All stories by K J M Varma
Beijing becomes 'no-go-zone' as COVID-19 cases jump to 106
Rediff.com16 Jun 2020The Chinese capital reported 106 domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases since June 11 and a senior city official warned that the situation is "extremely severe" in Beijing where authorities have mounted massive containment measures including mass testing of about 90,000 people.
China lodges protest with India over violent face-off
Rediff.com16 Jun 2020China has alleged that the Indian troops twice crossed the border line on June 15 for "illegal activities and provoked and attacked Chinese personnel" which led to serious physical conflict between the two sides, hours after the Indian Army said the violent face-off took place between the troops during the "de-escalation process" in the Galwan Valley.
Indian troops crossed LAC, attacked us, claims China
Rediff.com16 Jun 2020"I am not aware of the information you provided," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in Beijing when asked about the reports of the Indian casualties at the contested borders. "Our border troops had a high-level meeting and reached important consensus on easing the border situation but astonishingly, on June 15, the Indian troops seriously violated our consensus and twice crossed the border line for illegal activities and provoked and attacked Chinese personnel which led to serious physical conflict between the two sides and China has lodged strong protest and representation with the Indian side," Zhao said.
Beijing COVID-19 situation 'extremely severe': Official
Rediff.com16 Jun 2020The authorities have mounted massive containment measures including mass testing of about 90,000 people
Mass testing in Beijing as 67 new cases appear
Rediff.com15 Jun 2020In a bid to stem the spread of the contagion, the authorities in Beijing have conducted the nucleic acid test on 29,386 people who had visited the Xinfadi wholesale market since May 30, Gao Xiaojun, spokesman for the Beijing Health Commission, said on Monday. The market became a hotspot after it reported several new COVID-19 cases. Out of all the samples, 12,973 came negative and the rest are awaiting results, Gao told the media.
China reports 66 new COVID-19 cases after sudden spike in Beijing
Rediff.com14 Jun 2020China has reported 66 new coronavirus cases, the largest since the disease was controlled in its first epicentre Wuhan in April, prompting the authorities to go into a 'wartime' mode to stem the spread of COVID-19 in the capital Beijing which has seen a sudden spike in the number of infections, health officials said on Sunday.
Beijing shuts down markets after 6 new COVID-19 cases reported
Rediff.com13 Jun 2020China's National Health Commission, (NHC) said on Saturday that 18 new confirmed coronavirus cases were reported in the country on Friday, including six domestically-transmitted cases in Beijing. Also on Friday, seven new asymptomatic cases were reported, taking the total number of such people in quarantine to 98, it said.
India, China begin 'limited disengagement' in eastern Ladakh
Rediff.com10 Jun 2020Asked about the reports of the troops on both sides disengaging and moving back to their previous positions, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing in Beijing that both sides are taking steps to ease the situation along the borders.
Amid border standoff, Indian Army wins rare praise from China
Rediff.com9 Jun 2020Mountain brigades being raised by India are mostly meant for the Chinese border, especially the Tibetan plateau, and it is perhaps the first time a Chinese military expert publicly complimented their strength and strategic importance.
COVID-19 may have hit Wuhan in Aug 2019, claims study
Rediff.com9 Jun 2020China said the study was "ridiculous" and based on "superficial" information.
Situation in Ladakh stable, controllable, says China
Rediff.com8 Jun 2020China and India have agreed to work to maintain peace along the Line of Actual Control and resolve the border standoff through talks while implementing the consensus reached between the two countries' leadership that 'differences' do not escalate into 'disputes', a top Chinese official said.
China exonerates itself in whitepaper on COVID-19
Rediff.com7 Jun 2020A whitepaper released by the Chinese government gave a lengthy explanation to refute the allegations of cover up and delay by Beijing on reporting the COVID-19 outbreak last year in Wuhan. United States President Donald Trump and leaders of several countries have accused China of not being transparent in reporting the deadly disease, leading to huge human casualties and economic crisis across the world.
Committed to properly resolve border standoff with India: China
Rediff.com5 Jun 2020Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing in Beijing that "at the moment the situation in the boundary region between China and India is overall stable and controllable".
40 students, teachers stabbed in primary school in China
Rediff.com4 Jun 2020The incident happened on Thursday at 8.30 am, at Wangfu Town Central Primary School in Wuzhou city, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The alleged attacker was a school security guard 50-year-old Li Xiaomin.
Second Chinese city orders mass testing for COVID-19 after Wuhan
Rediff.com4 Jun 2020Mudanjiang city in China's Heilongjiang province bordering Russia has ordered the coronavirus tests for its 2.8 million people.
Zero asymptomatic infections in Wuhan for 1st time
Rediff.com2 Jun 2020According to China's National Health Commission, five imported cases and 10 asymptomatic cases were reported in the country on Monday.
Situation at border with India 'stable and controllable': China
Rediff.com1 Jun 2020The comments came in the backdrop of the continuing standoff between the militaries of India and China at the LAC.
China rejects Trump's mediation offer in standoff with India
Rediff.com29 May 2020"We are capable of properly resolving the issues between us through dialogue and consultation. We do not need the intervention of the third party", he said.
Don't need US help to resolve border issues: Chinese media
Rediff.com29 May 2020China's state-run media said that the leadership of the two countries successfully solved the Doklam standoff in 2017 with 'concerted efforts and wisdom'.
Wuhan wet market may not be birthplace of COVID-19: Chinese researchers
Rediff.com27 May 2020The results of the study, being published on the website of top academic journal Nature on May 20, implied the Huanan Seafood Market in Hubei's capital Wuhan may not be the birthplace of COVID-19, although the virus outbreak emerged in Wuhan had a strong link to contacts with the market.