequent especially in the last two rounds of the CSL. Earlier this month, videos circulated online show a Shandong Taishan supporters’ bus with a shattered window, allegedly broken by a stone thrown by fans of the home team Wuhan Three Towns. Another incident that month saw a player from the Cangzhou Mighty Lions’ team Sun Qinhan being struck by a bottle thrown by Chengdu Rongcheng fans which broke upon hitting his head. Soccer-related violence is not a common sight in China. The country has seen a handful of major incidents over the years. But such incidents are leading to Chinese football bloggers calling the transgressors “liumang,” or “hooligans,” reminiscent of the violence that once plagued English football.
Source: Sixth Tone
